Coronavirus Cases in India: Coronavirus cases rise to 415 in the country.
The total number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in India have gone up to 467 in the country after 71 fresh cases were reported today. The state governments have announced a lockdown in over 80 cities across the country including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru.
The states going into lockdown till March 31 include those where coronavirus cases have been reported - Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, West Bengal, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Puducherry and Uttarakhand.
Aviation Ministry has informed that no domestic flights will be operating after 11.59 pm tomorrow. All kinds of measures are being taken to curb the virus spread. Delhi Chief Minister told at a press conference in Delhi that people should observe the lockdown seriously. As of now 30 states have been put under lockdown.
Here are the highlights on Coronavirus Outbreak:
Night curfew imposed in Hyderabad
17 departments shutdown in Meghalaya, curfew imposed in 2 districtsThe Meghalaya government on Monday shut down 17 government departments till March 31 and imposed curfew in two districts in view of the coronavirus outbreak, officials said.
Over 16,000 people, who returned from other states, have been screened for COVID-19 at Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi district bordering Assam till date, they said.
Private vehicles will be allowed to ply in the state capital on odd and even numbers alternately, beginning with odd numbers on March 24, a government order said.
ICMR recommends two RT-PCR kits for coronavirus testingThe Indian Council of Medical Research (IMCR) said it has recommended two RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test kits for use in ICMR-approved government and private laboratories.
These test kits have been found to have 100 per cent concordance among true positive and true negative samples.
The ICMR has established a fast-track mechanism for validation of non-US FDA EUA/CE IVD approved kits at ICMR NIV Pune.
UP government to set up coronavirus hospitals in 51 medical collegesThe Uttar Pradesh government will set up COVID-19 hospitals in 51 medical colleges of the state. According to an official release, a decision to this effect was taken during a video conference presided over by the state medical education minister here on Monday.
In the 51 medical colleges, there are 4,500 isolation and quarantine beds as of now for the treatment coronavirus patients.
Instructions have been issued to increase the number of beds to 11,000 within a week.
Directives have been issued to have a minimum of 20 beds and two ventilators or a maximum of 200 isolation beds and 20 ventilators in every medical college.
Inter-state borders of Delhi have been sealed
Jharkhand government bars media from identifying COVID-19 patients, treating doctorsThe Jharkhand government on Monday barred the media from publishing personal details of coronavirus-affected persons, and doctors and other medical staff treating them.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed concern over people coming out of their homes violating the lockdown order, and urged them to remain indoors. "It is not a holiday."
The health department in a notification said, "No media shall publish the name and address of the person infected/affected with COVID-19, his/her parents, relatives, the doctor treating the patient and the assisting medical staff, obtained through any source, in any Print/Electronic/WEB/Social Media.
"The media shall not interview any patient affected with COVID-19, his/her parents, relatives, the doctor treating the patient and the assisting medical staff."
Combating COVID-19: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ensures smooth functioning of expenditure systemUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday promised to ensure uninterrupted and smooth functioning of the government expenditure system during the containment period of COVID-19.
S Jaishankar talks to Sri Lankan FM over SAARC meeting on COVID-19External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday spoke to his Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunwardane over the decisions taken at the recent SAARC meeting on COVID-19.
In a video conference on forming a joint strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the SAARC region on March 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed an emergency fund with an initial offer of USD 10 million from India.
"Just spoke to FM @DCRGunawardena of #SriLanka. Reviewed follow-up to the #SAARC-COVID Summit decisions. As good neighbours, we work closely to address the #COVID disruptions. Look forward to keeping in touch," Jaishankar tweeted.
Jama Masjid to remain closed for public till March 31The Jama Masjid will remain closed for public till March 31 in view of the coronavirus outbreak, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the imam of the mosque, said on Monday. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus as many people who travel abroad also come to offer prayers at the mosque, he said.
During this period, the daily chorus in the mosque will remain unaffected but people will not be allowed to offer prayers.
Around 2,000 people offer prayers at the mosque everyday, while the number swells to 10,000 on Fridays, he said.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Gujarat Put Under Lockdown Till March 31 To Contain COVID-19
The Gujarat government has decided to put the entire state under lockdown from Monday midnight as part of measures to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state.
The lockdown will remain in force till March 31, said a senior police official in Gandhinagar.
"Police will implement the lockdown in a strict manner. People should not come out of their homes unless necessary. We have also decided to seal Gujarat''s borders with other states," he said.
However, essential services will not get affected by the state-wide shutdown, the officer said.
Coronavirus: Himachal Pradesh Announces Rs 500 Crore Relief Package For Poor
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today announced a Rs 500 crore relief package for the poor and the needy, which includes Rs 30 crore for construction workers who are likely to face financial troubles due the coronavirus outbreak.
About 1.5 lakh workers registered with the Building and Construction Workers Board will be provided Rs. 2,000 as one-time relief, he added.
Besides this, ration including flour and rice for two months will be given to targeted public distribution system card holders, he added.
Of the Rs 500 crore, Rs 160.2 crore as first quarter pension will be released to social security pension holders in the first week of April.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Lockdown In Karnataka Till March 31 After 7 New Coronavirus Cases ReportedThe Karnataka government tonight announced a lockdown from March 24 till month end in the entire state as seven new COVID-19 cases were reported, taking the tally in the state to 33.
The government earlier announced stricter measures in nine districts, including Bengaluru, where lockdown was declared on Sunday till March 31 to contain the spread of coronavirus.
In a late night tweet, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said "after assessing the situation of covid-19, we have decided to lockdown not just 9 districts but the whole state of Karnataka starting tomorrow till March 31st. I request all citizens to co-operate and please stay indoors."
In another tweet in Kannada, he said, the total lockdown was extended to the entire state "to control covid-19 infection which is spreading at dangerous level."
Coronavirus Outbreak: 30 States, Union Territories Announce Complete Lockdown
30 states, union territories announce complete lockdown, partial curbs in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha
Coronavirus Outbreak: 71 Fresh Coronavirus Cases In India, Total Count Reaches 467
Coronavirus cases in India is on the surge and today the cases across India reached a 467 mark after 71 people tested positive for coronavirus.
Coronavirus: 2 Fresh Coronavirus Cases In Punjab, Total Count Reaches 23
Two more people, including a two-year-old child, were tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 23 in Punjab, an official said.
The child is the grandson of the Germany-returned Nawanshahr man who died of cardiac arrest last Wednesday, Civil Surgeon Rajinder Prasad Bhatia over the phone.
The 70-year-old man, who had returned from Germany through Italy on March 7, had died before the arrival of his report, in which he was tested positive for the disease.
With the detection of his grandson as a COVID-19 patient, now 11 of his family members are infected with the virus.
The other patient, an 80-year-old woman, is the landowner of a friend of the Chandigarh's first coronavirus patient, an official said.
A 23-year-old woman who had recently returned from London was tested positive for the disease last week after which her 27-year-old friend was also confirmed to be a case of coronavirus.
In Punjab, there are 15 confirmed coronavirus cases in Nawanshahr, five in Mohali, two in Amritsar and one in Hoshiarpur.
As of now, 251 samples have been tested, of which 183 were declared negative while reports of the rest 45 are awaited.
Coronavirus: Tamil Nadu Labels Houses Of Foreign Returnees Who Are In Self-Quarantine
The Tamil Nadu government today announced a series of intensified measures to tackle coronavirus such as pasting stickers on the houses of overseas returnees advised self-quarantine and setting apart over 9,000 beds and 560 ventilators in government hospitals.
Outlining the initiatives taken by the government for thwarting the spread of the contagion and managing the infected, Chief Minister K Palaniswami told the state assembly that Rs 500 crore has been allocated from the state disaster relief fund for anti-virus initiatives, up from the initial sum of Rs 60 crore.
As of now, those returning from foreign countries and not having any symptoms of coronavirus are asked to remain under home quarantine for 14 days as a precautionary measure.
Batting for strict monitoring of people who had travelled abroad and those who had been in touch with them, Mr Palaniswami said surveillance should be on in respect of their self-quarantine considering public good.
The chief minister said he issued the directions during today's review meet on the measures to check coronavirus which has infected nine people in the state, where a lockdown will come into effect from Tuesday 6 PM.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Over 10,000 Foreign Returnees Traced In Andhra Pradesh Through Door-To-Door Campaign
The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday said it has traced over 10,000 foreign returnees through an innovative door-to-door campaign, out of which 140 of them have shown symptoms of coronavirus, while the rest remain asymptomatic.
To contain the spread of COVID-19, the state government deployed over 2.5 lakh volunteers with the responsibility of screening 50 households each.
According to the Union Health Ministry, there are seven confirmed cases of coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh.
"The campaign has helped the government identify and track 10,000 foreign returnees over and above those informed about by the Government of India," the government said in a statement.
Due to this campaign, the state government is able to identify those people whose details are not mentioned in the central government records and those who intentionally hide their travel history, it said.
Apart from tracking the foreign returnees, the government said volunteers are spreading awareness about the 'do's and don'ts' to each member of the household.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Bengal Reports 1st Coronavirus Death, 5-Day Lockdown Ordered
The five-day lockdown in vast swathes of West Bengal began today, a day when the state recorded its first COVID 19 death, officials said. The lockdown will last till March 27 midnight.
A 57-year-old man, who had tested positive for the coronavirus last week, was on ventilation. He was among the seven COVID 19 patients in the state. He died at a private hospital in the state.
Meanwhile, a controversy has erupted over the mans travel history, with his family members claiming he had not gone abroad recently. They said he had only visited Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh this February.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however, told at an all party meeting that the man and his family, currently in the isolation ward of a state-run hospital, had travelled to Italy, which has now emerged as an epicentre of the disease in Europe.
Coronavirus: Total Lockdown in Kerala After 28 New Cases Reported In A Single Day
Kerala decided to go in for a total lockdown from midnight tonight till March 31 with 28 new positive COVID-19 cases, the highest on a single day, being reported on Monday, taking the total number of
people under treatment to 91 and more than 64,000 under surveillance.
With positive cases continuing to rise, the government decided to go in for the lockdown from midnight tonight till month end, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who held a series of high-level meetings with various departments and stakeholders, said.
At least 64,320 are under surveillance in the state and 383 are in isolation wards of various hospitals.
Of the 28 new cases, 19 are from the worst-affected northern district of Kasaragod, five are from Kannur, one from Pathnamthitta, two from Ernakulam and one from Thrissur, Mr Vijayan told reporters after a COVID-19 review meeting.
"Twenty-five of the 28 found positive today had returned from Dubai," Mr Vijayan said, adding as of now there is no evidence of community spread of the virus.
As part of the lockdown, the state's borders will remain closed, state run Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private buses would be off the roads, but private vehicles would be allowed. Banks would be open only till 2 pm. "All essential materials will be made available. All state borders will remain closed.There will not be any public transportation. KSRTC and private buses will not ply, but private vehicles would be allowed. Petrol pumps would not be shut and LPG distribution will not be affected," Mr Vijayan said.
Coronavirus Outbreak: 24-Year-Old US Returnee, Suspected Of COVID-19, Dies In Himachal Pradesh
A 24-year-old woman who recently travelled from the USA and showed possible symptoms of coronavirus died at a private hospital in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra, a senior state health official said today.
Her samples were sent for testing to a hospital in Kangra but she died before the arrival of the report, the official said.
The woman had reportedly come from the USA to her permanent residence in Kangra a few days ago, Himachal Deputy Director-cum-State Surveillance Officer, Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP), Dr Sonam G Negi, said.
She said, "It is not yet sure whether she was suffering from COVID-19 or not, but she returned from the country where the virus has already spread."
The hospital doctors, staff and those who remained in touch with her have been quarantined as a precautionary measure, she added.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Karnataka Trade Bodies Call For Shutdown Over Coronavirus
Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has called on the industry, service sector, and tradesmen to shut shop until the month-end in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, an official said.
"We hereby request the trade, industry and service sectors to take concrete decisions to close their establishments till March 31," said the industry body's president CR Janardhana.
He said FKCCI reiterates its support to the decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.
Coronavirus Outbreak: PM Urges Media To Keep Emphasising On "Importance Of Social Distancing"
Coronavirus Outbreak: One More Test COVID-19 Positive In Gujarat, Total Count Reaches 30
One more person in Gujarat tests positive for Coronavirus, the total number of positive cases in the state rises to 30.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Arunachal Pradesh Announces 'Complete Safety Restrictions' Amid Coronavirus
Arunachal Pradesh state government invokes Epidemic Act and announces 'complete safety restrictions' of state from 5pm, March 23 till midnight of March 31. All essential services shall be exempted, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Nepals's 19-Year-Old Becomes 2nd To Be Affected By Coronavirus
Nepal today confirmed its second coronavirus case, a 19-year-old female student who returned from France via Qatar.
The student has been kept under isolation at a hospital in Kathmandu, Minister for Health and Population Bhanubhakta Dhala told a press conference in Katmandu.
The teenage girl had returned from France via Qatar on March 17, he said, adding that her family members will also be quarantined.
Coronavirus Outbreak: State Buses To Be Increased By 50% For Essential Service Providers: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that Delhi government will increase state bus services by 50% so that those involved in delivering essential services don't face any problems amid coronavirus lockdown.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Indigo Says Staffs Are Ostracised Amid "Line Of Duty And Travel History"
Amid major disruption due to the coronavirus outbreak in the aviation sector, IndiGo today said there have been some instances where its employees were ostracised by their communities as a result of their "line of duty and travel history".
Air India had stated on Sunday that vigilante resident welfare associations (RWAs) and neighbours were ostracising and calling police on its crew members who went abroad as a part of their duty.
"There are some instances when our employees have been ostracised from their communities as a result of their line of duty and travel history," IndiGo said in a statement.
"The nation gave a standing ovation to the heroes for their fight against this pandemic on March 22. Our operational crew, in all areas, play an equally important role to keep vital services intact. Our colleagues have been working selflessly to serve the country at this critical juncture," it added.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Medicine Shops To Remain Open In Assam During Lockdown
All medicine shops and establishments in Assam will remain open and there will be no disruption in the supply of medicines, the Chemists and Druggists Association of Assam (CDAA) said today.
The announcement was made after Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Assam will be under lockdown from 6 pm on Tuesday till March 31 in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The CDAA supports social distancing but as medicines come under essential services, all shops/establishments will remain open to ensure that there is no disruption in the supply of medicines to the needy patients and avoid panic among people.
CDAA president NL Agarwala and Secretary Jitu Barman in a statement requested all stockists, dealers and retailers to make all necessary medicines available to people at reasonable prices.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Punjab Top Officials To Contribute A Day's Salary To Battle Coronavirus
After the Council of Ministers, led by the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, on Monday announced contribution of their one month salary to the CM's Relief Fund, the Punjab (Indian Administrative Service) IAS officers has also decided to contribute their one day salary towards the fund for battling coronavirus.
The Indian Police Service (IPS) and Provincial Police Service (PPS) officers of the state have also announced to donate a day's salary for the welfare of police personnel involved in combating the deadly virus.
All the Ministers of the Cabinet, led by Captain Amarinder Singh, will contribute their one-month salary on account of donation towards the 'Coronavirus Disaster Management and Relief Fund', according to a spokesperson.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Coronavirus Cases In India Rises To 433: Health Ministry
Total number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 433, health ministry said.
Coronavirus: Tejashwi Yadav Offers Official Bungalow As Quarantine Camp
Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, today offered his 1, Polo road official bungalow to the government for turning it into a makeshift quarantine camp or a testing centre for COVID-19.
Taking to Twitter, the RJD leader also said that he would donate a month's salary to the chief minister's relief fund to help those in need in the wake of the crisis.
As per the State Health Societys bulletin, of the 143 samples collected till Sunday, two have tested positive for COVID-19. One of them, a 38-year-old man, died at AIIMS, Patna, on Saturday, while the other patient was undergoing treatment.
"As the leader of opposition, I have been allotted the 1, Polo road government bungalow. I would like to put it (bungalow) to better use," Mr Yadav tweeted.
"The bungalow could be used as a quarantine camp or a testing centre, or for setting up isolation wards and increasing the number of beds. It can also be used in any other manner to fight against the coronavirus outbreak," he wrote on the microblogging site.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Guests Coming To Kolkata Hotels Will Be Kept In Isolation Rooms
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India has asked hotels of all categories in Kolkata to keep isolation rooms for guests irrespective of whether they are coming from abroad or within the country.
An official of the association on Monday said it has sought around 500 rooms in star and non-star category hotels in the metropolis in a bid to contain the outbreak of novel coronavirus which has affected 415 people in the country, out of which 41 are foreigners, and left seven dead.
"We have drawn up a list of star and non-star category hotels where the association has asked for earmarking around 500 rooms for isolation purpose," Sudesh Poddar, secretary of the association said.
He said the association is in discussion with the states health and tourism departments to ascertain whether these rooms will be reserved for foreign guests, domestic ones or both.
Mr Poddar said some guests are already staying in some of the hotels. "We wanted a clarification from the government whether they can continue their stay in view of the outbreak. There is no reply from the government so far," he said.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Bihar Chief Minister Announces One Month Free Ration To Card Holders
Amid lockdown in several districts of Bihar over coronavirus, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today announced one month free ration to all ration card holders. He also announced early pension payments to those retired. Pensions for three months will be paid in advance to retired people. He has also promised to transfer scholarship money. Taking a note of the hard work of the health workers, the Chief Minister announced an one month extra salary rewards for them.
Coronavirus Outbreak: "Compelled To Announce Statewide Curfew": Uddhav Thackeray
As the coronavirus situation is rising with each passing day Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today said that he is compelled to announce a statewide curfew.
He also said that all district borders were sealed. There was also no inter-district transportation allowed as Maharashtra government announces a statewide curfew.
He further added, "All essential services to function and their transportation also allowed but with restrictions."
"Yesterday we sealed the state borders and today we are sealing district borders. We will not allow it to spread to the districts which are unaffected as of now," Mr Thackeray said.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Puducherry Under LockdownFrom Today Till March 31: V Narayanasamy
Curfew is being imposed in the entire union territory of Puducherry from 9 pm today till March 31 to contain spread of coronavirus, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy announced.
None should come out of their homes and all vehicular movements would be suspended unless for genuine and compelling reason, with police asked to ensure strict enforcement of thecurfew, he told reporters in Puducherry today.
Puducherry has so far reported only one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Mahe, an enclave of the union territory in Kerala.
Mr Narayanasamy said that although the situation was not alarming in the UT, "We cannot remain slack as it might explode at any time."
The Chief Minister also said all bars and liquor shops in would remain closed from 6 pm today till this month-end.
But, shops dealing with provisions, vegetables, medicines and milk as also retail outlets of petrol and diesel and LPG dealers would carry on business as usual, he added. Strict vigil would be maintained on other shops and establishments.
Coronavirus Outbreak: J&K Announces Rs 40 Crore To Tackle Coronavirus ThreatIn the wake of Coronavirus threat, the Jammu and Kashmir administration today announced to release Rs 40 crore additionally to Deputy Commissioners (DC) across the region for preventive measures.
The J&K government spokesman Rohit Kansal said in a tweet that Rs 40 crore will be released additionally to DCs and rupees one crore to be released for Public Health Engineering (PHE) to augment water supply.
He further said Rs 50 lakh each will be released for Jammu and Srinagar Municipality corporations to support sanitation efforts.
"#COVID19 #JammuAndKashmir #Fightagainst Corona Rs 40 crore to be released additionally to DCs. Rs 1 crore for PHE department to augment water supply. Rs 50 lakhs each for Jammu and Srinagar corporations to support sanitation efforts. Treasuries to function," Mr Kansal tweeted.
Coronavirus Updates: Arvind Kejriwal Appeals To People To Observe Lockdown
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appeals to people to observe lockdown; says if it's not followed from Tuesday the government will resort to strict measures.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Chhattisgarh Suspends Public Transport With Immediate Effect
The Chhattisgarh government today ordered suspension of public and private buses, auto and e-rickshaws and taxis with immediate effect.
A letter announcing this was sent by state Transport Commissioner Kamalpreet Singh, an official statement in Raipur said.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday evening announced a lockdown in urban areas in 28 districts till March31, during which only those sectors dealing with essential services will be allowed to remain open.
The state government also decided to disburse two months (April and May) ration quota, including rice, sugar and salt, at one go under the Public Distribution System due to the virus outbreak, an official said.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Iranian Airline Allowed To Bring 600 Stranded Indians From Iran
Indian authority permits Mahan Airways (Iranian airline) to evacuate around 600 Indians from Iran on 24th and 28th March. All these Indian nationals have tested negative for coronavirus.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Haryana Extends Lockdown For Remaining 15 Districts Till March 31
Haryana government extends lockdown in remaining 15 districts from Tuesday till March 31 to contain spread of novel coronavirus pandemic, Manohar Lal Khattar said.
Coronavirus: Traffic Jams In Andhra Pradesh As Vehicles Were Stopped Amid Lockdown
Jaggaiahpet, the border of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, witnessed a long traffic jam as the movement of vehicles was stopped today after the Chief Ministers of both the states announced a lockdown in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.
People are facing hardships in moving from one state to another and inter-state transportation has also been stopped as a precautionary measure to contain the pandemic. Policemen were also seen asking commuters to adhere to the lockdown directive issued by the state governments.
Earlier today, the Andhra Pradesh government extended the precautionary restrictions to prevent the rapid spread of coronavirus and ordered a state-wide lockdown to prevent the onset of community transmission of the pandemic infection.
The Telangana government had also announced a complete lockdown in the state till March 31 in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Assam Chief Minister Holds Meeting With Senior State Officials About COVID-19 Situation
Assam's Chief Minister interacted will senior police officials and health officials of all districts through video conferencing to take a note of the prevailing situation. He has directed all the officials to be fully prepared to tackle the coronavirus situation.
Coronavirus Outbreak: No Domestic Flights From Midnight Tomorrow: Aviation Ministry
Airlines will have to land all their domestic passenger flights at destinations by 11.59 pm on Tuesday, Aviation Ministry said. They also said that no domestic flights will be operating from Wednesday onwards.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Kanika Kapoor Again Tests COVID-19 Positive
Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor tested positive again in a second test for COVID-19 conducted today.
The singer's sample was tested again at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow after her family members raised questions about the initial test reports.
Kanika Kapoor is reported to be stable as of now.
The police are tracing all those who came in contact with her in the last few days. Reportedly, 160 persons came in her contact in three parties after she returned from the UK.
Earlier, the Lucknow police charged Kanika Kapoor on grounds of negligence for attending various social events in the city last week despite being infected with coronavirus and having been instructed by the authorities to isolate herself at her home.
She has been charged under Sections 188, 269, and 270 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The first information report was lodged based on a complaint filed by the chief medical officer (CMO) of Lucknow.
Coronavirus Outbreak: J&K Police Use Drones To Announce Restrictions On MovementsJammu and Kashmir Police today used drones in some parts of the city to announce restrictions on the movement of people as part of the 10-day lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
In a video released by the police on social media platforms, an officer can be seen recording a message onto a drone, urging people to stay indoors.
"Please cooperate with your police. The cure for coronavirus disease is your cooperation. Please stay indoors for your own safety and of your family," the officer said in the message relayed by the drone.
The drones were used near the iconic Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) at Lal Chowk which has been completely sealed as part of the lockdown announced by the administration on Sunday.
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength across the city to ensure that the lockdown announced till 31st March is strictly followed.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Gujarat High Court To Hear Urgent Matters Through Video Conferencing
The Gujarat High Court today said it has decided to hear "extremely urgent matters" only through video conferencing, to ensure social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision comes after the Supreme Court decided to restrict its functioning to hear matters only in one court through video conference.
The matters already assigned for Monday were taken up by the court's newly-assigned division benchand a single judge bench in their respective courts.
However, no fresh filing will be accepted from today, as per the circular issued by the high court registrar on Sunday night.
From today, only e-filing will be accepted, said a circular issued by the court's registrar general.
The decision has been taken with an aim to curtail the movement of judges, lawyers, high court staff, lawyers as well as litigants.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Complete Lockdown In 19 States, Union Territories: Health Ministry
Complete lockdown in 19 states and union territories; partial curbs in six states, union health ministry said today.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Goa Forward Party Tells State Government To Set Up Taskforce To Eradicate Coronavirus
Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai today asked the Pramod Sawant government in the coastal state to form an "inter-departmental cum inter-disciplinary taskforce" to combat the novel coronavirus
outbreak.
He welcomed the lockdown measures taken by the state government and called them "short term pain for long term gain".
"The Goa government must form an inter-departmental cum inter-disciplinary taskforce under the state chief secretary to implement PCR (creventive-Containment-remedial) measures. A Covid (Care of Vulnerable and In Distress) Fund should be set up under the chief minister to mitigate the virus' economic fallout on the poor, vulnerable and small and medium businesses," he said.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Tamil Nadu Announces Lockdown Till March 31 To Prevent Spread Of Coronavirus
Tamil Nadu will be under a lockdown till March 31 from 6 PM on Tuesday to prevent the spread of coronavirus and CrPC section 144 will be invoked for its implementation, Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced.
Making a statement in the assembly today, he said that barring essential and emergency services, public and private transportation will not function.
The announcement came a day after the COVID-19 cases in the state rose to nine.
Coronavirus Outbreak: 12 New Coronavirus Cases In Gujarat, Vijay Rupani Urges People To Stay Indoors
Twelve new coronavirus cases have been reported in Gujarat, taking the total number of those infected by the deadly virus in the state to 30, the state health department said today.
Out of the 12 cases reported, five are those of local transmission, while other patients have history of travel to Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, France and the UK, it said.
With this, cases in Ahmedabad have gone up to 13, Vadodara-six, Surat-five and Gandhinagar-four, while there is one case each reported from Kutch and Rajkot, the health department said.
The state has so far reported one death- of a 67-year-old coronavirus positive patient in Surat on Sunday. He was suffering from ailments like kidney failure, asthma and others.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said the "Janata curfew" on Sunday was just a token and the coronavirus-affected districts of the state will have to follow the same partial lockdown till March 31.
"Sunday's 'Janta curfew' was just a token. It is necessary that people of Gujarat follow this till March 31. People should not come out unnecessarily. We are about to enter the third stage where the virus transmits in communities with multiplying effect. China is in fifth stage, where recovery starts," Mr Rupani said in the state Assembly in Ahmedabad.
Case Filed Against 4 For Violating Home Quarantine Orders In Odisha
Criminal cases have been registered against four persons in Odisha, including a Bhubaneswar-based couple, for violating quarantine guidelines laid down by the government in view of coronavirus outbreak, police said.
A case was registered against the couple on Sunday for flouting home quarantine rules after returning from abroad, police official Anup Sahoo said.
AIIMS To Shut Down OPD From March 24 Till Further Notice
AIIMS has issued an order to shut down OPD, including speciality services, all new and follow up patients'' registration from March 24 till further orders.
The premier institute had earlier decided to temporarily suspend routine walk-in OPD registration of patients from March 23 as it redirects its resources to control the Covid-19 outbreak.
Curfew imposed in Punjab
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has imposed a curfew in the state to contain the Coronavirus outbreak.
The Chief Minister announced full curfew with no relaxations after reviewing the situation with the Chief Secretary and Director General Of Police.
The District Collectors have been asked to issue orders accordingly. Any person required to be given relaxation will be allowed specifically for a given period and purpose.
Delhi High Court Suspends Breath Analyser Test Through Tube Process For Air Traffic Controllers
The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the authorities concerned to suspend till March 27 breath analyser tests (BAT) through tube process for air traffic controllers in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Breaking: Number of confirmed cases rise to 415 in India
Total number of confirmed cases so far in the country as on 23 March 2020 at 10.30 AM including foreign nationals = 415.
(State and District wise details awaited)
Take Lockdown Seriously: PM Modi To People
"Many people are not taking the lockdown seriously. Please keep yourself and your family safe, follow directives. I request state governments to make sure that law is enforced," PM Modi tweeted.
Number Of Coronavirus Cases In India: 397 Confirmed Cases So Far - Here's Breakup
Number Of Coronavirus Cases In India: 397 Confirmed Cases So Far - Here's Breakup
The central government has confirmed 397 active coronavirus cases in India. This includes 7 people who have died.
Active Indian national cases: 349
Active Foeign nationals cases: 41
Cured: 24
Dead: 7
Harvey Weinstein Tests Positive For Coronavirus: Report
Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, US media has reported.
Mr Weinstein, 68, is in prison in northern New York state after being sentenced to 23 years in jail for rape and sexual assault.
The fallen film producer's diagnosis was first reported on Sunday evening by local paper the Niagara Gazette.
Weinstein's spokesperson have declined to comment to US media on the subject.
The New York state Department of Corrections did not respond when contacted by AFP for confirmation of the reports.
Update from Assam: Visitors from Coronavirus infected states to be stamped in Assam
People entering Assam from Coronavirus infected states will be stamped and will be kept under Home Isolation for 14 days.
If found in streets or public place before the completion of 14 days quarantined, will be booked immediately by Police.
Number Of Coronavirus Cases In India: 367 Confirmed Cases So Far - Here's Breakup
The central government has confirmed 367 active coronavirus cases in India. This includes 7 people who have died.
Active Indian national cases: 319
Active Foeign nationals cases: 41
Cured: 24
Dead: 7
States Under Lockdown
The states going into lockdown till March 31 include those where coronavirus cases have been reported - Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, West Bengal, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Puducherry and Uttarakhand.