PM Modi says 'no need to panic' as new coronavirus cases surface in India

As more cases of novel coronavirus are being detected in India and fear spreads across states, PM Narendra Modi has said there is no need to panic as the government is fully geared towards taking all necessary steps.

The Indian Health Ministry on Tuesday said six cases with "high-viral load" were detected during sample testing in Agra and these people have been kept in isolation.

The six people had come in contact with a 45-year-old patient from Delhi, who was one of the two people whose cases came to light on Monday.

According to government sources, the Delhi man had visited his family in Mayur Vihar and the new cases include some of those family members.

A private school in Noida has been closed amid concerns that the same Delhi resident, who contracted coronavirus in Italy, attended a birthday party last week in which his children and their schoolmates were present.

Another school in the same area of Delhi also announced that it will remain closed till March 9 as a precautionary measure following the coronavirus scare in Delhi.

In a statement, Shiv Nadar School, located in Noida’s Sector 168, said it has decided to “close the school from March 4 until March 09 for all students and staff in order to sanitise our spaces and completely remove all scope for the further spread of the virus.” 

Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called an urgent meeting with Health Minister Satyendar Jain and other top officials at 3pm on the government's preparations to deal with the coronavirus.

In a series of tweets, PM Modi said on Tuesday morning, "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection."

PM Modi also shared a graphic on what measures can be taken to protect oneself from being infected by coronavirus. PM Modi has shared, "Basic protective measures for all...".

There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020

Modi also said he has held an extensive review meeting to look at the coronavirus situation in the country.

Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020

The world has entered uncharted territory in its battle against the deadly coronavirus, the UN health agency warned, as new infections dropped dramatically in China on Tuesday but surged abroad with the US death toll rising to six.