<p class="bodytext">Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet all chief ministers on Wednesday amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in several states, forcing them to impose restrictions on movement of people to check further spread of the virus.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India reported 26,291 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, the highest single-day spike in 85 days even as Nagpur imposed a week-long lockdown to check the surge in cases, while Latur and Ahmedabad ordered night curfew to contain the spread of the virus.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Modi is scheduled to meet chief ministers of all states through video conferencing at 12:30 pm to discuss the Covid-19 situation and seek feedback on the vaccination drive.</p>.<p class="bodytext">As of Monday evening, India had administered more than 3.17 crore doses of the Covid-19 vaccine since the immunisation drive began on January 16.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/covid-19-spike-at-near-3-month-high-as-india-logs-over-26000-new-cases-118-deaths-962150.html" target="_blank">Covid-19 spike at near 3-month high as India logs over 26,000 new cases, 118 deaths</a></strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">“A total 18,63,623 vaccine doses were given till 7 pm on Monday, the 59th day of nationwide Covid-19 vaccination. Of these, 15,98,136 beneficiaries were vaccinated for 1st dose and 2,65,487 HCWs and FLWs received 2nd dose of vaccine as per the provisional report,” an official statement said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">According to the Health Ministry, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu continue to report a surge in daily cases of Covid-19, accounting for 78.41% of the new cases.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Of the 26,291 new cases registered till Monday morning, Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 16,620 (accounting for 63.21% of the daily new cases), followed by Kerala with 1,792 new cases and Punjab 1,492 new cases.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/maharashtra-govt-imposes-fresh-restrictions-to-curb-spread-of-covid-19-962382.html" target="_blank">Maharashtra govt imposes fresh restrictions to curb spread of Covid-19</a></strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">As fresh cases continued to rise in Punjab, the state education department has postponed Class 10 and Class 12 examinations that were scheduled to begin from April 9 and March 22 respectively.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Now, Class 10 board exams will be held between May 4 and May 24 and Class 12 exams will be held between April 20 and May 24,” an official said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India's total Covid-19 active caseload has reached 2,19,262 comprising 1.93% of the total infections.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Modi had last met chief ministers on January 11 ahead of the roll out of the vaccination drive in the country.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet all chief ministers on Wednesday amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in several states, forcing them to impose restrictions on movement of people to check further spread of the virus.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India reported 26,291 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, the highest single-day spike in 85 days even as Nagpur imposed a week-long lockdown to check the surge in cases, while Latur and Ahmedabad ordered night curfew to contain the spread of the virus.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Modi is scheduled to meet chief ministers of all states through video conferencing at 12:30 pm to discuss the Covid-19 situation and seek feedback on the vaccination drive.</p>.<p class="bodytext">As of Monday evening, India had administered more than 3.17 crore doses of the Covid-19 vaccine since the immunisation drive began on January 16.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/covid-19-spike-at-near-3-month-high-as-india-logs-over-26000-new-cases-118-deaths-962150.html" target="_blank">Covid-19 spike at near 3-month high as India logs over 26,000 new cases, 118 deaths</a></strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">“A total 18,63,623 vaccine doses were given till 7 pm on Monday, the 59th day of nationwide Covid-19 vaccination. Of these, 15,98,136 beneficiaries were vaccinated for 1st dose and 2,65,487 HCWs and FLWs received 2nd dose of vaccine as per the provisional report,” an official statement said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">According to the Health Ministry, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu continue to report a surge in daily cases of Covid-19, accounting for 78.41% of the new cases.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Of the 26,291 new cases registered till Monday morning, Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 16,620 (accounting for 63.21% of the daily new cases), followed by Kerala with 1,792 new cases and Punjab 1,492 new cases.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/maharashtra-govt-imposes-fresh-restrictions-to-curb-spread-of-covid-19-962382.html" target="_blank">Maharashtra govt imposes fresh restrictions to curb spread of Covid-19</a></strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">As fresh cases continued to rise in Punjab, the state education department has postponed Class 10 and Class 12 examinations that were scheduled to begin from April 9 and March 22 respectively.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Now, Class 10 board exams will be held between May 4 and May 24 and Class 12 exams will be held between April 20 and May 24,” an official said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India's total Covid-19 active caseload has reached 2,19,262 comprising 1.93% of the total infections.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Modi had last met chief ministers on January 11 ahead of the roll out of the vaccination drive in the country.</p>