COVID-19 cases rise to 421 in India

NEW DELHI - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India rose to 421 on Monday, India's federal health ministry said.

"Total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across India is 421," a statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. "Of these, 349 cases are Indian nationals and 41 foreign nationals."

According to ministry officials, so far seven deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported across the country and 24 people have been discharged from hospitals after showing improvement.

So far Maharashtra state has reported the highest number of cases, followed by Kerala, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan.

"The confirmed positive cases in Maharashtra is 64, while as in Kerala the number is 60," the ministry said. "In Delhi, the number of cases is 28, while as in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan, the number is 27, 26 and 25 respectively."

The government has issued advisories asking people to avoid crowded places and unnecessary foreign travel.

Authorities have announced a lockdown in 75 affected districts across the country in wake of the increase in novel coronavirus cases.

On Sunday millions of people across India observed a public curfew or self-quarantine on the call of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Meanwhile, Modi has urged people not to leave their houses in lockdown districts and states and follow instructions in the fight against COVID-19. In a series of tweets, Modi cautioned people against complacency.

At many places, policemen had barricaded roads to restrict the movement of transport and people. Markets across the country were closed and public transport was off the roads. Likewise, the train service was suspended.

Railway, metro and interstate bus services will be stopped from Monday to contain the spread of COVID-19 at the community level.

The Indian government has banned the entry of all international commercial passenger flights for one week.