Coronavirus: 16 Italians in India test positive for Covid-19 as cases hit 28

The health minister said 15 of 21 Italian tourists who were quarantined at a facility near Delhi had tested positive for the virus

India has now barred visitors from Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan

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Italian tourists fill up forms after being put in preventive isolation at a quarantine facility in Chhawla in New Delhi. Photo: Agence France-Presse

Published: 5:14pm, 4 Mar 2020Updated: 11:59pm, 7 Apr 2020

A group of Italian tourists were under quarantine in India on Wednesday, with 16 testing positive for the new coronavirus, prompting authorities to tighten controls.

Italy is a hotspot of the virus with 79 deaths and over 2,500 infected, while India’s case total stands officially at just 28 – including the Italians and their Indian driver.

Confirming the new cases, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that passengers on all international flights would now be screened.

Visitors from Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan – except diplomats and officials from international bodies – were already barred, on Tuesday, along with those from China last month.

Vardhan said a husband and wife in the Italian group – who arrived last month and number around 20 – fell ill while visiting the western state of Rajasthan, a popular tourist destination.

The remainder were moved to a quarantine centre in New Delhi, where 14 members plus their Indian driver were confirmed as being infected.

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