COVID-19 Cases India Updates: India registered 1,490 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours.
Coronavirus India Live Updates: The total number of coronavirus cases in Delhi rose to 2,625 on Saturday, with 111 new cases and one death being reported in a day, according to Delhi government authorities. The death count from COVID-19 is now at 54 in the national capital.
The Delhi government on Saturday decided to implement the Centre's guidelines on opening of neighbourhood and stand-alone shops during the lockdown, but said no activity will be allowed in containment zones.
The number of coronavirus cases in India has soared up to 24,942, including 779 deaths, the Union Home Ministry said today, adding that 1,490 cases and 56 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with five recommendations to help the micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSME) sector amid the coronavirus pandemic. Mrs Gandhi said MSMEs contribute close to one-third to India's gross domestic product (GDP) and account for almost 50 per cent of the country's exports. The sector also employs over 11 crore people. But the lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic has put most economic activities to a halt and over 6.3 crore MSMEs "stand on the verge of economic ruin", Mrs Gandhi said in the letter.
"Every single day of the lockdown comes at a cost of Rs 30,000 crore to the sector. Nearly all MSMEs have lost sales orders, seen a complete cessation of their work, and have had their revenue negative impacted by the lockdown," the Congress chief said.
The doubling rate of virus-infected patients has improved to 10 days, from 7.5 days reported earlier this week, the Health Ministry said yesterday, suggesting that the lockdown has been effective.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases in India Highlights:
World
67,69,38,430Cases
62,55,71,965Active
4,44,81,893Recovered
68,84,572Deaths
Coronavirus has spread to 200 countries. The total confirmed cases worldwide are 67,69,38,430 and 68,84,572 have died; 62,55,71,965 are active cases and 4,44,81,893 have recovered as on January 9, 2024 at 10:54 am.
India
4,50,19,214 475Cases
3,919 -83Active
4,44,81,893 552Recovered
5,33,402 6Deaths
In India, there are 4,50,19,214 confirmed cases including 5,33,402 deaths. The number of active cases is 3,919 and 4,44,81,893 have recovered as on January 9, 2024 at 8:00 am.
State & District Details
Coronaviru Update: Odisha's COVID-19 Tally Reaches 100With six new cases of COVID-19 reported from Jajpur, the total number of positive cases in Odisha has reached 100, according to the state information and public relations department.
All the six persons had returned from Kolkata.
"Contact tracing and follow-up action are being done. Total positive cases in the state stand at 100," the department stated.
ANI
COVID-19 Death Count: Global Coronavirus Death Count Crosses 2 Lakhs, WHO Warns Over Immunity
The World Health Organization warned on Saturday that recovery from coronavirus might not protect a person from reinfection as the global death toll from the pandemic surpassed 200,000.
Hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world spent the second day of the Ramadan holy month out of mosques and avoiding large family meals to break the fast because of sequestration and social distancing policies.
And Australians and New Zealanders marked Anzac Day without the normal parades and public ceremonies to commemorate fallen soldiers. Instead, under social distancing policies, people held dawn vigils in front of their homes.
Coronavirus Update From Delhi: Hindu Rao Hospital Closed After Nurse Tests Positive For CoronavirusA nurse at a civic hospital in north Delhi tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday, following which the facility has been closed down, officials said.
The Hindu Rao Hospital, run by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, has been temporarily shut for sanitisation and contact tracing, they said.
Coronavirus News: 28 Test Positive For COVID-19 In BiharBihar reported 28 fresh coronavirus cases on Saturday, raising the total number of patients in the state to 251, a top Health Department official said.
According to Principal Secretary, Health, Sanjay Kumar, Patna district witnessed a rise with seven cases followed by Kaimur (6) and Buxar (5).
Three fresh cases were reported in Jamalpur town which had on Friday registered as many as 30 cases. Besides, the central Bihar district of Arwal reported its first case. Rohtas accounted for two cases, while Gaya, Bhojpur, Saran and Vaishali reported one case each.
PTI
The number of COVID-19 cases in Nagpur reached 123 after 19 people tested positive on Saturday, health officials said.
All 19 were already in quarantine and their reports came in on Saturday, they added, news agency PTI reported.
Assam Chief Minister Appreciates Steps Taken By Guwahati Police In Fight Against COVID-19Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday appreciated the steps taken by Guwahati Police in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and for successfully enforcing the lockdown.
In a review meeting at police reserve here, the chief minister hailed the action taken by Guwahati Police to keep three people arriving from China in quarantine for 28 days in the last week of February, much before the COVID-19 pandemic took alarming proportions in the county.
Mr Sonowal also appreciated the steps taken by the city police to distribute food to 5,000 people daily in Guwahati with the help of NGOs.
He directed the police to get in touch with leading citizens of the society while urging them to create awareness among the people of the Muslim community to conduct Namaz rituals in their houses during the holy month of Ramadan, news agency PTI reported.
Recovered From COVID-19, Lucknow Doctor Donates Plasma For Treatment Of PatientsDr Tauseef Khan, a resident doctor at the KGMU here who recently defeated COVID-19, began the month of Ramzan, which is considered a time for giving, by donating blood for treatment of others suffering from the deadly disease using his plasma.
Mr Khan, in his late 20s, contracted coronavirus from a patient while working at the King George's Medical University and tested positive for the infection on March 17.
He was discharged on April 7 from the KGMU and is now back at work after a 14-day home quarantine.
"Dr D Himanshu of Medicine Department, who is looking after the treatment of COVID-19 patients, asked me if I wanted to become the first plasma donor (of KGMU). I immediately said yes as in the holy month of Ramzan, nothing could be greater than being able to save the life of a patient," Mr Khan said.
He said he observed his first "roza" on Saturday and gave his blood for testing after consulting clerics whether it is permissible to do so while fasting.
Head of Transfusion Medicine, KGMU, Dr Tulika Chandra told PTI, "The work on administering medical treatment to COVID-19 patients through plasma therapy began on Saturday."
"In this context, the blood sample of Dr Tauseef Khan, a resident doctor, who had recovered from COVID-19, was taken for testing. In the test, the condition of the anti-bodies was found quite good," she said, news agency PTI reported.
Six new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported from Jajpur in Odisha. All had returned from Kolkata. Contact tracing and follow up action are being done. Total positive cases in the state stands at 100: Information & Public Relations Department, Government of Odisha.
COVID-19 Test Samples Of 50 Azadpur Sabji Mandi Traders, Workers TakenCOVID-19 test samples tests were taken from 50 traders and workers of the Azadpur Sabji Mandi on Saturday, said Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee chairman Adil Khan.
Mr Khan, however, added there was no official confirmation of the measure from the concerned district magistrate.
Over 400 traders, workers and accountants at the market were screened for the virus on Friday.
Samples of fifty traders and labourers were collected at Azadpur Mandi on Saturday but there was no official information from the concerned district magistrate, said Khan.
A trader of the mandi died of coronavirus infection, earlier this month, news agency PTI reported.
Manohar Lal Khattar Launches Mobile Application To Help People During COVID-19 CrisisHaryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday launched a mobile application designed to help the needy in the state during the crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
The ''HelpMe'' app aims to provide all the necessary services to the people, including telemedicine, movement passes, assistance in crop procurement and delivery of dry rations, cooked food and education materials, an official statement said.
The chief minister said the application would enable people put forward requests for dry rations, cooked food, LPG cylinders, ambulance, doctor, movement passes and bank appointments among others.
He said the moment a citizen fills the options in the app as per his or her requirements, the request would immediately be forwarded to the officer concerned to take necessary action, news agency PTI reported.
11 More Test Positive For COVID-19 In Punjab, Total Cases Reach 309Eleven more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Punjab, taking the total count of COVID-19 cases in the state to 309, officials said on Saturday.
Of the fresh cases, six were reported in Patiala, three in Jalandhar and one each in SBS Nagar and Pathankot, they added.
A doctor working at a private hospital in Pathankot tested positive on Friday night and was admitted to civil hospital there, the officials said. SBS Nagar on Saturday witnessed a fresh case with a 25-year-old truck driver, resident of Boothgarh village in Balachaur sub-division, testing positive for the infection, they added, news agency PTI reported.
Seven new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Telangana, today. Total positive cases in the state stand at 990 which includes 658 active cases: Director of Public Health & Family Welfare, Telangana Government
Coronavirus News: Delhi Lockdown May Need To Be Extended Till Mid-May: COVID-19 Panel Chief
Amid rising coronavirus cases in the national capital, a top official in the Delhi government's COVID-19 committee has suggested that the ongoing lockdown will have to be continued till mid-May for the epidemic curve to flatten.
The Delhi government had announced a lockdown in Delhi on March 23 followed by a nation-wide lockdown by the centre from midnight of March 24 till April 14.
The lockdown was further extended to May 3 by the centre.
"India is still on the ascending limb of the epidemic curve and so, to ease the restrictions will mean the cases will multiply uncontrollably. And, Delhi has a large number of containment zones, so it will be wise to extend it," Dr SK Sarin, chairman of Delhi government's committee on combating COVID-19, said today.
"The lockdown will have to be extended till May 16 as that is when the epidemic curve is likely to start declining, which happens after the flattening of the curve," he said.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Delhi today rose to 2,625 with 54 deaths,news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Bihar Reported 10 New COVID-19 Cases, Total Reaches 238-Mark
Ten new coronavirus cases were reported in Bihar today, taking the tally of COVID-19 cases to 238 in the state.
Bihar Principal Secretary (Health) Sanjay Kumar said, "COVID-19 cases rise to 238 in Bihar with 10 more people tested positive today. Out of the new cases, five have been reported in Kaimur, four in Buxar and one in Patna."
"We are ascertaining their infection trail," he added, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: With 111 New Coronavirus Cases In Delhi, Total Reaches 2,625-MarkThe total number of coronavirus cases in Delhi rose to 2,625 today, with 111 new cases and one death being reported in a day, according to Delhi government authorities.
The death count from COVID-19 is now 54.
Of the total fatalities, 29 patients were aged 60 and above, the officials said.
Fifteen of them were aged between 50 and 59, while 10 were aged below 50, they said.
By Friday night, the number of coronavirus cases in the city stood at 2,514, including 53 deaths, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: 2 Central COVID-19 Teams Visit Ahmedabad, Surat To Assess Situation
Two teams of the union government today met local officials in Ahmedabad and Surat districts of Gujarat where the number of coronavirus cases has risen sharply in the last few days.
On Friday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had said the situation in these two emerging hotspots in Gujarat as well as in Thane, Hyderabad and Chennai was "especially serious".
The central teams met the collector, municipal commissioner and police commissioner among other officials in Ahmedabad and Surat.
In Surat, the team also visited a gymkhana where food is prepared for distribution to 30,000-35,000 people daily during lockdown.
The central team also visited the COVID-19 control room of the Surat Municipal Corporation, officials said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Tamil Nadu Reports 66 New COVID-19 Cases, Total Reaches 1,821-Mark
A 34-year old man died of COVID-19 at a government hospital in Chennai and 94 people were discharged following recovery while 66 tested positive for coronavirus in Tamil Nadu today taking the tally of cases to 1,821, authorities said.
More people getting discharged than those getting newly infected is seen for the third consecutive day today in the state.
On April 23, a total of 54 new cases were reported and 90 people were discharged and the following day, 72 tested positive and 114 got cured.
With 66 more people contracting the contagion, though the total number of infected stood at 1,821; as on date, the active cases were only 835 and the tally of those discharged is 960 including today's 94, the government said, news agency PTI reported.
Odisha Allows Intra-State Movement Of Stranded WorkersWith the opening of various economic activities including agriculture, the Odisha government on Saturday allowed intra-state movement of around 86,000 workers stranded in different districts due to the lockdown.
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department in an order said that 86,000 stranded workers, of whom 16,000 are from within the state, may travel in an organised manner to reach their place of work.
The industries, agencies and labour contractors will be allowed to transport their labourers in dedicated and designated buses from the camps where they are staying to the workplace within Odisha, maintaining social distancing and other safety protocols, Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena said.
In order to facilitate their travel, the industries, agencies, and contractors will report the details of such labourers, destinations and buses to the district collector concerned, through the district labour officer, he said, news agency PTI reported.
Maharashtra reports 811 new COVID-19 cases, total rises to 7,628. Death count increases by 22 to 323: Health department.
Coronavirus News: Central Team Visits Maharashtra To Monitor COVID-19 Combat Efforts
A team from the union government today visited Maharashtra's Thane district to monitor efforts to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak, officials of Thane said.
The central team, led by Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries Additional Secretary Manoj Joshi, met civic chiefs, police officials and visited hospitals involved in treating COVID-19 patients, they added.
"The team visited Kaushalya Hospital, Thane Civil Hospital and others. They toured hotspots like Parsik Nagar, Amrut Nagar etc. The team stressed on suspected cases being examined at fever clinics, and asked for a rise in the number of institutional quarantine facilities," an official said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Lockdown Rules Will Not Change In Maharashtra Till May 3: State Health Minister
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope today said the lockdown rules will remain unchanged in the state will May 3.
Talking to PTI, Mr Tope said there was no clarity in the centre's latest order regarding reopening of shops.
"We will get more clarity after a video conference with the Prime Minister on Monday," he said.
"We haven't taken any decision on the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs as yet. But there will be no further relaxation in lockdown rules till May 3," the minister added.
The issue of sending migrant labourers back to their native places will also be taken up during the meeting with PM Modi, he said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: 8 New COVID-19 Cases In Maharashtra's Nashik, 1 Death
Eight people tested positive for novel coronavirus in Nashik district in Maharashtra today, while one person died of the infection, health
officials said.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Nashik is now 142 while the number of deaths stand at 12, all from hotspot Malegaon, they added.
"At the moment, there are 126 patients in Malegaon, 11 in Nashik city and five from other talukas here. The eight who tested positive on Saturday comprise six men and two women," an official said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: 8 Cases Registered Against 13 For Selling Liquor Amid Lockdown In J&K
Eight first information reports (FIR) have been registered against 13 people for illegally selling liquor in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district during the ongoing lockdown period, the police said today.
Four litres of country-made liquor was recovered from the possession of the accused and 60 litres of lahan (raw material) destroyed on the spot, a senior police officer said.
A total of eight FIRs against 13 people have been registered in different police stations over the past one month, while huge quantities of lahan was destroyed and 21 litres of country-made liquor and 83 bottles of illicit liquor were also seized, the senior police officer said, news agency PTI .
No new COVID-19 case reported in Uttarakhand today. The total number of cases in the state stands at 48: State Health Department
103 New Coronavirus Cases In Madhya Pradesh, Count Rises To 1,945With 103 more people testing positive till Saturday afternoon, 56 of them in Indore, the number of coronavirus cases in Madhya Pradesh climbed to 1,945, health officials said.
Seven deaths were also reported since Friday evening, taking the COVID-19 death toll in the state to 99.
Four deaths were reported in Ujjain, two in Indore and one in Hoshangabad, officials said.
Indore, the worst affected district, alone now accounts for 57 deaths.
Since Friday night, Indore recorded 56 new infection cases, followed by Bhopal at 28, Jabalpur at 12, Hoshangabad at four and one each in Ujjain and Khandwa.
Indore has the highest tally of COVID-19 cases at 1,085 followed by Bhopal (388) and Ujjain (103), news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: 57-Year-Old Constable Dies Of COVID-19 In Mumbai
A 57-year-old police constable who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 died in Mumbai today, officials said.
The constable was attached to a police station in western suburbs. He lived in Worli Naka area in south Mumbai.
A total of 96 police personnel, including 15 officers, have contracted coronavirus infection in Maharashtra so far, officials had said earlier in the day, news agency PTI reported.
J&K Lt Governor Greets People On Ramzan, Stresses On Social Distancing To Combat COVID-19ammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Saturday greeted the people on the commencement of the holy month of Ramzan and expressed hope that the auspicious period would be a harbinger of peace, amity, brotherhood, progress, and prosperity in the Union Territory.
In a message, Mr Murmu said the holy month of Ramzan is a period dedicated to fasting, service, and prayers and it underscores the values of austerity, patience, tolerance and self-restraint which are imperative in practicing social distancing and mitigating the spread of coronavirus infection.
"This holy month of Ramzan will bind us all together and spread peace, harmony, and brotherhood in the Union territory and our nation," he said.
Ramzan, the holy Islamic month of fasting and prayers, is being observed from today., news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Sets Up COVID-19 Control Room
The Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly has set up a COVID-19 control room at the assembly secretariat here to help the stranded people across the country due to the nationwide lockdown.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during a video conference with all the presiding officers of state assemblies on April 21 had suggested for setting up of COVID-19 control room at the Lok Sabha secretariat as well as in state assemblies to help migrant labourers and students stranded due to the ongoing lockdown.
Under the direction of Assembly Speaker Passang Dorjee Sona, who had readily agreed with the suggestion, a COVID-19 control room has been set up at the state legislative assembly on Friday, Assembly sources said today.
The control room would coordinate with the central COVID-19 control room at Lok Sabha secretariat and also other state assemblies for exchange of information and to work on the problems of stranded people, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Goa Chief Minister Requests PM Modi For Procedures To Bring Back Citizens Stuck Abroad
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today said the state government has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to finalise a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to bring back Goans stuck in different countries due to the COVID-19 situation.
Mr Sawant said the government had prepared a foolproof SOP for crew members stranded on ships.
"I have urged the PM to finalise SOP as soon as possible. Those who want to return would be allowed to do so," the chief minister said.
Similarly, Goan students staying in various parts of the country would also be allowed to return, provided they secured permission from respective collectors, he said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Mizoram Sets Up Disinfectant Chamber On Assam BorderThe Mizoram government has installed disinfectant chamber at Vairengte on the Mizoram-Assam border to sanitize vehicles carrying essential commodities to check the spread of novel coronavirus in the state, Chief Minister Zoramthanga said today.
"Cross-border #biosecurity disinfection Chamber installed at Vairengte, Mizoram to check the influx of the dreaded Covid-19 via inanimate objects and our essential commodities," Mr Zoramthanga said in a tweet.
"Sincere respect to all effort lenders," he added, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Mumbai Airport Announces Safety Measures For Post-Lockdown Period
AAI-GVK group-run Mumbai airport today announced a slew of safety measures for resumption of commercial air passenger services in the post-lockdown period.
The airport has formulated Standard operating procedures (SOP) for post-lockdown safety of the passengers like social distancing, stringent thermal screening, positioning temporary quarantine centres, sanitising and disinfecting the airport to ensure safety and well-being of the passengers, once operations resume, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) said in a release, news agency PTI reported
Coronavirus News: Shops In Madhya Pradesh Open After Centre's Order
A day after the centre allowed opening of shops in some areas amid the lockdown due to coronavirus outbreak, shops reopened in some areas of Madhya Pradesh today, bringing respite to people.
The state government may issue guidelines about opening of shops to clear away confusion, if any, an official said.
The centre has allowed neighbourhood and stand-alone shops in urban areas including those located in residential complexes to open.
In Madhya Pradesh, shops remained closed in cities such as Indore, Dewas, Khargone, Ujjain , Bhopal, Jabalpur and some other districts which have seen large number of COVID-19 cases, news agency PTI reported.
COVID-19: Tamil Nadu Recruits 1,000 More Nurses, Extends Doctors' ServicesContinuing efforts to ramp-up healthcare workforce in the fight against COVID-19, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Saturday said over 1,000 nurses have been recruited and announced retaining the services of government doctors, set to retire this month.
Appointment orders on contract basis will be given to retain the services of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel who are set to retire on April 30 for two more months, Mr Palaniswami said in a statement, news agency PTI reported.
Delhi Agrees To Implement Centre's Order Allowing Shops To Open: SourcesThe Delhi government has decided to implement the centre's Friday order in which it has allowed standalone shops outside containment zones to function, sources say.
Sources says standalone shops in non-hotspot residential areas will be allowed, but they will have to strictly follow the social distancing rules and the central government's guidelines.
No economic activity will be permitted in containment zones, sources say.
Maharashtra Police Registers Over 69,000 Cases For Lockdown ViolationsA total of 69,374 cases have been registered since March 22 for the lockdown violations across the state.
"A total of 69,374 cases have been registered under Section 188 of IPC, since 22nd March till today, for violation of the coronavirus lockdown norms while 477 accused have been arrested in cases of assault on policemen," said the Maharashtra Police.
The state police further added that 14,955 people have been arrested since March 22 till date, for violation of restrictions during the lockdown and a total of 47,168 vehicles have been impounded in the same period.
With regard to Maharashtra police personnel testing positive for COVID-19, the state police informed that as of now, 96 police personnel have been tested for the coronavirus of which seven have already recovered, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: Maharashtra Chief Minister Discusses Measures To Bring Back Students From Kota
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has discussed modalities to bring back students from the state stuck in Kota, a coaching hub, due to coronavirus-induced lockdown with his Rajasthan counterpart Ashok Gehlot.
Mr Thackeray and Mr Gehlot also discussed various measures to check the spread of the coronavirus in their respective states over phone on Friday, the Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office (CMO) tweeted today.
"Both the CMs also discussed arrangements made for the students from Maharashtra in Kota. Both the states are collectively working on modalities to ensure that these students return to Maharashtra," it said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: 4 New COVID-19 Cases In Jharkhand, Total Rises To 63
Four people tested positive for coronavirus in Jharkhand today, taking the total number of cases in the state to 63, officials said in Ranchi.
Of the fresh cases, three are from Ranchi and one from the city's Kantatoli area, a health official said.
The number of active cases in the state now stands at 52, a senior doctor of a Ranchi hospital said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Kota Returnees To Be Screened, Quarantined In Assam: State Health Minister
The 391 students coming back to Assam from Kota in Rajasthan will be screened after entering the state at Srirampur border and anyone with COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed to proceed to Guwahati, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said today.
It has been decided that the students, who are currently travelling back to the state, would be kept at a quarantine facility in Guwahati, the minister told reporters in Dhubri.
Swab tests will be conducted on the students on the fifth day and doctors will decide whether or not those testing negative can be discharged and allowed to spend the remaining nine days under home observation, the minister said, news agency PTI reported.
COVID-19 News: No Relaxation In Lucknow Lockdown Guidelines: Top Official
There will be no relaxation in the guidelines of COVID-19 lockdown in Lucknow, said District Magistrate (DM) Abhishek Prakash today.
"There will be no relaxation in the guidelines of lockdown, in Lucknow. The system, which has been followed so far, will continue to be followed," Mr Prakash.
This comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) earlier issued an order saying, that "in urban areas, all standalone shops, neighbourhood shops and shops in residential complexes are allowed to open. Shops in markets, market complexes and shopping malls are not allowed to open," news agency ANI reported.
COVID-19 News: 7 New Coronavirus Cases Reported In Kerala, Total Reaches 457-Mark
Seven new cases of coronavirus were reported from Kerala today taking the total number of infected persons in the state to 457 and seven people were cured, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
"Three new cases each were reported from Kottayam and Kollam districts and one from Kannur district. As of now, the state has reported 457 patients," Mr Vijayan told reporters after the COVID-19 review meeting.
Two cases each from Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod and one patient from Wayanad were cured in the state today, he said.
At least 116 patients are currently under treatment for COVID-19, news agency PTI reported.
Longer Loan Moratorium Among 5 Points In Sonia Gandhi's Letter To PMCongress chief Sonia Gandhi has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with five recommendations to help the micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSME) sector amid the coronavirus pandemic. Mrs Gandhi said MSMEs contribute close to one-third to India's gross domestic product (GDP) and account for almost 50 per cent of the country's exports. The sector also employs over 11 crore people. But the lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic has put most economic activities to a halt and over 6.3 crore MSMEs "stand on the verge of economic ruin", Mrs Gandhi said in the letter.
Coronavirus News: 779 COVID-19 Deaths, 56 In 24 Hours, Total Cases Reach 24,942 In IndiaThe number of coronavirus cases in India has
increased to 24,942, including 779 deaths, the Home Ministry said today, adding that 1,490 cases and 56 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.
Coronavirus News: Uttarakhand Launches Chief Minister Relief Fund Website For COVID-19 Donations
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Friday launched Chief Minister's Relief Fund website so as to receive donations online for the COVID-19 relief works.
The procedure for making donations are mentioned on the website cmrf.uk.gov.in itself.
"Now, funds can be donated for relief through online payment. The details of the donation procedure is available on the website," read a press statement from state government.
There are a total of 48 COVID-19 cases in Uttarakhand, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: 10 From Maharashtra Coronavirus Hotspot Hide In Godown, Arrested
Ten people from a coronavirus hotspot in Nagpur in Maharashtra who were refusing to get themselves quarantined or tested were arrested from hiding, said municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe today.
There are around 30 families in Satranjipura area who have been quarantined as 55 COVID-19 cases were detected there and the ten were connected to the area, he said.
"Late Friday night, we got information that some people related to these 30 families are hiding in nearby Kalamana area. A team comprising medical staff and police reached the area and arrested 10 people hiding in a godown there. They were shifted to a quarantine centre," Mr Mundhe said, news agency PTI reported.
COVID-19 Cases Reach 500-Mark In Karnataka, 26 New Cases ConfirmedCOVID-19 infections reached the 500 mark in Karnataka on Saturday, as 26 new cases have been confirmed positive, including a journalist, the state government said.
"As of 5:00 PM on April 25, cumulatively 500 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, it includes 18 deaths and 158 discharges," the Health department said in its bulletin.
Out of the 324 active cases, 317 patients (including 1 pregnant woman) are in isolation at designated hospitals and are stable, while seven are in ICU. Six patients who have recovered have been discharged on Saturday, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Confusion Among Shopkeepers In Rajasthan After Centre's Order On Opening Shops
Confusion prevailed among traders and shopkeepers across Rajasthan following the centre's decision to allow some shops to open with mandatory precautions - like wearing of masks and social distancing -amid the current lockdown imposed to contain COVID-19.
Shops opened in some areas and were closed later as the administration intervened. Many mandis and towns of the state are also reported to have shops opened first and later being closed, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Railways Develops Hands-Free Washbasins Amid COVID-19
The Railways plans to roll out hands-free washbasins at all its stations, field units and hospitals to protect its employees and passengers from coronavirus infection.
An order was issued today to develop and carry out trial for similar contactless washbasin system for passenger coaches as well.
In this washbasin, the user has to primarily press a pedal attached to the contactless basin with his feet for water and soap to come out from separate dispensers, without touching any knob with his or her hands.
The timeline for the roll-out of the washbasins will depend on the number of orders being given to the Northern Railways' workshop which has developed the model, a senior official of the zone said, news agency PTI reported.
Seven new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Kerala today, taking the total number of cases to 457 in the state out of which 116 cases are active: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
"IMCT=I Must Cause Trouble": Trinamool Slams Central COVID Team In BengalTrinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien has taken a swipe at a central team sent to West Bengal to investigate alleged violations of the coronavirus lockdown and lapses by the state government.
The Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is tasked with assessing the situation in Bengal, issue directions to the state authorities and submit their report to the centre, the Home Ministry has said.
"IMCT #Bengal visit served no purpose. Visiting districts with no hotspots. Asking for committee already in place. Real aim is to spread the political virus. Doing it shamelessly. Blatantly. Take ur pick. IMCT= India's Most Callous Team. IMCT= I Must Cause Trouble (in Bengal)," Derek O'Brien tweeted today.
COVID-19 News: 15 New Coronavirus Cases Reported In Maharashtra's Yavatmal
Fifteen new cases of coronavirus were reported in Maharashtra's Yavatmal today.
Yavatmal Collector MD Singh said, "15 new people have tested positive for coronavirus. With this the total number of cases in Yavatmal reached 30".
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra has climbed to 6,817, including 301 deaths, according to the State public health department today, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: Case Against 5,000 For Lockdown Violation In Mumbai
The number of cases registered by Mumbai Police for violation of lockdown to contain coronavirus reached 5,000 today.
Cases were filed for violation of restrictions on movement during lockdown and other related offences against over 9,800 people under section of Indian Penal Code in the last one month, an official said.
6,164 people were arrested and released on bail, 2,440 people were allowed to go after notices were issued to them and 1,188 were missing, he said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Tripura To Lower Power, Telephone Bills By 10% To Cut Cost Amid COVID-19
The Tripura government has instructed government offices to slash power and telephone bills by 10 per cent and use air conditioners only after permission as part of the cost-cutting measures due to coronavirus pandemic.
A meeting of the council of ministers in Agartala on Friday, also decided to assess and regulate the use of television and cable connections in the offices.
Official sources said the austerity measures will come into effect from immediate effect. Though there is no coronavirus case in the state, the measures seems directed to deal with the expected economic challenges due to the lockdown necessitated by spread of the deadly virus, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: 40 New COVID-19 Cases In J&K, Total Close To 500One person died of COVID-19 infection in Jammu and Kashmir today, taking the number of fatalities to six as 40 new cases surfaced in the Union Territory, officials said in Srinagar.
This is the highest spike observed in a single day in the UT so far, they said, adding that the number of confirmed cases climbed to 494.
This was also the first time in the UT that over 1,000 samples were tested within a span of 24 hours, the officials said.
Of the total 494 cases, 437 are in the Valley and 57 in Jammu region, government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said, adding that 109 patients have recovered so far, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: 157 Fresh Coronavirus Cases Reported In UP, Total Reaches 1,778-Mark
As many as 157 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported in Uttar Pradesh today, taking the total in the state to 1,778, a senior government official said in Lucknow.
With this, the number of active cases climbs to 1,504, Principal Secretary, Medical and Health, Amit Mohan Prasad added.
"Till now, 248 COVID-19 patients have been discharged in the state, while 26 deaths have taken place," he said, PTI reported.
Prison Inmates Across J&K Manufacture Face Masks; Target 1 Lakh Masks By Month-EndHundreds of inmates in prisons across Jammu and Kashmir have volunteered and joined efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic with mass production of face masks in jail premises, officials said on Saturday.
They said the prisoners started manufacturing the high quality polypropylene masks last month after the prisons department''s proposal got the nod of the Lt Governor GC Murmu administration which has called for universal usage of face covers to contain the spread of the contagious disease in the Union Territory.
Jammu and Kashmir has recorded six coronavirus deaths so far - four in the Valley and one each in Udhampur and Baramulla districts with nearly 450 others infected in the union territory, news agency PTI reported.
Border Roads Throws Open Rohtang Pass 3-Weeks In Advance Amid COVID-19 LockdownThe Snow clearance operation for the opening of Rohtang Pass (13,500 ft) is carried out every year as the pass remains snow bound for almost six months i.e from mid November to mid May, thus isolating Lahaul & Spiti District from rest of the country. Last year the Rohtang pass was kept open till 12th of Dec 2019. The complete valley remains dependent on air maintenance for any external logistics / supplies during winters.
On 11th April, the Government of Himachal Pradesh approached MoD/ DG Border Roads to expedite the snow clearance to facilitate return of farmers to start cultivation and movement of essential supplies & relief material to Lahaul Valley in the wake of COVID-19.
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) inducted hi-tech machinery from both Manali and Khoksar side. The snow blizzards, freezing temperatures and frequent triggering of avalanches at Rahala Fall, Beas Nallah and Rani Nallah did delay the operations but the snow clearance teams kept on working relentlessly day and night with all COVID-19 precautions to provide relief to the residents of Lahaul valley.
The ongoing work on the 8.8 km-long Atal Tunnel below the Rohtang Pass was also stalled when the lockdown came into force. Since the construction of Tunnel is at a critical stage, proactive measures were taken to recommence the work in active coordination with the State Govt. Works on all critical activities ot Atal Tunnel have commenced with all necessary COVID-19 precautions in place to ensure its completion in Sep 2020 as planned.
To augment the Government's efforts against COVID-19, all personnel of BRO have collectively contributed 1 crore to the PM-CARES fund over and above one day salary.
Coronavirus News: Delhi Court Grants Interim Bail To 65-Year-Old War Veteran Amid Pandemic
Delhi High Court on Friday granted interim bail to a 65-year-old war veteran, who served during the 1971 war, in connection with a civil dispute case in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
Justice Brijesh Sethi observed that "in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and further in view of the fact that it is very difficult to maintain social distancing in the jail, the petitioner be released on interim bail in the interest of justice".
Advocates MK Gosh and Tina Garg, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the dispute between the parties is more or less civil in nature, and allegations against the petitioner are false and similar allegations were leveled against the petitioner in the year 2006 as well, ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: 2 COVID-19 Patients Recover In Chhattisgarh, 5 Under Treatment
Two COVID-19 patients were discharged from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Chhattisgarh's Raipur city today, following recovery, a health official said.
With 32 people recovering from the deadly infection, the state only has five active cases as of now.
"A 59-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman from Katghora town of Korba district, were discharged after they tested negative for the virus in two consecutive tests," a public relations officer of the AIIMS said.
Only five patients, including a male nursing officer of AIIMS, were undergoing treatment at the hospital, he added, PTI reported.
Uttarakhand: OPD services to resume from tomorrow in 9 districts which are unaffected from coronavirus.
Coronavirus News: Gyms, Casinos To Remain Shut In Goa Despite Centre's Order
The Goa government today issued an order extending the closure of establishments like casinos, gymnasiums, night clubs among others in the coastal state till further orders.
The order comes a day after the centre allowed neighbourhood and standalone shops, including those located in residential complexes, in urban areas to open during the ongoing lockdown.
As per the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs, shops in markets will continue to remain shut, while in rural areas, all shops, except those in shopping malls, are allowed to open, PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Doubling Of Gujarat COVID-19 Cases Slowed In 6 Days Ending On April 23
The number of coronavirus positive patients in Gujarat doubled from 617 after April 14 to 1,272 on April 17, but this rate slowed down in the subsequent six days up to April 23 during which 1352 more cases were detected, as per the analysis by Health department.
The total number of coronavirus positive cases in Gujarat stood at 2,815 by April 24 evening.
However, the doubling rate of cases slowed down to six days after April 17 up to April 23, when the number of cases rose from 1,272 to 2,624, as per the data.
The state recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours ended on April 18 when 332 people had tested positive for coronavirus, it said.
In Gujarat, 30 of the 33 districts have reported coronavirus positive cases, PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Case Against 20 For Violating Lockdown In UP's Bahraich
After eight people were found COVID-19 positive in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich, as many as 20 people have been charged for violation of lockdown norms and spreading coronavirus, said Vipin Kumar Mishra, Superintendent of Police Bahraich, today.
"After contact tracing of the people who were confirmed coronavirus positive yesterday, one woman identified as Rajini Rupani, of Thana - Dargah Sharif, was found to have had travelled to Ghaziabad and had also hosted a party with a group of 15-20 people during the lockdown," Mr Mishra said.
On April 23, Bahrich District Magistrate and Collector Shambhu Kumar had declared several areas in the district as containment zones after coronavirus cases were detected there, ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: Central COVID-19 Team Accuses Bengal Government Of Non-Cooperation The inter-ministerial central team leader has written to the West Bengal Chief Secretary complaining about the West Bengal government's non-cooperation and lack of adequate security.
Coronavirus News: 16 Out Of 20 Coronavirus Patients Recovers, 4 Others Stable In Ladakh
Ladakh has only four active cases and the condition of these COVID-19 patients is now stable, said an official statement from the Directorate of Health Services of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
"Till now Ladakh has reported about 20 cases of coronavirus, of which 16 people have recovered and been discharged. Meanwhile, the other 4 patients are now stable," read the statement, ANI reported.
Plasma Therapy Trials For COVID-19 Patients Begin In KarnatakaThe Karnataka government on Saturday commenced convalescent plasma therapy clinical trials for "severe" coronavirus patients in the state.
In a tweet, Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said, "Happy to announce the commencement of Clinical Trials for Plasma Therapy that holds great promise to treat severely infected #COVID19 patients. Health Min @sriramulubjp & I initiated this significant step at Victoria Hospital today morning."
The Minister, who is also leading government efforts against COVID-19 in Bengaluru and is in charge of the state war room had said Convalescent Plasma Therapy was only for patients who are critical, in intensive care units or on ventilator.
Donors have also come forward for this, he had said.
According to officials, patients who have recovered from COVID-19 have been appealed to come forward as donors, as anti-bodies of cured patients will be used to treat critically ill under this therapy.
According to last update, five COVID-19 patients are in ICU in the state, news agency PTI reported.
Use of rapid test kits postponed: Report
Union Group of Ministers discuss COVID-19 situation in India during a meeting. They have agreed that the steps taken by the government have shown positive results therefore, the use of rapid test kits has been postponed for now, sources told news agency ANI.
Karnataka journalist tests positive for coronavirus
Karnataka Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said a journalist from Bangalore Urban, who has tested positive for COVID-19, is one out of 15 new cases reported in the state.
The state now has 489 coronavirus cases.
UP should adopt transparency in COVID-19 testing: Priyanka Gandhi
Transparency is a big thing in the fight against coronavirus, says Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. "Many people are expressing concerns over testing in Uttar Pradesh. Transparency is a big thing in the fight against coronavirus. The entire society and the government can together defeat this epidemic. In this context, I am sharing some suggestions here," she said in a tweet in Hindi.
The state "has stopped testing for the past two days and should start testing on a large scale, while adopting transparency in this regard. Hiding data and the truth can prove fatal," Priyanka Gandhi said.
Centre should formulate plan for COVID-19 under Disaster Management Act: Kapil Sibal
Congress leader Kapil Sibal says the Centre should formulate a national plan for coronavirus outbreak under the Disaster Management Act.
"It's time government should rethink on lockdown measures... you cannot have lockdown of people and lockout of economy," he adds.
Kerala court asks Centre, state to consider plight of nurses in other states
The Kerala High Court has asked the Centre and state government to look into a petition seeking to bring back coronavirus-affected nurses to Kerala from other states considering their "poor health and working conditions".
Coronavirus news: BJP MP announces reward for information on people with foreign travel history, Tablighi Jamaat members
BJP MP Ravindra Kushawaha has announced a cash reward of Rs 11,000 to anyone providing specific information about people, including Tablighi Jamaat members, who hid information about their travels and avoided screening for COVID-19, reports news agency PTI.
The MP from Salempur constituency claimed in a statement that several people, who had been to Tablighi Jamaat congregations or any foreign country, did not report to the authorities and "are living without proper testing".
Such people need to inform the administration about their travel history and undergo test for the novel coronavirus, he said, adding that anyone providing specific information about such people would be rewarded.
Coronavirus news: 5,79,957 samples have been tested till date: ICMR
A total of 5,79,957 samples have been tested for the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 so far, Indian Council of Medical Research or ICMR said today.
Coronavirus lockdown news: No relaxation in Assam; decision on easing lockdown norms on Monday, says Official
There will be no relaxation in ongoing lockdown has been decided in Assam yet, state Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna said today. Mr Krishna said that a decision on relaxation will be taken on Monday.
"No relaxation in ongoing lockdown has been decided by the Government of Assam yet - like opening of shops, beauty parlours etc. A decision in this regard will be taken only on 27 April, 2020," Mr Krishna told ANI.
Coronavirus news: 205 foreign returnees arrive at Leh after completing quarantine
At least 205 people belonging to Ladakh who returned from abroad and were quarantined at an Indian Army facility at Jodhpur have now arrived at Leh, after completing the isolation period, Northern Command said.
Coronavirus India Lockdown news - Here is a look at what reopens from today and what's not
- Shops registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State/Union Territory, including shops in residential complexes and market complexes, outside the municipal corporations and municipalities, will be allowed to open.
- All shops in residential areas and neighbourhood markets will be open.
- In rural and semi-rural areas, all shops and markets that are registered can open. In cities, only standalone shops and residential shops can open.
- Salons, barber shops can reopen, but not if in a market complex
- Standalone tailor shops in residential complexes can open.
- Shops in registered markets outside municipal corporations and municipalities can open only with 50 per cent staff.
- In urban areas, non-essential goods and services will be allowed to operate provided they are in residential areas or is a standalone shop.
- Market complexes, except those within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, are allowed to open.
What will remain shut
- Malls and cinemas
- Complexes with clusters of shops like Khan Market, Greater Kailash, Nehru Place
- Shops in multi-brand and single-brand malls outside the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities
- Shopping complexes, shops in market complexes, multi-brand and single-brand malls
- Gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, theatres, bars and auditoriums
- Liquor shops
- Boutiques in malls cannot open
JUST IN: 24,506 Coronavirus cases in India; 775 deaths, 57 in 24 hours
In India, there are 24,506 confirmed cases including 775 deaths. The number of active cases is 18,668 and 5,063 have recovered as on April 25, 2020 at 8:00 am.
Coronavirus India Lockdown news: Maharashtra government distributes wheat and rice to saffron ration card holders
The Maharashtra government has started distributing 3 kg of wheat at Rs 8 per kg and 2 kg rice at Rs 12 per kg to 3 crore saffron ration card holders.
According to an official statement from the Chief Minister''s Office, the state government is distributing the ration to saffron ration card holders, that is for people above poverty level, for the months of May and June.
About 4.5 lakh metric tonnes will be distributed, the statement read.