NEW DELHI, March 9 (Xinhua) -- India's federal health ministry Monday said total number of COVID-19 cases in the country has risen to 43 with four new cases reported.

According to the ministry officials, the increase in cases was recorded after the detection of new positive cases.

"As of today, there are 43 total cases, out of which 40 are active cases of COVID-19 in the country," reads a statement issued by the health ministry. "Four new cases of COVID-19 have been reported since yesterday's update - one from Ernakulum, Kerala, one from Delhi, one from Uttar Pradesh and one from Jammu (Indian-controlled Kashmir)."

According to officials, three positive cases from Kerala detected initially have been discharged from hospital after they showed signs of improvement.

"The five cases from Kerala reported yesterday are three family members with travel history to Italy and two of their relatives who came in contact with them. The family is reported to have visited relatives and attended few functions and their contacts are being traced," the ministry said.

The ministry said 43 samples have tested positive out of the 3,003 samples sent for testing.

A total of 874,708 international passengers from 8,255 flights have been screened at airports till now, with 1,921 passengers identified as symptomatic and of them 177 have been hospitalized, and 33,599 passengers are under observation, the ministry said.

A total of 21,867 passengers have completed their observation period, it added.

The government has urged people to reveal clearly about their travel history and fill the details in self-declaration forms properly.

The officials said so far no death related to COVID-19 has been reported in India.

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

In many states, authorities have closed schools up to the primary level as a precautionary measure and urged people to avoid mass gatherings.