Chennai: A coronavirus patient died at Madurai in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, taking the death toll in India to 11.
This is first death due to the virus in the South Indian state.
In a tweet, Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar said the 54-year-old man, who died at Rajaji Hospital, had a medical history of prolonged illness with steroid-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and uncontrolled diabetes with hypertension.
Stating that the COVID-19 with comorbidity like uncontrollable diabetes and hypertension, immunosuppression are high-risk conditions, he asked the people with such conditions to remain extra cautious.
Following the death, the Madurai Corporation and Health Department officials have begun screening the persons who had come in contact with the 54-year-old.
The Madurai district officials said that the deceased was a building contractor and also an office-bearer in a mosque committee. His wife and son are being kept in home isolation.
Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in India has touched 562.