Coronavirus latest update: 5,734 cases in India, 540 reported in last 24 hours

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Apr 9, 2020, 10:33 IST

NEW DELHI: As the death toll from coronavirus in the country neared 200, the Prime Minister suggested that the 21-day lockdown will continue beyond April 14. Across the world, more than 1.5 million people have been infected with the virus and over 88,000 people have lost their lives.
There was an increase of 540 new Covid-19 cases and 17 deaths in the last 24 hours in the country. The total number of coronavirus positive cases in the country rose to 5,734 (including 5,095 active cases, 473 cured/discharged and 166 deaths), according to latest update by the ministry of health and family welfare.
Here is a look at the latest on the outbreak of coronavirus in India and around the world —
We would do everything possible to fight Covid-19: PM Modi responds to Trump's tweet
"Fully agree with you President Donald Trump. Times like these bring friends closer. The India-US partnership is stronger than ever. India shall do everything possible to help humanity's fight against COVID-19. We shall win this together," Modi tweeted while responding to Trump's message.
President Donald Trump has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "terrific" for allowing the export of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to the US, seen as a possible cure for COVID-19, saying India's help in the extraordinary times "will not be forgotten".
Lockdown extension likely as PM Modi talks of ‘national emergency’
PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday made it virtually clear that the three-week countrywide lockdown will be extended beyond April 14, and said the outbreak of the pandemic had created a national emergency which may require more tough measures to enforce social distancing. “I have been talking to chief ministers and the feedback from them and the district magistrates who are being consulted is unanimous that lifting the lockdown all at once is not advisable,” the PM said.
To help small firms, India may unveil second coronavirus stimulus worth Rs 1 lakh crore
A second stimulus package India is poised to announce in coming days will be worth around Rs 1 lakh crore ($13 billion) and focus on help for small and medium businesses weathering the coronavirus outbreak, two senior officials said on Wednesday.
Last month, India outlined a Rs 1.7 lakh crore ($22.6-billion) economic stimulus plan providing direct cash transfers and food security measures to give relief to millions of poor hit by an ongoing 21-day nationwide lockdown.
26 new deaths in India, toll nears 200-mark
Covid-19 casualties in India neared the 200-mark on Wednesday as 26 more people died, taking the toll to 198. Maharashtra recorded 16 deaths, its highest single-day casualty figure since the outbreak of the disease, while Madhya Pradesh reported seven deaths and Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka one each. Of the 16 deaths in Maharashtra, 10 were reported in Pune alone by the civic authorities.
3.5 lakh trucks carrying Rs 35,000 crore goods stranded on roads
An estimated 3.5 lakh inter-state trucks carrying goods worth over Rs 35,000 crore are stranded on roads, outside factories and godowns, according to transporters. The goods range from cars and SUVs to two-wheelers and white goods such as ACs, refrigerators, washing machines, electrical items and industrial raw material such as chemicals, steel and cement.
SC makes coronavirus testing free of cost
The Supreme Court has directed the government to issue appropriate orders immediately for free of cost testing for coronavirus even in private hospitals and laboratories, saying the current charges-though capped at Rs 4,500— will be beyond the reach of the poor. The court said it would examine later whether the private entities, carrying out the tests free of cost, would be entitled to reimbursement.