Coronavirus live | New COVID-19 cases below 100 in Chennai after three months

After showing sharp increase in the number of new infections daily for several weeks, Chennai district recorded a drop with 96 new cases being reported in a day on February 28.

You can track coronavirus cases, deaths, and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.

What next can we expect of the pandemic? | In Focus podcast

Here are the latest updates:

Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam called for calm on Tuesday after residents emptied supermarkets, stocking up on produce ahead of reports of compulsory mass COVID-19 testing and rumours of a city-wide lockdown.

Local media reported compulsory COVID testing would start after March 17, sparking concerns many people will be forced to isolate and families with members testing positive would be separated.

Lam appealed to the public “not to fall prey to rumours to avoid unnecessary fears being stirred,” with the supply of food and goods remaining normal, according to a statement on March 1. - Reuters

Schoolchildren in California, Oregon and Washington will no longer be required to wear masks as part of new indoor mask policies the Democratic governors of all three states announced jointly on February 28.