Coronavirus: A 76-year-old man in Karnataka has died of coronavirus.
Google confirmed on Friday that one of its employees in Bengaluru has tested positive for coronavirus. The 26-year-old man had recently returned from Greece and reportedly visited several places in the Karnataka capital. He has been placed in isolation at a Bengaluru hospital, Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu said. People who may have come in contact with him are being traced, according to the state government.
About 120 Indians, being evacuated from the coronavirus-hit Iran in an Air India flight, will reach Jaisalmer in Rajasthan today and will be quarantined at an Army facility, a defence spokesperson said on Thursday. "They will be quarantined at an Indian Army facility created under the aegis of Southern Command. The patients will be transferred from the airport post their initial screening to the quarantine facility under the escort of civil administration," defence spokesperson Col Sombit Ghosh said.
He said that another batch of approximately 250 people, to be airlifted from Iran on March 15, will also be quarantined at the Army facility in Jaisalmer.
A 76-year-old man who died in north Karnataka's Kalaburagi district on Tuesday has tested positive for novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, Health Minister B Sriramulu said late Thursday night. The victim had returned to India on February 29 after a month-long stay in Saudi Arabia and had been screened on arrival at Hyderabad airport. He had displayed no symptoms at that time. Meanwhile, three more people, including an Italian national, tested positive for coronavirus in Kerala on Friday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. With the three fresh cases, the number of affected people in the state has touched 19, he told reporters here. "An Italian tourist, who was staying at a resort in nearby Varkala, has tested positive and is kept in isolation there itself," Mr Vijayan said.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus Outbreak:
No need to shut schools, colleges in Gujarat: Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin PatelAssessing the state's preparedness against the COVID-19 scare, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said on Friday that unlike other states' preventive measures, there was no need to shut down schools and colleges in Gujarat for now against the possible threat of COVID-19.
Mr Patel said, "Right now, we are having a meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani regarding the present situation against the possible threat of COVID-19. We will be mulling on what and which type of restrictions to be placed following the recent guidelines by the central government."
As to whether the Gujarat government was mulling shutting schools and colleges as other states have done, the Deputy Chief Minister said that there was no such need right now.
Three more confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kerala, number goes up to 19Three more people, including an Italian national, tested positive for coronavirus in Kerala on Friday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. With the three fresh cases, the number of affected people in the state has touched 19, he told reporters.
"An Italian tourist, who was staying at a resort in nearby Varkala, has tested positive and is kept in isolation there itself," Mr Vijayan said.
Masks, hand santizers declared ''essential commodities''The government on Friday declared masks, including N95, and hand sanitizers as ''essential commodities'' in the wake of the coronavirus scare leading to shortages and black marketing of these items.
These items will remain under essential commodities segment till June-end, a move aimed at ensuring availability at reasonable prices and cracking down on hoarders/black marketeers.
The government has notified an order under the Essential Commodities Act to declare masks (2 ply and 3 ply surgical masks, N95 masks) and hand santizers as essential commodities up to June 30, 2020.
The decision has empowered the Centre as well states to regulate production, quality, distributions of masks and hand sanitiziers, and also to smoothen sale and availability of these items, and carry out operations against speculators.
Rajiv Chowk metro station premises sanitised amid coronavirus outbreakThe workers of Delhi Metro Rail Cooperation (DMRC) sanitised the metro station premises at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station on Friday as a preventive measure due to coronavirus pandemic.
The workers were seen sanitising the staircases at the entry and exit of the metro station, and railings at the platform terminal as well.
Sanitizers will be made available in public places: MinisterHand sanitizers will be made available in public places in Mumbai so that people can clean hands and avoid contracting or spreading the coronavirus, Mumbai district guardian minister Aslam Shaikh said on Friday.
Hand sanitizers would be made available mainly at railway stations and bus stops, he said.
Indian medical team in Italy to test stranded Indians for coronavirusA medical team from India reached Italy on Friday to test stranded Indian nationals for the coronavirus so that they can be brought back.
"Pleasure to welcome the medical team at the Embassy in Rome. Gearing up for the testing which starts this afternoon and will proceed through the weekend," the Indian Embassy here tweeted.
IIT Delhi asks students to vacate hostels by Mar 15 in view of coronavirus outbreakThe Indian Institute of Technology here has directed students to leave hostels by Sunday.
"In view of the current COVID-19 epidemic, as a preventive measure decided by the competent authority, the students are required to leave the hostels positively by midnight of March 15, 2020.
"There is no need to vacate the room though. Please fill the entry and exit register of the hostel concerned and the mess rebate form. This applies to students currently living in Nalanda and IP Apartments and in off-campus hostels in Katwaria Sarai and Jia Sarai also," Dean of Student Affairs Rajesh Khanna said in an official communication.
The institute had on Thursday announced suspension of classes and all events till March 31.
Coronavirus: Punjab shuts all schools till March 31Punjab Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla on Friday announced closing of all schools in the state till March 31 as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of coronavirus. He, however, said exams would be continued to be conducted according to schedule.
"Holidays have been declared in all government and private schools in the state till March 31 as a precautionary measure," Mr Singla said in a statement here.
The state government has formed a seven-member group of ministers to daily review the situation triggered by the coronavirus scare. Hospitals are on high alert, with specialized arrangements to tackle any exigency arising out of the crisis.
Jailbirds in Kerala to make masks in wake of coronavirusKerala government on Friday decided to use the tailoring units in prisons of the state to deal with the shortage of masks following the coronavirus scare.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the central jails of the state would begin the manufacture of masks soon. "Since there is a shortage of masks in Kerala due to coronavirus scare, the state government has decided to manufacture them at the tailoring units in the prisons," he said.
In a Facebook post, Mr Vijayan said, "Kannur, Viyyur and Thiruvananthapuram central jails will immediately start producing the masks."
"We will also make use of the facilities in other jails to produce masks and deal with their shortage," Mr Vijayan said.
Indian Consulate in Milan reaches out to students stranded at airportsIndian Consulate in Milan has reached out to Indian students stranded at airports in Italy amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Consulate tweeted, "Consulate has contacted the students stranded at airports and provided them assistance, including accommodation and food. We are working on assisting them in their early return to India."
At least 20 students from different parts of India are stuck at Milan airport after Air India refused to fly them out since they do not have the certificate that declares them negative for coronavirus.
Jamia Millia Islamia suspends classes till March 31After JNU, the Jamia Millia Islamia suspended classes on Friday with immediate effect till March 31 and advised students to avoid large gathering in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
- The university also decided to close all schools run by it till March 31, but said board examinations would continue according to schedule.
- "Teachers should make study material available to students, who need any assistance, online. Teachers should contact the students via email for reference of study material available online," the university said.
- Face-to-face, group interaction or gathering of students were to be avoided till March 31. Internal assessment would be provided online, it said.
- "Seminars/conferences to be postponed with immediate effect and stay in the guest house to be restricted till March 31. University examinations will continue to be conducted as per schedule," the university added.
Malls, gyms, cinema halls, swimming pools to remain closed in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and Nagpur from 12 midnight
One more positive in Pune, 2 in Nagpur; Maharashtra count 17One more person was confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus in Pune on Friday, taking the number of Covid-19 cases in the city to 10 and that in Maharashtra to 17.
The person who tested positive for the virus in Pune on Friday had travel history to the United States, said divisional commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar.
Earlier in the morning, two more persons tested positive for the disease in Nagpur.
JNU suspends classes till March 31The Jawaharlal Nehru University on Friday ordered suspension of classes with immediate effect till March 31 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
However, routine office work will remain unaffected, the university said as it directed all officers, faculty members and staff to be present for duty.
"In view of the situation arising out of coronavirus (COVID-19), it is hereby notified that all lectures, class presentations and examinations at JNU are suspended until March 31 with immediate effect," the varsity''s Registrar Pramod Kumar said.
Government advises Indian students in US university to stay backFollowing the shutting down of university campuses in various parts of the US in view of the coronavirus pandemic, the government on Thursday advised Indian students to avoid international travel.
The Consulate General of India in New York in its advisory asked the students to either stay put in on-campus housing or move in with friends unless it is necessary. The campuses which have closed are now offering online classes to the students in the US.
Air India Cancels Flights To Italy, France, Germany, 4 other countries till April 30Air India has decided to cancel flights to Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Israel, South Korea and Sri Lanka till April 30, an airline official said on Friday, amid mounting concerns over coronavirus epidemic.
The move comes a day after the national carrier announced suspension of services to Kuwait till April 30.
Earlier, the airline curtailed services on most European routes, including Italy and France.
Karnataka cancels leave for all health dept employeesThe Karnataka state government on Friday cancelled leaves for all health department employees and contract workers until further notice, an official said.
"In the light of prevailing coronavirus outbreak in the state, the Karnataka government has ordered the cancellation of leave for all health department workers and contract employees," said state Health Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pandey.
2 more test positive in Nagpur, Maharashtra count now 16
Two more persons tested positive for coronavirus in Nagpur, taking the number of such cases to 16 in Maharashtra on Friday, officials said.
Odisha Assembly adjourned till March 29 in view of coronavirus scareThe Odisha Assembly was adjourned till March 29 on Friday in wake of the coronavirus outbreak, even as members of the opposition BJP protested against the speaker's decision. Speaker SN Patro announced adjournment of the ongoing budget session after a voice vote on a motion moved by government chief whip Pramila Mallik.
Haryana govt shuts all universities, colleges till March 31The Haryana government on Friday shut all universities and colleges in the state till March 31, a day after it declared coronavirus an epidemic. The government also decided to close schools in five districts -- Gurugram, Sonepat, Rohtak, Jhajjar and Faridabad till March 31, officials said.
According to an advisory issued by the Panchkula based Director General of Higher Education, "The state government has decided that all universities and colleges situated in Haryana state will be closed till March 31 as a precautionary measure."
"The students will attend the school only to take the board exams, annual exams and assessment exams, March 2020 as per previous schedule. However, all the teaching and non-teaching staff members will attend the school as usual," it said, adding that schools in remaining districts shall function as per normal schedule.
Two quarantined patients test negative for coronavirus in GoaTwo out of the three patients quarantined for possible exposure to the novel coronavirus at Goa Medical College and Hospital have tested negative for the infection, a senior official said. The test report of the third patient was awaited, he added.
At the Indian Army's Manesar quarantine facility, one male individual who had returned from Italy on March 11 has been tested positive. He was employed in one of the restaurants in Italy for the last 14 years.
BCCI postpones IPL 2020
The start of the Indian Premier Leage (IPL) 2020 has been postponed to April 15th from March 29 as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus pandemic, the BCCI said in a statement today. "The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend IPL 2020 till 15th April 2020, as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) situation," the cricket board said in a statement.
Second batch of pilgrims brought back from Iran
The second batch of pilgrims were brought back from the coronavirus-afflicted Iran. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said 44 Indian pilgrims have arrived today from Iran.
Week malls, cinema, pubs to be closed in Karnataka from tomorrow
From tomorrow for week malls, cinemas, pubs and nightclubs, exhibitions, sports, marriages, conferences, birthday gatherings to be closed in Karnataka amid coronavirus scare.
French schools shut for next two weeks due to coronavirus
Educational establishments in France will be shut for the next two weeks "at least", due to the coronavirus, a minister said Friday, describing the move as part of a nationwide "applying of the brakes" to halt the spread of COVID-19. President Emmanuel Macron had in an address to the nation late on Thursday announced a range of stringent measures to slow the spread of the virus, including closing all creches, schools and universities from Monday until further notice. "The schools will be closed for as short a time as possible," Health Minister Olivier Veran told Europe 1 Radio. "What we want is a massive applying of the brakes nationwide. The schools will be closed for as long is needed. It will be at least 15 days."
DGCA asks airlines to consider waiving cancellation fees
Aviation regulator DGCA asks international airlines to consider waiving ticket cancellation charges, amid coronavirus outbreak.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a meeting over Coronavirus Pandemic at Lok Bhawan in Lucknow today.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has asked people to take small steps and prevent the coronavirus outbreak in the country. As responsible citizens, we can prevent the disease from spreading by taking a few small precautions.
PM Modi on coronavirus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday proposed that the leadership of SAARC nations could chalk out a joint strategy to fight coronavirus and set an example for the world. He said the SAARC leadership can discuss via video conferencing ways to keep their citizens healthy. "Our planet is battling the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it," PM Modi said on Twitter.
Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tests Positive For Coronavirus
Australia's home affairs minister Peter Dutton said he had tested positive for the new coronavirus and entered hospital quarantine on Friday. "This morning I woke up with a temperature and sore throat," said the minister, who is an influential member of the government and a key architect of Australia's controversial immigration laws. "It is the policy of Queensland Health that anyone who tests positive is to be admitted into hospital and I have complied with their advice."
Coronavirus: Goa govt to issue circular to hotels, industries
Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Friday said the government will issue a circular asking hotels and industries to take preventive measures in the wake of the coronavirus scare. No positive case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been reported so far in Goa, which receives a large number of tourists, including those from abroad, every year.
JNU suspends lectures All lectures, class presentations and examinations at JNU are suspended until March 31. A total of 75 people in India have tested positive for coronavirus.
India Reports 75 Coronavirus Cases, 17 Of Them Foreigners: Health Ministry
The number of coronavirus patients in the country is 75, including the death of a 76-year-old man in Karnataka, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. The man from Kalaburagi had recently returned from Saudi Arabia. "His sample has been confirmed for #COVID19", Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu said on Thursday. Delhi has reported six positive cases and Uttar Pradesh 10 so far. Karnataka has five coronavirus patients, Maharashtra 11 and Ladakh three. Besides, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab have reported one case each.
No IPL, Other Sports Event In Delhi Amid Virus Threat: Manish Sisodia
The Delhi government has banned all sporting activities and events, including Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, until further notice "for the purpose of prevention and control of the outbreak of the epidemic disease, COVID-19". The ban is specific to sports events that will see gatherings of 200 people or more, and comes a day after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's government ordered the closure of all schools, colleges and cinema theatres in the city till March 31. The government had shut the primary schools earlier this month; secondary classes were left open in view of exams.
Mehbooba Mufti Criticises Ban on 4G in Jammu And Kashmir
Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said, "Coronavirus outbreak has been declared as a pandemic by WHO. Yet J&K admin continues its cruel crippling ban on 4G. It would have helped people to work from home & provided access to crucial information. This despite no incidents of violent protest since 2G was resumed."
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in state assembly said, "All educational institutions shall remain closed till 31st March except for holding examinations. Cinema halls, swimming pools, and gyms are also to be closed till 31st March."
Noida employee tests positive for coronavirus
Noida CMO Anurag Bhargav has said that a resident of Delhi, who was working in Noida, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. "He has a travel history of Germany and Italy."
Coronavirus: BS Yediyurappa summons emergency meet
In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has summoned an emergency meeting with ministers and senior officials on Friday to discuss the situation. The schools, malls and other public places have been shut to control the spread of the deadly virus. Schools in the state have announced early summer vacation for their students this academic year as a precautionary measure amid COVID-19 scare.
Delhi government shuts all swimming pools
The Delhi government has ordered the shutting of all public swimming pools in the city with immediate effect till March 31 in wake of coronavirus outbreak, an official said on Friday. The health department of the Delhi government had issued an order in this regard on Thursday, the official said, adding swimming pools of all hotels and other entities, where people use the facilities, will be closed. On Thursday, the Delhi government had declared coronavirus an epidemic and shut all cinema halls, schools and colleges, except those where exams are on, till March 31. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also issued an order, saying, "All educational institutions -- schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, universities and private coaching and tuition centres -- will remain closed till March 31, except for holding examinations."
Kerala startup mission has started coronavirus awareness campaign
Kerala Startup Mission has started a coronavirus awareness campaign using 2 robots in Kochi. Jayakrishnan T, founder and CEO of Asimov Robotics, "Robots are crowd pullers, so we can spread our message effectively. They are distributing hand sanitizers, masks and sharing info about pandemic."
CRPF cancels anniversary celebrations due to coronavirus threat
The CRPF on Friday postponed its raising day celebrations planned to be held next week in view of the coronavirus outbreak. The 3.25 lakh central force was supposed to hold the main ceremonial parade and display of martial skills with the involvement of thousands of troops at its officers academy campus in Gurgaon on March 19 to mark its 81st raising day. "Conforming to precautionary advisory to break the spread of COVID-19, all CRPF programs in connection with CRPF raising day and passing out parade of 51st batch DAGOs (directly appointed gazetted officers) have been postponed," the force said in a statement. "CRPF has joined the national response against COVID-19 by gearing up its medical facilities," it said.
Rahul Gandhi blamed government for insufficient efforts
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi blamed the government for insufficient efforts towards coronavirus. The coronavirus is a huge problem. Ignoring the problem is a non-solution. The Indian economy will be destroyed if strong action is not taken. The government is in a stupo
112 China-returnees, quarantined in Delhi
All 112 people admitted to an ITBP quarantine facility for over a fortnight have tested negative for coronavirus and are expected to be released on Friday, a senior official said. All of them were evacuated last month from Wuhan in China. "After 14 days of quarantine at ITBP facility in Chhawla, 112 inmates, including 36 foreign nationals, have tested negative for coronavirus," an Indo-Tibetan Border Police spokesperson said.
Everest shut down after Nepal suspends permits over virus
Nepal on Friday suspended permits to climb Everest because of the coronavirus pandemic, closing off the world's biggest mountain a day after China halted access from its side. Nepal has suspended climbing on all mountains in the country and stopped issuing tourist visas, Yogesh Bhattarai, Minister for Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation told AFP. "The government has decided to suspend all spring expeditions and scrap permits for the time being. The decision can be reviewed after analysing the global scenario over the coming month," Bhattarai said.
Rupee hits low amid virus concerns
The rupee dropped to a record low on Friday, weighed down by worries over the coronavirus pandemic that has prompted investors to dump riskier assets and move towards safe havens. The dollar stood tall on Friday as investors scrambled for the world's most liquid currency amid deepening panic while the euro nursed losses after the European Central Bank disappointed by not cutting rates.
Google Bangalore employee tests positive for coronavirus
Google confirmed on Friday that one of its employees in Bengaluru has tested positive for coronavirus. The 26-year-old man had recently returned from Greece. He has been placed in isolation at a Bengaluru hospital, Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu said. Google said the man had been at its office for a few hours.
120 Indians from Iran to come back today
About 120 Indians, being evacuated from the coronavirus-hit Iran in an Air India flight, will reach Jaisalmer in Rajasthan today and will be quarantined at an Army facility, a defence spokesperson said on Thursday. "They will be quarantined at an Indian Army facility created under the aegis of Southern Command.
Top Japanese government officials said Friday they were determined to hold "safe and secure" Olympics on schedule, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said Tokyo should consider delaying them for a year because of the pandemic, reports Reuters.
Nifty set for another day of mayhem amid coronavirus fear
Domestic markets are bracing for yet another day of mayhem, after a global selloff on Thursday amid the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak pulled benchmark indices down more than 8 per cent. The Singapore Exchange (SGX) Nifty futures - an early indicator of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty index in India - shed 871.75 points to hit a multi-year low of 8,708.25 ahead of the opening of Indian markets on Friday. At 8:12 am, the SGX Nifty futures were down 636.00 points - or 6.64 per cent - at 8,944.00.
Tom Hanks says tackling Coronavirus isolation "one-day-at-a-time"
Oscar-winner Tom Hanks said he and his wife were taking their new roles as quarantined coronavirus patients in their stride Friday, urging the public to heed the advice of experts. Holed up in a Gold Coast hospital in Australia, Hanks 63, said he and singer-songwriter partner Rita Wilson were taking the enforced isolation "one-day-at-a-time". In a social media post to fans, Hanks said the couple "want to thank everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us. We have Covid-19 and are in isolation so we do not spread it to anyone else."
Delhi schools, colleges, cinemas shut till March 31 due to Coronavirus
All schools, colleges and cinema halls in Delhi will remain shut till March 31 as a measure to counter the coronavirus, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced today. The Delhi government had shut the primary schools earlier this month, the secondary classes were left open in view of the exams. Today, the Chief Minister declared, "All cinema halls to remain shut in Delhi till 31st March. Schools and colleges where exams are not being held will also remain closed". Delhi has also declared coronavirus as an epidemic.
Disney Closes theme parks in California, Florida over Coronavirus
Walt Disney Co will close its theme parks in California and Florida and its resort in Paris from this weekend through the end of the month due to the global outbreak of coronavirus, the company said on Thursday. Disney Cruise Line will suspend all new departures starting Saturday through the end of the month, the company said.
Justin Trudeau's wife tests positive for Coronavirus
The wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tested positive for the new coronavirus, his office said late Thursday. "Sophie Gregoire Trudeau was tested for COVID-19 today. The test came back positive," the Prime Minister's office said in a statement.
City declares virus epidemic as first Indian dies in Karnataka
A 76-year-old man who died in north Karnataka's Kalaburagi district on Tuesday has tested positive for novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, Health Minister B Sriramulu said late Thursday night. The victim had returned to India on February 29 after a month-long stay in Saudi Arabia and had been screened on arrival at Hyderabad airport. He had displayed no symptoms at that time.