Odisha became the first state in the country to extend the lockdown over the COVID-19 pandemic till April 30 as the number of patients infected by the novel coronavirus continue to rise across the country. Seventeen people, who had tested positive for the coronavirus, died across the country in the last 24 hours, taking the number of dead to 169 in India. The number of people infected with COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, rose to 5,865 on Thursday, government data showed. A novel virus is one that has not been previously identified in humans. PM Modi, in a video meeting with leaders of all parties, has suggested that the lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus will be extended and restrictions will not be lifted in one go after April 14.
Several hotspots have been singled out in cities across the country for greater effort on isolating them completely. In Delhi, 20 coronavirus hotspots in Delhi - including the famous Sadar Bazar -- will be sealed, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced at an emergency meeting held at the Chief Minister's residence.
