As the number of coronavirus cases witnesses a steady rise, the government is considering requests of several states to continue the lockdown

India has recorded 149 deaths linked to coronavirus, with 35 dying in the last 24 hours alone. The latest data from the Union Health Ministry takes the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country past the 5,000-mark, to 5,194 cases.

This is the biggest jump in both the number of case as well as deaths. The 21-day lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24, is expected to end on April 14.

The government will, however, take a final call on extending the lockdown after PM Modi's second meeting with Chief Ministers via video conference on Saturday.

With the number of coronavirus cases showing a steady rise, the government is considering requests of several states to continue the lockdown, sources say.

Several states, including BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, have indicated that they would prefer an extension. Telangana, which also suggested an extension of lockdown, quoted a survey by Boston Consulting Group, which advised lockdown till June 3.

According to it, the coronavirus cases in the country will peak by June 1, state minister KT Rama Rao told NDTV on Tuesday.

Assam and Chhattisgarh too have said they would like to keep the state borders closed or allow only restricted entry while they dealt with the infections. Schools and colleges are unlikely to open next week.

A Group of Ministers that met Tuesday recommended that all educational institutions stay closed for another four weeks. It also suggested continuing the ban on religious gathering and meetings.

Courtesy: NDTV