5 years ago
New Delhi:
The highly infectious COVID-19 has killed 273 people in the country, with 34 new deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The total number of positive coronavirus cases is now 8,447. This come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a four-hour meet with at least 13 chief ministers on video conference. PM has indicated that the lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic would be extended by two weeks after considering the requests of the chief ministers, who preferred a longer containment period. The ongoing 21-day nationwide lockdown to contain the COVID-19 crisis, announced by PM Modi on March 24, is scheduled to end on April 14. PM also marked a shift in tackling the pandemic, from saving lives to saving both lives and the economy. The council of ministers has been asked to resume work from Monday. Apart from West Bengal, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana and Punjab have announced the extension of the lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Here are the Live Updates on Coronavirus Pandemic:
US records 1,514 virus deaths in past 24 hours
The United States recorded 1,514 deaths related to the coronavirus pandemic over the past 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University as of 8:30 pm Sunday (0030 GMT Monday).
The number of fatalities was lower than the previous day's toll of 1,920, AFP reported.
The outbreak has now claimed the lives of at least 22,020 people in the US, the most of any country.
The US also leads the world by far in the number of confirmed infections, with 555,313 by the Baltimore-based university's count.
Coronavirus update: Israel's former chief rabbi dies
Israel's former chief rabbi Eliahou Bakshi-Doron, who was known for promoting interfaith dialogue, died Sunday of the new coronavirus, AFP reported.
Bakshi-Doron, 79, was the Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel between 1993 and 2003.
Born in Jerusalem in 1941, he was chief rabbi of the northern port city of Haifa for 18 years before being elected chief rabbi of Israel.
COVID-19 update: 159 test negative in Himachal Pradesh, state tally at 32
The results of all 159 persons tested for COVID-19 turned out to be negative in Himachal Pradesh, according to the Health Department on April 12.
Therefore, the confirmed cases in the state stood at 32 on Sunday, including 15 active, four migrated and 12 recovered cases, ANI reported.
Coronavirus update: Anganwadi worker in Andhra Pradesh awarded
An Anganwadi worker was rewarded by the District Collector of Kurnool for staying by a pregnant woman and helping her during childbirth amid lockdown, ANI reported.
Coronavirus cases in US surpass 550,000
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States has surged past 5,54,000, as per the data from the Johns Hopkins University.
COVID-19 related fatalities in the country stand at over 21,900, with 6,898 deaths in New York City alone so far, ANI reported.
Yogi Adityanath forms committee to check if development work can resume amid lockdown
The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a committee under Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya to look into how development work in the state can resume amid the countrywide lockdown, while abiding with the social distancing norms.
"We have constituted a committee under Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya which will look at how development work can begin amid COVID-19 lockdown while following social distancing norms among labourers," Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was quoted as saying by ANI.
Yogi Adityanath forms committee to check if development work can resume amid lockdown
The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a committee under Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya to look into how development work in the state can resume amid the countrywide lockdown, while abiding with the social distancing norms.
"We have constituted a committee under Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya which will look at how development work can begin amid COVID-19 lockdown while following social distancing norms among labourers," Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was quoted as saying by ANI.
Coronavirus cases in Israel surge past 11,000
The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in Israel has grown to 11,145, including 103 fatalities, the country's Health Ministry said.
Donald Trump hails OPEC+ agreement as 'great deal for all'
US President Donald Trump welcomed a deal by top oil-producing countries to cut output to boost plummeting oil prices due to the COVID-19 crisis and a Russia-Saudi price war.
The big Oil Deal with OPEC Plus is done. This will save hundreds of thousands of energy jobs in the United States. I would like to thank and congratulate President Putin of Russia and King Salman of Saudi Arabia. I just spoke to them from the Oval Office. Great deal for all!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2020
Decision on lockdown to be taken as per Centre's guidelines: Bhupesh Baghel
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday reviewed the functioning of various government departments through video conference and discussed a possible extension of the lockdown as coronavirus pandemic rages on.
During the meeting, Mr Baghel said that several suggestions have been received from cabinet ministers regarding the lockdown, and any decision regarding the same will be taken as per the guidelines issued by the central government, ANI reported.
Karimnagar Police Commissioner distributes essential commodities to families of daily wage labourers
Karimnagar police commissioner VB Kamalasan Reddy on Sunday distributed essential commodities to the families of people who lost employment due to lockdown.
Local group Tower Circle Friends Association contributed towards the commodities. The goods were given to 60 families of labourers who do not even have ration cards, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus Update From Maharashtra: Solapur Reports First COVID-19 Case
A 56-year-old man from Solapur district of Maharashtra has died of COVID-19 in Pune, a senior official said on Sunday.
This was the first COVID-19 case as well as fatality from Solapur district, he said.
"The man was admitted in Pune civil hospital on April 10 following some ailments. He died the next day during treatment," he said.
PTI Input
A 56-year-old man from Solapur district of Maharashtra has died of COVID-19 in Pune, a senior official said on Sunday.
This was the first COVID-19 case as well as fatality from Solapur district, he said.
"The man was admitted in Pune civil hospital on April 10 following some ailments. He died the next day during treatment," he said.
PTI Input
COVID-19 Update: Odisha declares more areas as containment zones
With fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Odisha, the state government on Sunday declared more areas as containment zones
to check the spread of the disease, officials said.
The administration will conduct surveillance on residents of the areas and trace the persons with whom four new COVID-19 patients had come in contact with, they said.
All the four new patients have travel history, with one of them having attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi's Nizamuddin area.
PTI Input
With fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Odisha, the state government on Sunday declared more areas as containment zones
to check the spread of the disease, officials said.
The administration will conduct surveillance on residents of the areas and trace the persons with whom four new COVID-19 patients had come in contact with, they said.
All the four new patients have travel history, with one of them having attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi's Nizamuddin area.
PTI Input
Coronavirus Update: COVID-19 Cases Rise To 1,982 In Maharashtra
With 221 people testing positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra on Sunday, the state tally of such patients has reached 1,982, a state health official said.
Twenty-two coronavirus positive patients died due to the infection in the state on Sunday, which increased the death toll to 149, he said.
"Of the 22 deceased, 15 were in the age group of 40 to 60 years, while six others were above 60 years of age. Rest of the patients were less than 40 years of age," he added.
With 221 people testing positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra on Sunday, the state tally of such patients has reached 1,982, a state health official said.
Twenty-two coronavirus positive patients died due to the infection in the state on Sunday, which increased the death toll to 149, he said.
"Of the 22 deceased, 15 were in the age group of 40 to 60 years, while six others were above 60 years of age. Rest of the patients were less than 40 years of age," he added.
Twenty of these 22 had high risk co-morbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma and heart ailment, the official said.
PTI
West Bengal makes wearing mask compulsory in public places
The West Bengal government on Sunday made wearing masks mandatory for people visiting public places, a senior official said.
An order to this effect was issued by Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha Sunday evening.
"Mouth and nose should be covered by facial masks or any other available piece of cloth which may even include a properly folded or rolled dupatta, gamcha, handkerchief or any such material that acts as a protective cover," said the order, signed by the Chief Secretary.
"It is hereby directed that it shall be mandatory to use this cover always, especially when in public places."
West Bengal has witnessed seven COVID-19 deaths and currently there are 95 active coronovirus cases.
The West Bengal government on Sunday made wearing masks mandatory for people visiting public places, a senior official said.
An order to this effect was issued by Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha Sunday evening.
"Mouth and nose should be covered by facial masks or any other available piece of cloth which may even include a properly folded or rolled dupatta, gamcha, handkerchief or any such material that acts as a protective cover," said the order, signed by the Chief Secretary.
"It is hereby directed that it shall be mandatory to use this cover always, especially when in public places."
West Bengal has witnessed seven COVID-19 deaths and currently there are 95 active coronovirus cases.
PTI
Coronavirus Karnataka News: BS Yediyurappa Hits Bengaluru Roads To Inspect Lockdown
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa sprang a surprise on Sunday when he went for rounds in Bengaluru to inspect the implementation of lockdown without any prior information.
The surpise tour comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conference with the Chief Ministers of all the states to discuss the lockdown over COVID-19 pandemic.
According to sources close to the Chief Minister, there was no pre-
decided schedule for the city rounds but all of a sudden, the Chief Minister made the plan.
Two days ago, Mr Yediyurappa had revamped the cabinet by assigning district level responsibility to the ministers and retained Bengaluru urban district with him.
Coronavirus Update From Aurangabad: 92 Fined For Not Wearing Masks
A total of 92 people in Maharashtra's Aurangabad were on Sunday made to pay Rs 46,000 towards the fine for not wearing face masks in public places, civic commissioner Astik Kumar Pandey said.
Wearing of masks in public was made mandatory by the municipal corporation in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
"A civic squad on Sunday found 92 people moving in various areas of the city without wearing masks. Each person paid the fine of Rs 500. We recovered the total fine of Rs 46,000 from them," he said.
A total of 92 people in Maharashtra's Aurangabad were on Sunday made to pay Rs 46,000 towards the fine for not wearing face masks in public places, civic commissioner Astik Kumar Pandey said.
Wearing of masks in public was made mandatory by the municipal corporation in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
"A civic squad on Sunday found 92 people moving in various areas of the city without wearing masks. Each person paid the fine of Rs 500. We recovered the total fine of Rs 46,000 from them," he said.
Mr Pandey also said that cases would be registered against the violators for flouting the lockdown norms.
ANI Input
Coronavirus Update: Masks To Be Made Mandatory In West Bengal
The West Bengal government is going to make masks mandatory for people when stepping out of their houses. The official announcement is expected shortly.
The West Bengal government is going to make masks mandatory for people when stepping out of their houses. The official announcement is expected shortly.
Coronavirus updtae from Mumbai: 7 arrested over social distancing
Seven members of a charitable trust were arrested for allegedly violating the social distancing norms by distributing essential commodities to hundreds of people at one place in Mumbai's Oshiwara.
Seven members of a charitable trust were arrested for allegedly violating the social distancing norms by distributing essential commodities to hundreds of people at one place in Mumbai's Oshiwara.
Coronavirus Update From Pune: 30 Nurses Quarantined In Pune
As many as 30 nurses have been quarantined at Ruby Hall Hospital here after a nurse tested positive for COVID-19, an official said.
The 45-year-old nurse, who has been tested positive for the virus, was on leave and had recently joined the hospital. She was tested for the coronavirus after she reported mild symptoms, and was found positive for the virus.
Maharashtra is the worst affected State with 1,895 cases reported so far.
ANI Update
As many as 30 nurses have been quarantined at Ruby Hall Hospital here after a nurse tested positive for COVID-19, an official said.
The 45-year-old nurse, who has been tested positive for the virus, was on leave and had recently joined the hospital. She was tested for the coronavirus after she reported mild symptoms, and was found positive for the virus.
Maharashtra is the worst affected State with 1,895 cases reported so far.
ANI Update
Coronavirus Update: COVID-19 positive cases in Haryana rise to 181
The total number of COVID-19 positive cases in Haryana rose to 181 on Sunday.
"The total number of COVID19 positive cases in the State is 181 including 149 active cases and 30 discharged. The toll due to the coronavirus is two," said the Health Department in its bulletin.
The total number of COVID-19 positive cases in Haryana rose to 181 on Sunday.
"The total number of COVID19 positive cases in the State is 181 including 149 active cases and 30 discharged. The toll due to the coronavirus is two," said the Health Department in its bulletin.
India's count of coronavirus cases has risen to 8,447, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday.
ANI Input
17 COVID-19 cases reported in Karnataka
As many as 17 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed on Sunday in Karnataka, taking the total number of infected to 232, the health department said.
This includes six deaths and 54 discharges. According to the bulletin issued by the health department, six cases were reported from Vijayapura, four cases in Belagavi, three each in Bengaluru city and Kalaburagi and one in Mysuru.
106 fresh COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu reported 106 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of those infected to 1,075 on Sunday, the state government said. Health Secretary Beela Rajesh said of the 106, as many as 16 had "inter-state travel" history and the remaining were their contacts.
Mumbai Update: Fire Department uses mist blowing machine to disinfect Dharavi
Fire Department officials used Protector 600, an advanced level ariel mist blowing machine in Mumbai's Dharavi slum area on Sunday to disinfect the locality, in a bid to curb the rising COVID-19 cases.
Dharavi area today reported 15 more COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the locality to 43, the state health department said.
There have been four deaths in the area.
On Sunday, as many as 134 more coronavirus cases have been reported in Maharashtra, taking the total count of COVID-19 cases in the state to 1895.
Fire Department officials used Protector 600, an advanced level ariel mist blowing machine in Mumbai's Dharavi slum area on Sunday to disinfect the locality, in a bid to curb the rising COVID-19 cases.
Dharavi area today reported 15 more COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the locality to 43, the state health department said.
There have been four deaths in the area.
On Sunday, as many as 134 more coronavirus cases have been reported in Maharashtra, taking the total count of COVID-19 cases in the state to 1895.
Rajasthan prisoners cook for migrants, stitch masks, make sanitiser
Stepping forward to help in the fight against coronavirus from behind the high walls of their jails, hundreds of Rajasthan's prisoners are busy cooking food, stitching masks, packing protection kits and manufacturing thousands of litres of sanitiser each day.
About 400 inmates of various prisons in the desert state cook for 1,500 to 2,000 people, many of them migrant workers on their way home but stuck because of the lockdown or homeless people housed in shelter homes. They also help meet the demand for sanitiser, masks and packed dry rations from government departments NGOs and hospitals.
COVID-19 Update: Manipur's First COVID-19 Patient Discharged From Hospital
The first COVID-19 positive patient of Manipur, who was undergoing treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), in Manipur was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, doctors said.
Director of JNIMS Prof Thongam Bhimo said the woman was discharged as she had recovered completely after successful treatment.
The 23-year-old woman, a resident of Thangmeiband Lourung Purel Leikai area in Imphal West district, had returned from the UK.
The first COVID-19 positive patient of Manipur, who was undergoing treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), in Manipur was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, doctors said.
Director of JNIMS Prof Thongam Bhimo said the woman was discharged as she had recovered completely after successful treatment.
The 23-year-old woman, a resident of Thangmeiband Lourung Purel Leikai area in Imphal West district, had returned from the UK.
PTI
Coronavirus Update From Rajasthan: 96 More COVID-19 Cases In Rajasthan, Total Count Reaches 796
A total of 96 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Rajasthan on Sunday, taking the cumulative positive cases in the State to 796, said the Health Department.
"96 new COVID-19 cases have been reported today including 35 from Jaipur and 11 from Tonk. Total positive cases rise to 796," said the Health Department.
PTI Input
A total of 96 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Rajasthan on Sunday, taking the cumulative positive cases in the State to 796, said the Health Department.
"96 new COVID-19 cases have been reported today including 35 from Jaipur and 11 from Tonk. Total positive cases rise to 796," said the Health Department.
PTI Input
16 of 18 active coronavirus cases linked to Jamaat event: HP officials
Sixteen of the 18 active coronavirus cases currently in Himachal Pradesh are linked to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi''s Nizamuddin last month, officials said here on Sunday.
The officials said they are either members of the Jamaat or their contacts. The rest two are the paramedics of a private hospital in Solan's Baddi.
They had come in contact with a 70-year-old Delhi resident woman, who stayed at a guest house in Baddi last month and died of coronavirus at the Chandigarh''s PGIMER on April 2, the officials said.
Coronavirus Update: Himachal Police Chief Warns People Against Violating Home Quarantine
Himachal Pradesh DGP Sita Ram Mardi on Sunday warned people against violating the mandatory home quarantine, saying such people will be sent to the isolation facilities set up by the administration.
In a recorded video statement amid the coronavirus outbreak, the DGP said it had come to their notice that several people had "jumped home quarantine".
Himachal Pradesh DGP Sita Ram Mardi on Sunday warned people against violating the mandatory home quarantine, saying such people will be sent to the isolation facilities set up by the administration.
In a recorded video statement amid the coronavirus outbreak, the DGP said it had come to their notice that several people had "jumped home quarantine".
If any such incident occurs in future, such person will be kept in the institutional quarantine, he warned.
PTI Input
Coronavirus Update From UK: Boris Johnson, Out Of ICU, Praises Hospital Staff
Mr Johnson, 55, was taken to St Thomas's Hospital in central London a week ago, suffering from persistent symptoms of the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
On April 6 he was moved into intensive care, where he remained until April 9.
"I can't thank them enough. I owe them my life," Mr Johnson said of the staff at the hospital, which is just across the River Thames from the Houses of Parliament.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he owes his life to the staff of Britain's state-run National Health Service, in his first comments since being released from intensive care for treatment for COVID-19.
On April 6 he was moved into intensive care, where he remained until April 9.
"I can't thank them enough. I owe them my life," Mr Johnson said of the staff at the hospital, which is just across the River Thames from the Houses of Parliament.
Nepal, Bangladesh Among 13 Nations To Get Anti-Malarial Drug From India
India has cleared the first list of 13 countries for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) which includes US, Spain, Germany, Bahrain, Brazil, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives and Bangladesh, the sources told news agency ANI.
Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug deemed to be useful in dealing with COVID-19.
India has cleared the first list of 13 countries for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) which includes US, Spain, Germany, Bahrain, Brazil, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives and Bangladesh, the sources told news agency ANI.
They said that the US had asked for 48 lakh tablets of HCQ and India has sanctioned 35.82 lakh tablets, sources said.
Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug deemed to be useful in dealing with COVID-19.
The sources said that India has also sent nine MT of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) to the US in line with its request.
ANI Input
Nagpur Coronavirus Update: 4 Of 14 New Coronavirus Patients Were Nizamuddin Event Attendees
Fourteen persons tested coronavirus positive in Nagpur on Sunday, four of whom had attended last months Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi's Nizamuddin, an official said.
These 14 new patients took the number of COVID-19 patients in the city to 41.
Fourteen persons tested coronavirus positive in Nagpur on Sunday, four of whom had attended last months Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi's Nizamuddin, an official said.
These 14 new patients took the number of COVID-19 patients in the city to 41.
Six of these total 14 patients have been quarantined at the facility created in the MLA Hostel. Eight others are admitted to the isolation ward of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), the official said.
PTI
ITBP begins yoga classes for inmates at COVID-19 quarantine facility in Delhi
Over 150 inmates living at the ITBP COVID-19 quarantine facility in Delhi are being taught yoga by special instructors to reduce their stress as they await for their departure from the facility amidst the ongoing lockdown, officials said on Sunday.
The border guarding force has deputed a team of its yoga experts to administer the protocol at the facility located in south-west Delhi's Chhawla area.
There are about 150 inmates, brought to the facility from Milan and Rome in Italy, residing at the quarantine centre at present, an ITBP spokesperson said.
Rajasthan records 96 more cases of coronavirus; total now 796
Rajasthan recorded 96 more confirmed cases of coronavirus on Sunday, taking the state's tally to 796, an official said here. The virus has so far claimed nine lives in the state. "As many as 96 new cases have come up today in 11 districts of the state," additional Chief Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said. He said the total number of coronavirus positive cases in the state stood at 796.
Coronavirus Update From Uttarakhand: Salaries, allowances of Uttarakhand MLAs reduced by 30%
The salaries of Uttarakhand MLAs and their constituency and secretarial allowances have been reduced by 30 per cent.
"Salaries of Uttarakhand MLAs and their constituency and secretarial allowances reduced by 30 per cent, after the state cabinet's decision, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic," said State Assembly Secretary Jagdish Chandra.
State Health Department on Saturday said that no new positive COVID-19 case in the state for the third day in a row.
The total number of cases in the state remains at 35.
The salaries of Uttarakhand MLAs and their constituency and secretarial allowances have been reduced by 30 per cent.
"Salaries of Uttarakhand MLAs and their constituency and secretarial allowances reduced by 30 per cent, after the state cabinet's decision, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic," said State Assembly Secretary Jagdish Chandra.
State Health Department on Saturday said that no new positive COVID-19 case in the state for the third day in a row.
The total number of cases in the state remains at 35.
Wear Masks Or Face Fine Or 3-Year Jail Term: Ahmedabad Civic Body
The Ahmedabad civic body has made it compulsory for people to wear masks in public places from Monday, failing which offenders will be fined Rs 5,000 or sentenced to three-year imprisonment, an official said.
"Wearing masks has been made mandatory for everybody while stepping out of their homes, starting 6 am on Monday," Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra told reporters.
Those who fail to comply with the order will be fined Rs 5,000or sentenced to three years in jail, Mr Nehra said.
An order to this effect has been passed under the Epidemic Diseases Act, he said.
Haryana COVID-19 Positive Cases Rise To 179
The number of coronavirus cases rose to 179 in Haryana on Sunday, with seven of the total 14 fresh cases being reported from the worst-hit Nuh district, according to the state health department.
Kurukshetra district, which had so far remained COVID-free, reported first of its two cases while Faridabad and Yamunanagar districts also reported two cases each.
Nuh and Karnal reported seven and one case, respectively.
Not Just Lockdown, Intense Testing, Contact Tracing Equally Crucial To Fight COVID-19: Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac
Ramping up efforts to "stamp out" coronavirus cases in the state, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac has said that not only lockdown but intense testing of people and tracing of their contacts are also equally important in the fight against the outbreak.
Kerala, which was the first state in the country to report a coronavirus infection in late January, has also prepared a time table for coming out of the lockdown and there would be district-specific strategies to tackle the situation while the number of cases are on the decline.
UAE Ready To Fly Stranded Indians If They Test Negative For Coronavirus: Envoy
The UAE has offered to fly stranded Indians and citizens of other countries, who wish to be repatriated, if they test negative for COVID-19, the country's envoy to India told a Gulf daily.
The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) had sent out a "note verbale" in this regard to all the embassies in the UAE, including the Indian mission, during the past couple of weeks, the country's Ambassador to India Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Banna told Gulf News over phone on Saturday.
COVID-19: ''Happiness Classes'' To Be Conducted At Homes Of Delhi Government School Children
The Delhi government's pet project of 'happiness classes'' for school children will resume from Sunday as they will be conducted at homes due to the lockdown in view of the COVID-19 situation in the country. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said happiness classes have a crucial role to play in such "turbulent times".
"The purpose behind the 'happiness curriculum'' is to make children introspect and get to know themselves better. Mindfulness is practised by all 16 lakh students everyday in our schools," he said.
Two Kolkata Schools Put On Hold Fee Hike, Amid Lockdown
Two prominent schools in the city have put on hold their decision to hike fees for the new session, in response to a plea by the government asking educational institutes to be "sympathetic" towards parents, amid the difficulties faced by them during the lockdown.
South Point School, one of the largest educational institutes in Asia, said in a statement on Saturday that the fee structure proposed by the school for 2020-21 "shall presently be held in abeyance".
COVID-19 Lockdown: Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation Cancels Bookings, Initiates Refunds
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on Sunday cancelled all bookings and initiated a refund process amid reports that the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown is likely to be extended.
"All tickets have been cancelled and refund process has been initiated. Till further orders, we are not taking further bookings," KSRTC PRO Latha TS told ANI in the morning.
So far, the state of Karnataka has reported 214 COVID-19 positive cases. Out the total, 37 people have recovered and 6 have lost their lives.
COVID-19 Lockdown: Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation Cancels Bookings, Initiates Refunds
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on Sunday cancelled all bookings and initiated a refund process amid reports that the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown is likely to be extended.
"All tickets have been cancelled and refund process has been initiated. Till further orders, we are not taking further bookings," KSRTC PRO Latha TS told ANI in the morning.
So far, the state of Karnataka has reported 214 COVID-19 positive cases. Out the total, 37 people have recovered and 6 have lost their lives.
COVID-19: Delhi Government Declares 33 Containment Zones
Thirty three areas in Delhi have been declared as ''containment zones'' in a bid to contain coronavirus spread.
Areas around House No-A 176, Deoli Extension; A-30 Mansarovar Garden; and Street nos. 1 to 10, C block, Jahangirpuri have been declared as ''containment zones'' by the Delhi government after COVID-19 patients were found there.
Streets and roads in the national capital wore a deserted look as people are practicing self-isolation while police barricading is done at the 33 containment areas.
Coronavirus Updates: Chhattisgarh Hospital Contributes For COVID-19 Relief
Bal Gopal Hospital of Raipur has pledged rations for ''Donation on Wheels'', a state government initiative to help people during COVID-19 lockdown. The hospital is also providing free food to the family of patients who come in for treatment.
"People who are financially strained are facing difficulty during the lockdown, so we felt that we should also contribute to the society," said Dr Ashok, Hospital Director.
"Right from the first day of the lockdown, we are giving free food to both patients and their family members, which include rice, vegetable, a complete diet. Around 150 people are covered under this initiative," he added.
Coronavirus India: Karnataka Government Studying In-Depth Consequences Of Lockdown Norms Relaxation
The Karnataka government is studying in-depth the consequences of possible relaxation of lockdown norms after April 14 and plans to come out with a clear roadmap in a day or two, a key Minister said on Sunday.
Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar K, who is in-charge of all matters related to COVID-19, told PTI that the pros and
cons of any decision that the Government intends to take is being looked at in detail.
COVID-19: Saudi Arabia Extends Coronavirus Curfew Indefinitely
Saudi Arabia's King Salman extended a nationwide curfew until further notice due to the spread of the new coronavirus, the interior ministry said on Sunday, after the kingdom reported more than 300 new infections on each of the last four days.
Last week Saudi Arabia placed its capital Riyadh and other big cities under a 24-hour curfew, locking down much of the population to stem the spread of the virus.
Elsewhere, the curfew which began on March 23 runs from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Coronavirus India: Doctors In Aligarh Buy PPE After Raising Funds
Junior doctors at the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital in Aligarh city of Uttar Pradesh has purchased protective gear worth Rs 1 lakh after an acute shortage of vital protective gear for healthcare workers.
"The Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital is one of the frontline medical centres for testing and treating COVID-19 patients in Uttar Pradesh," Shah Nawaz Iqbali, vice president of the resident doctors' association, told reporters on Sunday. "The concern of the medical fraternity here should not be ignored."
Watch | Health workers cheer for a #COVID19 survivor in Bengaluru's KG General Hospital. pic.twitter.com/SzbnsSl8OY
- NDTV (@ndtv) April 12, 2020
Coronavirus Updates: Five New COVID-19 Cases In Nashik
Five more persons have tested positive for coronavirus in Nashik, taking the total number of such cases in the Maharashtra district to 20, an official said on Sunday.
All the new patients, including three females and two males, are from Malegon town, the district administration official said.
Out of the 53 swab samples sent for testing, results of five came out positive around Saturday midnight and 48 were negative, he said.
Earlier, one COVID-19 death was reported from the district on April 8.
Watch | Punjab cop's hand chopped, 2 injured in an attack by group defying #CoronavirusLockdown https://t.co/FeJWWuPpQp pic.twitter.com/4MYd1q6mOc
- NDTV (@ndtv) April 12, 2020
Coronavirus Updates: Bar Council Of Delhi Extends Full Support To PM Modi In COVID-19 Battle
The Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) on Sunday, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, assured that the legal community will fully co-operate and play an active role in steps to contain the spread of coronavirus.
In the letter to the Prime Minister, the BCD urged him to assure the nation that the legal community will fully co-operate and play an active role to take all steps to curtail the spread of coronavirus and to eliminate it totally.
BCD Chairman KC Mittal stressed that as a responsible citizen, it is everyone''s duty to adhere to the instructions to maintain social distance, use masks and wash hands regularly.
COVID-19: Quarantine Wards Set Up At Corbett To Save Wildlife From Coronavirus
Transmission of the novel coronavirus to a tiger at a zoo in the US has led authorities at the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand to set up quarantine wards in its ranges for tigers, elephants and sniffer dog squads to protect them from the virus.
Quarantine wards have been set up at Kalagarh and Bijrani ranges of the reserve in compliance with the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, CTR Director Rahul told PTI.
Coronavirus News: 15 More COVID-19 Cases Reported From Mumbai's Dharavi Area
Mumbai's Dharavi area on Sunday reported 15 more COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the locality to 43, the state health department said.
Four people residing in the area had earlier died due to COVID-19.
Maharashtra has so far recorded 1761 cases of coronavirus with 208 patients being cured. Out the total cases, 127 have lost their lives, the data compiled by the Union Health Ministry revealed.
The tally of the country's novel coronavirus cases has increased to 8356 on Sunday. Of these, 716 have been cured and discharged, and 273 have succumbed to the virus.
Coronavirus India: 5 Recovered Persons Volunteer To Work At COVID-19 Care Centre In Ahmedabad
In a unique initiative, the Ahmedabad civic body has roped in five persons who have recovered from the coronavirus infection to work as volunteers at a care centre set up for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients who do not suffer from any underlying complications.
The initiative has been taken as the patients who have recovered are likely to have developed immunity to the disease and chances of them contracting the infection again are several times less than others, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra said on Saturday.
"Stay Where You Are": Ambassador Sandhu Tells Stranded Indian Students In US
India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu has advised the Indian students, stranded in America due to the sudden closure of universities and the ongoing lockdown back home because of the coronavirus pandemic, to stay where they are and assured them help in this crisis situation.
Mr Sandhu addressed the concerns of over 500 Indian students who attended the Instagram Live session hosted by the Indian Embassy on Saturday. The session was coordinated by India Student Hub Team.
"At this time the most advisable thing to do is stay where you are," Mr Sandhu said in response to a question during the live session.
"Stay Where You Are": Ambassador Sandhu Tells Stranded Indian Students In US
India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu has advised the Indian students, stranded in America due to the sudden closure of universities and the ongoing lockdown back home because of the coronavirus pandemic, to stay where they are and assured them help in this crisis situation.
Mr Sandhu addressed the concerns of over 500 Indian students who attended the Instagram Live session hosted by the Indian Embassy on Saturday. The session was coordinated by India Student Hub Team.
"At this time the most advisable thing to do is stay where you are," Mr Sandhu said in response to a question during the live session.
"Stay Where You Are": Ambassador Sandhu Tells Stranded Indian Students In US
India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu has advised the Indian students, stranded in America due to the sudden closure of universities and the ongoing lockdown back home because of the coronavirus pandemic, to stay where they are and assured them help in this crisis situation.
Mr Sandhu addressed the concerns of over 500 Indian students who attended the Instagram Live session hosted by the Indian Embassy on Saturday. The session was coordinated by India Student Hub Team.
"At this time the most advisable thing to do is stay where you are," Mr Sandhu said in response to a question during the live session.
Three-Week Lockdown Reasonable Starting Point To Fight Coronavirus In India: Former White House Official
A three-week lockdown is a reasonable starting point to contain the coronavirus pandemic in a country like India, an eminent Indian-American epidemiologist has said, cautioning that a successful fight against the deadly virus might require some more time.
Rajeev Venkayya, Special Assistant to the President for Biodefense at the White House during the Bush administration who oversaw US preparedness for bioterrorism and biological threats, told PTI it was difficult to say how much more time India would require to thwart the COVID-19 challenge.
Coronavirus India: British Airways to fly back 900 UK nationals stranded in Gujarat due to lockdown: news agency PTI quoting officials.
Coronavirus Updates: Malaysia's Airasia Founders Not Taking Salary; Staff Accepts Up To 75% Pay Cut
The founders of Malaysia's AirAsia Group Bhd will not take salaries and its staff has agreed to an as much as 75% cut in pay due to the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak on the airline, its chief executive said late on Saturday.
Coronavirus Updates: Malaysia's Airasia Founders Not Taking Salary; Staff Accepts Up To 75% Pay Cut
The founders of Malaysia's AirAsia Group Bhd will not take salaries and its staff has agreed to an as much as 75% cut in pay due to the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak on the airline, its chief executive said late on Saturday.
PM Modi Says He Hopes This Day Adds "Strength To Overcome COVID-19"
This year's Easter Sunday is being spent by devotees at home due to the ongoing nationwide lockdown amid coronavirus pandemic, as churches across the country will remain closed, while some of them are live-streaming services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter today to wish people on the occasion of Easter, saying that he hopes this day adds "strength to successfully overcome COVID-19 and create a healthier planet."
Migrant Workers Returning Home Could Spread Coronavirus: World Bank
The World Bank on Sunday said migrant workers returning home could become vectors carrying the coronavirus to unaffected states and villages and that preliminary findings indicated in India many outmigration areas are likely to have COVID-19 cases.
Coronavirus "Perfect Storm" For India, Rest Of South Asia: World Bank
South Asia is on course for its worst economic performance in 40 years, with decades of progress in the battle against poverty at risk, because of coronavirus, the World Bank said Sunday.
India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other smaller nations, which have 1.8 billion people and some of the planet's most densely populated cities, have so far reported relatively few coronavirus cases but experts fear they could be the next hotspots.
Government Offices In Nagaland To Open From Monday
All government offices in Nagaland, including the civil secretariat and the directorates in capital Kohima and Dimapur, will resume functioning with skeletal staff from Monday.
All government offices in Nagaland, including the civil secretariat and the directorates in capital Kohima and Dimapur, will resume functioning with skeletal staff from Monday.
Check out the trend of #COVID19 cases across states in India https://t.co/hFCYEXro7T pic.twitter.com/jj3TSJyJyF
- NDTV (@ndtv) April 12, 2020
Coronavirus Cases In India Cross 8,000-Mark, 34 Dead In 24 Hours
The highly infectious novel coronavirus or COVID-19 has infected 8,356 people in India, killed 273, the Union Health Ministry said today, adding that 909 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, 34 people died.
The highly infectious novel coronavirus or COVID-19 has infected 8,356 people in India, killed 273, the Union Health Ministry said today, adding that 909 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, 34 people died.
Anti-Malaria Drug Linked To Coronavirus Treatment Reaches US From India
A consignment of hydroxychloroquine from India arrived at the Newark airport on Saturday (local time), according to India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
"Supporting our partners in the fight against #Covid19. Consignment of hydroxychloroquine from India arrived at Newark airport today," he said in a tweet.
#Coronavirus cases in India cross 8,000-mark, 34 deaths and 909 new cases in 24 hours.
- NDTV (@ndtv) April 12, 2020
Live updates here: https://t.co/iErhtF82L9 pic.twitter.com/Vqzksvu4vc
Manipur Government Makes It Mandatory To Use The Mask In Public Places
The state government has ordered that all people who come out in public space will have to wear a mask covering the person's nose and mouth in the public interest, this has already come into force, official sources added. Defaulters will be penalized, government sources added.
UK Pleges 200 Million Pounds In Aid To Help Stop Second Coronavirus Wave
Britain said on Sunday it was pledging 200 million pounds ($248 million) to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and charities to help slow the spread of the coronavirus in vulnerable countries and so help prevent a second wave of infections.
JustIn| Coronavirus cases in India cross 8,000-mark, 34 dead in 24 hours
The highly infectious COVID-19 has killed 273 people in the country, with 34 new deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The total number of positive coronavirus cases is now 8,356.
More Than 10% Of US Carrier's Crew Test Positive For Virus: Navy
More than 10 percent of the 4,800 crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier have tested positive for the coronavirus, the Navy said Saturday, days after the navy chief resigned over his mishandling of the outbreak.
"92 percent of the TR crew have been tested. As of today, 550 were positive, 3,673 were negative," a US Navy spokesman told AFP.
The spokesman said 3,696 have been moved to hotels and barracks available on Guam, where the ship has been docked since its former captain blew the whistle on the outbreak, igniting a public standoff with the Pentagon that culminated in the resignation of US Navy Secretary Thomas Modly on Tuesday.
Ministers Back In Offices From Monday As PM Alters Lockdown Tactic
The Council of Ministers, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nirmala Sitharaman, will resume work at their ministries from Monday, a day before the end of the lockdown to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, sources said on Saturday evening.
Canadian Lawmakers Approve Vast Pandemic Economic Aid Program
Canadian lawmakers passed a wage subsidy program Saturday heralded as the largest economic measure in the country since World War II, to help businesses and their employees get through the coronavirus crisis.
Parliament is suspended but held an exceptional session in the middle of Easter weekend to adopt the Can$73 billion (US$52 billion) program, which aims to pay companies 75 percent of their employees' salaries to avoid massive layoffs.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the session. He had been in isolation in his home for a month after his wife contracted the virus.
Coronavirus: At Least 40 Indians, Indian-Americans Dead In US, Over 1,500 Test COVID-19 Positive
More than 40 Indian-Americans and citizens of India have reportedly lost their lives due to the deadly coronavirus and the number of those having tested positive for the dreaded disease is likely over 1,500, according to community leaders in the US, now the global COVID-19 hotspot.
The US has become the world's first country to have registered more than 2,000 COVID-19 deaths in a single day with 2,108 fatalities reported in the past 24 hours, while the number of infections in America has crossed 500,000, according to latest Johns Hopkins University data.
6 Employees Of Mumbai's Iconic Taj Mahal Hotels Test Positive For Coronavirus
At least six employees of the iconic Taj Mahal Palace and Taj Mahal Towers hotel in south Mumbai's Colaba have tested positive for coronavirus, a doctor attached to a private hospital said on Saturday.
Indian Hotels Company (IHC), which runs the Taj Hotel chain, confirmed that some of its employees have tested positive for the contagious virus, but did not specify the number.
Coronavirus Could Have Infected 8.2 Lakh Without Lockdown: Centre
The Union health ministry on Saturday said the number of coronavirus cases in India would have shot up to 8.2 lakh by April 15 had the centre not enforced a nationwide lockdown and other containment measures.
"According to a statistical analysis by us, India would have registered a 41 per cent cumulative rise in the number of cases, taking the total to 2.08 lakh on April 11 and 8.2 lakh by April 15 had there been no lockdown or other containment measures," Health Ministry official Lav Agarwal said in his daily briefing
US Records Highest Global Coronavirus Deaths As Count Passes 20,000: Report
The US death toll in the coronavirus outbreak topped 20,000 on Saturday, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. The outbreak has now claimed the lives of at least 20,071 people in the US, which also leads the world in the number of confirmed infections with 519,453, by the Baltimore-based school's count.
2 More Weeks Of COVID-19 Lockdown, PM Modi And States Agree
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held a four-hour meet with at least 13 chief ministers on video conference today, has indicated that the lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic would be extended by two weeks after considering the requests of the chief ministers, who preferred a longer containment period.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held a four-hour meet with at least 13 chief ministers on video conference today, has indicated that the lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic would be extended by two weeks after considering the requests of the chief ministers, who preferred a longer containment period.
- Odisha and Punjab have already announced an extension of the lockdown.
- Shortly after the meeting with PM, both Maharashtra and Telangana also announced an extension.
- The Bihar government in a letter to the centre raised no objection to extending the lockdown; however, it wants an exception for rural construction and flood relief work to continue, sources have told NDTV. Bihar saw massive floods last year and rebuilding projects are still going on.
Here is what the Chief Ministers said on the extension of lockdown:
- "PM has taken correct decision to extend lockdown. Today, India's position is better than many developed countries because we started lockdown early. If it is stopped now, all gains would be lost. To consolidate, it is imp to extend it," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted minutes after the meeting.
- "Extend the lockdown. We're not short on infrastructure to deal with coronavirus, but the question is of implementing policies effectively. PM Modi has always welcomed the suggestions of states," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.
- "It is important to extend the nation-wide lockdown... We need a common relief policy for rabi (winter) crop," Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the lockdown extension should be done in a "humane and practical" manner, adding the economy of her state has suffered.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held a four-hour meet with at least 13 chief ministers on video conference on Saturday, has indicated that the lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic would be extended by two weeks.
- PM Modi also marked a shift in tackling the pandemic, from saving lives to saving both lives and the economy.
- Three weeks ago, while announcing the lockdown, PM Modi had said, "Jaan hai toh jahaan hai (the world exists if life exists)." Towards the end of the meeting today, however, he stressed on "Jaan bhi jahaan bhi (both life and economy are important)" as the lockdown has put severe stress on businesses.
- Sources say, after the Prime Minister's "jaan bhi jahaan bhi" comment, the council of ministers has been asked to resume work from Monday.
