NEW DELHI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- India's Health Ministry said on Tuesday that total number of the COVID-19 cases in the country had risen to 47.

"The total number of Confirmed COVID-19 cases across India is 47," officials from the ministry said. "Of these cases, 31 are Indians and 16 foreign nationals."

According to officials, 941,717 international passengers from 8,827 flights have been screened at airports until now with 54 passengers being referred to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) and hospitals.

"To meet the increasing demand and convenient screening of passengers, manpower deployed at airports has been substantially increased," the ministry said. "There are now 286 doctors, 160 nurses and 295 paramedics stationed at airports across the country."

The local governments in various states have ordered the closure of primary schools until March 31 as a precautionary measure in wake of the spike in COVID-19 cases.

The Health Ministry has launched a 24x7 helpline number to provide support to people regarding queries on the virus. The ministry is also circulating the precautionary measures recommended by the World Health Organization for prevention of the COVID-19 in India.