TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Apr 11, 2020, 20: 37 IST
NEW DELHI: Interacting with chief ministers via video conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said there seems to be a consensus amongst states on extending by another two weeks the ongoing nationwide lockdown, which began on March 25 and was to end on April 14. Meanwhile, India’s total cases of coronavirus climbed to 7,529 including 242 deaths, said the Union ministry of health.
Here are the top developments:
1
India
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the next 3-4 weeks are critical to determine impact of steps taken till now to curb the coronavirus spread and urged state governments to ensure strict adherence to the lockdown.
- The number of coronavirus cases in the country could have increased to 8.2 lakh by April 15 had India not implemented a lockdown and other containment measures, the Union health ministry said.
- A total of 586 hospitals in the country have been marked as dedicated COVID-19 hospitals with capacity of over one lakh isolation beds and 11,500 ICU beds reserved for coronavirus patients, the Union health ministry said.
- The home ministry has directed the states and Union territories to ensure adequate police protection to doctors and medical staff going to hospitals or quarantine centres during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Railways has converted 5,000 coaches into isolation wards for those infected with coronavirus and is likely to deploy them in rural areas after consultation with the health ministry.
- The ministry of information and broadcasting has asked all broadcasters, DTH providers, multiple system operators, local cable operators to continue to provide uninterrupted services t