With three more coronavirus deaths , including the first casualty from Bihar, taking the toll to seven and the number of COVID-19 cases so far in the country is 360 (including 41 foreign nationals), as on 22nd March at 6.30 PM. 24 cured/discharged/migrated, 7 deaths said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in its media press briefing .
In view of the virus the concerned authorities suspended all train passenger and inter-state bus services till March 31 in unprecedented steps to contain the spread of the infection.
Though the AIIMS-Patna superintendent said the 38-year-old man with a kidney ailment and recent travel history to Qatar died of the virus, the Union Health Ministry was yet to confirm.
A 63-year-old patient died in Mumbai due to the virus while the third death of a 67-year-old patient was reported from Surat in Gujarat.
As millions of people stayed indoors following an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to observe a ‘Janta Curfew’, the Centre and state governments decided to announce a lockdown in 75 districts where coronavirus cases have been reported.
Only essential services will be allowed in the districts, a Union Ministry of Home Affairs official said.
The stricter measures to control the virus spread came as the health ministry said at least 341 people have been infected by COVID-19 across the country, the highest 63 reported from Maharashtra.
The Railways announced it was suspending all passenger services from March 22 midnight until March 31 and said only goods trains will run during the period. The suspensions include all suburban train services.
Trains that commenced their journey prior to 4 am on March 22 will complete their journeys, it said, adding that passengers can claim a full refund for trains cancelled during this period till June 21.
Also, the government suspended all inter-state bus services until March 31.
