Coronavirus Live Update: India reported 7,964 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours, registering its biggest jump since the first case was reported in the country in January. 265 people also lost their life due to the virus during the period, taking the total number of deaths to 4,971, the Health Ministry data showed. Over 1,73 lakh people have tested positive for the virus in the country so far. This is the second consecutive time that more than 7,000 COVID-19 cases have been detected in a 24-hour period and follows seven straight days of more than 6,000 new cases per day.
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu — two worst-hit states — continue to record the highest single-day jump in the number of COVID-19 patients.
In Maharashtra, the worst-hit state, 116 deaths linked to COVID-19 were recorded in a day, taking the tally to 2,098. The total number of cases surpassed the 62,000-mark.
In Tamil Nadu, 874 new cases were reported, taking the infection count past the 20,000-mark.
Telangana also recorded 169 new patients and four deaths on Friday, taking the tally to 2,425.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Home Minister Amit Shah and senior officials on Friday to discuss the way forward as the coronavirus lockdown, extended thrice, ends on Sunday. A decision is likely today on whether to extend the restrictions amid the steady rise in virus cases, given the need to reopen economic activity.
The Home Ministry has been asked to analyse inputs from various sectors and states.
Some states have already extended the virus lockdown and “nothing stops them from taking any further steps on their own”, sources said.
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