The number of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in India increased to 6,412 on Friday. Till date, 504 have been cured and discharged, while 199 have died.
Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of cases in the country, with 1,364 people testing positive so far.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has stepped up the testing strategy in hotspot areas. Earlier, people under some specific categories only were being tested. But now ICMR has allowed people with sore throat, fever and cough to be tested within seven days of showing the symptoms.
The Centre has asked all the states and Union Territories to increase the number of samples being tested so that the total number of samples tested for COVID-19 across the country reaches at least 2.5 lakh by April 14, the date when the ongoing country-wide lockdown is scheduled to end. Currently, the number of samples tested for COVID-19 stands at around one lakh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already indicated that the lockdown may be extended or may be lifted in a phase-wise manner. The lockdown started at March 24 midnight across the country.
