Amid requests from states to extend the nationwide lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 10 am tomorrow, the last day of the 21-day lockdown. At least six states–Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, West Bengal, Karnataka and Telangana — have already announced an extension. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in India crossed the 9,000-mark on Monday, while the death toll is 308. As the country gears up to extend the lockdown after the 21-day period end tomorrow, the spread of COVID-19 cases to almost half the total districts in the country is likely to weigh on the mind of the Central government in crafting a graded approach.
