India reports 83 COVID-19 cases with 2 deaths

The number of COVID-19 cases in India Saturday rose to 83, India's federal health ministry officials said.

"Total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across India is 83," a statement issued by India's federal Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. "Of these, 66 cases are Indian nationals and 17 are foreign nationals."

On Friday the number of cases in the country was 81.

The fresh cases have been reported in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

Indian health ministry on Friday confirmed the death of a 68-year-old woman because of COVID-19. This is the second confirmed COVID-19 death in the country.

On Thursday India reported the first COVID-19 death. The victim 76-year-old man who died in the southwest Indian state of Karnataka on Tuesday was infected with COVID-19. He had a travel history to Saudi Arabia.

The Indian government declared masks, including N95, and hand sanitizers as "essential commodities" in the wake of the coronavirus scare leading to shortages and black marketing of these items.

These will remain under the essential commodities segment till the end of June, a move aimed at ensuring availability at reasonable prices and cracking down on hoarders and black marketeers.

Authorities in many states have closed educational institutions and cinema halls until March 31 as a precautionary measure. Even the major sporting events have been canceled. People have been urged to avoid unnecessary foreign travel and mass gatherings.

(CGTN)