Coronavirus cases in India cross 23,000 mark, toll 718

As per the latest government update, 23,077 people including 4,749 cured and 718 deceased have been infected till date.

Maharashtra, where the country's financial capital Mumbai is located, has reported the highest number of cases (6,430) keeping the state government run by a political coalition on toes.

Gujarat, which is the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is picking up the cases fast as the western part of the country has registered 2,624 cases followed by the national capital Delhi (2,376).

Though Kerala, the Left-ruled southern state, had reported the first COVID-19 case in India followed by a steep rise in positive cases, has minimized the infection with an aggressive testing.

The state has reported 447 cases with 324 of them being recovered.

India is witnessing a steady growth in the number of cases at a time the nationwide lockdown, which was called by Modi on Mar 24, is 10 days away from getting expired.

Though initially the lockdown was called for 21 days, Modi later extended the restrictions, which has led to humanitarian crisis in the country with the daily wagers and migrant workers suffering, till May 3.

Though the central government, which is ruled by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has offered some relaxations, the country by and large is under lockdown as of now leading to an economic instability.

Meanwhile Modi, who preferred to save the lives of millions than concentrating more on economy, is scheduled to meet all Chief Ministers on Mar 27, possibly to discuss the Coronavirus situation and an exit from the lockdown mode.

(Images: Unsplash, IBNS File)