NEW DELHI, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir Saturday ordered the closure of all primary schools in two districts of the region in view of two suspected cased of novel coronavirus.
The schools have been closed in Jammu, the winter capital of the region and adjacent Samba district.
"It is hereby ordered that there shall be no classwork for primary classes in both government as well as private schools of Jammu and Samba districts till 31 March 2020," reads an order issued by region's education department.
According to the local government, there are two suspected cases of novel coronavirus in Jammu.
"Test reports of the two suspected patients from Jammu received. Both high viral load cases. High probability of testing positive," said region's department of Information and Public Relations. "Both cases had left hospital against medical advice and had to be brought back."
The authorities have appealed people to cooperate fully wherever quarantine is advised.
The suspected cases have been kept in isolation at Government Medical College, hospital Jammu.
India's federal health ministry on Friday said the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country has risen to 31.
The ministry has issued instructions to the states to avoid mass gatherings until COVID-19 threat is contained.
The local government in Delhi also ordered the closure of all primary schools until March 31 as a precautionary measure in wake of the spike in COVID-19 cases.
Health officials said they have started screening of all the passengers at airports.
