According to authorities at the AMRI Hospital in Kolkata, the man was diagnosed last week and had been undergoing treatment since then. (Photo: PTI)

The death toll from the novel coronavirus in India increased to nine after a man in Kolkata succumbed to the infection on Monday.

Hospital authorities confirmed that a 55-year-old patient who was confirmed to be coronavirus positive died on Monday.

According to authorities at the AMRI Hospital in Kolkata, the man was diagnosed last week and had been undergoing treatment since then. The deceased also had a history of heart ailments.

The patient had travelled to Italy as his family lived there.

So far, government authorities have not confirmed the death. The West Bengal health department that it is awaiting the details of the case.

The man was reportedly employed in the railways. Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal condoled his death and said, "Came to know the sad news of the demise of a railways employee in West Bengal due to coronavirus. To save yourself from the pandemic, please remain alert and follow every precaution. This is very important for the safety of you and your family."

Covid-19 cases in India rose to 415, Union health ministry said, as much of the country locked down on Monday with the Centre warning of legal action against those violating the restrictions enforced to curtail the pandemic, which has claimed more than 14,500 lives globally.

At present, there are seven confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in West Bengal.

With the latest casualty, the death toll due to the novel coronavirus pandemic has risen to eight in India. Gujarat, Bihar and Maharashtra reported a death each on Sunday. A 38-year-old man with a kidney ailment and recent travel history to Qatar died at AIIMS-Patna and a 67-year-old man died at a hospital in Surat. Another death was reported from Mumbai of a 63-year-old man.

Four deaths were earlier reported from Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra and Punjab.

Faced with an unprecedented situation arising out of the coronavirus breakout, the Centre and state governments have decided to take extraordinary measures and impose restrictions.

Delhi, Jharkhand, and Nagaland declared a statewide lockdown while similar curbs were announced in a number of districts in Bihar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Several states, including Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, had earlier imposed a partial or complete lockdown.

Those living in 80 districts across the country, including in the national capital Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai have been placed under travel and movement restrictions with authorities suspending all passenger train and inter-state bus services till March 31.

The Centre has issued directions to state governments, asking them to take legal action against those who are found violating the lockdown orders.

IndiaToday.in has plenty of resources to help you better understand the coronavirus outbreak and take necessary precautions. Learn about hand and respiratory hygiene, explore our glossary, track the epidemic though visualised statistics, and get the latest updates.