Kerala reports 6 new coronavirus cases; 3 others in Karnataka
What's the story
Kerala detected six new cases of the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, on Tuesday. Separately, three new cases were reported in Karnataka. With these latest developments, the total number of coronavirus cases across India rose to 56. Out of all cases, 15 cases were reported in Kerala. Globally, the disease has claimed the lives of over 4,000 people. Here are more details.
Details
Kerala CM confirmed 6 new coronavirus cases
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that six more coronavirus cases were detected in Kerala. Earlier, six positive cases were observed in Kerala, including a three-year-old. Three other coronavirus patients in Kerala have recovered and have been discharged. Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu also confirmed three new cases. One positive case was reported in the state earlier.
Other cases
New cases reported across Punjab, UP, Jammu, etc.
On Monday, Bengaluru, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu, and Punjab reported one new coronavirus case each. Two other cases were reported in Pune. Cases have also been reported in Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Ladakh. Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan convened a meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to take stock of the situation.
Government action
Government steps up measures amid COVID-19 outbreak
The government Tuesday evacuated 58 Indians from virus-hit Iran, where COVID-19 has killed 237 people. The government also decided to bar foreign cruise ships from docking at Indian ports. Visas and e-visas granted on or before March 3 to people traveling from Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Japan were also suspended effective immediately, taking cognizance of the high number of cases in the countries.
Outbreak
What is the coronavirus outbreak?
COVID-19 originated in China's Wuhan city in mid-December. The disease is caused by a new strain of coronavirus—thus "novel coronavirus"—called SARS-CoV-2. It has killed 4,026 people worldwide, with 3,024 deaths in mainland China alone. Globally, the disease has infected over 1.1 lakh people across 100 countries. SARS-CoV-2 impacts a host's respiratory system, causing flu-like symptoms. Severe cases witness pneumonia, multiple organ failure, or death.