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Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Indian central and state authorities have imposed extreme lockdown measures across multiple towns and districts as the novel coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic cases surged to 467, seeing a sharp spike from the 360 figure the night before. So far eight people have been killed by the deadly virus in India.Punjab has imposed a curfew to stop the spread of coronavirus, making it the first state to take the drastic measure. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced the curfew as people were defying the lockdown imposed in the state.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier said in a tweet that the people are not taking the coronavirus lockdown seriously and urged the states to maintain it strictly.Central and state authorities have suspended all passenger trains and inter-state bus services till March 31 and more states imposed unprecedented restrictions to contain the spread of the infection, particularly in 75 of the worst-hit districts.More than 3,50,000 people have been infected across the world and more than 15,000 have died, according to Worldometers.com, that provides real-time data on the virus.

Mar 23, 2020

16:41

Union Health Ministry briefs the media on Coronavirus: Highlights

Here are the main highlights from the Union Health Ministry's press briefing in Delhi today:

-A complete lockdown has been announced in 19 states and union territories. Some parts of 6 states and union territories have been kept under lockdown, says Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry.

-415 confirmed cases reported so far, 23 patients discharged, 7 deaths reported - some of them also had co-morbid conditions: Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry.

-2 laboratory chains have been registered and they have started functioning. These 12 have 15,000 collection centres across the country: ICMR Director-General Balram Bhargava.

-ICMR Director-General: Hydroxychloroquine is recommended only for a healthcare worker who is treating a #COVID patient. Secondly, it's recommended only for persons staying&caring for a household positive patient. They can take that only for prophylaxis,only for prevention.