Extend Lockdown By 14 Days: Experts

T.N. records 77 fresh cases, taking the total to 911; one patient dies

Keeping the faith: Devotees offer prayers outside a church in Chennai on Good Friday. * PTI

On a day when a team of medical experts recommended that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami extend the lockdown by 14 days beyond April 14, the State recorded a further 77 cases of COVID-19.

Briefing reporters after a meeting with the Chief Minister, Dr. Prabhdeep Kaur of ICMR National Institute of Epidemiology said: “Despite all the efforts taken by the government, cases have been increasing... All the experts feel that it will be good if the lockdown is extended for 14 more days. This is the recommendation of the committee.”

The Cabinet, which is meeting on Saturday, may take a call on the issue.

On Friday, Tamil Nadu’s tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 911, with the addition of 77 cases. A woman, who had tested positive for COVID-19 and was undergoing treatment at Thoothukudi, died, taking the total number of deaths to nine. Till date, 44 persons who tested positive have been discharged.