The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in India rose to 433, while active cases stand at 402, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday. Among the 433 cases, there are 40 foreign nationals.
Maharashtra is the worst-hit state with 74 cases. There have been eight deaths so far in the country, including a death in West Bengal on Monday. Kerala is the second most affected state with 67 cases.
Twenty-eight positive cases of coronavirus were reported from Kerala on Monday, taking the total number of patients under treatment to 91, following which the left government has decided to lockdown the state till 31 March. Of the 28, 19 are from the worst-affected northern district of Kasargod, five from Kannur, one from Pathnamthitta, two from Ernakulam and one from Thrissur, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters after a Covid-19 review meeting.
Over 64,000 are under surveillance in the state and 383 are in isolation in various hospitals. Twenty-five of the 28 found positive today had returned from Dubai, Vijayan said and added that the state has decided to impose a lockdown from tonight till 31 March. All border roads of the state would be closed. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation and private buses will not ply, but private vehicles would be allowed. Petrol stations would not be shut and LPG distribution will be allowed. Four people who tested positive earlier had been discharged after treatment.
Covid-19 cases in India rose even as much of the country locked down on Monday with the Centre warning of legal action against those violating the restrictions enforced to curtail the pandemic, which has claimed more than 14,500 lives globally.
Punjab on Monday became the first in the country to impose curfew in the entire state with no relaxations, and only exempted essential services to prevent the infection, which has killed seven people in the country so far.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also asked state governments to ensure that rules and regulations of the coronavirus lockdown are enforced as he noted that many people are not taking the measure seriously.
"Many people are still not taking the lockdown seriously. Please save yourself, save your family, follow the instructions seriously. I request state governments to ensure rules and laws are followed," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
With inputs from PTI
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