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A member of forest staff sprays disinfectant on a toy train, as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19 novel coronavirus, at the Bengal Safari Park on the outskirts of Siliguri in India yesterday. Photo: AFP

AFP
India yesterday reported that the number of coronavirus infections had risen to 107, an increase of 23 from the day before, with a western state home to the country's financial capital the worst hit. Data from India's federal health ministry showed that there were now 31 confirmed coronavirus cases in Maharashtra state, where local authorities have closed down schools, colleges and malls in most cities, including in the financial hub of Mumbai. The number could go up as more test reports of people who were in close contact with patients are pendong, a state health official said. India, a country of 1.3 billion people, has so far fared better than elsewhere in Asia, Europe and North America, with only two deaths because of the virus. But experts say India's already overstretched medical system would struggle to deal with a major rise in serious cases.

Now the number rise upto 124....