World

India reports first death from coronavirus

India reports first death from coronavirus

By REUTERS

File - A health desk is set up to screen travellers for signs of the coronavirus at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala, India, on January 31, 2020. Photo: Reuters

NEW DELHI: A 76-year-old man became the first person in India to die from coronavirus, a state health minister said on Thursday.

The 76 year old man from Kalburgi who passed away & was a suspected #COVID19 patient has been Confirmed for #COVID19. The necessary contact tracing, isolation & other measures as per protocol are being carried out.

— B Sriramulu (@sriramulubjp) March 12, 2020 B Sriramulu, the health minister of Karnataka state, said in a tweet that authorities were currently carrying out contact tracing, isolation and other measures related to the case. India has said it will suspend a vast majority of visas to the country in a wide-reaching attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Moreover, the country has ordered upcoming international cricket matches to be played in empty stadiums.