New Delhi, Mar. 19: India has recorded its fourth death due to the COVID-19, the Health Ministry confirmed Thursday. The patient hailed from Punjab. Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in the country spiked to 173.

In an effort to reduce crowding, the Punjab government has decided to ban the public transportation system with effect from March 21. The government has also limited public gathering to 20 from the existing 50. Indigo also announced a pay cut for all its employees. The aviation sector has been hit extremely hard as most airlines globally have drastically curtailed their flight operations.

The number of positive cases in India jumped to 173 on Thursday. A first positive case was reported in Chhattisgarh. Fresh cases were reported in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka as well. In Tamil Nadu, authorities have identified what they call is a “domestic case.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today address the nation to talk about steps being taken against the virus.

For the first time since the coronavirus crisis began, China — the epicenter of the infection — on Thursday reported no new local cases. It, however, registered 34 cases imported from abroad, the biggest daily increase in two weeks, according to the National Health Commission. Globally, coronavirus has spread to 140 countries, infecting 2.22 lakh and killing over 9,000 people, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.

(Source:indianexpress.com)