Coronavirus spreads through contact with droplets spread during coughing and sneezing, doctors say.
About 15 Italian tourists - who landed in Delhi last month - and one Indian, who was with travelling with them, tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of cases to 28. India recorded its biggest jump in coronavirus cases today. They were a part of a group of 23 Italians who traveled to Rajasthan last month. One of them - currently in Jaipur - tested positive on Tuesday; his wife has also tested positive.
Meanwhile, schools in Noida have sent out advisories to parents suggesting that they not send their children to attend classes even in case of a mild cough or cold and saying they may declare holidays if the need arises amid coronavirus scare. PM Modi tweeted that he had an "extensive review with (a) number of ministries and state governments regarding preparedness levels". He said there was "no need to panic". The government has set up a task force to monitor the situation.
China on Wednesday reported 38 more deaths from the new coronavirus but a fall in fresh cases for a third consecutive day. The death toll in China is now 2,981, the National Health Commission said, with more than 80,200 people infected in total.
Here are the LIVE Updates on Coronavirus outbreak:
Avoid large gatherings, crowded areas: Arvind Kejriwal
Task force on coronavirus formed under my leadership, all concerned stakeholders will be part of it, says Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Avoid large gatherings and crowded areas, he adds.
Amit Shah won't participate in Holi events
Home Minister Amit Shah says he will not be participating in any Holi gatherings this year, due to coronavirus outbreak. His statement came soon after a similar decision by PM Modi.
"Holi is a very important festival for we Indians but in the wake of Coronavirus, I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan celebration this year. I also appeal to everyone to avoid public gatherings&take good care of yourself and your family".
All international passengers to be screened: Health Minister
"From now on, all flights and passengers will be part of universal screening, not just the 12 countries which we had listed earlier," says Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.
28 cases of Coronavirus confirmed in India: Health Minister
A total of 28 cases of Coronavirus confirmed so far in India of which 16 are from an Italian tourist group, says the health minister. About 14 of them are currently in isolation at the ITBP facility, two are in hospital, he adds.
The 28 cases include -- one in Delhi, six in Agra, 16 Italians and one Indian driver, and one in Telangana. Three in Kerala have now recovered.
Do not panic, take precautions: Health Minister
"On conducting contact tracing of the person tested positive in Delhi, we came to know that he infected 6 members of his family who are in Agra. All 6 members tested positive for coronavirus," Harsh Vardhan says.
He asked citizens to not panic and take proper precautions to prevent the virus from spreading.
15 Italian tourists in Delhi test positive for Coronavirus: Health Minister
After a review meeting, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan says: "We have requested all hospitals in Delhi to develop good quality isolation wards, in order to stay prepared if more cases of Coronavirus are suspected in the national capital."
He says 15 Italian tourists who came to India have tested positive for coronavirus. An Indian driver with them has also been infected, the health minister adds.
Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a meeting at 12:30 pm today to review preparedness for dealing with the Coronavirus situation in the country.
PM Modi to stay away from Holi events this year
PM Modi says he won't participate in any Holi festival programmes this year.
"Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme," PM says.
Health minister chairs meeting over coronavirus
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan holds high-level meeting on Coronavirus.
Senior officials of the Health Ministry, MCD Commissioners, Director AIIMS and MS of Safdarjung Hospital are among those attending the review meeting.
15 Italians, quarantined in Delhi, suspected to have coronavirus
Fifteen of 21 Italian tourists, who have been quarantined in Delhi, are suspected to have coronavirus, say sources.
They were a part of a group of 23 Italian tourists who landed in Delhi and traveled to Rajasthan last month.
Samples of all six people in Noida test negative
Samples of all six people in Noida taken on Tuesday for suspected coronavirus test negative, say officials.
Amazon employee in US tests positive for coronavirus
Online retailer Amazon.com Inc said on Tuesday an employee in the United States tested positive for the coronavirus. "We're supporting the affected employee who is in quarantine," a company spokeswoman said in an email to Reuters.
Health Minister to meet Delhi government officials today
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan will hold a meeting today with senior officials from the Delhi Government for management and preparedness amid Coronavirus outbreak.
World bank unveils $12 billion aid package to combat coronavirus
The World Bank unveiled a $12 billion aid package on Tuesday that will provide fast-track funds to help countries combat the coronavirus outbreak.
"The goal is to provide fast, effective action that responds to country needs," World Bank President David Malpass told reporters.
He said it is critical to "recognize the extra burden on poor countries" least equipped in the struggle to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Coronavirus kills 3 more in Seattle
Three more deaths from the coronavirus were reported by Washington state on Tuesday as the nation's largest and only fatal outbreak of the respiratory disease reached beyond the Seattle area in what appeared to be the first known instance of coast-to-coast transmission.
The total number of people diagnosed with the coronavirus in the greater Seattle area rose to 27 on Tuesday, including nine deaths, up from 18 cases and six deaths tallied on Monday, the state Department of Health reported.
China reports fall in new virus cases for third day
China on Wednesday reported 38 more deaths from the new coronavirus but a fall in fresh cases for a third consecutive day. The death toll in China is now 2,981, the National Health Commission said, with more than 80,200 people infected in total. There were 115 new cases in central Hubei province -- the epicentre where the virus first emerged in December last year -- and only four elsewhere in the country.
The figures in China have generally been declining in recent weeks as a series of draconian quarantine measures seem to be paying off.
