The number of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, cases crossed 900 in India with the death toll rising to 19, according to the Union Health Ministry.

According to the data, the number of active COVID-19 cases in the country stood at 918, while 79 people were either cured or discharged and one had migrated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from March 24 midnight, asserting in an emotional appeal "with folded hands" that unless India's 130 crore people practise social distancing, the country will lose the war against the coronavirus and slide back 21 years.

China's coronavirus epicentre Hubei province will resume domestic flight operations from March 29, officials say.

US President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to force auto giant General Motors to produce ventilators for severely ill COVID-19 patients.