Coronavirus cases in India closer to 1,000, 25 dead

The Indian government on Sunday asked states to ensure the 21-day lockdown, asking them to help curb the exodus of migrant workers from cities, as the overall number of COVID-19 positive people rose to 979.

Heath ministry data this morning showed that the 61 new cases were detected since last evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who declared a 21day lockdown last week, warned against violation of the restrictions, saying those doing so were "playing with their own lives'.

He also apologized for the lockdown decision inconveniencing the poor, but made it clear that it was the need of the hour. "I apologize for taking these harsh steps which have caused difficulties in your lives, especially the poor people. I know some of you would be angry with me also.

But these tough measures were needed to win this battle," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today in his monthly radio address "Mann Ki Baat". 61 new cases of COVID-19 came over the last 16 hours, following yesterday's mega jump of nearly 200 cases.

Overall 25 people have died, the deaths were reported from various states including Bengal, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar. A death each has been reported from these states. Maharashtra has reported 6 deaths, Madhya Pradesh 2, Karnataka 3, Gujarat 4, and Delhi 2.

States should seal borders and encourage migrant labourers to stay where they are by providing food and shelter, the Centre said today in an attempt to ensure the countrywide lockdown that had gone off-track over the last few days. Those who violated lockdown and went home, should be placed in 14-day quarantine, the Centre said, asking the states to provide them with food and shelter during this period.

In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed all the district magistrates to trace over 1.5 lakh migrants who have returned to the state over the last few days, quarantine them in state-run camps and ensure arrangements for their food and other everyday needs.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has again appealed to migrant workers not to leave.In a series of tweets in Hindi, he said, "I assure you that the Delhi government has made sufficient arrangements for your food and accommodation. For now, do not go to your villages in the country's interest".

The Congress launched a sharp attack on the government over the situation of migrant workers, saying the Narendra Modi government "forgot" about them. the party said.

Calling it the "worst internal migration since partition", the Congress questioned why community kitchens and other systems like the angawadis could not be prepared before the " Janata Curfew". & quot; Shouldn't the government have made preparations? This was not unexpected," the party said.