COVID-19: India reports its fourth coronavirus death, total cases climb to 173

COVID-19 cases in India climbed to 173 on Thursday after fresh cases were reported, including from Chhattisgarh and Chandigarh, while most of the states and UT’s imposed restrictions, inching towards partial shutdown in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus, which has claimed four lives in the country. There were 18 fresh cases in last 24 hours with Chhattisgarh and Chandigarh reporting their first COVID-19 patients on early Thursday.

One more person infected with coronavirus died in Punjab, which decided to impose fresh restrictions. As the virus continued to spread its tentacles across India, several parts, including Kashmir valley headed towards a virtual lockdown with the administration restricting movement of people in several parts and banning all public transport in Srinagar city. Punjab also inched towards virtual shutdown with the government announcing suspension of public transport services from Friday midnight and restricting public gatherings to less than 20 besides deciding to close down marriage palaces, hotels, restaurants, banquets and dining places, except home delivery services and takeaways in the entire state.

The total tally of 173 include 25 foreign nationals — 17 from Italy, 3 from the Philippines, two from the UK, one each belonging to Canada, Indonesia and Singapore. The figure also includes four deaths reported from Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Punjab so far.