Keep fighting spirit up: PM Modi

New Delhi: Coronavirus cases in the country crossed 500 and one more death from the infection reported on Tuesday taking the toll to ten, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it is imperative to keep the fighting spirit of the people up while tackling the spread of the virus.

As 32 states and union territories imposed complete lockdown till March 31, the Centre asked them to clamp curfew wherever necessary in the wake of people defying lockdown orders.

Prime Minister Modi, while interacting with senior journalists from the print media via video links, said citizens need to be assured that the government is committed to countering the impact of COVID-19.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Modi said it is critical to improve social cohesion to safeguard national security.

During the interaction, Modi emphasised the need to tackle the spread of pessimism, negativity and rumour-mongering. "He underlined the importance of social distancing, asking media to generate awareness about its importance, inform people about the lockdown decision by states, and also highlight the impact of spread of the virus through inclusion of international data and case studies about other countries in the papers," the statement said.

According to the data updated on Tuesday morning, the total number of COVID-19 cases rose to 492, including 446 active cases. The figure includes 41 foreign nationals. Cases of a few more persons having tested positive for the infection were reported from different states during the day.

The earlier nine deaths were recorded in Maharashtra (2), Bihar, Karnataka, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh.

Thirty-seven people have been cured/discharged/migrated, according to the official data. As cases of the viral infection surged, authorities have put almost the entire country under lockdown, banning gathering of people and suspending road, rail and air traffic in unprecedented steps till March 31.

Authorities have also taken a serious view of several people continuing to venture out despite the lockdown considering that the coming days and weeks are going to be extremely critical to contain the spread of the disease.

A top functionary of the central government called up some of the Chief Ministers and apprised them of the necessity of imposing the curfew if people continue to venture out of their homes.

The state governments and the union territory administrations have been advised to impose curfew wherever necessary as many people continue to go out of their homes despite the lockdown ordered to check the spread of the virus, a government official said.

The state governments have been told that public gatherings could lead to escalation of the prevailing situation. "Now, it is up to the state governments to take action as per the local situation and give necessary instructions to the district magistrates who have the powers to impose curfew," the official said.

Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba asked state governments to immediately identify and earmark hospitals to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

In a letter to Chief Secretaries of all the states, Gauba also said it is absolutely essential that surveillance and contact tracing of all positive cases is taken up and no suspected or high-risk person is left out.

"All states should immediately identify and earmark hospitals dedicated for management of COVID-19 cases and ensure that they are in a state of full readiness to deal with the situation in the event of a further spike in the number of confirmed cases," he said.