Fresh cases in Gujarat, Bihar, Northeast; total lockdown from today

Coronavirus India Lockdown Live Updates: A 54-year-old man infected with coronavirus died in Tamil Nadu in the early hours of Wednesday, taking the number of casualties in the country to 10. The total number of cases in India is 562. To tackle the pandemic, 1.3 billion people across the country have been placed under a complete lockdown starting Wednesday for the next three weeks.

Making the announcement, Prime Minister Modi said the lockdown "is like a curfew" and while "21 days of lockdown is a long time", "it is equally essential for your safety and that of your family… jaan hai toh jahaan hai". "This decision… has drawn a Lakshman Rekha at your doorsteps. You must remember that a single step outside your home can bring a dangerous pandemic like corona inside." he said. Within minutes of his address, there were reports of panic buying for groceries and provisions from across the nation. The prime minister later clarified that essential items will be available.

Meanwhile, France reported 240 new deaths from coronavirus on Tuesday taking the toll to 1,100, an increase of 28 per cent that made France the fifth nation to cross the 1,000-fatalities threshold after — China, Italy, Iran and Spain. In the United States, which is among the worst affected countries, the number of coronavirus cases jumped by nearly 10,000 while about 150 Americans died in a day even as President Donald Trump hoped to reopen the country's economy by Easter, April 12.

(Inputs and image fromtheindianexpress.com)