Corona update: Kerala, Karnataka & Maharashtra report new cases, total count in India above 50

March 11: With Karnataka, Kerala & Maharashtra today reporting fresh positive cases of coronavirus, the total number of cases increased from 44 on Monday to 53 on Tuesday. The state health authorities reported 14 new new novel coronavirus (COVID-2019) cases on Tuesday — eight in Kerala, three each in Karnataka and Maharashtra.

In Kerala, officials said six new cases are primary contacts of the Italy-returned couple and their son who tested positive on Sunday; the other two are parents of a 3-year-old boy who tested positive on Monday — they had also returned from Italy.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said: “There need be no reason for worries as all what’s needed is to be cautious and everyone should behave in a responsible manner. At the moment 1116 people are under observation. Just as we managed this when three cases were reported before, we will be able to manage this time also.”

An advisory has been issued asking passengers with travel history to China, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Japan, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Iran, Malaysia, France, Spain and Germany to undergo self-imposed quarantine for 14 days from the date of their arrival, and their employers to facilitate work-from-home for such employees during this period.

More than 1,400 contacts of those who have tested so far have been put under surveillance. A total of 404 Indian contacts of the US citizen who tested positive for COVID-19 in Bhutan have been identified and put under surveillance in Assam. A total of 9,41,717 international passengers from 8,827 flights have been screened at airports till now with 54 passengers being referred to IDSP/ hospitals as of Monday, the government said.