India’s COVID-19 cases spurt to 415; seven died

THE number of COVID-19 cases in India has increased to 415 on Monday (23) from 360 cases on Sunday evening, , the health ministry said.

The figure includes 41 foreign nationals and seven deaths.

In the wake of the alarming situation, Indian government on Monday asked state governments to strictly enforce lockdown and take legal action against violators.

The government on Sunday decided to completely lock down 80 districts across the country where coronavirus cases have been reported till March 31.

National capital Delhi will be locked down from 6 am on March 23 and continue till midnight on March 31. Some other states have also enforced lockdown.

Gujarat, Bihar and Maharashtra reported a death each on Sunday. Four fatalities were reported earlier from Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra and Punjab, the ministry said.

The 415 figure also includes 24 people who have been cured, discharged or migrated, it said.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said 18,383 samples have been tested till 10 am on Monday.

Prime minister Narendra Modi has  appealed to 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 tweeted in Hindi.

The total number of positive novel coronavirus cases include 67  in Maharashtra, including three foreigners, and Kerala also at  67, with seven foreign nationals, the ministry said.

Delhi had reported 29 positive cases, including a foreigner, while Uttar Pradesh recorded 28, also including a foreigner, it added.

Rajasthan reported 27 cases, of which two are foreigners. Telangana reported 26 cases, including 11 foreigners. Karnataka has 26 coronavirus patients, the ministry said.

Cases have been reported from across the country, including from Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand.