Less than a week into the 21-day lockdown, the country saw the sharpest spike in coronavirus cases — 227 people tested positive over the last 24 hours, taking the total to 1,251, health ministry data showed. Of the total cases, 102 people have been cured and 32 have died. Among the states, the biggest jump was reported from Delhi – the national capital had 25 new cases, which took its total to 97. The government has said then virus is still in the local transmission stage. Earlier on Monday, the government also denied “rumours and media reports” about an extension of the lockdown, saying it was “baseless.”

Telangana, meanwhile, became the first state to tighten its belt in view of the coming economic slump, slashing the salary of all its public servants, starting with the Chief Minister.

COURTESY: NDTV