The number of COVID-19 cases has risen in the country. Maharashtra ranks the highest in number of cases. Next, come Kerala and the other states. The sharp surge in cases in Maharashtra took the number of coronavirus patients in India to 112 on Sunday from 93.
The 19 new cases detected include 15 from Maharashtra, which surpassed Kerala as the state with the highest number of reported cases. The surge in infections in the state prompted chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to shut down schools, colleges, and malls till 31 March. Mumbai police have also imposed prohibitory orders banning large gatherings as a preventive measure against the virus.
On Sunday, the government of Gujarat also declared an epidemic in the state. The state government has shut down all educational institutions, including tuition classes and Anganwadis till 29 March. They have joined states such as Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Odisha, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh.
The central and state governments have over the last few days shut down schools, colleges, malls, and cinemas, closed most border check-posts, quarantined international air passengers, and issued advisories asking people to practice social distancing, to slow down the spread of the disease.
As part of the preventive measures against the virus of the offices are encouraging their employees to work from home, festivals and convocations stand cancelled. Parliament has also barred visitors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conference with other SAARC nations to evolve a joint strategy to fight the outbreak that has killed more than 5,000 people worldwide.
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