The number of coronavirus cases in the country has climbed to 5,734, including 149 deaths.
Odisha became the first state in the country to extend the lockdown over the COVID-19 pandemic till April 30 as the number of patients infected by the novel coronavirus continue to rise across the country. Seventeen people, who had tested positive for the coronavirus, died across the country in the last 24 hours, taking the number of dead to 169 in India. The number of people infected with COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, rose to 5,865 on Thursday, government data showed. A novel virus is one that has not been previously identified in humans. PM Modi, in a video meeting with leaders of all parties, has suggested that the lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus will be extended and restrictions will not be lifted in one go after April 14.
Several hotspots have been singled out in cities across the country for greater effort on isolating them completely. In Delhi, 20 coronavirus hotspots in Delhi - including the famous Sadar Bazar -- will be sealed, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced at an emergency meeting held at the Chief Minister's residence.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus Pandemic:
Coronavirus News: FIR Against Delhi Jamaat Attendee For Not Informing Authorities After Return To Prayagraj
Police filed an FIR against a person for not informing the authorities after his return to Prayagraj from the Tablighi Jamaat event at Nizamuddin's Markaz in Delhi, reported ANI.
"We got information that a professor in Govindpur had returned from Delhi. On interrogating him, we got to know that he had attended the Nizamuddin Markaz event from March 6-10. FIR was lodged against him as he didn't inform us earlier about it" said Superintendent of Police, Prayagraj. He, along with his wife, has been quarantined.
Coronavirus News: COVID-19 Patient Dies In Pune Taking Toll To 25 In District
A COVID-19 patient died at a hospital in Pune, taking the total death toll to 25 in the district, reported ANI.
"A COVID-19 positive person has passed away at Sassoon hospital in Maharashtra's Pune, taking the total death toll to 25 in the district. There are 209 positive cases in Pune, till now," said District Health Officer (DHO).
Of all the positive cases in the district, Pune Municipal Corporation has reported 175 cases, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation 22 cases and Pune Rural 12 cases.
Coronavirus News: Uttarakhand Announces Rs 10 Lakh Ex-Gratia To Families Of Offcials, Staff Who Lose Lives To COVID-19
Uttarakhand government on Thursday announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakhs to the next of kin of officials, employees and people who have lost their lives while carrying out their duties during coronavirus outbreak, reported ANI.
Coronavirus News: No New Case In Uttarakhand On Thursday
No positive case of COVID-19 was reported from the state on Thursday, reported ANI.
"No positive case was found in Uttarakhand today. A total of 35 cases have been reported in the state till date, including the five discharged) the Directorate of Health Services said.
Coroanavirus Updates: Centre Issues Guidelines For Safe Blood Donation
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) has put in place a set of national guidance norms to ensure adequacy and safety of blood, given the restrained gathering and social distancing norm in force currently.
The development comes after the government had received several requests from various stakeholders regarding the concerns for maintaining safety and adequacy of blood during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NBTC has issued interim recommendations for blood transfusion services to maintain a safe and adequate blood supply amid the coronavirus crisis.
ANI Input
Covid-19 Update From Rajasthan: Schools Told Not To Take Fee For 3 Months
The Rajasthan government on Thursday barred schools in the state from taking any fee from students for next three months in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
It also directed the schools to promote students, except those of classes 10 and 12, to the next standard.
According to an official release, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took the decisions at a video conference with officials and state ministers Bhanwar Singh Bhati, Govind Singh Dotasara and Subhas Garg.
The schools will suspend the recovery of any amount pending since March 15 and will not take the present and advance fee for the next three months, the release said.
Gehlot said online classes and e-learning should be arranged by schools and colleges for the continuity of education, according to the release.
Coronavirus In Tripura: Health Workers' Families Will Be Provided Jobs If They Die Duty, Chief MinisterTripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday said the state government will provide employment oppurtunity to families of doctors, nurses and other health workers if they die due to COVID-19 while on
official duty.
Mr Deb, who is also the health minister of the state, visited the state-run Gobinda Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital and Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital earlier in the day to review their preparedness for tackling coronavirus cases.
"We had earlier announced that if any doctor, nurse or health staff dies due to coronavirus, we shall provide Rs 4 lakh as compensation to their families. In addition to this,we would also provide jobs to the next of kins," he told reporters.
PTI Input
Coronavirus In Chhattisgarh: AIIMS Raipur Develops Software For Getting Sample Test Reports
The IT department of AIIMS Raipur has developed a software that will help the medical staff and state health department in getting desired information about a particular sample test report within seconds.
The software can be used to search for any particular information among over 3000 sample test reports.
Initially, the task was quite daunting as collecting a sample, testing it and communicating the test report to concerned health department officials usually took three to four days.
ANI Input
Coronavirus In Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayan Wites To PM Modi Over Indians In UAE Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to draw his attention towards the plight of Indian migrants in UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Kerala Chief Minister has requested PM Modi to take up this matter with the UAE Government.
"Out of the 2.8 million Indian migrants in UAE, nearly 1 million are from Kerala. It is learned that the situation in Dubai is worsening. We are receiving a number of complaints regarding inadequate isolation and quarantine facilities in the country and apprehensions are raised about the imminent community spread of disease," read the letter by the Kerala CM.
ANI Input
To Allay Fears Of COVID-19 Spread, Punjab Ministers Attend Cremation In RupnagarIn a bid to dispel fears that one may contract COVID-19 by attending the last rites of an infected person, two Punjab ministers took part in the cremation of a 55-year-old man in Rupnagar district on Thursday.
State Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu and Technical Education Minister Charanjit Singh Channi went to a Rupnagar village to attend the last rites of the man, officials said.
PTI Input
Breaking: Maharashtra Sees Biggest Spike In Coronavirus Cases In A Single Day
Maharashtra registered 25 new deaths linked to COVID-19 on Thursday in its sharpest spike yet amid the global pandemic which took the total number of fatalities to 97. With 229 more people testing positive, the number of coronavirus cases in the state reached 1,364, a health official said.
"Both the number of new patients and that of deaths are highest for a single day so far," the official said.
Covid-19 Update From Punjab: Mohali Village New Hotspot With 22 CasesWith 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases, Jawaharpur village of Dera Bassi in Punjab's Mohali district has become a new coronavirus hotspot in the state, news agency PTI reported quoting officials on Thursday.
Overall, Mohali district has topped the COVID-19 tally in Punjab with 37 cases.
"One more positive case in Jawaharpur," police official Girish Dayalan tweeted on Thursday.
PTI Input
Rajasthan Makes Face Masks Mandatory In Urban Areas
The Rajasthan government on Thursday made it mandatory to wear face masks in all urban areas and agriculture mandis of the state, an official statement said.
Through video conferencing, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot directed officials to ensure compliance of the state government decision which will be applicable in all 196 urban local bodies of the state and in agriculture mandis (wholesale markets).
"The decision was taken to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic in the state," the statement quoted Mr Gehlot as saying.
PTI Input
Coronavirus Update From Uttar Pradesh: A Day After Sealing Orders, Authorities Step Up Vigil In Hotspots
A day after the UP government sealed off coronavirus hotspots in 15 districts of the state, the authorities on Friday stepped up vigil in the areas allowing only the doorstep delivery of essential services and ensuring that people stay at home.
Later in the day, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked officials to further divide the hotspots into sectors and appoint a magistrate for each of the area to keep tabs on the situation, an official spokesperson said.
All business and other establishments will remain closed in the hotspots and the doorstep delivery of essential commodities will be strengthened, the spokesman said.
Meghalaya To Keep Borders Sealed Till April End: OfficialThe Meghalaya government is likely to keep its international and interstate borders sealed till April-end, as part of its precautionary measures to check the spread of COVID-19, officials said on Thursday.
The hill state, along with Nagaland and Sikkim in the northeast, has not reported any COVID-19 case so far.
"Based on a cabinet decision, the state will return to normalcy as per terms and conditions approved by it. But the borders are likely to be sealed till April end," a senior government official told PTI.
PTI Input
Coronavirus Lockdown Delhi Update: Over 3,900 people detained for violating lockdown orders
As many as 190 cases were registered and 3,954 people detained in the national capital on Thursday for violating government orders during the lockdown imposed to control the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, police said.
According to the data shared by the police, 190 cases were registered under section 188 (for disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code till 5 pm on Thursday.
Coronavirus Updates From Punjab: Spike in COVID-19 cases; total count rises to 130
Punjab witnessed a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases on Thursday with 24 more people contracting the infection, pushing the total count to 130 in the state.
Besides, two more COVID-19 related deaths were reported in the state, taking the toll count to 10, officials said.
As the number of coronavirus cases keeps rising, the infection has now marked its presence in 17 districts in the state with Muktsar and Sangrur reporting cases for the first time.
PTI Input
Coronavirus Update From Delhi: GB Pant Hospital Removed From Designated COVID-19 Hospitals ListDelhi government on Thursday removed GB Pant Hospital from the list of designated COVID-19 hospitals, keeping in view the difficulties faced by general patients who are receiving treatment at the super speciality streams of the hospital.
"In continuation of earlier order to designate GB Pant Hospital as COVID-19 designated hospital along with 5 other hospitals, competent authority has decided on Thursday to remove GB Pant Hospital from designated COVID-19 list keeping in view the difficulties faced by general patients who are receiving treatment at the GB Pant Hospital in super speciality streams," read an order issued by the Delhi Health department.
ANI Input
Coronavirus Update From Uttarakhand: Areas In Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital Sealed
As the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic, four areas in Dehradun, two areas in Haridwar and one in Nainital have been sealed in the state as COVID-19 cases were found in these areas.
The Uttar Pradesh too had taken similar steps on Wednesday and sealed all COVID-19 hotspots in 15 districts of the state, including Ghaziabad, Noida and Meerut.
76-Year-Old Man Dies Due To Coronavirus In RajasthanA 76-year-old man, who had tested positive for coronavirus, died in Jodhpur and 47 new cases emerged in Rajasthan on Thursday, taking the total number of positive cases of COVID-19 to 430 in the state.
PTI Input
Coronavirus news: 20 Companies Manufacturing Personal Protective Gear In India, says Health Ministry
Heath Secratary Luv Aggarwal said that as many as 1.7 crore oders have been placed for PPEs. He also said that 20 companies have been identified to produce PPEs in the country.
PPEs are provided in adequate quantity: Health Ministry
Health Ministry on Thursday said that the personal proptective equipment kits are being provided in adequate quantity to the state. Health Secratary Luv Aggarwal said that the kits are not required by everyone and they should be used only when needed.
Coronavirus News: Drones Used To Spray Antiseptic Solution Around COVID-19 Ward In Madurai Hospital
With the help of drones, the special coronavirus treatment ward at the Madurai Government's Rajaji hospital was disinfected by spraying of an antiseptic liquid solution using drones on Thursday.
Mr Ranjit, the drone operator, speaking to news agency ANI, said: "As outsiders cannot enter the coronavirus treatment ward at the hospital, the municipal cooperation has decided to use drones as a medium to spray disinfectants in and around the hospital."
"We are currently doing it at this hospital but we have also been directed to use drones at various other government buildings as well," he added.
ANI Input
4 New Coronavirus Patients In MP's KhandwaWith four more persons testing coronavirus positive, the numbers of COVID-19 patients
in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh has gone up to five, news agency PTI reported on Thursday.
Four of the 17 persons staying together in a mosque, tested positive for the infection, district collector Tanvi Sundriyal said. "These 17 persons had reached Khandwa from Belgaum (Karnataka) and stayed at the mosque after the lockdown was announced. After four of them tested positive, the number of COVID-19 patients in the district has gone up to five," she said.
PTI Input
Doctor, 62, Dies In Indore Due To CoronavirusA 62-year-old doctor, who had tested positive for coronavirus, died in Indore on Thursday, taking the death toll due to COVID-19 in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh to 22, an official said.
Indore's chief medical and health officer (CMHO), Dr Praveen Jadia, said that the victim, who was a general physician, breathed his last at a private hospital in the morning.
"It appears that he had come in contact with a coronavirus patient during treatment. We are trying to trace the source of infection," he said.
This is probably the first case of a doctor succumbing to coronavirus infection in Madhya Pradesh.
The government-run MGM College here had on Wednesday night issued a list of COVID-10 patients, in which the doctor's name had figured.
PTI Input
Coronavirus India: Karnataka Ministers, Legislators To Take 30% Pay Cut For A YearMinisters and Members of Legislature in Karnataka will take a 30 per cent cut each in their salaries and allowances to fund the fight against
coronavirus in the state, for a year.
An ordinance to reduce the salaries of Ministers and legislators by 30 per cent for one year to meet the exigencies arising out of COVID-19 pandemic was approved by the state cabinet headed by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday.
"... we have cut by 30 per cent salaries and allowances of all Ministers, MLAs, MLCs, also Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Whip every one for one year from April 1, amounting to Rs 15.36 crore," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said.
Coronavirus News: Delhi's GB Pant Hospital removed from list of designated COVID-19 facilitiesGB Pant Hospital, a designated COVID-19 facility, will no more be on the list of such hospitals in view of problems being faced by general patients, according to a Delhi government order issued on Thursday.
The order issued by the health department said GB Pant Hospital will continue to function as it was before being made a designated facility.
Five hospitals, including LNJP Hospital combined with GB Pant Hospital, were recently made as designated COVID-19 facilities.
Coronavirus News: Resident Doctors Association writes to Amit Shah over assault on doctors
Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) writes to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over 'multiple incidents of assault on doctors and the need of Central Protection Act for doctors'.
(Source: ANI)
Coronavirus News: Disinfectants being sprayed at buildings in sealed areas of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
Coronavirus COVID-19 Kerala - "Propaganda": Pinarayi Vijayan in row starring Smriti Irani, Wayanad
Kerala Chief Minister
Pinarayi Vijayan has dismissed as "propaganda" a report on Union Minister Smriti Irani helping migrant workers from her parliamentary constituency Amethi allegedly stranded in Wayanad because of the coronavirus lockdown.
The report added another layer to the Smriti Irani versus Rahul Gandhi row since the Congress leader lost his three-time constituency Amethi in last year's national election. While Smriti Irani won from Amethi, Rahul Gandhi won his second election contest at Wayanad in Kerala.
Coronavirus Cases: Odisha to extend lockdown till April 30
Odisha to extend lockdown till April 30, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced today. He further said that schools will remain closed till June 17.
Delhi's Bengali Market Sealed Over 3 COVID-19 Cases
Strict enforcement of lockdown has been initiated at Delhi's Bengali market after three persons were diagnosed with COVID-19. A new coronavirus scare has emerged in the area after 35 workers were found on the rooftop of a pastry shop in the popular market in the heart of the capital. Bengali Market has been sealed off along with the 20 virus hotspots in Delhi
Union Minister Ravishankar Prasad on COVID-19 helpline launch
- A good initiative has been launched today between the government of India and state of TN
- Arogya Setu IVRS have been launched
- This is the creation of department of telecommunication, BSNL and Government of TN, IT department and IIT Madras all played very significant role
- This will be operated by a miss call
- Other states will also launch it soon
- Arogya Setu and Arogya Setu IVRS will run in combination to help affected and symptomatically people
- I would like to thank to PM for his guidance
- People should wait for PM's announcement
- Saving lives is our utmost priority
- We will overcome from it soon
162 new cases in Maharashtra, Mumbai worst-hit with 143 casesA total of 162 new cases, including 143 from Mumbai, have been reported in Maharashtra in the last 24 hours. The state is the worst-hit state in the country with 1,297 people testing positive for COVID-19.
- Mumbai - 143
- Pune - 3
- Yavatmal - 1
- Aurangabad - 3
- Pimpri chinchwad - 2
- Thane - 1
- Navi Mumbai - 2
- Kalyan Dombivali - 4
- Meera bhaidar - 1
- Vasai virar - 1
- Sindhudurg - 1
Full List of 20 Coronavirus Hotspots In Delhi
- Entire affected street near Gandhi Park, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi
- Entire affected street of Gali number 6 , L 1 Sangam Vihar, New Delhi
- Shahajahanabad society, plot number 1, Sector 11, Dwarka.
- Dinpur Village
- Markaz Masjid and Nizamuddin Basti
- Nizamuddin West (G and D block) areas
- B Block Jhangirpuri.
- House number 141 to house number 180, Gali number 14, Kalyanpuri Delhi
- Mansara Apartments , Vasundhara Enclave, Delhi
- Three Galis of Khichirpur including Gali containing house number 5/387 Khichirpur, Delhi
- Gali number 9, Pandav Nagar , Delhi 110092
- Vardhaman Apartments, Mayur Vihar, Phase I Extension, Delhi
- Mayurdhwaj Apartments, IP Extension, Patparganj, Delhi
- Gali number 4, from house number J- 3/115 (Nagar Dairy) to house number J- 3/108( towards Anar wali Masjid Chowk), Kishan Kunj Extension, Delhi
- Gali number 4, from house number J- 3/101 to house number J - 3/107 Krishan Kunj Extension Delhi.
- Gali number 5, A Block ( From H No. A- 176 to A-189), West Vinod Nagar, Delhi-110092
- J, K , L and H pockets, Dilshad Garden
- G, H, J blocks, Old Seemapuri
- F- 70 to 90 block, Dilshad Colony
- Pratap khand, Jhilmil Colony
Prime Minister Narendra Modi replies to US President Donald Trump after he thanks India for clearing export of key drug: "Times like these bring friends closer".
Jharkhand reports its first COVID-19 death
A person who was infected with highly infectious COVID-19 died in Jharkhand today, becoming the first casualty in the state.
Five more persons have tested positive for coronavirus in the state, taking the total number of cases to nine in the state, said an official on Wednesday.
"Five more persons have tested positive for coronavirus in Jharkhand, taking the total number of cases to nine. Four new cases are from Ranchi''s Hindipiri area and one from Bokaro," said State Health Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni.
Mr Kulkarni said they are family members of earlier positive cases from Ranchi and Bokaro.
Thirty fresh cases of coronavirus in Rajasthan
Rajasthan recorded 30 more cases of coronavirus on Thursday, taking the state's tally to 413, an official said.
The virus has so far claimed six lives in the state. However, officials maintain that deaths occurred due to co-morbidity -- more than one illness or disease occurring in one person at the same time.
"Thirty new cases have come up today in seven districts of Rajasthan. All have travel and contact history," Additional Chief Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said.
He said the total number of coronavirus positive cases in the state has risen to 413.
Goa tourism to resume only when COVID-19 situation in control
The Goa tourism industry can resume only after the lockdown is lifted and the coronavirus situation is completely under control in the country, state Ports Minister Michael Lobo has said.
"Even after the lockdown is lifted, we cannot immediately think of opening our borders. We have to make sure the tourism industry resumes only after health protocols are followed," Mr Lobo said.
Mass gatherings should be discouraged in the state for next few months to contain the spread of the deadly viral infection, he said.
166 Deaths In India, 17 In 24 hours, 5,734 Cases So Far
Seventeen people, who had been infected with highly infectious COVID-19, died across the country in the last 24 hours, taking the number of dead to 166 in India. The number of people infected with COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, rose to 5,734 on Thursday, government data showed. A novel virus is one that has not been previously identified in humans.
The Supreme Court has asked the government to ensure coronavirus tests are conducted for free in both state-run and private diagnostic labs.
The lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus will not be lifted in one go after April 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said amid a spurt in COVID-19 infections in the country. PM Modi, in a video meeting with leaders of all parties, reportedly said that the situation in the country is akin to a 'social emergency'.