Total COVID-19 cases in India jump to 959 on fourth day of nationwide lockdown

23 people have died in COVID-19 so far in the country.

A 69-year old man from Kerala's Ernakulam passed away at Kochi Medical College on Saturday.

The deceased had a travel history to Dubai. 

The southern state of Telangana on Saturday reported its first death as a 74-year old man with a travel history to the national capital Delhi passed away.

India, a country of 1.3 billion people, on Saturday entered the fourth day of the lockdown which has been called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop the spread of the deadly virus.

Due to the lockdown, streets of several cities of 28 states and eight union territories remained deserted even on Saturday though the country struggled to maintain social distancing in the outskirts and remote areas as reported by several local news channels.

The 21-day lockdown was called on Tuesday, a day after 1.3 billion people stayed back home to observe "Janata Curfew".

"Janata Curfew" was also called by Prime Minister Modi who on Saturday dialled a number of Chief MInisters to discuss COVID-19.

As a measure to stop the spread of Coronavirus, Modi-led central government has already suspended all international and domestic flights till Apr 14.

Train services have also been suspended.

The inter-state bus services are not available to the Indians making it tough for the migrant workers to travel back to their native lands though the government has urged all people to remain whereever they were.

Essential services which include grocery shops, pharmacies, media, banks and ATMs have been exempted from the lockdown to help people to buy the basic commodities and materials.

Though Prime Minister Modi and several Chief Ministers have repeatedly assured people that there was no dearth of food items in the country, long queues outside the shops were a familiar picture in the early days of lockdown. 

Meanwhile, Modi on Saturday announced "Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund" or "PM Cares Fund" for donations to fight against the Novel Coronavirus in India.

Modi took to Twitter to appeal to people to contribute to the fund to fight against the virus which has kept the country as well as the globe on edge.

The Prime Minister tweeted, "People across the country have expressed their willingness to contribute to fight against COVID-19. In recognition of this sentiment, Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund has been created. This will prove to be very effective in building a healthy India."

Citizens and organisations can go to the website pmindia.gov.in and donate to the PM CARES Fund using their "name of the account", "account number", "IFSC Code", "SWIFT code", "name of the bank and branch" and "UPI ID".

Soon after the announcement, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar contributed Rs. 25 crore to "PM Cares Fund".

The actor tweeted, "This is that time when all that matters is the lives of our people. And we need to do anything and everything it takes. I pledge to contribute Rs 25 crores from my savings to @narendramodi ji’s PM-CARES Fund. Let’s save lives, Jaan hai toh jahaan hai."

Replying to Akshay, the Prime Minister said, "Great gesture @akshaykumar . Let’s keep donating for a healthier India."

(Image Credit: UNI)