AGARTALA / NEW DELHI, April 11 (TIWN): PM Modi's video conference with all State CMs stressed upon the handling this pandemic as all out effort. Nationwide  lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of Coronavirus outbreak is most likely to be extended beyond April 14 keeping in mind the significant rise of Covid-19 cases and deaths across the country over the last few weeks.

The decision was taken on Saturday after PM Modi held a video conference with Chief Ministers of all the states and Union Territories. Sources indicated that at least ten Chief ministers "strongly advocated" an extension of the ongoing shutdown. While some CMs have advised the PM to extend it "at least for the rest of April", some have advocated "caution", in case he decides against extending it.

Meanwhile, the death toll due to the novel Coronavirus rose to 239 and the number of cases to 7,477 in the country on Saturday. The number of active COVID-19 cases is 6,565, as many as 643 people were cured and discharged.