NEW DELHI, – With the new four cases reported today, the total number of confirmed novel coronavirus (Covid-19) affected people rose to 43 in India.

“As of today, there are 43 total cases out of which 40 are active cases of COVID-19 in the country,” a statement issued by the ministry of health and family welfare said here today.

“4 (Four) new cases of COVID-19 have been reported since yesterday’s update – 1 (one) from Ernakulum, Kerala, 1 (one) from Delhi, 1(one) from Uttar Pradesh and 1 (One) from Jammu,” it said.

The ministry statement said that 43 samples have been tested positive out of the 3,003 samples tested for Covid-19 with 2,694 samples having returned negative results.

Besides, a total of 874,708 international passengers from 8,255 flights have been screened at airports till today with 1,921 passengers identified as symptomatic.

One hundred seventy seven (177) of them have been hospitalized while 33,599 passengers are under observation and 21,867 passengers have completed their observation period, the ministry statement said.

Special Secretary (Health) also clarified that the patient from Murshidabad, West Bengal was tested negative for COVID-19 and hence, so far no death has been reported due to COVID-19 in the country.

The statement, however, said that Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan is continuously monitoring and reviewing the status.

In the wake of coronavirus outbreak that claimed over 38,00 lives and infected 1,10,000 more globally so far, the Delhi government ordered to keep all government, aided, private, MCD?and NDMC?schools close till March 31.

All primary schools in several districts in Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar, have been closed after two people were suspected to be infected by the highly contagious novel coronavirus.

On the other hand, the central government has intensified thermal screening of passengers at all airports to contain spread of the new coronavirus.