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China supplied nearly 400 tonnes of coronavirus-related medical supplies including RT-PCR test kits, Rapid Antibody Tests, PPE kits and thermometers, said Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday adding that 20 more flights are expected to bring more supplies from China in the coming days.
"In the past two weeks, around two dozen flights departed for India from five cities in China carrying nearly 400 tonnes of medical supplies, including RT-PCR test kits, Rapid Antibody Tests, PPE kits, thermometers etc," said Ministry of External Affairs' spokesperson Anurag Srivastava. "Around 20 more flights are expected to bring supplies from China in the coming days, and this is likely to be stepped up considerably in the next few months as our procurement efforts gain momentum," he added.
Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief for government employees has been put on hold till June 2021, in view of the country's financial situation amid the coronavirus pandemic. If the states follow the Centre's example, the combined savings will be 1.20 lakh crore, which will help in the battle against the coronavirus, the government said.
A component of salary and pension of government employees, Dearness Allowance is meant to offset the cost of inflation. The decision will hit the income of around 48.34 lakh Central government employees and 65.26 lakh pensioners.
Fitch Ratings has slashed India's economic growth projections to 0.8 per cent in the current 2020-21 fiscal saying an unparalleled global recession was underway due to disruptions caused by the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic and resultant lockdowns.
For the first time since the coronavirus crisis began, Congress President Sonia Gandhi accused the government of not acting upon the suggestions put forth by her party despite the coronavirus increasing "both in spread and speed" in the past three weeks. Mrs Gandhi, speaking at a key leadership meeting of her party, said that the government had failed to show "compassion and alacrity" in softening the impact of the lockdown. The Congress president took on the BJP and sounded concern on what she called the "virus of communal hatred" spread by the ruling party; it should worry each and every Indian, she said.
Mrs Gandhi's comments came on a day when the number of those infected with the virus crossed over 21,000. The highly infectious has killed 681 people in the country, government data showed. Forty one people who test positive for the virus have died in 24 hours. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 16,454, while 4,257 people have been cured and discharged, one patient has migrated, it said. The total number of cases includes 77 foreign nationals.
According to the health ministry's data updated in the morning, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country are from Maharashtra at 5,652, followed by Gujarat at 2,407, Delhi at 2,248, Rajasthan at 1,890, Tamil Nadu at 1,629 and Madhya Pradesh at 1,592.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases in Highlights:
Coronavirus News: Three Armed Police Force Officials Test Positive For Coronavirus In Pune
Three State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) officials in Pune have tested positive for coronavirus, news agency PTI has reported.
"A company of around 100 jawans was posted in Mumbai for the last two months. They had returned to the Pune headquarters on Saturday, and during check-up, some jawans were found to have symptoms," the SRPF official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Three State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) officials in Pune have tested positive for coronavirus, news agency PTI has reported.
"A company of around 100 jawans was posted in Mumbai for the last two months. They had returned to the Pune headquarters on Saturday, and during check-up, some jawans were found to have symptoms," the SRPF official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Coronavirus Treatment News: Experimental Virus Drug Remdesivir Failed In Human Trial
The experimental coronavirus treatment remdesivir has failed in its first randomized clinical trial, inadvertently released results showed Thursday, dampening expectations for the closely watched drug.
A draft summary went online briefly on the website of the World Health Organization (WHO) and was first reported by the Financial Times and Stat, which posted a screenshot.
But Gilead Sciences, the company behind the medicine, disputed how the now-deleted post had characterized the findings, saying the data showed a "potential benefit."
The experimental coronavirus treatment remdesivir has failed in its first randomized clinical trial, inadvertently released results showed Thursday, dampening expectations for the closely watched drug.
A draft summary went online briefly on the website of the World Health Organization (WHO) and was first reported by the Financial Times and Stat, which posted a screenshot.
But Gilead Sciences, the company behind the medicine, disputed how the now-deleted post had characterized the findings, saying the data showed a "potential benefit."
The summary said the Chinese trial involved 237 patients, with 158 on the drug and 79 in a control group. Remdesivir was stopped early in 18 patients because of side effects.
AFP
Coronavirus Update: Virus Will Be Defeated By Patience, Cooperation, Alertness, Says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed the members of the Panchayati Raj system as "brave warriors", news agency PTI reported. The Prime Minister, in a letter to Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, said fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic will be won with patience, discipline, cooperation and alertness.
PTI
Will Take Care Of Indian Migrants Just As Our Own Citizens: Singapore PM To PM Modi
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Indian nationals working in Singapore will be taken care of just as other Singaporeans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Indian nationals working in Singapore will be taken care of just as other Singaporeans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Mr Lee said he had a telephonic discussion with PM Modi about the ongoing COVID-19 situation in Singapore and India.
PTI
India Ramping Up Preparation To Fight COVID-19: Health Minister At WHO Meet
India was first in responding to the COVID-19 crisis and stands on a better footing than the rest of the world because of the valuable and sincere services of ''corona warriors'', Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said at an online WHO meet on Thursday.
India was first in responding to the COVID-19 crisis and stands on a better footing than the rest of the world because of the valuable and sincere services of ''corona warriors'', Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said at an online WHO meet on Thursday.
Referring to the active surveillance efforts of the government agencies to monitor potential victims or carriers of the disease, Mr Harsh Vardhan said, "We are able to check this enemy through community surveillance, issuance of various advisories, cluster containment and dynamic strategy".
PTI
We were prepared beforehand to tackle COVID-19: Harsh Vardhan
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said that India was prepared beforehand to tackle the coronavirus after he participated in a video conference held by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
"In the presentation made today, I told the world how India -- before the first case emerged on January 30 -- had already conducted a meeting with our experts on January 8 when China reported the coronavirus. We issued a detailed health advisory on January 17, and then we started community surveillance," said the Union Health Minister.
He added: "I have also informed them about how the mortality rate in our country is lesser in comparison to other countries and even our doubling of cases rate is better than the rest of the world (8.78 per cent)."
COVID-19: Haryana announces insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh for journalists
Haryana government on Thursday announced an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh each for journalists who are reporting in the state during the coronavirus pandemic.
"The state government has decided to provide insurance of Rs 10 lakh each to all journalists who are reporting during coronavirus pandemic," Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said in a statement.
COVID-19 Pandemic: Avoid crowding, don't call more than 1/3rd low level staff to offices: Centre to all its departments
All central government departments were on Thursday asked to ensure that more than one-third of employees, below the level of deputy secretary, were not called to offices to avoid crowding and to ensure safe social distancing norms, according to a Personnel Ministry communique.
The move comes after it was noticed that more than one-third of officials/staff below deputy secretary level are being called to offices in some ministries/departments.
"This might lead to undesirable crowding in the office jeopardising the preventive measures in place for containing the spread of COVID-19," it said.
It is reiterated that the guidelines for attendance for officers/staff at levels below deputy secretary, be strictly followed, the ministry said.
Coronavirus Update: 25 arrested, over 150 vehicles-owners penalised for defying lockdown: Noida police
Twenty-five people were arrested and challans were issued to more than 150 vehicle-owners in Noida and Greater Noida on Thursday for allegedly defying lockdown restrictions, police said.
In Gautam Buddh Nagar, coronavirus hotspots (areas that have recorded multiple COVID-19 positive cases) have been completely sealed off, while restrictions under CrPC section 144 are also in place due to the pandemic.
The administration has also banned movement between Noida and Delhi except for ambulances, doctors, media, and those directly involved in COVID-19 services.
Haryana education minister launches mobile study app for primary school students
Haryana Education Minister Kanwar Pal on Thursday launched the ''Sampark Baithak'' mobile application for children in the state's primary schools to help them study from home during the lockdown period.
After launching the application here, the education minister said the curriculum of Class 5 has been made simple and interesting through cartoons and films. He said that this app will prove beneficial, especially for the students of Hindi medium schools.
Giving details about the ''Sampark Baithak'' mobile application, he said that the application has about 500 videos and audios of various concepts.
Government plans supply of around 15.40 cr Hydroxychloroquine tablets in domestic market in April
The government plans to ensure supply of around 15.40 crore Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets, used in treating coronavirus infections, in the domestic market in April, an official said on Thursday.
The government also plans to export HCQ medicine to 62 countries after ensuring strategic storage of the medicine for domestic use.
"In normal conditions, the monthly requirement for HCQ medicine is around 2 to 2.5 crore tablets in the country. However, in the month of April, 2020 we have planned to supply around 7.5 crore tablets for retail pharmacies/ trade," an official told news agency PTI.
Coronavirus Update: 7 foreigners turn Good Samaritans for poor amid lockdown
Seven foreigners had come to India on a spiritual mission but the coronavirus outbreak prompted a group of seven foreigners in Uttarakhand's Rishikesh to change their plans and serve the poor.
The group comprises -- Henry Johnston from the UK; Tejasvi Giri, an NRI based in the US; Relinde Rijswijk from the Netherlands; Tarini Dagnimo from Venezuela; Alejandro Jerovic from Croatia; Eva Lena from Germany; and Varun Juneja, a London-based NRI.
Every day, they arrange food items for distribution among hundreds of the needy as they "could not see people go hungry", an official said.
Rishikesh Municipal Commissioner Narendra Singh Quiriyal says as the lockdown left a number of people stranded here, the group planned to distribute food items among the poor.
"They decided to distribute 300 foodgrain packets every day among the poor families and migrant workers, instead of doing what they had planned--yoga," he said.
Coronavirus: Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid urges people to offer prayers at home during Ramzan
As the holy month of Ramzan is likely to begin from April 25, the religious leaders of the Muslim community have appealed people to offer prayers at home and avoid any kind of social gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
The Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari on Thursday said that the virus can be eradicated if people follow the lockdown norms strictly.
"If we follow government instructions, we will be able to eradicate COVID-19 soon. The holy month of Ramzan is about to begin. Prayers have to be offered at homes itself and social distancing must be maintained. By following it, we will be able to protect everyone," he said.
ICMR team visits NCI-Jhajjar to validate Chinese rapid antibody test kits
A team of scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Thursday visited AIIMS's National Cancer Institute (NCI) at Jhajjar in Haryana to conduct the field validation of Chinese manufactured rapid antibody testing kits.
The field validation of rapid antibody testing kits is being done after some States complained that these kits are showing wide variations in results and low accuracy rates. As a result, the ICMR advised all States not to use rapid testing kits for two days and wait for further directions from the ICMR.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveils mobile lab that will enhance fight against COVID-19
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled via video link a Mobile Virology Research and Diagnostics Laboratory (MVRDL) developed by DRDO that will help in speeding up COVID-19 screening, a statement said.
The first such Mobile Viral Research Lab (MVRL) that will speed up coronavirus screening. It is the combination of a Biosafety Level 3 lab and a BSL 2 lab essential to carry out its activities. Read here.
Odisha orders complete shutdown in three COVID-19 hit districts
The Odisha government announced a curfew-like complete shutdown in three hotspot districts of Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur from 10 pm on Thursday to conduct active surveillance and contact tracing for COVID-19.
Chief Secretary AK Tripathy said all activities will remain suspended for 60 hours till 10 am on April 26 during the shutdown in the three districts, which will be like a curfew.
All shops dealing in essential commodities will remain closed during the period barring some select medicine stores, he said.
"We were compelled to take the step because of the extraordinary situation created following the detection of 29 COVID-19 cases within a span of only five days in these three districts," the Chief Secretary said.
COVID-19 lockdown: 14 lakh people in Bihar not getting benefits under food security act: Ram Vilas Paswan
Bihar has the highest number of people not getting benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) for want of ration cards, and the Centre has asked for their details to expeditiously provide them food, a much-needed relief during the lockdown, Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said today.
The lockdown is imposed in the country till May 3 to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister said that the NFSA is supposed to cover 71 crore people across the country.
However, 39 lakh of these 71 crore people are not receiving benefits as they do not have ration cards, he said.
Rs 500 groceries kit open for all, no ration card needed: Tamil Nadu to Madras High Court
All people, including those not having ration cards, can get the Rs 500 groceries kit being sold through PDS shops in Tamil Nadu in view of the COVID-19 lockdown, the state government informed the Madras High Court on Thursday.
The submission was made in a counter-affidavit before a special bench comprising justices M Sathyanarayanan and M Nirmal Kumar on a PIL seeking a direction to the government for door delivery of the kits.
The kit comprising 19 basic essentials like pulses, oil, tamarind, chillies and spices in fixed quantities can be bought by all public and there was no need for producing ration card or any other identification proof, the counter said.
Coronavirus India: 20 fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir, total number rises to 427
The number of COVID-19 patients in Jammu and Kashmir rose to 427 on Thursday as 20 more people tested positive for the disease in the Union Territory, officials said.
"Twenty new cases reported today. One from Jammu division and 19 from Kashmir," government spokesman Rohit Kansal said.
He said the total number of cases in Jammu and Kashmir have now risen to 427. While 57 of these cases were detected in Jammu division, 370 were from Kashmir division.
Officials said more than 64,000 people have been kept under surveillance including those who are either in the government established quarantine facilities or in home isolation.
Close to 70% COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic: West Bengal Chief Secretary
West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha on Thursday said that in India close to 70 per cent COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic and doctors are also worried as to how to identify them.
"In India, close to 70 per cent coronavirus cases are asymptomatic. Doctors are also worried as to how to identify them. If the lockdown is lifted on May 4, then this will be a big challenge. We have not decided anything that will happen after May 3," said Mr Sinha.
Mr Sinha said that the State government has always responded to the queries of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Union Home Ministry, and Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as and when these were forwarded to us.
Dehradun Mosques to remain closed during Ramzan
The mosques will remain closed in view of the lockdown and people are urged to pray at home and maintain social distancing during the holy month of Ramzan, said Syed Mohammad Ahmad Kazmi, a Muslim cleric here on Thursday.
"The mosques will remain closed. I request the people to offer prayers at their homes. I would like to appeal everyone to follow lockdown and ensure that social distancing is maintained," he said.
With regard to the namaaz, the cleric said that the microphone would be used to a bare minimum and the volume would be kept to the lowest possible.
COVID-19 Updates: Have started using convalescent plasma therapy at various centres: AIIMS Director
AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria on Thursday informed that the use of convalescent plasma therapy to treat COVID-29 patient has started at various centres in the country.
" At various centres, we have now started using convalescent plasma that is the blood of COVID-19 patients who have recovered. A large number of patients who have become alright, have come forward and have volunteered to donate their blood," said Mr Guleria.
"We are also looking at new drugs for the treatment, and various other repurposed drugs, which are already available in our country, are also being looked as treatment strategies," he added.
Coronavirus Lockdown: IIT-KGP alumni to provide financial aid to 10,500 unorganised sector workers
Alumni of the IIT-Kharagpur have set up a fund to provide financial assistance to around 10,500 unorganised sector workers who are dependent on the campus for livelihood and are now severely affected due to the lockdown, the institute said in a release on Thursday.
The beneficiaries, who will receive financial assistance for six months, include daily wagers in eateries, ward boys of the hostels, laundrymen, tea stall owners, rickshaw-pullers, domestic workers and labourers engaged in construction projects, it said.
The fund was created by 1967-batch distinguished alumnus Vinod Gupta, known for his philanthropic work, the release said. "I thank Vinod Gupta for creating this fund to help people who are in dire straits," IIT-Kharagpur Director Professor Virendra K Tewari said.
Coronavirus: Kerala reports 10 new COVID-19 cases, 23, 000 under observation
Ten fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in Kerala on Thursday, taking the total active cases in the state to 129 with 23,000 people under observation, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
Four of the new cases were reported from the high range Idukki district, two each from Kozhikode and Kottayam and one case each from Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, he said in his daily media briefing on the disease situation.
Kottayam, declared a green zone on Tuesday with no new cases in 14 days, has reported one case each in the past two days.
Several areas in UP's Bahraich sealed after COVID-19 cases reported
Bahrich District Magistrate and Collector Shambhu Kumar on Thursday decided to seal and declare as containment zone several areas in the district after coronavirus cases were detected there.
According to officials, a total number of eight COVID-19 positive cases have been detected in the district. "I, Shambhu Kumar, District Magistrate, Bahraich declare as containment zone and seal Mohalla - Gulanalipur and gram - Wazirpur, Thana - Dargah Sharif, Gram - Saraiya and Maghi, Thana Kotwali - Nanapara, Gram Keshavapur, Thana Kotwali - Dehat and Gram Fattepurva, Thana - Ramgaon areas in according with the protocol to prevent the spread of coronavirus," the order said in Hindi.
Coronavirus India: Food processing units in urban areas, prepaid mobile recharge utilities exempted from lockdown restrictions: Ministry
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) spokesperson Punya Salila Srivastava today said clarified that in-house caregivers of senior citizens and prepaid mobile recharge utilities are exempted from lockdown restrictions.
She also informed that the food processing units in urban areas have also been exempted from the restrictions and the Ministry has also allowed activities related to import and export of horticulture produce.
"To ensure the availability of essentials, food processing units in urban areas such as milk processing units, bread factories and flour mills have also been exempted," said Ms Srivastava.
Doctors, staff of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital allegedly threatened by COVID-19 patients
Doctors and staff of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain (LNJP) Hospital have alleged that a group of COVID-19 patients who were brought to the hospital through CATS ambulance on Thursday, threatened and manhandled them when the staff asked them to wait for a while.
In a video, hospital staff expressed their plight while narrating the incident.
"Today some patients were brought here via CATS ambulance. They were asked to wait for a while as all the doctors here were busy but the patients did not wait and they removed his mask and suit and went very close to the doctor," said a male health care staffer.
"When the doctor asked them to maintain social distancing, the patients started arguing and said if they are detected with corona they will infect them (doctors) as well. Later, when the doctor tried to move them away from him, the patients got aggressive and misbehaved with the doctor," he added.
Coronavirus India: IndiGo to pay full salary to its employees for April month
India's largest carrier IndiGo has decided to pay full salary for the month of April to the majority of its employees.
In an e-mail to its employees on Thursday, IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta said: "In deference to our government's wishes of not reducing pay during the lockdown, we have decided not to implement the previously announced pay cuts during the month of April."
"However, your Excom members and SVPs have volunteered to take pay cuts this month. For everyone else, you can expect your April salaries to be paid without the pay cuts," said Mr Dutta.
COVID-19 Lockdown: Delhi Congress Starts Kitchen In Party Office To Serve Food To Migrant Workers
The Delhi unit of Congress opened "Congress ki Rasoi" on Thursday at the party office to serve cooked food to migrant labours who are stranded in Delhi amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
PCC president Anil Chaudhry said, speaking to news agency ANI, "This is the 95th kitchen opened today at Party office. Besides this, on the directions of party president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, 94 kitchens are already operating from day one of the lockdown."
"Earlier, we were giving dry ration to the needy people and now we are serving cooked food to 50 thousand people on a daily basis across Delhi through our kitchen, and we will continue to serve food till the lockdown," he said.
Coronavirus India: 80 new COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh
80 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours, with this the total number of coronavirus cases in the state has reached 893, informed state Health Department on Thursday.
Out of the total COVID-19 cases in the state, 141 people have been discharged/cured while 27 have lost their lives to the deadly virus.
Notably, Kurnool has recorded the highest number of COVID-cases with 234 people. This district was followed by Guntur (195 cases), Krishna (88 cases), Chittoor (73 cases) and Nellore (67 cases).
Coronavirus Lockdown: Volunteers prepare food to distribute among needy
Delhi: Volunteers at Radha Soami Satsang Beas centre prepare food and distribute them among the needy amid #CoronavirusLockdown. pic.twitter.com/BxLi4fN9h9
- ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
Special flight evacuates 250 stranded British nationals from Amritsar
Around 250 British nationals who were stranded in India due to the coronavirus lockdown, left for their country from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar on a special British Airways flight on Thursday.
A relief flight of the same airline with 260 stranded passengers onboard had departed from Amritsar on April 21.
Last week, the British High Commission said that 17 more charted flights will be started to take back home people who have been stranded in India due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Coronavirus India: 49 new COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan, total number in the state reaches 1,937
49 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Rajasthan, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 1,937, according to the state Health Department on Thursday.
While 27 COVID-19 patients have died so far, 407 have recovered and 134 patients have been discharged from hospitals.
2.66 cr free cylinders are already delivered to beneficiaries. (As on 22.04.2020) under #PradhanMantriUjjwalaYojana, as a part of #PradhanMantriGaribKalyanPackage #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/23VOLx67z4
- Ministry of Finance 🇮🇳 #StayHome #StaySafe (@FinMinIndia) April 23, 2020
Coronavirus news: 25 arrested for crossing into Kerala during lockdown
At least 25 people have been arrested in a span of three days in the Munnar region of Idukki for crossing the border check posts and entering Kerala under the guise of supplying essential commodities amid the lockdown.
"They were travelling without any valid documents and managed to travel through Coimbatore crossing Walayar check post. This is a serious breach of lockdown guidelines. A detailed probe needs to be carried out to know how they managed to cross the border," said Devikulam sub-collector Prem Krishnan.
WATCH | Touched by the hospitality of villagers amid #CoronavirusLockdown, migrant workers housed in a government school in Rajasthan, give it a new look. pic.twitter.com/pQjdXl6XSX
- NDTV (@ndtv) April 23, 2020
Coronavirus news: Security tightened at Delhi-Ghaziabad border amid lockdown
The police have tightened security on the Delhi-Ghaziabad border to check the movement of vehicles amid the coronavirus lockdown, reports said.
Since morning policemen were seen stopping vehicles to check the travel passes of commuters rendering essential services, reported news agency ANI.
The orders to seal the Ghaziabad borders were issued by District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey on Monday, in the wake of the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
The decision was taken after six people who had come from the national capital tested positive for coronavirus.
Coronavirus cases: Gross under-testing, misreporting of COVID data; non-resident Bengali doctors write to Mamata Banerjee
A group of non-resident medical professionals have written an open letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raising concerns over the "gross under-testing" and "misreporting of data" on the cause of death of COVID-19 patients.
The healthcare professionals -- which include Bengali physicians, health scientists, and healthcare providers -- said that while they have concerns about inadequate testing across India, they find the situation in West Bengal particularly grave.
"In the last week and a half, we have come across or watched with growing concerns, reports on the COVID-19 situation in West Bengal. There are two specific issues that are most disturbing to us: 1) the gross under-testing in West Bengal, and 2) the misreporting of data on the cause of death in COVID-19 patients," the letter said.
The consignment of PPE kits comprising 70,000 body suits and 40,000 masks were handled at #DelhiAirport. These goods were efficiently processed at our airport before further distribution to various cities in India. #SichuanAirlines @airvistara #WorkFromHub #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/6bbIkcuLlR
- Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) April 22, 2020
Ministry of Civil Aviation has designated Delhi International Airport as major hub for import and distribution of COVID-19 related medical essentials. A 3800 sq mt dedicated distribution facility has been made operational at the airport: GMR
Maharashtra: Large number of migratory Flamingo birds seen at the creek in Navi Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/CQCHfqNQ4i
- ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2020
WATCH | "Pakistan trying to push people infected with #coronavirus into Jammu and Kashmir," says top cop Dilbag Singh pic.twitter.com/3IjjzCkkcw
- NDTV (@ndtv) April 23, 2020
More than 33 crore people received financial assistance under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package. Rs 10,025 crore disbursed to 20.05 crore to Women Jan Dhan account holders: Ministry of Finance
कभी - कभी कुछ Innovative सोचना भी जरूरी है!
- Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) April 22, 2020
मेघनगर की मांदल टोली के बच्चों well done!@UNICEFIndia pic.twitter.com/2RRg7brK39
Coronavirus cases live updates: 4 people recover from COVID-19 in Jharkhand
Four more patients in Jharkhand have recovered from COVID-19, reported news agency ANI quoting state Health Department.
The total number of cured patients in the state now stands at eight.
So far, Jharkhand has reported 49 COVID-19 cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Delhi's 1st COVID-19 Survivor Recommends Pranayama For Those InfectedThe first person in the national capital, who has recovered from COVID-19, has suggested people infected with the virus to do '' pranayama'', claiming that it is very useful in the course of recovery."
Coronavirus: Sonia Gandhi Says BJP Continues To Spread Virus Of Communal PrejudiceCoronavirus has increased disturbingly "both in spread and speed" in the past three weeks but suggestions to the government have been acted upon "only partially and in a miserly way", Congress president Sonia Gandhi said today at a key leadership meeting of her party on the crisis because of the global pandemic. The government had failed to show "compassion and alacrity" in softening the impact of the lockdown, she said."
Coronavirus cases live updates: Maharashtra remains worst affected state with 5,652 cases
Maharashtra remains the worst affected state in the country with 5,652 cases, followed by Gujarat at 2,407. National capital Delhi has reported 2,248 cases while Rajasthan has 1,890 cases.
Coronavirus India Lockdown news: 47 fresh coronavirus cases in Rajasthan; tally rises to 1,953
Forty-seven new cases were reported in Rajasthan on Thursday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 1,935, news agency PTI reported quoting officials.
The fresh cases include 20 from Jodhpur, 12 from Jaipur, 10 from Nagaur, two each from Kota and Hanumangarh and one from Ajmer, the report said.
Of the total 1,935 coronavirus cases, 344 patients have recovered and 133 have been discharged, according to the latest data issued by the government.
The state has reported 27 deaths due to COVID-19 so far.
Coronavirus News: COVID-19 Doctors Flag Filthy Conditions In Videos, UP Government ActsGovernment doctors treating COVID-19 patients in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli district were transferred to a guest house on Wednesday night after releasing videos highlighting deplorable and squalid living conditions at a government-run school"
Coronavirus India Lockdown news: Asiatic lions census deferred due to lockdown
The census of Asiatic lions in Gujarat's Gir Wildlife Sanctuary has been deferred due to the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus, news agency PTI reported quoting a senior forest official.
The extensive counting exercise, which is taken up every five years, was to begin next month and preparations for it were on in full swing, but it has now been postponed because of the unprecedented coronavirus crisis, he said.
Gujarat has so far reported 2,407 coronavirus cases and 103 deaths due to the disease.
COVID-19: Indians Among Worst Affected Ethnic Groups In EnglandPeople of Indian origin in the UK have emerged as the worst affected ethnic group from the coronavirus pandemic, according to an official data on COVID-19 deaths in hospitals across England."
Coronavirus India Lockdown news: Aggressive evacuation of suspected patients in Dharavi planned: Maharashtra minister
The Maharashtra government has decided to aggressively evacuate suspected coronavirus patients from Dharavi and other hotspots and put them in institutional quarantine, news agency PTI reported quoting state Health Minister Rajesh Tope.
The densely populated Dharavi slum area here has reported close to 190 cases of coronavirus infection so far. "Houses in Dharavi are very small and 10-12 people live in a house. Even if we advise home quarantine, the shortage of space defeats the purpose," he said.
Appeal by Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam, to the people to Stay at Home during Ramzan.@CPDelhi @LtGovDelhi @HMOIndia @DelhiPolice pic.twitter.com/YblYg4yy3d
- DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) April 22, 2020
JUST IN: 21,393 coronavirus cases in India; 681 deaths, 41 in 24 hours
Telangana government extends Coronavirus quarantine period from existing 14 days to 28 days, reports news agency ANI.
Coronavirus India Lockdown: As People Stay Home, Air Pollution In North India At 20-Year Low: NASAAir pollution over northern India has plummeted to a 20-year-low for this time of the year, according to satellite data published by US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)."
Kerala CM announced that all elected representatives in the state -Ministers, MLAs, members of different Boards under Govt & members of Local Self Govt bodies would take a 30% cut in their monthly salary & honorarium for 1 yr: Information & Public Relations Dept, Kerala #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/fjLp7P3yOn
- ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
Coronavirus Update From Pune: Woman, 92, Recovers From COVID-19
A 92-year-old wheelchair-bound woman tested negative for coronavirus after completing the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.
A 92-year-old wheelchair-bound woman tested negative for coronavirus after completing the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.
The nonagenarian had suffered a paralysis attack seven months ago. She, along with her four other family members, had tested positive for coronavirus and were admitted to Symbiosis Hospital in Lavale in the first week of April.
ANI
WHO Warns "Long Way To Go" In Virus Crisis, Deaths Top 180,000
The World Health Organization on Wednesday warned that the coronavirus crisis will not end any time soon, with many countries only in the early stages of the fight, as the global death toll surpassed 180,000.
The pandemic has sparked not only a health emergency, but a global economic rout, with businesses struggling to survive, millions left jobless, and millions more facing starvation.
US President Donald Trump -- with an eye on widespread unemployment and his re-election prospects in November -- signed an executive order suspending the issuance of green cards for 60 days.
The World Health Organization on Wednesday warned that the coronavirus crisis will not end any time soon, with many countries only in the early stages of the fight, as the global death toll surpassed 180,000.
The pandemic has sparked not only a health emergency, but a global economic rout, with businesses struggling to survive, millions left jobless, and millions more facing starvation.
US President Donald Trump -- with an eye on widespread unemployment and his re-election prospects in November -- signed an executive order suspending the issuance of green cards for 60 days.
AFP
Coronavirus Update From US: 1,738 Deaths in 24 hours
The United States on Wednesday recorded 1,738 deaths from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, a lower toll than the day before, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University.
The new deaths bring the total number of COVID-19 fatalities in the US to 46,583 since the outbreak began there, by far the highest figures recorded by any country caught in the global pandemic.
AFP
The United States on Wednesday recorded 1,738 deaths from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, a lower toll than the day before, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University.
The new deaths bring the total number of COVID-19 fatalities in the US to 46,583 since the outbreak began there, by far the highest figures recorded by any country caught in the global pandemic.
AFP
Coronavirus News: Here are the updated numbers
As per the last update by health ministry, at least 20, 471 coronavirus cases have been confirmed across the country. The deadly virus has caused at least 649 deaths, while 3,960 cases have been recovered so far.
Keep checking the NDTV Live Blog for all the latest updates on Coronavirus breakout in India.
