Over 1,800 people have been infected and 41 killed by the Covid-19 infection in India.
The number of COVID-19 cases in the country crossed 2000 today - with 235 fresh cases being detected within the last 24 hours. The total number of cases across the country is 2069, of them, 53 people are dead. Much of the spike has come from the religious event held in Delhi last month.
The centre and states must have a "common exit strategy" for staggered re-entry of population after the 21-day national lockdown to fight the spread of coronavirus ends, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a video-conference with Chief Ministers today. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah were also present at the meeting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed a 21-day lockdown that will end in mid-April in a desperate bid to stave off an epidemic among India's 130 crore people.
The Health Ministry today said that they have identified 9,000 people who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi's Nizamuddin. Nearly 1,300 are foreigners. The health ministry said that 400 coronavirus cases have links to Delhi mosque event. They are also expecting some more cases from the event.
Here are the Updates of the coronavirus cases:
Haryana bans chewing gum for 3 months
The sale and use of chewing gum in Haryana have been banned for three months, Food and Drugs Administration Department, said on Thursday.
The order has been issued by Ashok Kumar Meena, Commissioner, Food and Drugs Administration Department, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (a) of Sub-section (2) of Section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Central Act 34 of 2006).
The order prohibits "the sale and use of chewing gum/bubble gum and similar products, or otherwise by whatsoever name called, whether packaged or unpackaged and/or sold as one product, or though packaged as separate products, sold or distributed in any manner, whatsoever, the interest of public health for a period of three months from the date of issue of this order, that is, till June 30" in Haryana.
Random sampling to be carried out in Rajasthan to check spread of COVID-19: Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma
Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma on Thursday said random sampling of people will be carried out in the state under sero-surveillance system to check the spread of COVID-19.
In sero-surveillance there is monitoring of the presence or absence of specific substances in the blood serum of a population.
The minister said random sampling will be done through rapid testing kits approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appeals to Tablighi Jamaat attendees to report for COVID-19 screening
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday appeal to the attendees of a congregation in the coronavirus-hotspot Tablighi Jamaat centre in Delhi and those who came in contact with them to voluntarily report for screening.
The chief minister also called upon people to cooperate in efforts against coronavirus spread and said that those who have travel history and have any symptoms should come forward.
"This is in the interest of their own life and in the interest of entire humanity, society and the country," he said.
2 absconding Tablighi Jamaat attendees among 4 arrested in Greater Noida
Two absconding persons, who attended the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi's Nizamuddin last month, were arrested in Greater Noida and quarantined on Thursday, police said.
Two others, who had provided shelter to the Jamaat attendees, were also arrested and quarantined, they added.
The two Jamaat attendees had absconded from Rajasthan's Alwar, where eight others who had participated in the religious congregation have been arrested.
Coronavirus News: 24-Hour Curfew Imposed In Arunachal Pradesh's Medo After 1st Coronavirus Case
Curfew was imposed in Arunachal Pradesh's Medo on Thursday for 24-hours after a man tested positive for COVID-19, an official said.
The 24-hour curfew which has been clamped at Medo area since 12 PM on Thursday would be in force till Friday noon, Lohit Deputy Commissioner Prince Dhawan said.
The 31-year-old man is the first person in Arunachal Pradesh to test positive for coronavirus, reported PTI.
Coronavirus News: 156 Tablighi Event Attendees Quarantined In Ghaziabad
The Ghaziabad health authorities have so far quarantined 156 people who had returned to the district after attending a religious congregation held by the Tablighi Jamaat in New Delhi last month, an official said on Thursday.
Now, police and Health Department teams are tracing those who came in their contact after their arrival in Ghaziabad, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) NK Gupta said.
The official said 90 people have been quarantined at Sunder Deep Collage, 56 at Surya Hospital in Murad Nagar and five each at the MMG Government Hospital and the combined hospital in Sanjay Nagar, reported PTI.
Coronavirus News: 2 Arrested In Delhi For Hoarding Masks, Sanitisers, Say Cops
Two men have been arrested in northeast Delhi's Seelampur area for allegedly hoarding masks and sanitizers meant for public use to prevent the spread of COVID-19, police said on Thursday.
The accused were identified as Jagan Nath and Iqbal Javed, both residents of Seelampur, they said, reported PTI.
"The arrest was made after they were found hoarding masks and sanitizers meant for use by public for prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic," Ved Prakash Surya, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast), said.
Cronavirus News: Only Patients, Students, People With Disabilities To Get Concessions For Now, Say Railways
Anybody can book train tickets in advance as the reservations for travel after April 14 was never suspended, Indian Railways said and clarified that IRCTC concessions can only be availed by patients, students and people with disabilities.
Sources said a March 19 order issued by the Indian Railways, suspending all concessions except the categories mentioned above till "further advice", was yet to be rescinded.
The order was issued to discourage rail travel during the coronavirus outbreak, reported PTI.
Coronavirus News: Indian Students Stranded In Ukraine Request Evacuation
Indian students stranded in various universities across Ukraine have appealed for help and evacuation as coronavirus continues to spread in the country and said the Indian embassy should contact them directly.
The students told ANI that Indians studying in Dnipropetrovsk State Medical Academy and Ivano Frankivsk National Medical University Ukraine were facing various problems.
They requested the Indian embassy to directly contact them so it would be able to know the prevailing situation.
Coronavirus News: Shah Rukh Khan Pledges To Donate To Coronavirus Relief Fund
Actor Shah Rukh Khan and his group of companies have pledged to donate to a number of relief funds, including the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) fund and the Maharashtra Chief Minister's Relief Fund to combat the coronavirus, reported ANI.
"In these times its imp to make everyone around u working tirelessly for u.. not related to u.. perhaps even unknown to u... to feel they are not alone and by themselves. Let's just make sure we all do our little bit to look after each other. India and all Indians are One Family," the actor tweeted.
Coronavirus News: Nizamuddin-Like Event, Planned For March, Averted Near, Says Maharashtra Home Minister
A congregation similar to the one held in Delhi's Nizamuddin area, now linked to COVID-19 spread, was averted near Mumbai after the previously-granted permission was withdrawn, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Thursday.
A two-day mega religious programme was planned in Vasai, on the outskirts of Mumbai, but the home department denied them permission after initially giving the go-ahead.
An official statement, quoting Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, said Shamim Education and Welfare Society had formally sought permission from the department for organising Tablighi Ijtema on March 14-15, reported PTI.
Coronavirus News: 2 Missing Tablighi Event Attendees Arrested, Quarantined In Greater Noida
Two missing persons, who attended the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi's Nizamuddin last month, were arrested in Greater Noida and quarantined on Thursday, police said.
Two others, who had provided shelter to the Jamaat attendees, were also arrested and quarantined, they added.
The two Jamaat attendees had gone missing from Rajasthan's Alwar, reported PTI.
Coronavirus News: Tamil Nadu To Give Rs 1,000 To Ration Card Holder Amid Lockdown
Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar today said that all ration card holders in Tamil Nadu will be provided with Rs 1000 assistance from April 2 to 13 as people in the state are struggling to get essentials goods due to three-week nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
However, essential services are being continued.
"Each ration cardholder will be provided with Rs 1,000 due to lockdown. People are struggling. So, all the essentials provided starting from today till April 13 will be provided," Mr Jayakumar said.
"In Chennai, we have 18,32,158 ration cardholders. I thank the public for maintaining the social distance while standing in the queue," he added.
He also said that the tokens are being provided to the public to avoid the crowd in ration shops, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: Delhi Police Received Over 1,000 Calls In 24 Hours Seeking Help Amid Lockdown
The Delhi Police received over 1,000 calls on their helpline number within a period of 24 hours till today, seeking assistance in resolving issues being faced by people due to the lockdown, officials said today.
A total of 1,038 calls were received from Wednesday 2 pm to Thursday 2 pm, out of which 177 were related to areas outside the national capital and those have been referred to the respective state police, the police said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: UP Chief Minister Skips Ram Navami Ritual Amid COVID-19 Lockdown
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minster Yogi Adityanath today skipped a Ram Navami ritual at his Gorakhnath 'math' due to the lockdown to contain coronavirus.
However, the "kanya pujan" was performed with a "limited gathering" of "math" employees, and the management said social distancing was maintained.
In the absence of Yogi Adityanath, who is the head of the "math", the "kanya pujan", was led by the temple's chief priest Yogi Kamalnath.
Even after becoming Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath has been leading the ritual, which reveres the girl child as a manifestation of Goddess Durga.
"Due to the coronavirus outbreak, some changes were made in the traditional kanya pujan programme this time," senior temple staffer Dwarika Tiwari said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Those Who Died From COVID-19 Infection Are "Martyrs": AIMIM ChiefTerming those who die due to an epidemic as "martyrs" AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi today said that the last rites of such people must be performed immediately.
"Those who die as a result of epidemic are martyrs. Burial of martyrs does not require kafan (shroud) or ghusl (cleansing). One must immediately offer janazah and carry out the burial with a few people," Mr Owaisi tweeted.All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief's tweet has come amid a coronavirus outbreak in the country. The health ministry had also issued guidelines regarding last rites of people who died due to coronavirus, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: Delhi AIIMS Doctor's Pregnant Wife Tests Positive For COVID-19
A senior resident doctor of AIIMS, Delhi had tested positive for COVID-19, official sources confirmed today. His nine months pregnant wife has also tested positive for the coronavirus. She is also a doctor by profession.
Coronavirus News: 1st COVID-19 Death In Haryana, Total Positive Cases Rise To 35
Haryana today reported first coronavirus death in the state due to COVID-19 infection as a 67-year-old, also having multiple ailments, died at a Chandigarh hospital, amid a rise in corona-positive cases to 35, a senior official said.
Six new corona-positive cases were reported in the state today, taking the total count of infection to 35.
"The man had multiple underlying health conditions including diabetes and associated kidney disease and a heart ailment. He had reported to Ambala civil hospital with acute respiratory distress and acute pneumonitis from where he was referred to PGIMER, Chandigarh," a senior medical officer told PTI over a phone call.
"He tested COVID-19 positive at PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) around midnight Thursday and passed away around the same time," he added.
According to the doctor, the patient had no contact history.
Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus positive cases in Haryana increased from 29 to 35 today, as per the state health department's bulletin, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Coronavirus Cases In India Tops 2,000, Over 50 Deaths
The number of coronavirus cases in India has jumped and has crossed the 2,000 mark. The total number of cases across the country is 2069, of them, 53 people are dead. Much of the spike has come from the religious event held in Delhi last month. The government has imposed strict rules against the lockdown violators.
Coronavirus News: In Assam, 148 Delhi Mosque Attendees Quarantined
At least 148 people who attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi's Nizamuddin last month have been quarantined in different districts of Assam, even as the number of coronavirus cases in the state has risen to 16.
All 16 COVID-19 positive cases had attended the religious congregation in Delhi, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said today.
He said the exercise of tracing the contacts of those who tested positive for the disease is going on.
Nine of the 56 persons from Hailakandi district in south Assam, who returned from Nizamuddin, have been put under home quarantine, police officials said.
In Kamrup district of lower Assam, 37 people attending the Jamaat congregation were shifted to Sarusajai Stadium quarantine camp in neighbouring Guwahati, while another 10 persons were quarantined in ingimari Model Hospital, said Joint Director Health Dr NS Tishya.
In adjacent Barpeta district, the eight people who had come from Nizamuddin and kept in isolation in a hospital were found negative for COVID-19.
In another lower Assam district of Nalbari, three of the 11-member Jamaat team who have come from Shambli district in Uttar Pradesh after attending the congregation in Nizamuddin and took shelter at Mollapara in the district tested negative for coronavirus, Deputy Commissioner Bharat Bhusan Dev Choudhury said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Case Against Over 1,300 For Violating Lockdown In Mumbai: Cops
The Mumbai Police has registered 709 offences against as many as 1,364 people for violating prohibitory orders during the coronavirus lockdown in the last 13 days, an official said today.
The Maharashtra government has invoked section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and the state is under lockdown in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The police have registered around 709 offences against 1,364 people under section 188 (disobeying an order issued by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code since March 20, the official said.
Of the 1,364 accused, 1,100 were arrested and later released on bail, while 166 were allowed to go after being served notices to appear before court as and when required, he said , news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Case Against 174, Over 3,000 Detained For Violating Lockdown: Cops
Over 170 first information reports (FIR) were registered and 3,663 people detained today for violating government orders amid the lockdown, the Delhi Police said.
According to data shared by the police, 174 FIRs were registered under Section 188 (for disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code till 5 pm.
The police said 3,663 people were detained under Section 65 (persons bound to comply with reasonable directions of police officers) of the IPC and 443 vehicles were impounded under Section 66 of the Delhi Police Act.
A total of 1,327 movement passes were issued, they said.
According to the Union Health Ministry, death count due to coronavirus touched 50 today, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: In Maharashtra, 81 COVID-19 Cases, Total Count Tops 400
As many as 81 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra today, taking the total tally to 416, while two more patients were infected today, raising the count to 19, said a health official.
At 57, Mumbai city topped in the number of fresh cases in Maharashtra, which is leading the nation-wide coronavirus tally among states. The financial capital also leads in death count.
The state also reported two more deaths from COVID-19. With this, the count is now 19, of which 16 are from Mumbai city, he said.
Out of the 81 new coronavirus cases, Mumbai city accounted for 57 people who have tested positive, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Online Reservation After April 14 Was Never Stopped: Railways
Western Railways today said that online reservations for journeys after April 14 were never stopped during the lockdown period.
"Certain media reports have claimed that Railways has started reservation for post lockdown period, but it is not correct. It has been clarified by Shri Ravinder Bhakar - Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, that online reservation for journeys post 14th April, 2020 was never stopped and it is not related to any new announcement," an official release form Western Railways said.
"Shri Bhakar stated that online reservation through IRCTC's website has already on always for the trains w.e.f. 15th April, 2020 onwards, so all the passengers are requested to not to get confused by any such media reports," it said.
PM Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown from March 25 to contain the spread of coronavirus.
During the lockdown period, only railways' freight movement is active to carry essential commodities across the country, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus New: 1st COVID-19 Patient Of Kashmir Fully Recovered, Discharged
The first novel coronavirus patient from Kashmir region has fully recovered and is discharged from the hospital, Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary (Planning) of the Union Territory administration said on Thursday.
The total COVID-19 positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir stand at 70.
While five new positive cases were reported from the Jammu division, three were confirmed from the Kashmir division today.
The administration mentioned that 10,694 individuals are placed under home-quarantine, 65 in hospital isolation, 622 in hospital quarantine and 4,109 under home surveillance, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: 75 Tests COVID-19 PositiveIn Tamil Nadu, Total Cases Tops 309
Coronavirus cases in Tamil Nadu rose to 309 after seventy-five tested positive for coronavirus in the state, the state government said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: 190 Delhi Mosque Event Attendees Quarantined In Himachal Pradesh: Top Cop
A total of 190 people from Himachal Pradesh, who attended an Islamic discourse at a Nizamuddin mosque in New Delhi along with thousands others including hundreds of foreigners, many of them suspected corona-positive, last month have been traced and quarantined in the state, said police chief today.
Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Sitaram Mardi also appealed to Muslims not to visit mosques to offer namaz and do it at their homes.
Mr Mardi said a total of 190 people who returned to the state after attending the Tablighi Jamaat meet in Nizamuddin have been traced so far and quarantined.
A total of 167 such people were traced and quarantined in the state earlier on Wednesday.
The DGP said they were identified and quarantined in different districts of the state.
The highest number of 73 people were quarantined in Baddi, followed by 35 each in Una and Sirmaur, 23 in Shimla, 10 each in Kangra and Chamba and four in Mandi.
Besides seventeen persons from Himachal Pradesh who attended the congregation have been quarantined in Delhi itself.
The DGP urged the Muslims to hold Friday prayers in their homes instead of in mosques, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: 1,300 Delhi Mosque Event Attendees Quarantined In Maharashtra: State Minister
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope today said that over 1,400 people from the state attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi, of which 1,300 have been traced and are being quarantined.
"Over 1,400 people from Maharashtra attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi. Out of which, around 1,300 have been traced till now and are being quarantined in Maharashtra. Their samples will be collected for COVID-19 testing," Mr Tope said.
The Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi has emerged as a hotspot for COVID-19 after several positive cases across India were linked to the gathering, including deaths in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.
A first information report (FIR) was earlier registered against Tablighi Jamaat head Maulana Saad and others under the Epidemic Disease Act 1897 in Delhi, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: Nepal Reports 6th Positive Case Of Coronavirus
Nepal today reported the sixth positive case of coronavirus according to the Health Ministry.
The Himalayan Times, citing Madhav Prasad Tiwari, press coordinator of the Health Minister, said the sixth patient is a female from Baglung.
She arrived in Kathmandu on the QR 652 flight of Qatar Airlines from Doha on March 17.
She shared the flight with two who had been infected with the coronavirus.
Out of six people tested positive, five are active cases while one person who had contracted the disease in January has already recovered, reported news agency ANI.
Coronavirus News: Maharashtra Dedicates 30 Hospitals For COVID-19 Treatment
As advised by the centre, the Maharashtra government today identified 30 hospitals across the state which would treat only coronavirus patients.
There would be 2,305 beds across these hospitals, said Health Minister Rajesh Tope.
A notification declaring these hospitals as exclusive coronavirus facilities have been issued, he said.
During a video-conference with chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Prime Pinister Narendra Modi asked the state government to convert one hospital in every district into a facility for exclusively treating coronavirus cases, he said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Gujarat Cops Identify 12 More People Who Attended Delhi Mosque Event
The Gujarat police today said they have identified 12 more people who had attended an Islamic congregation in Delhi, taking the number of visitors from Gujarat to 84 till now, one of them an elderly man who tested coronavirus positive after returning from the meet which has emerged as a key source of the COVID-19 spread.
The figure was 72 till Wednesday, including a 70-year-old man from Bhavnagar who died due to coronavirus last week, days after returning from the gathering, DGP Shivanand Jha told reporters in Gandhinagar.
The congregation was held last month at the Tablighi Jamaat's headquarters in the Nizamuddin area of the national capital, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: UP State Transport Contributes Rs 2.47 Crore As COVID-19 Relief Measures
The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has contributed Rs 2.47 crore to the Chief Minister Distress Relief Fund towards the relief measures being taken to fight coronavirus.
"UPSRTC wholeheartedly thanks Chief Minister for accepting the Humble Contribution of Rs 2.47 crore (one day salary of all regular employees) to CM Distress Relief Fund towards the relief measures being taken by Uttar Pradesh government to fight COVID-19 effectively," said Raj Shekhar, Managing Director, UPSRTC, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: Railways Converting 312 Coaches Into Isolation Wards
In a bid to increase the country's capacity for isolation facilities, the Railways is converting sleeper class coaches into isolation wards by modifying the coaches to make them suitable to act as quarantine hubs.
On South Western Railway (SWR) a total of 312 coaches is being converted for isolation or quarantine wards. These coaches are being modified as per prototype issued by Railway Board.
"The coaches will be equipped with basic facilities needed as per medical guidelines. Provision is being made for charging points of mobiles and laptops. Mosquito nets with space for paramedics are also being made available. Each coach will provide eight-berth cabin for isolation facility," SWR said in a press statement.
"Zonal Railways have been advised to prepare coaches as per isolation cabin prototype to meet the needs of the patients by Railway Board," it added.
The efforts of the Indian Railways have been aimed not only to supplement the present health infrastructure of the country but also to contribute to national efforts to fight the coronavirus, reported news agency ANI.
Coronavirus News: "6 Lakh Were Provided With Lunch": Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said that there are 208 patients in the Delhi hospitals and one of them is on ventilator. He also said that coronavirus is not spreading in Delhi. Commenting on the Delhi mosque event the chief minister said that there might be rising COVID-19 cases from the markaz.
He further said that various institutions are coming forward to help the government to fight the coronavirus situation. Mr Kejriwal said that almost 6 lakh people were provided with lunch and nearly 6 lakh were given dinner as well.
Mr Kejriwal said that auto drivers are also asking for help because they are unable to work amid lockdown. He assured them that he won't let them die of hunger and said, "main kisiko bhookhmari se nahi marne dunga."
Mr Kejriwal also said that the government is planning on giving 5,000 to the auto drivers to help them sustain their families. However, it will take some time.
He also wished people for Ram Navami and urged them to celebrate it from staying back at home and not by visiting temples. He said, "we will have to stay at home." Towards the end of his speech the chief minister requested people to ensure that their neighbours are not staying hungry.
Coronavirus News: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Briefs PM On COVID-19 Relief Measures
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel today briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about steps taken by the state government to contain the spread of coronavirus and relief measures initiated for people affected by the lockdown, officials in Raipur said.
PM Modi held a video conference with chief ministers to take stock of the situation arising out of the coronavirus outbreak and the subseqent 21-day lockdown enforced to tackle the pandemic.
Mr Baghel informed him about efforts being made to prevent and control the coronavirus spread in Chhattisgarh, an official of the government public relations department said.
The chief minister also provided details of measures being taken to provide relief to people, especially the poor, during the lockdown, he said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: 2-Year Jail Term For Violating COVID-19 Lockdown Order: Government
The government today directed states and union territories to arrest under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Disaster Management Act, 2005, people who violate the lockdown or make false claims.
In a letter to all chief secretaries of the states and union territories, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said the lockdown measures issued on March 24 clearly mentioned that "any person violating these containment measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC".
Mr Bhalla also cited the provisions of DM Act and IPC and said anyone obstructing enforcement of lockdown could be punishable for jail term of up to two years and anyone making false claim on any matter can be punished up to two years of jail with fine and laws, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Karnataka Chief Minister Distributes Milk To Urban Poor Amid Lockdown
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa today began distributing milk packets to the urban poor in Bengaluru.
This comes a day after he announced procurement of unsold milk from producers and its free distribution to the poor facing hardship during the lock down in the state.
He was accompanied by the Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwath Narayan, minister Shivaram Hebbar and health officials during his visit, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Philippine Ambassador To Lebanon Dies Of COVID-19
The Philippines' ambassador to Lebanon died of coronavirus Thursday, a statement said, one of only 16 recorded deaths in the country since the start of the pandemic.
The Philippines' department of foreign affairs expressed its "deep sadness" at the passing of Bernardita Catalla, which it said was the result of "complications arising from Covid 19".
Catalla had been very active in recent months organising the repatriation of some of the tens of thousands of Filipino domestic workers hoping to leave the country, news agency AFP reported.
Coronavirus News: "Spoke To States About Protective Gears": Health Ministry On COVID-19 Precautions
The Health Ministry today said that they have identified 9,000 people who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi's Nizamuddin. Nearly 1,300 are foreigners. There are total 328 new coronavirus cases in India and almost fifty people have died.
The ministry said that they are taking precautions for patients with kidney issues, they also said that new guidelines have been issued for the same. The health ministry said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on for training of frontline workers, involving retired doctors, volunteers and NGOs to set up a force. The ministry further said that they have talked to the states about the protective gears, ventilators and other requirements for treating the COVID-19 patients.
Coronavirus News: Sri Lankan Airlines Temporarily Suspends Flights Till April 21
The Sri Lankan Airlines today temporarily suspended all flight operations with effect from April 8 to April 21 in view of the travel restrictions imposed by various countries, including India, to combat the coronavirus spread.
"The airline is constantly reviewing the market conditions and the restrictions imposed by various authorities and will be ready to re-commence its operations at short notice even before April 21, 2020, following the lifting of such restrictions," the airline said in a statement.
It also said that it is "willing" to offer special flights during this period, if required, to repatriate Sri Lankans who want to return to the country, reported news agency ANI.
Coronavirus News: Don't Communalise Coronavirus Crisis: Communist Party
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M) today said that the coronavirus crisis should not be communalised and slammed both the Tablighi Jamaat as well as state authorities for allowing a mass gathering during the pandemic.
Six people who died in Telangana and one in Jammu and Kashmir had attended the religious congregation in Nizamuddin area in New Delhi.
In a statement the party said that all big gatherings, social, religious and political, that have been held in many parts of the country after the March 13 order prohibiting assembly of more than 200 people must be investigated thoroughly.
"The CPI (M) condemns the efforts and the campaign on social media to give this a communal color and to target a community. The coronavirus does not differentiate on the basis of religion. All efforts to communalise the issue must be rebuffed. We must learn from South Korea and Singapore in meticulously tracing all those attending large congregations, isolating them after aggressive testing and containing the community spread of COVID-19. India today has a very low testing rate i.e. 241 times lower than South Korea. This must be rectified urgently," a CPI(M) statement said, reported news agency PTI.
Indian Government Launches Aarogya Setu COVID-19 Tracker App on Android, iOS
Indian government has officially launched its COVID-19 tracking app, Aarogya Setu, for Android and iOS users. The app has been developed by the National Informatics Centre that comes under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
According to the app's description, it is aimed at "augmenting" efforts to "proactively" inform the citizens about the "best practices and relevant advisories pertaining to the containment of COVID-19." Both union and state governments have launched a host of coronavirus-related apps over the last few weeks to curb the spread of the pandemic in the country.
ASHA workers ''manhandled'' in Karnataka over coronavirus survey
Asha workers engaged to conduct coronavirus survery in certain minority dominated areas in Bengaluru were allegedly manhandled on Thursday, prompting the Karnataka government to issue a stern warning to the offenders.
The Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers along with health officials were conducting a door-to-door survey in the minority dominated areas in view of the virus spreading through those who returned to the state after attending a religious congregation in Delhi.
PM Modi holds video conference with Chief Ministers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a video conference with all chief ministers to discuss ways to check the spread of coronavirus. Contact tracing of those feared to be exposed to the deadly virus and isolation of those who test positive of the virus are likely to be discussed in the meeting, sources said.
The meeting is underway.
Issues such as spread of coronavirus, movement of migrants, availability of essentials and contact tracing of Tablighi Jamat participants are also likely to come up for discussion. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and top bureaucrats were present along with the prime minister.
Gujarat man with history of travel to Sri Lanka dies, 4 family members under treatment
A 52-year-old COVID-19 patient with a history of travel to Sri Lanka passed away on Thursday after battling with the lethal infection.
He was admitted to SSG Hospital, Vadodara on March 19.
"A 52-year-old COVID-19 patient lost his life today morning. He had a history of travel to Sri Lanka and he was admitted to SSG Hospital, Vadodara on 19 March," said S Agarwal, Vadodara Collector.
67-year-old from Haryana is 50th coronavirus casualty
A 67-year-old man from Haryana, who had tested positive for the virus earlier, died in Chandigarh today, making him the 50th novel coronavirus-linked death in the country. Of the 50 reported deaths 12 have come in the last 24 hours alone. Across the country 1,965 cases of the novel coronavirus have been recorded, with 328 being confirmed in the last 24 hours.
Durga Pujas set to take a hard knock due to COVID-19?
The budget of big-ticket Durga Pujas is set to take a hard knock due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak as sponsorships by corporate advertisers would be reduced, leading to scaling down of the grandeur, news agency PTI reported quoting event organisers.
The Durga Puja, the biggest festival in West Bengal, will be held in October this year.
Not just low-budget pujas, even organisers of the top draws may have to curtail their budget by 40 to 50 per cent, mostly on the decoration of marquees, said the Forum for Durgotsab, an association of community Durga Puja organisers in Kolkata and suburbs.
3 more test positive for COVID-19 in Assam, total cases rise to 16Three persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Goalpara district on Thursday, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 16, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
All the patients had attended the religious congregation at Tablighi Jamaat Markaz in Delhi's Nizamuddin West last month, he said.
COVID-19 cases and deaths rising, debt relief needed for poorest nations: WHOThe head of the World Health Organization voiced deep concern on Wednesday about the rapid escalation and global spread of COVID-19 cases from the new coronavirus, which has now reached 205 countries and territories.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that his agency, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund backed debt relief to help developing countries cope with the pandemic's social and economic consequences.
"In the next few days we will reach 1 million confirmed cases and 50,000 deaths worldwide," Mr Tedros told a virtual news conference at the organisation's Geneva headquarters.
12 more new cases in Indore; Madhya Pradesh tally jumps to 98
Twelve more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Indore, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in Madhya Pradesh to 98, PTI reported quoting a health official said on Thursday.
None of the 12 new patients have any history of travel.
Out of the total 98 coronavirus cases in the state, 75 have been reported from Indore, eight from Jabalpur, six from Ujjain, four from Bhopal, two each in Shivpuri and Gwalior and one from Khargone, the official said.
Ready To Help India To Procure Ventilators, But Scaling-Up Production A Challenge: ChinaChina on Wednesday said it is ready to help India procure the much-needed ventilators to treat coronavirus patients, but underlined that Chinese firms are finding difficult to scale-up production as they needed imported parts.
"Whether China help India with the production of ventilators, as we know, the Indian people are also defeating the pandemic under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We stand ready to share our experiences and provide our utmost help," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.
12 more test positive for COVID-19 in AssamTwelve more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Assam on Wednesday, taking the total number of such cases in the state to 13, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
All the patients had attended a congregation organised by the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi's Nizamuddin West last month, Mr Sarma said at a press conference.
Assam now has the highest number of cases in the Northeast, followed by Manipur and Mizoram with one case each.
The state has "entered a very critical stage and we have to maintain the lockdown strictly to ensure that the situation does not worsen", Mr Sarma said.
Padma Shri recipient, who tested positive yesterday, dies in Amritsar
Padma Shri recipient and former "Hazoori Raagi" at the Golden Temple, Nirmal Singh, who tested positive for coronavirus, has died in Amritsar. He is the fifth person to have died from the virus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed a 21-day lockdown that will end in mid-April in a desperate bid to stave off an epidemic among India's 130 crore people.
Tamil Nadu saw the biggest jump in cases on Tuesday, with 160 people testing coronavirus positive in 24 hours. The state has so far registered 234 COVID-19 cases and one death, with six recoveries, two of which were on Wednesday. Maharashtra registered 86 new cases on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 302. Nine people have died so far in the state.
India saw the highest jump in number of new coronavirus cases with 437 people testing positive for COVID-19 infection, the highest increase in a day so far. The total number of cases in the country now stand at 1,834, said the health ministry, adding that 41 people have been killed by the infection. According to the health ministry, 20 people recovered from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total of those who have recovered till now to 144.
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