NEW DELHI: The nationwide tally of COVID-19 death toll has crossed 2000. More than 62,000 persons have been confirmed of the virus. Maharashtra is the worst hit state. 1278 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours and with this, the number of patients rose to 22,171.

53 people died in Maharashtra yesterday. With this, 832 have lost their lives in the state. There are more than 13,000 patients in Mumbai alone. Meantime, number of patients in Gujarat have crossed 8000. 398 fresh cases were reported in Gujarat yesterday. 21 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours in the state.

The union health ministry will send an expert team to ten states where COVID cases are severe. The team will visit Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Meantime, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a video-conference with the chief ministers of various states at 3 pm. There are only days for the lockdown to end. Reports say some vital decisions would be taken in connection with the lockdown.