9 New coronavirus cases in Kerala, Karnataka; total 56 in India

Mangalore Today News Network / NDTV

New Delhi, March 10, 2020:   Nine fresh cases of coronavirus, the highly contagious disease which has spread to over 100 countries across the world, have been reported in Kerala and Karnataka, taking the total number of people infected in the country to 56.

The central government has stepped up measures amid rise in the number of coronavirus cases. This morning, 58 Indians were airlifted from Iran, one of the worst affected in the world by the outbreak, as the central government started evacuating hundreds of citizens stuck in the country. "Mission completed. On to the next," Foreign Minister S Jaishankar tweeted after the Indian Air Force aircraft - C-17 Globemaster - carrying the evacuated Indians landed in Ghaziabad, about 30 km from Delhi.

In Kerala, where 12 cases have been reported in the last three days, about 270 people - who came in contact with coronavirus patients - have been traced. Ninety-five of them are in the "high-risk category," according to officials. Surveillance has been strengthened after fresh cases emerged. "About 1,116 people are under observation, 976 are under home quarantine while 149 people are in hospitals. This includes people with symptoms as well," Health Minister KK Shailaja told reporters.

Eight new cases were reported in India on Monday - one each in Bengaluru, Delhi, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Punjab and two in Pune. In Bengaluru, a resident, who had recently visited the United States, tested positive.