Mumbai:
Covid-19 cases in India have risen to 5,360, and 164 people have died so far .after registering over 15 fresh deaths — the highest single-day casualty since the coronavirus outbreak.
With over 10 new deaths, the toll in Maharashtra climbed to 64.
The total number of coronavirus cases in India today hit the 5,000 mark, according to the latest figures from the Health Ministry. With 1,018 cases, Maharashtra was the worst hit state, followed by Tamil Nadu at 690 and Delhi at 576, Telangana at Telangana 364 and Kerala at 336 India.
India's financial hub Mumbai is set to extend lockdown measures until at least April 30 as authorities race to expand testing to stem the spread of coronavirus cases in the city, said sources.
As the number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra had crossed 1,000, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) made wearing face masks mandatory in public places. Mumbai is the first city in India to make masks compulsory.
The BMC also warned of arrest under section 188 of the Indian Penal Court for flouting its order.
This would also be applicable to all people moving around in their official or personal vehicles at any site, office or workplace, besides attending any gatherings or meetings at workplaces.
The community spreading of coronavirus has apparently started in Mumbai and it's adjoining localities as the fresh positive cases emerging from there are neither immediate contacts of patients nor have any travel history.
According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the coronavirus positive cases reported in large number from slum pockets and highly dense areas of Mumbai. The G/South ward of the BMC has got 78 cases – the largest in the city. In in this ward, most of the patient are reported from fishermen colony of Worli, Prabhadevi and Lower Parel.
BMC said out of 34 people who died of COVID-19, 11 had no pre-history of aliments.The D ward which has Byculla in its limits, has got the second highest number of cases. Localities such as Dharavi, Kurla, Nehru Nagar, Bandra and Andheri too have significant number of positive cases.
"We are more worried and concerned about the health workers and doctors who have been tested coronavirus positive. In Mumbai, more than 50 people from medical fraternity are detected as virus positive. The community spreading has therefore been started as we see a surge in number of cases from various part of the city. They have neither international travel history nor immediate contact. We are declaring these areas as contaminated cluster and subsequently sealing them," sais senior BMC officer.
With the number of coronavirus cases rising to 343 in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday said all COVID-19 hotspots in 15 districts will be sealed till April 15.
The Uttar Pradesh government has also said that not wearing masks will invite action in the state. "Wearing of masks has been made compulsory in the state. There can be legal action also for not wearing masks," UP Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Awasthi said at a press conference.
India has entered Day-16 of its 21-Day nationwide lockdown period. According to news reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers will take a call on a lockdown extension on April 11.
Globally, the coronavirus-related death toll has surpassed 82,143 and the number of infections has risen to 1,434,235.
.
The total number of cases in the US has crossed 400,300, and death toll stands at 12,837. Italy has so far registered 135,586 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and it has had 17,127 fatalities, Spain's total number of cases has shot up to 141,942, and France's to 109,069.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), one sick person could infect up to 406 others in 30 days if there is no lockdown. The ICMR study comes at a time when various state governments have apparently requested the Centre to extend the 21-day lockdown beyond April 14.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a 5T plan to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. The 5T plan includes testing, tracing, treatment, teamwork and tracking.
Delhi government has also said that wearing face masks is compulsory in public. "Wearing of facial masks can reduce the spread of corona virus substantially. Therefore, it has been decided that facial masks will be compulsory for anyone stepping out of their house. Cloth mask shall be eligible too," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.