COVID-19 death toll rises to 124 in India, total cases near 4,800

New Delhi: The death toll due to coronavirus has risen to 124 in India while the number of confirmed cases has jumped to 4,789, the Union Health Ministry said in its latest update on Tuesday. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu remained the worst affected states with 1,018 and 690 cases respectively.
Following requests from several state governments and experts, the Centre is considering extending the nationwide lockdown after its ends on April 14 to stem the transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), government sources said. “A lot of state governments as well as experts are requesting the Central Government to extend the lockdown. The Central Government is thinking in this direction,” sources said. At least seven states, which together have reported 1,367 coronavirus cases—almost one-third of the total cases in India—had indicated on Monday that they would continue to have some restrictions in place even after the 21-day lockdown ends on April 14.
In other major development, India has partially lifted the ban on the export of Hydroxychloroquine — the anti-malaria drug that Trump has repeatedly touted as a “game-changer” in the fight against COVID-19. Trump has hinted there would be retaliation if India does not lift its ban on its export.