All educational institutions in Odisha to remain shut until June 17: Naveen Patnaik

All educational institutions in Odisha to remain shut until June 17, said Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced that all the schools and educational institutions around the state will continue to remain shut until June 17, 2020, amid the coronavirus lockdown.

On March 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced nationwide 21-days lockdown until April 14. However, Odisha has become the first state in the country to extend the lockdown in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"While the lockdown in the state will be followed until April 30, all the educational institutions will continue to remain shut until June 17," the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister in his video message also requested the Centre to extend the nationwide lockdown and shut all the air and rail services in order to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

The total number of coronavirus positive cases in India today escalated to reach an alarming figure of 5,734.  Globally, the number of cases of novel coronavirus has crossed the 1.5 million mark as the global death toll reached 88,000. 

According to Union health ministry data, the state has reported 42 confirmed COVID-19 cases so far. One person has died in Odisha due to coronavirus disease.

Due to rising number of cases in the country in the past few weeks, it is expected that the other states might also increase the lockdown period, as a precautionary method to avoid further spread of coronavirus,