Coronavirus cases in India: Confirmed COVID-19 cases rise to 498

The Union health ministry on March 24 reported that 498 active coronavirus positive cases have been reported in India, so far and thousands of people who have come in contact with them are under surveillance. Of this, 41 are foreign nationals, reports Times of India. 

At 87, Maharashtra has the second highest number of cases in the country. The tally also includes 3 foreigners. Ladakh has 13 cases while Jammu and Kashmir has four.

As a precautionary measure, the government has barred entry of all passengers, including Indian nationals, from the European Union, European Free Trade Association, Turkey and the UK to India from March 18.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to nation on March 19, called for 'Janata curfew' on March 22 from 7AM to 9PM to contain the spread of coronavirus.

A day after successful "Janta curfew", Modi has asked state governments to ensure rules of lockdown are followed properly and called on citizens to take the issue seriously.

"Many people are still not taking the lockdown seriously. Please save yourself by doing this, save your family, follow the instructions seriously. I request the state governments to ensure the rules and laws are followed," Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter and wrote in Hindi.