COVID -19 latest update: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation at 8 PM on Tuesday. The prime minister’s address comes a day after he had chaired a high-level meeting with the chief ministers of various states and Union Territories, over the lockdown in the country. During his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to make an announcement on the lockdown due to the outbreak of coronavirus. 

The last time the prime minister had addressed the nation was on April 14 when he had announced the extension of the nationwide lockdown till 3 May. The announcement of the third phase of lockdown till 17 May was done by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

On Monday, PM Modi held a video conference meeting with Chief Ministers of all states to discuss the road ahead in India’s fight against the novel coronavirus. He said the need was to reduce the transmission rate of Covid-19 and to increase public activity gradually while adhering to all the guidelines. “I am of the firm view that the measures needed in the first phase of lockdown were not needed during the second phase and similarly the measures needed in the third phase are not needed in the fourth,” the Prime Minister.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also pointed out that it will take some time to get a vaccine, and urges all the honorable CM’s to come up with some strategies and suggestions. 

Meanwhile, India’s COVID-19 count crossed the grim milestone of 70,000 today. The states continued to record over 3,500 fresh coronavirus cases even on Monday. The total number of coronavirus cases in India jumped to 70,756, according to the ministry of health and family welfare. Maharashtra added over 1,000 new cases for the sixth straight day.

The number of COVID-19 related deaths rose to 2,293 as 87 people passed away in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra confirmed 36 deaths on Monday, taking the total death toll in the state to 868.