The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare today said the country has 5,734 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far, with 549 cases and 17 deaths being reported over the past 24 hours. Ministry joint secretary Lav Agarwal said 473 people have recovered and been discharged from the hospital so far and 166 deaths have been reported till dates.

Odisha today became the first state in the country to extend the 21-day lockdown due to coronavirus till April 30, with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urging the Centre to follow suit. In a video message, Patnaik thanked the people of the state for their cooperation and said he knew it“involves a lot of sacrifice, hardship and uncertainty but this is the only way to face this crisis”. Citing the example of US, which is grappling with the pandemic, the CM said at this crucial juncture, “one has to decide between protecting lives of people and economic activity”.