5 years ago
With 227 people tested positive in less than 24 hours, India on Monday saw the sharpest spike in coronavirus cases in a single day ever since the spread of the virus became known in the country. The total number of coronavirus cases now stands at 1,251, health ministry data showed. Of the total cases, 102 people have been cured and 32 have died. Among the states, the biggest jump was reported from Delhi - the national capital had 25 new cases, which took its total to 97. The government said then virus is still in the local transmission stage. Earlier in the day, the government also denied "rumours and media reports" about an extension of the lockdown, saying it was "baseless". Telangana, meanwhile, became the first state to tighten its belt in view of the coming economic slump, slashing the salary of all its public servants, starting with the Chief Minister:
Here Are The Highlights On The Coronavirus Outbreak In India:
Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh defer salaries of ministers and bureaucrats
The Rajasthan cabinet has decided to defer a potion of salary of the chief minister, deputy chief minister, MLAs and government employees as part of austerity measures amid the novel coronavirus pandemic in the state.
In a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, it was informed that most of the industrial units and business activities in the state are closed due to the lockdown. Also, functioning in several departments related to revenue collection has also been affected. Revenue collection has reduced by Rs 17,000 crore in March.
The Andhra Pradesh government also announced deferment of payment of full salaries to the chief minister, officers and employees, saying its revenue streams have "totally dried up" in view of the ongoing lockdown to combat coronavirus.
The deferments will range from 10 to 100 per cent for different categories of employees, it said. In an order issued around midnight, Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney said the deferment will continue to be in force till further orders.
Malaysian woman found coronavirus positive, first case in Jharkhand
Jharkhand reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19 after a Malaysian woman who came to Ranchi on March 17 by train tested positive for the virus, an official said Tuesday.
The 22-year-old woman was traced to a mosque at Hindpiri on Monday, where she was staying with 23 others. All of them have been sent to a quarantine facility. She is normal and asymptomatic, Principal Secretary (Health) Nitin Madan Kulkarni said.
COVID-19 cases in Delhi rise to 120
The total number of coronavirus cases in Delhi climbed to 120 on Tuesday after 23 new cases of the pandemic was reported in the past 24 hours, the Health Department said.
These 120 cases include 24 people who took part in a religious congregation at Nizamuddin West area earlier this month.
At least five have been discharged, two have had died and one has migrated out of the country, according to the Delhi Health Department.
Centre Asks States To Quarantine, Deport Foreign Tablighi Jamaat Members
The Centre has asked all states and union territories to immediately trace and quarantine the estimated 2,000 foreign Tabligh-e-Jamaat workers present in India, as a number of them tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a religious gathering in Delhi and six died in Telangana.
The Home Ministry in a letter to all chief secretaries and police heads told them to deport all foreign Jamaat followers who test negative for the deadly virus to their countries "by the first available flights".
51 kept under observation in Mathura
The Mathura administration has put under observation 51 people, many of whom had attended a religious congregation of the Tablighi Jamaat in New Delhi's Nizamuddin earlier this month, a top official said on Tuesday.
Soon after the Telangana government on Monday said six people who attended the congregation between March 13 and 15 died of coronavirus, the district administration swung into action, tracing all 30 people who attended the event to Oal village, said DM Sarvagya Ram Mishra.
Man dies of COVID-19 in West Bengal
A man died of coronavirus at a state-run hospital here on Tuesday, taking the total number of COVID-19 deaths in West Bengal to 4, officials said.
The man, whose identity hasn't been revealed yet, died at the Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital.
West Bengal has reported 28 coronavirus cases so far, including the four deaths.
48 foreigners who attended Markaz gathering located in five mosques of North-East Delhi: Police
The Delhi Police said that 48 foreigners, who attended the Markaz gathering in Nizamuddin area, have been located in five mosques in North-East Delhi.
"48 foreigners, who had attended the Markaz gathering in Nizamuddin, have been located in five mosques of North-East district of Delhi. Their information has been given by Police to the District Commissioner for further action," police said.
This came after several people, who had participated in the religious gathering, tested positive for coronavirus.
COVID-19: Over 21,000 Camps Across India, Over 6.6 Lakh People ShelteredOver 21,000 relief camps have been made operational in the country where more than 6.6 lakh poor people and those stranded because of the COVID-19 lockdown are sheltered as of now, the Union home ministry said on Tuesday."
Risking Coronavirus Amid Lockdown, Kolkata Rushes To Sweet ShopsIn Kolkata, dozens of sweet shops opened at noon today after the West Bengal government gave permission to them to operate from 12pm to 4 pm with minimum staff. At least on Day 1, the second part of the order was happily ignored that the shops would open only for take away. Kolkatans poured in to buy their favourite mishti. The first week of the lockdown has been a week too long."
Government bans issuing tourist visa to foreign Tablighi activists
They must not be allowed to conduct Tabligh activities on tourist visa, the ministry said.
The government has decided not to issue tourist visa to any foreigner who wish to visit India and take part in Tablighi activities, officials said on Tuesday.
The decision was taken after it was found that about 2,100 foreigners have come to India since January 1 and indulged in Tablighi activities in different parts of the country. Many of them have tested coronavirus positive.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been advised that missions may be requested to refrain from granting tourist visa to such foreigner who is likely to use it for Tablighi activities, a home ministry official said.
The home ministry told the MEA that it should ensure that details regarding place of stay and return ticket as well as financial means to defray expenses in India by such visa applicants must be examined carefully before granting them tourist visas.
In addition, the home ministry told the Delhi Police Commissioner to caution the Tablighi headquarters located in Delhi''s Nizamuddin and ensure that those who are promoting missionary activities on the strength of tourist visa are treated as visa violators.
PM Modi, France's Emmanuel Macron hold discussion on COVID-19, agree that experts share info to deal with crisis
PM Modi expressed his condolences to Macron for the loss of lives in France due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday agreed that expert teams of the two countries would actively share information on measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus as well as about ongoing research on treatment and vaccines.
During their telephonic conversation, the two leaders discussed the domestic and international aspects of the crisis posed by the pandemic, and underlined the importance of global collaboration and solidarity in the present situation, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.
The French president strongly agreed with Prime Minister Modi's view that the COVID-19 crisis is a turning point in modern history, and offers the world an opportunity to forge a new human-centric concept of globalisation, it said.
The two underlined the importance of not losing sight of other global concerns like climate change, which impact humanity as a whole. They also stressed on the need for devoting special attention to the needs of less-developed countries, including those in Africa, during the present crisis.
Nizamuddin congregation: Manipur traces 14 attendees
The Manipur government on Tuesday said it has found out 14 people who were linked to the
Of them, three have been taken for testing and the remaining 11 will be screened, it said.
The Manipur government on Tuesday said it has found out 14 people who were linked to the
religious congregation held in Delhi's Nizamuddin earlier this month, though 39 others are still outside the state.
The Tablighi Jamaat event was attended by around 2,000 people from various parts of the country and abroad. The congregation has become a key source for the spread of coronavirus and six of its attendees from Telangana died of COVID-19.
The state government had received a list of names and phone numbers from the Centre and the 14 have been traced in collaboration with administrations of districts, a statement issued by the COVID-19 Central Control Room said.
Man escapes from isolation ward, caught in Himachal's Kullu
Five more people were at the isolation wards set up at the gurdwara.
A man who escaped from an isolation ward in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district has been caught by Kullu police after several hours on Tuesday, officials said.
A resident of Balidhar village, he had escaped from the ward set up in a gurdwara premises in Mandi district, Kullu Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh said.
The SP said the man was caught near Larji area and he will be kept in an institutional quarantine facility now. Strict legal action will be taken against him, he added.
Maharashtra Raj Bhavan closed for citizens till April 30
All visits to Maharashtra's Raj Bhavan by citizens have been suspended till April 30, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari said on Tuesday.
The Governor stated that people with confirmed bookings in April would be accommodated at later dates which will be communicated to them in the future.
Such measures are being taken to prevent crowding to contain the spread of COVID-19 and avoid community transmission.
All visits to Maharashtra's Raj Bhavan by citizens have been suspended till April 30, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari said on Tuesday.
The Governor stated that people with confirmed bookings in April would be accommodated at later dates which will be communicated to them in the future.
Such measures are being taken to prevent crowding to contain the spread of COVID-19 and avoid community transmission.
Haryana releases Rs 288 cr to municipalities to fight COVID-19
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday said the state government has released a grant of over Rs 288 crore to all 87 municipalities in the state to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
"Apart from releasing a grant, the fixed date for submission of water and sewerage bills, property tax and rent of the shops of municipalities, stock-exchange, and licence fees have also been extended," an official release quoted Mr Vij as saying.
The state has also appointed municipal commissioners of 10 municipal corporations and 18 coordinating officers in the municipalities to monitor the efforts being made to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the headquarter-level.
The Health Minister said that at present 22,440 sweepers are working and 3,466 vehicles have been deployed for carrying out the cleaning works.
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday said the state government has released a grant of over Rs 288 crore to all 87 municipalities in the state to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
"Apart from releasing a grant, the fixed date for submission of water and sewerage bills, property tax and rent of the shops of municipalities, stock-exchange, and licence fees have also been extended," an official release quoted Mr Vij as saying.
The state has also appointed municipal commissioners of 10 municipal corporations and 18 coordinating officers in the municipalities to monitor the efforts being made to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the headquarter-level.
The Health Minister said that at present 22,440 sweepers are working and 3,466 vehicles have been deployed for carrying out the cleaning works.
COVID-19: AYUSH Ministry issues self-care guidelines
It said these measures are supported by Ayurvedic literature and scientific publications.
Listing some general measures, it advised drinking warm water throughout the day, practicing yogasana, pranayama and meditation for at least 30 minutes daily and using condiments like turmeric, cumin and coriander, and garlic in cooking.
The Ministry of AYUSH on Tuesday issued some self-care guidelines as preventive health measures for boosting immunity with special reference to respiratory health amidst the coronavirus outbreak.
"In the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, entire mankind across the globe is suffering. Enhancing the body''s natural defence system (immunity) plays an important role in maintaining optimum health.
"We all know that prevention is better than cure. While there is no medicine for COVID-19 as of now, it will be good to take preventive measures which boost our immunity in these times," the ministry said in a statement.
17 foreign, two Indian participants of Nizamuddin discourse found in Bahraich: Official
"Following the precautinary measures initiated after the outbreak of COVID-19,
"They had come to Bahraich from Delhi on March 7. These people had informed the local intelligence unit about themselves," he added.
As many as 17 foreign nationals from Indonesia and Thailand besides two Indian Muslim clerics, who attended an Islamic religious discourse at Nizamuddin early this month, have been rounded up here and have been quarantined, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Sixteen out of 190 persons who returned to Bahraich from foreign in March this year, however, are still untraceable, Bahraich Superintendent of Police Vipin Mishra said.
Out of the rounded up persons, the samples of two foreign nationals have been sent to Lucknow for testing, he said.
the authorities found seven nationals of Thailand, and two clerics from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh respectively, staying in a mosque in Kotwali police station area," said Mr Mishra.
232 European tourists stuck in Kerala due to COVID-19 fly home
A batch of 232 tourists from the European Union, a majority of them from Germany left
"We are glad that the foreign tourists have been able to fly back home after their smooth stay in the state. It was not an easy task to bring together the tourists stranded in different locations in 13 districts.
A batch of 232 tourists from the European Union, a majority of them from Germany left
for Frankfurt by a special Air India aircraft on Tuesday after being held up in Kerala due to the coronavirus lockdown.
The special flight arranged for the home-bound journey of the asymptomatic tourists took off from the International Airport here this morning, after their "hassle-free" stay in the state for over a fortnight, the state government said.
Air India flies foreign nationals to Frankfurt in five flights
The fifth flight picked up people from the national capital and Kolkata before flying to Frankfurt.
All the five services were operated with Air India''s 256-seater Boeing 787-800 (Dreamliner) planes, the spokesperson said.
Air India on Tuesday operated five chartered flights to Frankfurt carrying foreign nationals, mostly Germans, who were stranded in the country due to the nationwide lockdown, according to an airline spokesperson.
The five flights were operated with Mumbai and Delhi as the two hubs.
Out of the them, four flights took off for Frankfurt from Mumbai and one from New Delhi, the spokesperson said.
The four flights operated from Mumbai picked up foreign nationals from Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. People were also ferried from Mumbai.
All the five services were operated with Air India''s 256-seater Boeing 787-800 (Dreamliner) planes, the spokesperson said.
Ramdas Athawale starts food service for lockdown-affected daily wagers
Union minister for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday said he was
He also urged Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to call an all-party meeting on the issue.
Union minister for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday said he was
starting a food service for daily wagers affected by the lockdown in place for the novel coronavirus outbreak.
He said those needing a meal in Mumbai's Bandra East area can avail the free service.
Coronavirus: Punjab residents returning from other states to be screened
Deputy commissioners have been asked to ensure strict compliance of the protocol put in place, it further said.
All residents of Punjab returning from other states will be screened for coronavirus upon entry, the state government said on Tuesday.
Directions in this regard have been issued by the state Health department.
"Persons who are bonafide residents of the state of Punjab and are travelling from other states to the state of Punjab would be screened," a government notification said.
"If found asymptomatic, they will be placed in home-quarantine for 14 days," it added.
"If found symptomatic, tests will be conducted in government facilities and the health department''s protocol for the management of such persons will be followed," the notification said.
UK extends work visas for Indian, foreign doctors amid coronavirus outbreak
To get more doctors and nurses on the frontline, the restriction on the amount of hours student nurses and doctors can work in the NHS has also been lifted.
The UK government on Tuesday confirmed that foreign doctors, including from India, whose visas are set to expire before October this year will get an automatic extension for one year as they battle the coronavirus pandemic for the country's National Health Service (NHS).
The extension, announced by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, will apply to around 2,800 migrant doctors, nurses and paramedics employed by the NHS whose visa is due to expire before October 1.
"Doctors, nurses and paramedics from all over the world are playing a leading role in the NHS's efforts to tackle coronavirus and save lives. We owe them a great deal of gratitude for all that they do," said Ms Patel.
"I don't want them distracted by the visa process. That is why I have automatically extended their visas - free of charge - for a further year," the Indian-origin minister said.
The free of charge extension will also apply to their family members, demonstrating how valued overseas NHS staff are to the UK, the Home Office said.
Odisha government thanks people, says no relaxation for another fortnight
He pointed out that the country reported 180 new positive cases in the last 24 hours.
With just three people testing positive to novel coronavirus in the last 15 days from March 15, the Odisha government on Tuesday thanked its citizens for going by lockdown norms and made it clear that there will be no relaxation at least for another fortnight.
The state could restrict the coronavirus positive cases at three because of the sacrifice and patience of people, mostly youths. Thanks all for that, Odisha governments chief COVID-19 spokesperson Subroto Bagchi said.
Mr Bagchi also said, We cannot be complacent because we just have three coronavirus positive cases. If not careful, it will spin out of control.
Eight from Kyrgyzstan quarantined after attending Nizamuddin gathering
Other states too were busy trying to identify and quarantine people who participated in the gathering and their contacts.
Eight foreign nationals, who attended a large religious congregation at Nizamuddin where scores of those who participated tested positive for COVID-19, were found at Delhi''s Bharat Nagar on Tuesday and quarantined, police said.
They are from Kyrgyzstan and have been staying here since last 10 to 11 days, a senior police officer said.
The medical authorities and the district magistrate were informed about it and the eight were quarantined, police added.
Within the national capital, more than 1,000 people who attended the congregation have been quarantined while more than 300 have been admitted to hospitals. The government is screening all those who participated in the event, officials said.
At least 24 people who participated in the Tablighi Jamaat have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.
101 people from Chhattisgarh who attended Nizamuddin in quarantine
As many as 101 people from Chhattisgarh, who attended a religious congregation in New
"Of them, 32 have been placed under quarantine, while 69 are in isolation in different places," the official said, adding their medical screening is underway. Most of them belong to Chhattisgarh, while the others are from different states and were staying in mosques in cities, he said.
As many as 101 people from Chhattisgarh, who attended a religious congregation in New
Delhis Nizamuddin, that has become a key source for the spread of coronavirus in the country, have been identified so far and placed under quarantine, officials said on Tuesday.
The gathering at Markaz Nizamuddin, the headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat in the national capital, was held earlier this month and it was attended by delegates from all over the country.
The state government has so far identified 101 people who had participated in the gathering, a senior official said, adding they hail from different districts and some are natives of other states.
Lockdown: 25 camps in Nashik to take care of migrant workers
Relief camps have been started in 25 places in Nashik in Maharashtra to house migrant workers
Some 61 truckloads of foodgrains will be brought from the FCI godown in Manmad to be distributed under PDS in the district in April, the official said.
Relief camps have been started in 25 places in Nashik in Maharashtra to house migrant workers
and other sections of society facing a financial crunch due to the lockdown in place for the novel coronavirus outbreak, a senior official said.
These include Sukhdev Ashram in Vilholi as well as a facility of the Social Welfare department in Nasardi, he said.
"These camps house almost 2,500 people and dining facilities and other amenities are being provided. Eighteen of the camps are in Nashik Municipal Corporation areas, in which over 1300 people are staying," Collector Suraj Mandhare said.
22 people who attended Nizamuddin congregation quarantined in Rajasthan
They have come back between March 18 and 22, and sent to quarantine facilities in Sardarshehar and Rajaldesar. Others who came in their contact have been home quarantined, Mr Nayak said.
Twenty-two people, who had attended a religious congregation in Delhi, have been quarantined in Rajasthan, officials said on Tuesday.
The move comes after over 24 people, who took part in the congregation at Nizamuddin West earlier this month, tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Acting swiftly on the information that the participants of the congregation had come to the districts, officials have sent them to a quarantine facility and taken their samples for testing.
Nine people from Haryana were staying at a madrasa in Churu, while as many from Rajasthan were at their homes in Sardarshahar town, Churu District Collector Sandesh Nayak told PTI.
DANICS officers of Delhi government donate 3-day salary to ''CM Relief Fund'' to combat COVID-19
So far, 97 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the national capital.
DANICS-cadre officers working with the Delhi government have decided to donate their three-day salary to the ''Chief Minister Relief Fund'' to combat COVID-19.
Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Island Civil Service (DANICS) Officers' Association has written to Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev informing their decision in this regard.
There are around 450 DANICS Officers'' working with the Delhi government.
Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal thanked DANICS officers for donating their three-day salary to the ''CM Relief Fund'' to combat coronavirus.
Two more test positive for coronavirus; total cases in Chandigarh rise to 15
The city administration has ordered a massive search for contact tracing and quarantine of their contacts, the release said.
Two more COVID-19 cases were reported in Chandigarh on Tuesday, taking the total number of infected persons in the Union Territory to 15, officials said.
Of the two, one in a 31-year-man who has no travel history. He contracted the infection from a coronavirus patient, an official statement said.
Another is a 40-year-old city resident who contracted the virus after coming in contact with a person who earlier had tested positive for infection, it said.
Five more COVID-19 cases in West Bengal
Five more people were tested positive for coronavirus in West Bengal, taking the total number of cases to 27 in the State, Health and Family Welfare Department of West Bengal said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Five more COVID-19 confirmed cases reported in West Bengal taking the total number of positive cases in the State to 27. Three people were also declared as ''cured'' today," it said.
"One female and four males, admitted in five different facilities have tested positive. One of them had contact with suspected case. Rest were tested as cases of severe acute respiratory illness," the statement added.
Five more people were tested positive for coronavirus in West Bengal, taking the total number of cases to 27 in the State, Health and Family Welfare Department of West Bengal said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Five more COVID-19 confirmed cases reported in West Bengal taking the total number of positive cases in the State to 27. Three people were also declared as ''cured'' today," it said.
"One female and four males, admitted in five different facilities have tested positive. One of them had contact with suspected case. Rest were tested as cases of severe acute respiratory illness," the statement added.
"Post Office on Wheels" services to begin in UP
The India Post on Tuesday extended its ''Post Office on Wheels'' services in UP''s Agra and Bareilly in order to ensure seamless delivery of posts and services to the citizens during the coronavirus lockdown.
This comes a day after Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad gave instructions to the Postal Department to promote and establish "Post Office on Wheel" in all the circles.
Last week, Prime Minister Modi announced a 21-day national lockdown to control the spread of the virus. Some other measures included the temporary suspension of all international and domestic flights. Only essential services are allowed to operate during the lockdown.
There are over 1,251 confirmed cases of coronavirus in India, with the number of active cases being upwards of the 1100 mark as of Monday evening.
The India Post on Tuesday extended its ''Post Office on Wheels'' services in UP''s Agra and Bareilly in order to ensure seamless delivery of posts and services to the citizens during the coronavirus lockdown.
This comes a day after Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad gave instructions to the Postal Department to promote and establish "Post Office on Wheel" in all the circles.
Last week, Prime Minister Modi announced a 21-day national lockdown to control the spread of the virus. Some other measures included the temporary suspension of all international and domestic flights. Only essential services are allowed to operate during the lockdown.
There are over 1,251 confirmed cases of coronavirus in India, with the number of active cases being upwards of the 1100 mark as of Monday evening.
BREAKING: More than 800,000 official coronavirus cases worldwide: news agency AFP
2,137 identified across states; examined, quarantined: Centre on Tablighi Jamaat
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday said that about 2,137 Indian Tablighi Jamaat workers have been identified in different states and they are being medically examined and quarantined.
"As of March 21, there were about 1,746 persons staying in Hazrat, Nizamuddin Markaz. Of these, 216 were foreigners and 1530 were Indians. Additionally, about 824 foreigners had been, as on March 21, doing Tablighi activities in various parts of the country," the Ministry of Home Affairs stated.
"Details of these 824 foreigners were shared on March 21 with police of states for getting them medically screened and quarantining them," it added.
MHA stated that on March 28, states were advised to collect names of Indian Tablighi Jamaat workers to get them medically screened and quarantine them.
"So far, about 2,137 such persons have been identified in different states. They are being medically examined and quarantined. This process is still on and more such people would be identified and located," it added.
A statement from the MHA stated that it shared details of foreign and Indian Tablighi Jamaat (TJ) workers in India with all states on March 21, after COVID-19 positive cases among these workers surfaced in Telangana.
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday said that about 2,137 Indian Tablighi Jamaat workers have been identified in different states and they are being medically examined and quarantined.
"As of March 21, there were about 1,746 persons staying in Hazrat, Nizamuddin Markaz. Of these, 216 were foreigners and 1530 were Indians. Additionally, about 824 foreigners had been, as on March 21, doing Tablighi activities in various parts of the country," the Ministry of Home Affairs stated.
"Details of these 824 foreigners were shared on March 21 with police of states for getting them medically screened and quarantining them," it added.
MHA stated that on March 28, states were advised to collect names of Indian Tablighi Jamaat workers to get them medically screened and quarantine them.
"So far, about 2,137 such persons have been identified in different states. They are being medically examined and quarantined. This process is still on and more such people would be identified and located," it added.
A statement from the MHA stated that it shared details of foreign and Indian Tablighi Jamaat (TJ) workers in India with all states on March 21, after COVID-19 positive cases among these workers surfaced in Telangana.
Assam has names of 456 returnees from Nizamuddin; moves to find, quarantine them
Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told media the state government this morning received a list of 299 people who were either in or around the site during the Tablighi Jamaat.
Asked on the number of such people entering Assam, the Minister said there were reports of four/five, but it was yet to be confirmed.
The Assam government said Tuesday it has names of 456 people from the state who were present in and around Delhi's Nizamuddin Dargah, which apparently become a coronavirus hotspot after a religious congregation there earlier this month, and has moved to find and quarantine them.
Two hours later, a list of another 157 people from Assam being present there was received, taking the total count to 456, Mr Sarma said.
"We don''t know if there were more people from Assam in the religious event. This is the list we have presently. Through mobile tracing, we got their names, address," he said.
"I immediately held an urgent video conference with all the district Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police and advised them to take swift and strict measures for all those who returned from the hotspot at Nizamuddin Markaz of Tablighi Jamaat", Sarma said, adding he gave the instruction that all 456 be quarantined by this evening.
He also appealed to the returnees from the state to voluntarily go to the nearest hospital or make a call on the state''s coronavirus helpline number 104.
"Tomorrow their tests have to be conducted, their swab taken and we have to know whether they are negative or positive. We have started work in this direction and we will be able to quarantine them by this evening", he tweeted around 2.30 pm.
He urged people not to take any action on their own as the district administrations will "do their work of quarantining them".
"No need to create an unruly situation as we have received the list and the administration will quarantine them. I would appeal to the people rather not to come out of their homes to catch them", Mr Sarma said.
"If we get one of the 456 persons, we will get the names of who else were with him. It is a serious issue...we have received the list with names and phone numbers for the district administration to take action by this evening", he said.
E-passes for essential service providers, others need to carry valid documents: Kolkata senior cop
Sources in the Kolkata Traffic Police said the department has received hundreds of applications for e-passes.
"E-passes are meant for people in essential services, including those working for organisations such as Big Bazaar and Zomato. Passes are non-transferable. If you have to step out for emergencies, carry valid documents," he told PTI.
E-passes issued by the state government for the lockdown period are strictly meant for people engaged in the essential services, others should be carrying necessary documents if they have to step out of homes for an emergency, a senior police officer said on Tuesday.
Only those who can substantiate their status as an essential service provider will be given passes, Rupesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), said.
The passes have been categorised depending on the nature of essential services, he said.
UP Congress chief urges state to waive 6 months electricity bill of farmers, common people
Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu has written a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath requesting him to waive off six months electricity bills of farmers, small shopkeepers, and common people as a relief measure amid nationwide lockdown in the wake of coronavirus.
"In current time, farmers, common people and small shopkeepers are left with nothing," the Congress leader said and added that it would be difficult for these people to pay electricity bills.
The country is under a 21-day lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu has written a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath requesting him to waive off six months electricity bills of farmers, small shopkeepers, and common people as a relief measure amid nationwide lockdown in the wake of coronavirus.
"In current time, farmers, common people and small shopkeepers are left with nothing," the Congress leader said and added that it would be difficult for these people to pay electricity bills.
The country is under a 21-day lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
COVID-19 cases rise to 55 in Jammu and Kashmir
As many as 43 cases are from Kashmir division and 12 from Jammu division.
The number of coronavirus cases in Jammu and Kashmir rose to 55 with six more persons testing positive from Kashmir region on Tuesday, officials said.
Authorities have also declared 31 more places, including two villages, as red zones in Kashmir region and Rajouri district of Jammu division after COVID-19 cases were detected there.
Officials said no movement of people is being allowed in areas declared as red zones to check the spread of coronavirus.
The government informed that six new positive cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), all from Kashmir division and contacts of previous positive cases, have been reported.
According to the daily media bulletin, out of 55 positive cases, 51 are active positive, two have recovered and two have died.
South Western Railway gearing to convert 300 coaches into isolation wards, quarantine hubs
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 as per prototype issued by Railway Board to make them suitable to act as quarantine hubs. On South Western Railway (SWR) a total of 312 coaches will be converted for isolation/quarantine wards.
"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 etc are also being made available. Each coach will provide 8 berth cabin for isolation facility. Zonal Railways have been advised to prepare coaches as per isolation cabin prototype to meet the needs of the patients by Railway Board," a press statement of SWR reads.
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 as per prototype issued by Railway Board to make them suitable to act as quarantine hubs. On South Western Railway (SWR) a total of 312 coaches will be converted for isolation/quarantine wards.
"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 etc are also being made available. Each coach will provide 8 berth cabin for isolation facility. Zonal Railways have been advised to prepare coaches as per isolation cabin prototype to meet the needs of the patients by Railway Board," a press statement of SWR reads.
Truckers charged upto Rs 10,000 to illegally transport migrant workers to UP, Bihar during lockdown
Migrants trying to reach their native places in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have become the geese that lay golden eggs for truck drivers who are asking for a bomb to carry them to their destinations.
The migrants, desperate to reach their homes, are being charged anywhere between Rs 2,500 to Rs 10,000 per person by the truckers to transport them to their places in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh by hiding them behind the wares in the truck, according to police.
While the movement of vehicles has been prohibited during the lockdown, trucks carrying essential goods and eatables are being allowed to move. It is in these trucks, that men, women and children are being illegally transported.
While a lot of people moved on foot, those going far tried to take rides in the trucks and paid their hard-earned money for the same.
Some of the truck drivers were caught by the Delhi police. These drivers had promised to the labourers that they would reach their native places in a couple of days.
Migrants trying to reach their native places in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have become the geese that lay golden eggs for truck drivers who are asking for a bomb to carry them to their destinations.
The migrants, desperate to reach their homes, are being charged anywhere between Rs 2,500 to Rs 10,000 per person by the truckers to transport them to their places in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh by hiding them behind the wares in the truck, according to police.
While the movement of vehicles has been prohibited during the lockdown, trucks carrying essential goods and eatables are being allowed to move. It is in these trucks, that men, women and children are being illegally transported.
While a lot of people moved on foot, those going far tried to take rides in the trucks and paid their hard-earned money for the same.
Some of the truck drivers were caught by the Delhi police. These drivers had promised to the labourers that they would reach their native places in a couple of days.
COVID-19 hotspots in country have increased due to ''lack of people''s support'': Health Ministry
Addressing the daily press conference to provide updates on the COVID-19 situation in the country, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said 227 cases have been reported in the last 24 hours. He further said wherever even a single case of the pandemic is reported it is as good as a hotspot for the government.
The number of coronavirus hotspots in the country has increased as a result of "lack of public support" at some places and failure to inform authorities in time about suspected cases, the Health Ministry said on Monday.
With over 1,200 COVID-19 cases reported in the country so far, Heath Ministry officials asserted that rigorous contact tracing and cluster containment strategies are being implemented strictly to check the virus from spreading further.
COVID-19: After Yogi Adityanath's ire, Noida firm linked to over two dozen cases sealed
An FIR was registered against the firm on March 29 under the Uttar Pradesh Epidemic Diseases Act
The administration on Tuesday sealed a private company in Noida after around two dozen coronavirus cases were traced to it, according to an official order.
The development comes a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the Gautam Buddh Nagar district, the hotspot of coronavirus cases in the state, and reprimanded officers for not being able to contain the virus from spreading.
He had particularly pulled up officials for not taking "effective action" against private company Cease Fire, whose employees and their family members are among 22 people infected with COVID-19.
"Due to several people getting infected with COVID-19 at Cease Fire Private Limited (about which I got informed by the chief medical officer on March 30), and with an objective to contain the virus from spreading further, I order that this company be sealed until further orders," Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Sadar, Prasunn Dwivedi stated in the order.
The firm, located in Sector 135, is engaged in fire safety services, fire-proofing homes, offices and vehicles, according to information available on its website.
COVID-19: Odisha defers salary of Chief Minister, ministers and bureaucrats
As per the order, there will be a deferment of 70 per cent in the gross salary in respect of the chief minister, ministers, MLAs, chairpersons of all state-run corporations and elected representatives of all local bodies.
The Odisha government on Tuesday issued an order deferring a portion of the salary of the chief minister, ministers and All India Service oficers as part of austerity measures to tackle COVID-19, an official said.
In view of the economic impact caused due to lockdown and expenditures incurred to control COVID-19, the government ordered deferment of wages and salaries, he said.
NDMC provides 240 flats for isolation of COVID-19 suspected cases from Nizamuddin
"We are regularly sanitising vegetable markets, mother dairy booths, taxi stands, bus stands, health care centres, institutional and residential colonies areas of new Delhi amid the nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the virus," he added.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has provided 240 flats in Bakkarwala area to Delhi government for isolation of suspected cases of corona virus infection from Nizamuddin area, officials said on Tuesday.
"The health department has provided 240 EWS flats at Bakkarwala for isolation of suspected cases of corona virus infection. The department has sanitised the area as suspected cases from Nizamuddin have been quarantined there," a senior official of the civic body said.
19 new coronavirus cases found in Madhya Pradesh, total 66
A case each was reported from Bhopal and Ujjain, he added.
The number of coronavirus cases in Madhya Pradesh went up to 66 with 19 new COVID-19 patients being reported on Tuesday, most of them in Indore, a health official said.
It was the highest increase in the number of cases in the state on a single day so far.
Seventeen of the 19 new cases were detected in Indore, said state Health Department's Commissioner Pratik Hajela in the evening.
Man with coronavirus symptoms dies before test report came in: Official
"If the report of the deceased comes positive for coronavirus infection, his last rites will be done as per the protocol. The administration has been informed. The deceased was suffering from liver and kidney ailments for the last three months. He came to us on Sunday evening," Ganesh Kumar said.
A 25-year-old man who had shown symptoms of being a coronavirus-infected patient died here before his test reports came in, a senior official said on Tuesday.
The man hailing from Basti in Uttar Pradesh died at the BRD Medical College, where he was undergoing treatment, said college principal, Ganesh Kumar.
"The man died on Monday. He was having liver and kidney problems," he said.
"Two lab technicians, who had taken his samples, are also admitted in the quarantine ward of the hospital as a precautionary measure," he said, adding the samples were sent for testing on Monday.
Why have party-specific COVID-19 fund? Congress asks BJP
The Maharashtra Congress on Tuesday criticised the opposition BJP for setting up a party-
"The need of the hour is to unitedly fight the virus but the BJP has asked its legislators, Members of Parliament, members of local bodies to donate their one month's salary to
"They are saying cow dung and cow urine can cure people of the virus. BJP (spokesman) Avdhut Wagh crossed all limits when he said Islampur, which is NCP leader and minister
Mr Sawant said when the MVA government was effectively handling the coronavirus situation, the BJP was showing lack of seriousness towards the issue.
The Maharashtra Congress on Tuesday criticised the opposition BJP for setting up a party-
specific fund for its elected representatives to donate for fight against the novel coronavirus.
State BJP president Chandrakant Patil had last week announced that all party legislators, corporators and MPs would contribute to the calamity fund of the party.
State Congress spokesman Sachin Sawant termed the BJP's move as "insensitive".
the party's calamity fund.
"Salaries are paid to them from public money but instead of making donations in the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, the party is having it''s own fund. Isn''t this anti- Maharashtra?" Mr Sawant asked.
BJP leaders are giving non-scientific solutions to tackle the coronavirus, he said.
Jayant Patil's hometown, got coronavirus patients as punishment for Mr Patil's criticism of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi," Mr Sawant said.
Bihar government committed to help people stuck outside Bihar: Nitish Kumar
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday held a review meeting on redressing the problems being
Relief camps have been opened in border areas of the state and arrangements have been made to provide them with food and accommodation facilities, Mr Amrit said.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday held a review meeting on redressing the problems being
faced by the people of Bihar stranded outside the state.
Mr Kumar also reviewed the measures being taken to resolve the difficulties of those who have either come to Bihar from abroad or from different parts of the country, an official release said.
Disaster Management Departments Principal Secretary Pratyaya Amrit informed the chief minister that a total of 1,80,652 people have come to the state from outside so far.
Screening of these people are on they are being closely monitored, he said.
Mumbai: 1.25 lakh masks worth Rs 30 lakh seized, 1 arrested
Mumbai Crime Branch arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly stocking 1.25 lakh masks worth
He identified the accused as Akib Mohammad Ansari.
Mumbai Crime Branch arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly stocking 1.25 lakh masks worth
Rs 30.52 lakh which he intended to sell at higher rates in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak, an official said on Tuesday.
The raid was carried out in Madanpura in Nagpada area of the metropolis by Unit III of the Crime Branch, he said.
Over 20,000 houses marked ''home quarantine'' in Delhi: Lt governor
Over 20,000 houses have been marked as "home quarantine" by the Delhi government in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal said on Tuesday.
In another tweet, the LG said the decision to increase food distribution centres was taken after reports that social distancing norms were violated at some centres.
Over 20,000 houses have been marked as "home quarantine" by the Delhi government in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal said on Tuesday.
Taking to Twitter, the LG said the number of food distribution centres will also be increased to ensure social distancing in the national capital.
Baijal held a meeting with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev and the Delhi Police commissioner through video conference to discuss measures to combat COVID-19.
"It has been decided to increase the number of food distribution centres from the present 500 to 2,500 so that social distancing is adhered to effectively. Home quarantine has to be strictly monitored. More than 20,000 homes have been identified by GNCTD for home quarantine," he tweeted.
Informed police on March 23 that 1000 people trapped in Nizamuddin Markaz: AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan
AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan on Tuesday claimed he had informed the Delhi Police on March 23 that around 1,000 people were trapped in Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi, where a congregation was organised earlier this month and some of its participants later tested positive for coronavirus.
Delhi's Nizamuddin area has been identified as one of the hotspots of COVID-19 in India after several people tested positive for the virus in the past few days.
AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan on Tuesday claimed he had informed the Delhi Police on March 23 that around 1,000 people were trapped in Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi, where a congregation was organised earlier this month and some of its participants later tested positive for coronavirus.
The Okhla MLA asked why the police had not taken any timely action.
"On March 23, at 12 pm, I told DCP South East and ACP Nizamuddin that around 1000 people are trapped in Nizamuddin Markaz, then why did the police not arrange to send them to their homes," Mr Khan said in a tweet.
Nagpur lockdown violators get Yoga, coronavirus lessons
People caught flouting lockdown norms in Nagpur on Tuesday were detained for five to six hours
"We imposed nakabandi and detained them for five to six hours, made them sit in the sun for disinfection and do Yoga and listen to lectures on coronavirus to make them understand how serious the situation is. They were allowed to go later," he said.
People caught flouting lockdown norms in Nagpur on Tuesday were detained for five to six hours
and made to do Yoga and listen to lectures on the novel coronavirus outbreak by the police, an official said.
The move came after several youth were found loitering on the streets aimlessly in Mahadula area along Nagpur-Madhya Pradesh Highway, said Inspector Wazir Sheikh of Koradi police station.
Various government departments to work with ICMR to develop coronavirus vaccine
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Biotechnology will work with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to further the agenda of the development of a vaccine for coronavirus, said R Gangakhedkar, head, Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Division of ICMR.
"CSIR, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Biotechnology will work with the ICMR to further the agenda of the development of a vaccine for COVID-19," Gangakhedkar said at a press conference on Tuesday.
Speaking on whether the country has the capacity to conduct tests for an increasing number of suspected coronavirus patients, he said, "Till now we have tested 42,788 samples, including 4,346 samples that were tested on March 30. It represents 36 per cent of our capacity.
"123 labs have been made functional, 49 private labs have been given permission. Yesterday 399 patients were tested in private labs," he added.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Biotechnology will work with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to further the agenda of the development of a vaccine for coronavirus, said R Gangakhedkar, head, Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Division of ICMR.
"CSIR, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Biotechnology will work with the ICMR to further the agenda of the development of a vaccine for COVID-19," Gangakhedkar said at a press conference on Tuesday.
Speaking on whether the country has the capacity to conduct tests for an increasing number of suspected coronavirus patients, he said, "Till now we have tested 42,788 samples, including 4,346 samples that were tested on March 30. It represents 36 per cent of our capacity.
"123 labs have been made functional, 49 private labs have been given permission. Yesterday 399 patients were tested in private labs," he added.
95% people from state who participated in Tablighi Jamaat event traced: UP Additional Chief Secretary
Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Awasthi on Tuesday said that nearly 95 per cent of 157 people of the state, who had participated in Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz in Nizamuddin in Delhi have been traced.
"At least 95 per cent of the 157 people of the state, who had participated in Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz, Nizamuddin in Delhi, have been traced. The remaining 5 per cent will be traced by evening. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed us to conduct searches in every district as there is a possibility that some people might have entered the state," Mr Awasthi said while addressing a press conference.
This comes after several people who participated in the religious gathering in Delhi tested positive for coronavirus.
Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Awasthi on Tuesday said that nearly 95 per cent of 157 people of the state, who had participated in Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz in Nizamuddin in Delhi have been traced.
"At least 95 per cent of the 157 people of the state, who had participated in Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz, Nizamuddin in Delhi, have been traced. The remaining 5 per cent will be traced by evening. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed us to conduct searches in every district as there is a possibility that some people might have entered the state," Mr Awasthi said while addressing a press conference.
This comes after several people who participated in the religious gathering in Delhi tested positive for coronavirus.
Kochi Metro to remain closed till April 14
Kochi Metro services will remain shut till April 14, in view of the countrywide lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, KMRL Managing Director, Alkesh Kumar Sharma, said on Tuesday.
"Kochi Metro services will remain closed till April 14, in view of the nationwide lockdown aimed at combating COVID-19. This has been done to make sure that people stay at home and practice social distancing," Mr Sharma said.
Kochi Metro services will remain shut till April 14, in view of the countrywide lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, KMRL Managing Director, Alkesh Kumar Sharma, said on Tuesday.
"Kochi Metro services will remain closed till April 14, in view of the nationwide lockdown aimed at combating COVID-19. This has been done to make sure that people stay at home and practice social distancing," Mr Sharma said.
Himachal Police warns public against spreading coronavirus-related rumours on April Fool's Day
As India battles the deadly coronavirus pandemic, a fake news ''infodemic'' is also spreading on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms with numerous false claims, including about an impending emergency declaration and an extension of the lockdown period.
The Himachal Pradesh Police on Tuesday warned the public against spreading rumours regarding COVID-19 or the ongoing lockdown in the name of April Fool's Day.
It said FIR will be lodged against anyone found indulging in such pranks on April 1.
In a message posted on social media, Shimla Superintendent of Police Omapati Jamwal said, "Tomorrow is April 1. Don't spread any rumour regarding COVID-19 or lockdown in the name of April Fool. FIR will be lodged."
Similar warnings were issued by police in several other districts of the hill state.
Coronavirus India: After Delhi Mosque Event, 7 COVID-19 Deaths, Nationwide Search: 10 PointsAt least 50 people in Tamil Nadu have tested positive for coronavirus after returning from a large religious gathering at Delhi's Nizamuddin that has emerged as a virus hotspot with links to seven COVID-19 deaths. Amid a nationwide manhunt for the participants, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said 441 more in the capital have shown symptoms of the virus and that there could be a spike when more were tested. In the middle of a national lockdown, close to 2,000 people had been staying at "Markaz Nizamuddin", the Delhi headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat group, for weeks. Over 1,100 are now quarantined in different parts of the city and lanes near the religious centre have been taped off by officials in hazmat suits. A police case has been filed against the mosque administration. The home ministry has instructed states to track down Tablighi members who travelled to various parts of the country after the two-day gathering on March 8-10."
Coronavirus: Haryana loses Rs 3,000 crore revenue in March, figure set to double next month
He said that Rs 21 crore has been received as donation so far in the recently set up Haryana Covid Relief Fund and he appealed to people to come forward with more donations.
In wake of the situation arising from the coronavirus pandemic, Haryana has suffered a revenue loss of nearly Rs 3000 crore this month and the figure is set to double next month, Chief Minister M L Khattar said on Tuesday.
He was speaking in a televised address to the people of the state, apprising them of the unfolding situation and the steps which the government was taking to combat it.
"Although Haryana is financially better than many other states, but in the present situation, the state has faced a revenue loss of nearly Rs 3000 crore this month and in April estimates are that we will lose revenue of Rs 6000 crore," he said.
Set up toll free numbers to help senior citizens during lockdown: Jammu and Kashmir BJP to Centre
For this purpose, toll free numbers would prove to be helpful for them, he said.
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP on Tuesday appealed to the authorities to set up toll free numbers to help senior citizens living alone in the Union Territory during the ongoing lockdown imposed to combat coronavirus.
BJP national vice-president Avinash Rai Khanna has appealed to the government of India and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to issue toll free numbers at sub-division level to provide required help to the senior citizens.
Mr Khanna said that in view of the outbreak of coronavirus, the governments at the Centre and in the UT are tirelessly making efforts for the safety and well-being of the people, and the senior citizens need to be taken care in case of any emergency.
Income Tax Department contributes one day salary to PM-CARES fund
The union health ministry has so far placed the total number of coronavirus cases at 1251, including 49 foreigners, and the death toll at 32. The ministry said that 102 people have so far recovered from the infection.
The Income Tax Department has decided to contribute their one day salary to the PM-CARES fund to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
All officers and staff of the department pledge to contribute their one day salary to the fund, it said in a Twitter post.
"We stand with India during this national challenge. Together we can.Together we will!," the department said.
Maulana who led Nizamuddin gathering charged for violating government orders
The Telangana government late Monday said six people who attended the congregation died due to the virus.
Delhi police on Tuesday booked the cleric, who led a huge religious congregation in Nizamuddin West earlier this month, for violating government orders on not organising public gatherings and maintaining social distance to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, official said.
The markaz (centre) in the south Delhi neighbourhood organised a Tabligh-e-Jamaat from March 1-15 and at least 2,000 people, including foreigners and Indians from across the country, attended the gathering. On Sunday night, many residents of the centre started showing symptoms of COVID-19 and police and paramilitary officials locked down the area but authorities fear a possible spread of the virus.
Gujarat top cop warns of action against those harassing medical staff
People harassing medical staff combating the novel coronavirus outbreak as well as those
He said police had come to know that doctors, nurses and health workers as well as those who had returned home after being declared fit following quarantine were being harassed.
He said factory owners asking labourers to leave, while the state and country is in the midst of a 21-day lockdown, would face action.
People harassing medical staff combating the novel coronavirus outbreak as well as those
declared fit after undergoing quarantine, by accusing them of being carriers of the virus, would face action, said Gujarat Director General of Police Shivanand Jha on Tuesday.
"They are harassed and some have even been asked to vacate houses. Police will not tolerate this. We will take strict action. If need be, we will provide them protection," Mr Jha told reporters in Gandhinagar.
Naval facility in Andhra designs portable MOM to connect 1 oxygen cylinder to six patients
To cater to requirement of oxygen supply for multiple patients during the COVID-19
The preliminary trials of the entire assembly was conducted at the Naval Dockyard here and this was followed by rapid trials at the Naval Hospital INHS Kalyani wherein the portable MOM was successfully set up within 30 minutes, it said.
To cater to requirement of oxygen supply for multiple patients during the COVID-19
pandemic using limited resources, personnel from the Naval Dockyard here have designed an innovative portable arrangement that can help connect one cylinder to six people at a time.
The "Portable Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold(MOM)'' using a six-way radial header fitted to a single cylinder would enable critical care management to a larger number of COVID patients with the existing limited resources.
The entire set up was made operational by the manufacture of a Fine Adjustment Reducer and specific adapters of requisite dimensions for connecting the Oxygen cylinder and the portable MOM, according to a release.
Bengal sweet shop owners want outlets to open in morning hours, urge government to change timing
The top body of sweet shop owners on Tuesday requested West Bengal government to allow
In a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Joint Secretary of Paschimbanga Mistanna Byabosayee Samiti Jagannath Ghosh thanked her for thinking about the huge financial losses
"The timings mentioned in the government order - 12 noon to 4 pm - may not help us economically as there are very few people on the road and the sweets manufactured will remain
The association urged Banerjee to consider rescheduling the time from 8 am to 1 pm when more people go to markets and groceries and the sweet makers will be able to sell their products.
The top body of sweet shop owners on Tuesday requested West Bengal government to allow
the outlets to open for five hours in the morning hours during the lockdown period, instead of the stipulated four hours in the afternoon.
faced by them and allowing them to open their establishments for four hours from March 31 but expressed misgivings about the timing.
unsold," Mr Ghosh said in the letter.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday donated Rs 5 lakh each to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and the state Emergency Relief Fund to help combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Taking to Twitter, Ms Banerjee said the contribution was made from her "limited resources".
"I do not take any salary as an MLA or a Chief Minister and I have also foregone my MP Pension despite being a 7-time Member of Parliament. I come from limited means. My primary source of income is from my creative pursuits, the royalties I generate from my music and books.
"Out of my limited resources, I am contributing Rs 5 lakh to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and another Rs 5 lakh to the West Bengal State Emergency Relief Fund in an attempt to support our country's efforts in fighting COVID-19," she said in a series of tweets.
Coronavirus COVID-19 India - PM Narendra Modi's Mother Donates Rs 25,000 To PM-CARES FundPrime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Heera Ben has donated Rs 25,000 from her savings to the new fund set up to tackle the coronavirus crisis, government sources said on Tuesday."
Rajasthan High Court says no bail pleas should be listed during lockdown
It asked how come the courts be "forced" to hear a bail application. It said the police cannot be asked to come to court with case diaries by travelling hundreds of kilometres amid the pandemic.
The Rajasthan High Court directed the registry on Monday to not list any bail pleas as ''extremely urgent case'' as it had decided that only important matters would be taken up during the lockdown over the novel coronavirus pandemic.
During a hearing of a second bail application, a single-judge bench of Justice Pankaj Bhandari ordered that no bail application would be listed before the court for hearing.
The bench observed that even during Diwali, Holi and winter breaks, the bail applications were not listed.
Government threatens action against landlords coercing healthcare workers to vacate
The government has issued an order under the Epidemic Disease Act empowering the District Magistrates, Municipal Corporations and Deputy Commissioners of Police to take action against landlords who are pressurising healthcare workers who are living as their tenants to vacate their houses, a senior central government official said on Tuesday.
"The Delhi government has issued an order under Epidemic Disease Act to DMs, Municipal Corporations and Deputy Commissioners of Police to look into the matters wherein landowners are forcing doctors and nurses to vacate their property," said Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
This is in the backdrop of reports wherein some doctors who are treating coronavirus positive patients were asked to vacate their residences by their landlords.
The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had even written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting appropriate action against such landlords.
The government has issued an order under the Epidemic Disease Act empowering the District Magistrates, Municipal Corporations and Deputy Commissioners of Police to take action against landlords who are pressurising healthcare workers who are living as their tenants to vacate their houses, a senior central government official said on Tuesday.
"The Delhi government has issued an order under Epidemic Disease Act to DMs, Municipal Corporations and Deputy Commissioners of Police to look into the matters wherein landowners are forcing doctors and nurses to vacate their property," said Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
This is in the backdrop of reports wherein some doctors who are treating coronavirus positive patients were asked to vacate their residences by their landlords.
The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had even written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting appropriate action against such landlords.
Railways ready to modify 20,000 coaches to accommodate 3.2 lakh beds for isolation needs
To help the government in its effort to contain the spread of coronavirus, Indian Railways said it would be prepared 20,000 coaches which can accommodate up to 3.2 lakh beds for isolation needs.
Railways would be prepared to modify 20,000 coaches into quarantine and isolation coaches to augment the quarantine facilities being created in the country.
"As part of COVID-19 preparedness, it has been decided by Indian Railways that it would be prepared to modify 20000 coaches into quarantine and isolation coaches to augment the quarantine facilities being created in the country. In this connection, consultations were held with Armed Forces Medical Services, Medical Department of various Zonal Railways, and Ayushman Bharat, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Five Zonal Railways have already prepared prototypes for the quarantine/ isolation coaches," an official statement said.
"These modified 20,000 coaches can accommodate up to 3.2 lakh possible beds for isolation needs. Work on modification of 5,000 coaches, which are to be converted initially into quarantine and isolation coaches has already started," it added.
These 5,000 coaches would be having the capacity to accommodate up to 80,000 beds. One coach is expected to have 16 beds for isolation.
To help the government in its effort to contain the spread of coronavirus, Indian Railways said it would be prepared 20,000 coaches which can accommodate up to 3.2 lakh beds for isolation needs.
Railways would be prepared to modify 20,000 coaches into quarantine and isolation coaches to augment the quarantine facilities being created in the country.
"As part of COVID-19 preparedness, it has been decided by Indian Railways that it would be prepared to modify 20000 coaches into quarantine and isolation coaches to augment the quarantine facilities being created in the country. In this connection, consultations were held with Armed Forces Medical Services, Medical Department of various Zonal Railways, and Ayushman Bharat, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Five Zonal Railways have already prepared prototypes for the quarantine/ isolation coaches," an official statement said.
"These modified 20,000 coaches can accommodate up to 3.2 lakh possible beds for isolation needs. Work on modification of 5,000 coaches, which are to be converted initially into quarantine and isolation coaches has already started," it added.
These 5,000 coaches would be having the capacity to accommodate up to 80,000 beds. One coach is expected to have 16 beds for isolation.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister extends retirement period of doctors, nurses by 2 months
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday extended the retirement period of doctors and nurses for a period of two months on a contract basis, in a bid to have sufficient medical force to combat the coronavirus outbreak situation in the state.
These doctors and nurses were supposed to retire today.
This comes after the state government''s earlier decision to double the salary of those who work with COVID-19 infected patients.
Tamil Nadu has so far recorded 74 coronavirus positive cases, as per state Health Minister Dr C Vijayabaskar.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday extended the retirement period of doctors and nurses for a period of two months on a contract basis, in a bid to have sufficient medical force to combat the coronavirus outbreak situation in the state.
These doctors and nurses were supposed to retire today.
This comes after the state government''s earlier decision to double the salary of those who work with COVID-19 infected patients.
Tamil Nadu has so far recorded 74 coronavirus positive cases, as per state Health Minister Dr C Vijayabaskar.
Doctors, health department staff no longer require curfew passes: Punjab government
Employees of the health and medical education departments have been now permitted to work on the basis of their identity cards issued by their concerted departments.
The Punjab government on Tuesday said private doctors, staff of the health department and regular patients in the state will no longer require curfew passes to move around amid the ongoing lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Besides, banks and ATMs have been allowed to operate the whole week, subject to maintenance of COVID-19 protocols, as per the revised guidelines issued by the state home department in the wake of the curfew being extended till April 14.
According to the new instructions, the district magistrates have been formally asked to extend curfew beyond March 31, up to April 14.
Post offices and courier services have been allowed to operate while banks and cash dispensing machines can remain open the whole week as against two-days a week earlier, subject to maintenance of social distance norms, said an official release.
Assam Becomes First State To Announce Lockdown Exemption From TomorrowAssam has become the first state to announce exemption from the ongoing nationwide lockdown that was implemented to combat the deadly coronavirus spread in the country. The Assam government is going to ease the lockdown norms from April 1 even as the state records its first COVID-19 case from Silchar."
14 people who attended Nizamuddin congregation kept in isolation in UP's Bhadohi
Over 2,000 delegates, including from Indonesia and Malaysia, attended the Tabligh-e-Jamaat congregation in Nizamuddin West from March 1-15.
Fourteen people, including 11 Bangladeshi nationals, who had attended a religious congregation in Hazrat Nizamuddin area in Delhi, have been admitted to the isolation ward of a hospital here, police said on Tuesday.
Superintendent of Police, Ram Badan Singh said preliminarily no symptom of COVID-19 was found in them, but as a precautionary measure they have been kept in isolation ward and their samples have been sent for testing.
Coronavirus-infected patients breach 100-mark in UP as five test positive in Bareilly
The Health Department has started screening all people residing in one kilometre area around their house, he added.
With five more persons testing positive for coronavirus in Bareilly on Tuesday, the total count of COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh has crossed the 100 mark, said officials.
In all, 101 cases have been reported from 15 districts of the state, Principal secretary medical and health Amit Mohan Prasad told reporters.
"Five new cases were found positive in Bareilly. The samples of 6 members of a family of a man, working in Noida and found corona-positive earlier, were sent for testing. Five of them, including his mother, father, brother, sister and wife were found positive," Bareilly Chief medical officer, Dr Vineet Shukla said on Tuesday.
After the report, declaring five Bareilly residents corona-positive, was received from the KGMU on Tuesday morning, the Subhash Nagar area, where the family lives, has been sealed off with a 5-km area around their house turned into a buffer zone, the CMO said.
Donated Rs 5 lakh each to PM National Relief Fund and state Emergency Relief Fund to help combat COVID-19: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Mumbai's vacant properties to turn into quarantine centres
With the rise in the number of coronavirus cases in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal
The civic body also warned action against property owners, who refused to adhere to its orders.
With the rise in the number of coronavirus cases in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal
Corporation on Tuesday said it will use vacant properties in residential buildings, lodges, clubs and exhibition halls to quarantine suspected patients.
The civic body issued a circular stating that vacant properties will be used to quarantine those who are suspected to have been exposed to coronavirus.
The BMC has authorised its assistant commissioners to requisition vacant residential buildings, lodges, hotels, dharamshalas, clubs, exhibition centres, colleges, hostels, dormitories, cruise ships, banquet halls and gymkhanas with immediate effect.
As per the circular, officials will provide food and make basic arrangements at these quarantine facilities.
COVID-19: ITBP contributes one day salary of troops to PM-CARES Fund
The about 90,000 personnel strong Indo-Tibetan Border Police force is primarily tasked to guard the 3,488-kms long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China apart from rendering a variety of duties in the internal security domain of the country.
Border guarding force ITBP has contributed the one day salary of its staffers, totalling over Rs 10.53 crore, to the PM-CARES Fund to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
"An amount of Rs 10,53,58,479 has been electronically transferred to the PM-CARES account. This amount is the one day salary of the troops and other staffers of the force," ITBP spokesperson Vivek Kumar Pandey said.
The Prime Ministers Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES Fund) was recently announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Quarantine for 100 Madhya Pradesh residents who attended Nizamuddin meet
According to an official, Mr Chouhan held a high-level meeting where he said that over 100 people from Madhya Pradesh had participated in the meet and arrangements should be made
The Chief Minister has asked district collectors and superintendents of police to track down these people and keep a tab on pilgrims visiting places of worship, he said.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday directed officials to quarantine over 100 people from the state who had participated in a religious congregation in Delhi that has become a key source for the spread of coronavirus in the country.
The gathering at Markaz Nizamuddin in the national capital was organised by the Tablighi Jamaat earlier this month. The Delhi government on Tuesday said 24 people, who took part in the congregation, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
to quarantine them.
Coronavirus: Maharashtra Chief Minister's relief fund receives Rs 80 crore
The Maharashtra Chief Minister's relief fund on Tuesday received donations of Rs 80 crore in
The biggest donation so far has come from the Saibaba temple trust of Shirdi, which gave Rs 51 crore, followed by Rs 11 crore in the form of one day''s salary of officials of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corrporation (MIDC), the official said.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister's relief fund on Tuesday received donations of Rs 80 crore in
support of the state''s fight against coronavirus outbreak.
The fund now has a corpus of Rs 93.05 crore, said an official in the Chief Minister's Office.
COVID-19 Hotspots Have Increased, Says Centre. Delhi Mosque In Top 10With over 1,200 coronavirus cases in the country, the number of hotspots has increased, the government said today amid rising concerns over a large religious gathering in Delhi linked to seven deaths and 24 positive cases of COVID-19."
Coronavirus India: After Delhi Mosque Event, 7 COVID-19 Deaths, Nationwide Search: 10 PointsNinety-one people have tested positive for coronavirus and a nationwide manhunt is on for suspected cases after a large religious gathering at Delhi's Nizamuddin that has emerged as a virus hotspot with links to seven COVID-19 deaths. 441 more in Delhi have shown symptoms of the virus, said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, adding that there could be a spike when more were tested. In the middle of a national lockdown, close to 2,000 people had been staying at "Markaz Nizamuddin", the Delhi headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat group, for weeks. Over 1,100 are now quarantined in different parts of the city and lanes near the religious centre have been taped off by officials in hazmat suits. A police case has been filed against the mosque administration. The home ministry has instructed states to track down Tablighi members who travelled to various parts of the country after the two-day gathering on March 8-10."
Amarinder Singh apprises Nitish Kumar of arrangements made for migrant labourers
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh apprised his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar on Tuesday of arrangements being made by his government for the welfare of migrant workers in the state.
"Spoke to CM Bihar @NitishKumar ji to apprise him of arrangements being made by the State for the welfare of migrant labour from Bihar. Have asked him to assure their families that Punjab and Punjabis will fully look after them during the lockdown," Captain Singh tweeted.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh apprised his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar on Tuesday of arrangements being made by his government for the welfare of migrant workers in the state.
"We are taking care of people from Bihar and other states and giving them food and ensuring daily wages to them from the industry," Captain Singh told Mr Kumar.
He also asked the Bihar chief minister to assure the families of the migrant workers of their wellbeing.
Over 3,700 detained for violation of lockdown in Delhi
A total of 557 vehicles were impounded under section 66 of the Delhi Police Act, police said, adding, 2,143 movement passes were issued on Monday.
More than 200 cases were registered and 3,763 people detained on Tuesday for violating government orders during the coronavirus lockdown, Delhi police said.
According to the data shared by the police, 239 cases were registered under section 188 (for disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code till 5 pm.
A total of 3,763 people have been detained under section 65 (persons bound to comply with reasonable directions of police officers) and 546 vehicles have been impounded under section 66 of the Delhi Police Act, they stated.
A total of 1,254 movement passes have been issued on Tuesday, police said. On Monday, 145 cases were registered under section 188 of IPC till 5pm and a total of 3,750 people were detained under section 65 of the Delhi Police Act.
Two coronavirus patients recover, discharged from AIIMS Raipur
Two coronavirus positive patients were discharged from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur after they tested negative for the disease.
"Two patients - 68-year-old and another 33-year-old - were found negative in coronavirus test during last four days. They were admitted in dedicated coronavirus ward at AIIMS Raipur recently. After rigorous medication and isolation as per ICMR protocol, they responded well to their treatment," a medical bulletin issued by AIIMS Raipur said.
"VRD lab in Microbiology Department found their two consecutive tests negative and they were discharged as per the ICMR guidelines. Other four patients admitted in AIIMS are also in stable condition," it added.
Director of the institute Nitin M Nagarkar said that it was a great achievement for AIIMS family. "Dedication and commitment towards coronavirus patients are giving dividends", he said.
Two coronavirus positive patients were discharged from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur after they tested negative for the disease.
"Two patients - 68-year-old and another 33-year-old - were found negative in coronavirus test during last four days. They were admitted in dedicated coronavirus ward at AIIMS Raipur recently. After rigorous medication and isolation as per ICMR protocol, they responded well to their treatment," a medical bulletin issued by AIIMS Raipur said.
"VRD lab in Microbiology Department found their two consecutive tests negative and they were discharged as per the ICMR guidelines. Other four patients admitted in AIIMS are also in stable condition," it added.
Director of the institute Nitin M Nagarkar said that it was a great achievement for AIIMS family. "Dedication and commitment towards coronavirus patients are giving dividends", he said.
Foreigner stranded in Kerala amid lockdown makes inspirational YouTube videos
When many people who are stranded in different parts of India are trying desperately to get back home, here is a foreigner--a travel vlogger--who is in home quarantine in Kerala using his time to clean his surroundings and making music videos out of it on YouTube.
Through his videos in his channel Back2Life, he sends out a message ''home is where you are''.
Nikolay Timoshchuk Jr, a Ukrainian settled in the US who quit his job as a school teacher to be a travel vlogger, had come to Kerala a few months back. He was stuck after the nationwide lockdown was announced from March 25.
When many people who are stranded in different parts of India are trying desperately to get back home, here is a foreigner--a travel vlogger--who is in home quarantine in Kerala using his time to clean his surroundings and making music videos out of it on YouTube.
Through his videos in his channel Back2Life, he sends out a message ''home is where you are''.
Nikolay Timoshchuk Jr, a Ukrainian settled in the US who quit his job as a school teacher to be a travel vlogger, had come to Kerala a few months back. He was stuck after the nationwide lockdown was announced from March 25.
More than half of the 40 people who tested positive for coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh
While the state government officials gathered information that at least 711 people from various districts of the state travelled to New Delhi for the congregation, 85 of them were yet to be traced.
allegedly have a link with the Tablighi Jamaat and attended its congregation in New Delhi between March 13 and 15, official sources said on Tuesday.
In all 21 people, who tested positive, either attended the event or transmitted it to their contacts, they said.
"As many as 17 coronavirus positive people attended the religious congregation while four others were their contacts," official sources said.
Of the 21, Guntur and Prakasam districts have nine such patients each while East Godavari has two and Krishna one.
3 people who attended religious congregation in Nizamuddin quarantined in Odisha
Three people who recently returned from Delhi after attending a religious congregation
The state government is aware about the three persons who returned from the congregation. These three people have been put on quarantine and their family members under observation, he told reporters during the daily briefing.
Three people who recently returned from Delhi after attending a religious congregation
at Tabligh-e-Jamaat's Markaz in Nizamuddin West have been put on quarantine by the Odisha government, an official said on Tuesday.
The state government is also trying to identify others who attended the programme from March 1-15, said Subroto Bagchi, Odisha's chief spokesperson on COVID-19.
COVID-19 infected CISF jawan tests negative in second test
"The jawan has tested negative for coronavirus in his latest medical test. He continues to remain under medical observation and isolation at a Mumbai hospital," a senior CISF official said.
The jawan is suspected to have contracted the disease from a passenger at the airport.
The 1.62 lakh-strong Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is the designated national civil aviation security force with 63 airports under its cover at present.
A CISF jawan who was infected with coronavirus has tested negative for the disease following his latest medical examination, a senior official said.
The head constable rank official was posted at the Mumbai international airport. He had tested positive on March 28 and was admitted to a local hospital.
More tests will be conducted in due course, he said.
The 1.62 lakh-strong Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is the designated national civil aviation security force with 63 airports under its cover at present.
Centre says has identified suppliers to increase availability of logistic items in battle against coronavirus
The Ministry of External Affairs has identified suppliers from South Korea, Turkey and Vietnam to increase the availability of logistic items needed in the battle against coronavirus, Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
"Ministry of External Affairs has identified suppliers from South Korea, Turkey and Vietnam to increase the availability of logistic items in the country," said Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at a media briefing.
He said that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working with local manufacturers to increase the supply of N95 masks.
"A science and technology-empowered committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Dr Vinod Paul, member of NITI Aayog and Professor K Vijay Raghavan, principal scientific adviser to Prime Minister," Mr Aggarwal said.
The Ministry of External Affairs has identified suppliers from South Korea, Turkey and Vietnam to increase the availability of logistic items needed in the battle against coronavirus, Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
"Ministry of External Affairs has identified suppliers from South Korea, Turkey and Vietnam to increase the availability of logistic items in the country," said Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at a media briefing.
He said that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working with local manufacturers to increase the supply of N95 masks.
"A science and technology-empowered committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Dr Vinod Paul, member of NITI Aayog and Professor K Vijay Raghavan, principal scientific adviser to Prime Minister," Mr Aggarwal said.
15 persons who participated in Tablighi Jamaat event quarantined in Andhra Pradesh
The Health department officials in Srikalahasti on Tuesday identified 15 persons who had attended a Tablighi Jamaat gathering at Markaz Nizamuddin in Delhi, and shifted them to Sri Venkateswara Ramnarain Ruia Government General Hospital in Tirupati on the fear that they might have been infected with coronavirus.
This came after several people who had participated in the religious gathering in Delhi tested positive for the coronavirus.
Six persons from the neighbouring Telangana who attended a religious prayer meeting at the Tablighi Jamaat headquarters, or the Markaz, from March 13-15 in Delhi's Nizamuddin, have died of coronavirus, Telangana Chief Minister''s office (CMO) said on Monday.
The Health department officials in Srikalahasti on Tuesday identified 15 persons who had attended a Tablighi Jamaat gathering at Markaz Nizamuddin in Delhi, and shifted them to Sri Venkateswara Ramnarain Ruia Government General Hospital in Tirupati on the fear that they might have been infected with coronavirus.
This came after several people who had participated in the religious gathering in Delhi tested positive for the coronavirus.
Six persons from the neighbouring Telangana who attended a religious prayer meeting at the Tablighi Jamaat headquarters, or the Markaz, from March 13-15 in Delhi's Nizamuddin, have died of coronavirus, Telangana Chief Minister''s office (CMO) said on Monday.
Malaysian woman found coronavirus positive, first case in Jharkhand
Jharkhand reported its first case of COVID-19 after a Malaysian woman tested positive for the
"A Malaysian woman, who is among the 24 persons found staying in a mosque in Ranchi, has been found positive. She is absolutely normal and asymptomatic, Principal Secretary
The 24 people, including foreign nationals, were traced to a mosque at Hindpiri in the city on Monday and kept at a quarantine facility in Ranchi, officials said.
Jharkhand reported its first case of COVID-19 after a Malaysian woman tested positive for the
virus, a senior official said on Tuesday.
(Health) Nitin Madan Kulkarni said.
Flying squads to conduct door-to-door survey in Mumbai
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said flying squads have been set up in
"If more such areas are declared containment areas, health officials will have to work very hard to stop the virus spread. Mumbai is the country''s financial capital and the spread of the viral infection has to be controlled. The flying squads need to be activated and survey should begin," he said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said flying squads have been set up in
all 227 municipal wards of Mumbai for door-to-door survey as part of efforts to check the spread of coronavirus.
The step has been taken in view of the high density of population in Mumbai where there is more possibility of spread of the disease compared to other districts.
Mr Thackeray held a meeting with municipal authorities and ward officials through video conference on Monday evening.
In a release issued on Tuesday, he said the Worli Koliwada has been declared as the ''containment area'' and residents have been prohibited from moving around.
Services of retiring cops extended till May 31 in Punjab
As many as 44,546 cops have been deployed in the field as of now to enforce curfew restrictions and conduct relief operations, it said.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday ordered extension of services of all retiring police personnel and home guards by two months to strengthen citizen outreach on the ground.
Further, to ease pressure on the police force, around 1,300 cops have been judiciously withdrawn from VVIP duty, including a significant number from the Chief Minister's security, to join the battle in the COVID-19 lockdown on the ground, a state government release said.
Delhi Police distributes food to 2 lakh needy people
Free food was also given to the visually-challenged at Chetan Vihar area, police said.
The food parcels included rice, dal, potataos, mustard and flour, the police added.
In a humanitarian gesture, the Delhi Police distributed food packets to nearly two lakh poor people in different parts of the city amid the coronavirus outbreak, officials said on Tuesday.
According to a senior police officer, the food delivery network established in all 15 districts of the city with the involvement of nearly 400 NGOs, RWAs and good samaritans facilitated by the police gave away food packets at more than 250 locations, feeding nearly 1,72,584 people.
He said food was distributed to over 50,000 people in Dwarka in the past three days.
A total of 17,330 poor people, including labourers, were provided prepared and raw food by the security force on Tuesday.
Similarly, food was distributed to 12,575 people on Sunday and 13,755 people on Monday, the official said.
Meanwhile, the outer north district police served raw food material for 15 days to 2,350 poor families, and cooked food to around 60,000 people.
Government launches dedicated Twitter handle for COVID-19 updates
"Follow @COVIDNewsbyMIB for authentic information and all updates on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)," reads the first tweet, which also carries a photo with the government's helpline number written on it.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday set up a dedicated Twitter handle for sharing news and updates about the novel coronavirus.
The account is named #IndiaFightsCorona and uses the handle @CovidnewsbyMIB.
In its first tweet, the handle has shared the helpline numbers for information on the pandemic.
"Dear citizens, We should not get "infodemic'''' while fighting against #CoronaOutbreak. It is important to be updated with correct information on #COVID19.
Majority of Muslims heeded government rules on coronavirus, says Omar Ambullah as Nizamuddin controversy rages
After some evacuees from a Delhi-based Islamic centre were tested positive for coronavirus, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on on Tuesday said that majority of Muslims in India have heeded government guidelines.
"At first glance it would appear the #TablighiJamaat were nothing if not irresponsible in the way they went about things but that''s not unique to them. The majority of Muslims in India have heeded government guidelines and advice the same as anyone else," Mr Abdullah tweeted.
Auhorities across India have launched a massive search for hundreds of people who attended a religious event in New Delhi recently. The gathering is feared to have set off several Covid-19 clusters.
After some evacuees from a Delhi-based Islamic centre were tested positive for coronavirus, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on on Tuesday said that majority of Muslims in India have heeded government guidelines.
"At first glance it would appear the #TablighiJamaat were nothing if not irresponsible in the way they went about things but that''s not unique to them. The majority of Muslims in India have heeded government guidelines and advice the same as anyone else," Mr Abdullah tweeted.
Auhorities across India have launched a massive search for hundreds of people who attended a religious event in New Delhi recently. The gathering is feared to have set off several Covid-19 clusters.
26 people from Uttarakhand participated in Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi
As many as 26 people from Uttarakhand were present at the Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz in Delhi''s Nizamuddin, said DG Law and Order Ashok Kumar.
"The gathering gathered at Nizamuddin in Delhi also included 26 people from Uttarakhand, mostly people from the districts of Haridwar and Dehradun. The police have verified them and they are still in Delhi. They will return back after completing quarantine period," Mr Kumar told ANI here.
Amid the nationwide lockdown in the wake of coronavirus, Mr Kumar said that about 8,000 police personnel have been engaged to deal with the situation, 106 cases have been registered.
As many as 26 people from Uttarakhand were present at the Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz in Delhi''s Nizamuddin, said DG Law and Order Ashok Kumar.
"The gathering gathered at Nizamuddin in Delhi also included 26 people from Uttarakhand, mostly people from the districts of Haridwar and Dehradun. The police have verified them and they are still in Delhi. They will return back after completing quarantine period," Mr Kumar told ANI here.
Amid the nationwide lockdown in the wake of coronavirus, Mr Kumar said that about 8,000 police personnel have been engaged to deal with the situation, 106 cases have been registered.
On March 28, all state police asked to locate Indian Tabligh Jamaat workers from local coordinators, medically screened, quarantine them, says Centre. So far, 2137 such people identified, being medically examined, quarantined. More such people would be identified and located.
Coronavirus lockdown: Army assists 36 stranded people in J&K's Rajouri
They were educated on precautionary measures to be followed to prevent COVID-19 and were later shifted to a quarantine facility in Jarra Wali Gali established by the civil administration, the PRO said.
The Army assisted 36 stranded people including students and labourers with food, water and other essential items in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Tuesday, officials said.
Amid the ongoing lockdown, 21 casual labourers and two students, who were travelling from Srinagar to Thanamandi via Poshana on old Mughal road were stranded at Dogrian in the district, PRO defence said.
The Army provided them rations, water, soap, medicines and coronavirus protection kits comprising of masks, gloves and hand sanitisers, PRO said.
These individuals were also provided with hot food and tea, he added.
2 children donate piggy banks to fund meals for labourers in Madhya Pradesh
Policemen in Madhya Pradesh's Neemuch district were moved by the compassion shown
Policemen in Madhya Pradesh's Neemuch district were moved by the compassion shown
by a 10-year-old boy and his 12-year-old brother, who donated over Rs 5,000 from their piggy banks, to fund meals for labourers during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Devraj Singh Parihar and his elder brother Keshav donated Rs 5,060, which they had saved in their piggy banks, to fund meals for labourers, who are rendered jobless because of the lockdown, Kanjarda post in-charge Anil Singh Thakur said.
The boys from Khedli village in Manasa tehsil walked to the Kanjarda police post and handed over the piggy banks to officials there, he said.
"They told the police that after hearing about the pandemic, they thought of donating their piggy banks. When asked why they gave the money to the police, the boys said it was because policemen knew everyone in the area," Mr Thakur said.
The brothers had saved the money, which was given to them by their parents and close relatives to buy toys.
More areas declared as red zones in Kashmir to prevent COVID-19 spread
Earlier, on Monday, authorities in south Kashmir''s Shopian district declared two villages as red zones following detection of positive cases of coronavirus there.
The administration on Tuesday declared more areas in Kashmir as red zones following detection of fresh cases of COVID-19 in the valley, officials said.
They said 20 areas in Bandipora, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Shopian, Srinagar and Budgam districts of Kashmir division have been declared as red zones.
The areas are Parray Mohala Hajin, Chandergeer Hajin and Batagund Hajin in Bandipora district of north Kashmir and Gudoora, Chandgam, Pinglena, Parigam, Abhama, Sangerwani and Khaigam in Pulwama district of south, the officials said.
Waskura in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir and Sedew and Ramnagri in Shopian district in south Kashmir have also been declared as red zones, they added.
The officials said Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazar, Eidgah and Shalteng in Srinagar district and Chadoora in Budgam district of central Kashmir are the other areas which have been declared as red zones.
West Bengal identifying Nizamuddin event attendees in state, says official
Of them, 16 have been identified so far and efforts are on to establish contact with them, they said.
The West Bengal government has started identifying those who had attended a religious congregation in Delhi's Nizamuddin earlier this month, after six persons from Telangana who took part in the event died of COVID-19, a senior official.
Once identified, they will be placed under quarantine and medical tests would be conducted to ascertain if they have contracted the disease, he said.
Taking to Twitter, West Bengal Home Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay said, "All those from West Bengal who have participated in this event (Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi) are being identified and will be immediately tested for COVID and put under mandatory 14 days quarantine."
Sources in government said that over 30 people had participated in the congregation.
Over 2,100 foreigners visited India for ''tabligh'' activities this year: Centre
Coronavirus: Plea in Supreme Court for free of cost testing of COVID-19
The petition, filed by advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi, has questioned the March 17 advisory of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) which capped Rs 4,500 for testing of COVID-19 in private hospitals or labs, including screening and confirmatory tests.
A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday seeking a direction to the Centre and authorities concerned to provide free of cost testing facility for COVID-19 to all citizens in the country.
The plea has also sought a direction to the authorities for ramping up the testing facilities for COVID-19 at the earliest "given the escalating mortality and morbidity rate across the country".
BHU researchers patent new COVID-19 test kit
Researchers at Banaras Hindu University''s Department of Molecular and Human Genetics on Tuesday said that they have invented a new coronavirus test kit that can give "accurate results in 5-6 hours".
They have filed for a patent but it is still a long way to go before the test kit is approved for commercial production.
"We have used the RTPCR method -- which has been used as the screening method for COVID-19 worldwide -- as our base in order to target the sequence. We have designed primers that target the particular sequence which is only present in COVID-19," the department''s Associate Professor Dr. Geeta Rai told ANI.
She added that the COVID-19 sequence was not found in any other viruses like SARS. "We are hopeful that when testing is being done, it only detects the COVID-19 sequence and it would reduce the chances of getting a false positive," she explained.
Researchers at Banaras Hindu University''s Department of Molecular and Human Genetics on Tuesday said that they have invented a new coronavirus test kit that can give "accurate results in 5-6 hours".
They have filed for a patent but it is still a long way to go before the test kit is approved for commercial production.
"We have used the RTPCR method -- which has been used as the screening method for COVID-19 worldwide -- as our base in order to target the sequence. We have designed primers that target the particular sequence which is only present in COVID-19," the department''s Associate Professor Dr. Geeta Rai told ANI.
She added that the COVID-19 sequence was not found in any other viruses like SARS. "We are hopeful that when testing is being done, it only detects the COVID-19 sequence and it would reduce the chances of getting a false positive," she explained.
Ministers discuss Nizamuddin Markaz issue during meeting on COVID-19
The Group of Ministers (GoM) on Tuesday discussed the Nizamuddin Markaz issue in the meeting on the COVID-19 situation, government sources said.
"Group of Ministers(GoM) discussed Nizamuddin Markaz issue today in the meeting on COVID-19, a detailed briefing was given to the ministers," sources said.
The ministers who were present in the meeting included Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanad Rai.
This comes after 24 people staying at Markaz building tested positive for coronavirus.
The Group of Ministers (GoM) on Tuesday discussed the Nizamuddin Markaz issue in the meeting on the COVID-19 situation, government sources said.
"Group of Ministers(GoM) discussed Nizamuddin Markaz issue today in the meeting on COVID-19, a detailed briefing was given to the ministers," sources said.
The ministers who were present in the meeting included Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanad Rai.
This comes after 24 people staying at Markaz building tested positive for coronavirus.
Kerala CMO starts ''COVID-19 Centre'' on Twitter
A ''COVID-19 Centre'' has been started by Kerala Chief Minister''s Office on Twitter to address people''s queries and respond to SOS messages and requests related to the prevailing situation.
"The Chief Minister''s Office of Kerala has started a COVID-19 Centre on Twitter. You can connect with it through the id @COVID19Centre. This account will listen and respond to SOS messages and requests," Kerala CMO tweeted.
A ''COVID-19 Centre'' has been started by Kerala Chief Minister''s Office on Twitter to address people''s queries and respond to SOS messages and requests related to the prevailing situation.
"The Chief Minister''s Office of Kerala has started a COVID-19 Centre on Twitter. You can connect with it through the id @COVID19Centre. This account will listen and respond to SOS messages and requests," Kerala CMO tweeted.
Urge those who participated in Tablighi Jamaat to come forward, says Muslim law board member
All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali on Tuesday said that the spreading of coronavirus at the Tablighi Jamaat event was an unfortunate incident and added that those responsible should be held accountable.
Several people who participated at the Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz in Nizamuddin in Delhi have tested positive for coronavirus.
"Tablighi Jamaat is a religious organisation with roots around the world. What happened at the event was unfortunate and those responsible should be held accountable. I also urge those who participated in the event to give their information to the local authorities," Mahali told ANI.
He said that informing the local authorities will allow the administration to take immediate action, test them for coronavirus and provide timely treatment.
All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali on Tuesday said that the spreading of coronavirus at the Tablighi Jamaat event was an unfortunate incident and added that those responsible should be held accountable.
Several people who participated at the Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz in Nizamuddin in Delhi have tested positive for coronavirus.
"Tablighi Jamaat is a religious organisation with roots around the world. What happened at the event was unfortunate and those responsible should be held accountable. I also urge those who participated in the event to give their information to the local authorities," Mahali told ANI.
He said that informing the local authorities will allow the administration to take immediate action, test them for coronavirus and provide timely treatment.
Nine of 10 COVID-19 positive persons in Andaman had attended Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi
Deputy Director Heath and Nodal Officer in Andaman and Nicobar, COVID-19 Abhijit Roy, on Tuesday informed that nine out of the 10 people who tested positive for coronavirus in the Islands had attended a Tablighi Jamaat event at the Jamaat''s headquarters in Delhi''s Nizamuddin.
"Nine out of the 10 people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Andaman and Nicobar had attended Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz Nizamuddin in Delhi. The wife of one of these people later tested positive," said the nodal officer.
The designated laboratory for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar, RMRC-ICMR, Dollygunj has tested 33 likely COVID-19 cases on March 29, out of which only one was found positive, said the Union Territory administration.
The total number of cases found positive in the Union Territory stands at 10 out of 99 samples tested to date.
Deputy Director Heath and Nodal Officer in Andaman and Nicobar, COVID-19 Abhijit Roy, on Tuesday informed that nine out of the 10 people who tested positive for coronavirus in the Islands had attended a Tablighi Jamaat event at the Jamaat''s headquarters in Delhi''s Nizamuddin.
"Nine out of the 10 people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Andaman and Nicobar had attended Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz Nizamuddin in Delhi. The wife of one of these people later tested positive," said the nodal officer.
The designated laboratory for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar, RMRC-ICMR, Dollygunj has tested 33 likely COVID-19 cases on March 29, out of which only one was found positive, said the Union Territory administration.
The total number of cases found positive in the Union Territory stands at 10 out of 99 samples tested to date.
Six foreign nationals found in Lucknow Markaz being tested for coronavirus
Six foreign tourists were found at Aminabad Markaz in Lucknow after a raid was conducted at the premises here on Tuesday in view of the coronavirus spread, officials said.
The raid was led by District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash and Police Commissioner Sujit Kumar Pandey. The six foreign nationals had come to India as tourists and were stranded following the countrywide lockdown.
Officials said that the tourists are being tested for coronavirus.
Meanwhile, search is also on for the 157 people of the State, who had participated in Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz, Nizamuddin, in Delhi.
Six foreign tourists were found at Aminabad Markaz in Lucknow after a raid was conducted at the premises here on Tuesday in view of the coronavirus spread, officials said.
The raid was led by District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash and Police Commissioner Sujit Kumar Pandey. The six foreign nationals had come to India as tourists and were stranded following the countrywide lockdown.
Officials said that the tourists are being tested for coronavirus.
Meanwhile, search is also on for the 157 people of the State, who had participated in Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz, Nizamuddin, in Delhi.
IFFCO donates Rs 25 crores to PM-CARES Fund to combat Covid-19
The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) on Tuesday announced a donation of Rs 25 crores to PM-CARES Fund to aid the fight against COVID-19.
"We have decided to donate Rs 25 crores to PM-CARES Fund to fight against COVID-19 in India. We are also supplementing it with on the ground donation drives in villages across India," IFFCO said in an official statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 28 created the Prime Minister''s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund and appealed to the countrymen to show their support for the cause.
The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) on Tuesday announced a donation of Rs 25 crores to PM-CARES Fund to aid the fight against COVID-19.
"We have decided to donate Rs 25 crores to PM-CARES Fund to fight against COVID-19 in India. We are also supplementing it with on the ground donation drives in villages across India," IFFCO said in an official statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 28 created the Prime Minister''s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund and appealed to the countrymen to show their support for the cause.
Coronavirus: "Irresponsible Act, 441 Have Symptoms", Says Arvind Kejriwal On Mosque EventArvind Kejriwal today said 441 people from the mosque in Delhi where a religious gathering earlier this month has caused a huge coronavirus scare have shown symptoms linked to the highly contagious virus. Twenty-four people have tested positive for COVID-19, he said, adding that there was a possibility of many more confirmed cases."
Nurse in Haryana tests positive for COVID-19
A nurse has tested positive for COVID-19, said Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Panchkula, on Tuesday.
"One staff nurse of a hospital in Sector 6, Panchkula has tested positive for coronavirus. She has been admitted in the isolation ward," said the CMO.
With this, the total number of coronavirus cases has touched 22 in the state.
According to the latest update by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India has reported over 1,251 confirmed positive cases of coronavirus, including 32 deaths.
A nurse has tested positive for COVID-19, said Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Panchkula, on Tuesday.
"One staff nurse of a hospital in Sector 6, Panchkula has tested positive for coronavirus. She has been admitted in the isolation ward," said the CMO.
With this, the total number of coronavirus cases has touched 22 in the state.
According to the latest update by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India has reported over 1,251 confirmed positive cases of coronavirus, including 32 deaths.
Social activist files complaint against those who participated in Nizamuddin congregation
A Delhi based social activist, Ajay Gautam, on Tuesday filed a complaint against those who participated in the "illegal gathering" at Tabligh-e-Jamaat congregation held at Nizamuddin in the national capital despite the coronavirus lockdown.
Several people who participated in the event have tested positive for COVID-19.
Mr Gautam, in his complaint, alleged the officials of Tabligh-e-Jamaat of hiding information and attempted murder by spreading coronavirus among the citizens of India.
The complaint was filed Under Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), under the provision of Epidemic Diseases Act and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
It prayed that the police or another competent agency may file an FIR against the accused persons, summon them and punish them according to the law for the offences committed.
"An illegal religious gathering at the site was organised dated March 17, 2020, to March 25, 2020, including hundreds of foreigners who came from countries where the coronavirus had already spread in large numbers," the complaint said.
A Delhi based social activist, Ajay Gautam, on Tuesday filed a complaint against those who participated in the "illegal gathering" at Tabligh-e-Jamaat congregation held at Nizamuddin in the national capital despite the coronavirus lockdown.
Several people who participated in the event have tested positive for COVID-19.
Mr Gautam, in his complaint, alleged the officials of Tabligh-e-Jamaat of hiding information and attempted murder by spreading coronavirus among the citizens of India.
The complaint was filed Under Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), under the provision of Epidemic Diseases Act and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
It prayed that the police or another competent agency may file an FIR against the accused persons, summon them and punish them according to the law for the offences committed.
"An illegal religious gathering at the site was organised dated March 17, 2020, to March 25, 2020, including hundreds of foreigners who came from countries where the coronavirus had already spread in large numbers," the complaint said.
Rajya Sabha secretariat employees to contribute over Rs 33 lakh in fight against coronavirus
Rajya Sabha secretariat staff on Tuesday decided to contribute at least one-day salary to PM CARES Fund to support measures being taken by the government to fight coronavirus.
The decision was taken through video conferencing held by Secretary-General Desh Deepak Verma. About 50 officials took part in the consultations.
An official release said that one-day salary of 1300 employees of the secretariat comes to Rs 33 lakh. The Secretary-General and other senior officials have decided to contribute two-day salary to the fund.
The release said that Verma also reviewed the work done during the first week of lockdown and said that core functions and any pending work shall be discharged by working from home during the period of lockdown.
The release said that necessary transport arrangements have been made to enable officials and staff to attend office if required.
Three officials of the secretariat who retired on Tuesday were given a warm farewell during the video conference. The three officials recalled their memories of a long association with the secretariat.
Rajya Sabha secretariat staff on Tuesday decided to contribute at least one-day salary to PM CARES Fund to support measures being taken by the government to fight coronavirus.
The decision was taken through video conferencing held by Secretary-General Desh Deepak Verma. About 50 officials took part in the consultations.
An official release said that one-day salary of 1300 employees of the secretariat comes to Rs 33 lakh. The Secretary-General and other senior officials have decided to contribute two-day salary to the fund.
The release said that Verma also reviewed the work done during the first week of lockdown and said that core functions and any pending work shall be discharged by working from home during the period of lockdown.
The release said that necessary transport arrangements have been made to enable officials and staff to attend office if required.
Three officials of the secretariat who retired on Tuesday were given a warm farewell during the video conference. The three officials recalled their memories of a long association with the secretariat.
Kerala: Migrant workers set out for home on foot amid COVID-19 lockdown
Scores of migrant workers reached the border check post of Bodimettu after trekking for three days on foot from Idukki.
Most of these workers were employed at pineapple farms in Thodupuzha.
"We have been walking for the last three days to return to our hometown which is around 134.6 kilometers away," said one of the migrants while speaking to ANI.
As the country has been put under complete lockdown for 21 days, hundreds of migrants who had moved to various cities and towns across the country, have been left jobless and with no hope of returning to their villages any time soon.
Scores of migrant workers reached the border check post of Bodimettu after trekking for three days on foot from Idukki.
Most of these workers were employed at pineapple farms in Thodupuzha.
"We have been walking for the last three days to return to our hometown which is around 134.6 kilometers away," said one of the migrants while speaking to ANI.
As the country has been put under complete lockdown for 21 days, hundreds of migrants who had moved to various cities and towns across the country, have been left jobless and with no hope of returning to their villages any time soon.
SBI employees pledge Rs 100 crore to PM-CARES Fund
In the fight against COVID-19, nearly 2.56 lakh employees of State Bank of India (SBI) have decided to contribute two days of their salary to the PM CARES Fund.
"With this collective effort and commitment of SBI employees, Rs 100 crore will be donated to the PM-CARES Fund which has been created to fight the coronavirus pandemic," said the country''s largest lender in a statement on Tuesday.
Last week, SBI had committed 0.25 per cent of annual profit for FY 2019-20 as a part of its CSR activities to fight COVID-19. "We at SBI would keep continuing our support the government in all its endeavours to address the challenges of this pandemic," said Chairman Rajnish Kumar.
In the fight against COVID-19, nearly 2.56 lakh employees of State Bank of India (SBI) have decided to contribute two days of their salary to the PM CARES Fund.
"With this collective effort and commitment of SBI employees, Rs 100 crore will be donated to the PM-CARES Fund which has been created to fight the coronavirus pandemic," said the country''s largest lender in a statement on Tuesday.
Last week, SBI had committed 0.25 per cent of annual profit for FY 2019-20 as a part of its CSR activities to fight COVID-19. "We at SBI would keep continuing our support the government in all its endeavours to address the challenges of this pandemic," said Chairman Rajnish Kumar.
NAFED donates Rs 5 crore to PM CARES fund
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) donated Rs 5 crore to Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES) on Tuesday.
A cheque was handed over to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar by NAFED Managing Director Sanjeev Kumar Chadha.
NAFED has also started the distribution of pulses, during the national lockdown, for the needy.
"Proud to announce start of supply of pulses for Poor announced by Hon'ble PM. First trucks moved for Punjab from Rajasthan. Working overtime to ensure supplies in trying circumstances to all States," Mr Chadha tweeted.
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) donated Rs 5 crore to Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES) on Tuesday.
A cheque was handed over to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar by NAFED Managing Director Sanjeev Kumar Chadha.
NAFED has also started the distribution of pulses, during the national lockdown, for the needy.
"Proud to announce start of supply of pulses for Poor announced by Hon'ble PM. First trucks moved for Punjab from Rajasthan. Working overtime to ensure supplies in trying circumstances to all States," Mr Chadha tweeted.
Army advisory warns troops against concealing COVID-19 symptoms and information
In a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Indian Army has issued an advisory warning the troops against concealing symptoms and information related to the pandemic.
"Non-disclosure of the information related to COVID-19 is likely to put other troops in harm and this act of not disclosing information will be treated as wilful concealment and it will be dealt with as a breach of discipline under the Army Act," the advisory said.
The advisory made it clear that it is obligatory for all ranks to disclose any of the conditions immediately to superiors during rollcall and while screening by the medical authorities.
The information, which the troops are required to give, include symptoms of cough, throat pain, fever, difficulty in breathing and contact with any COVID-19 patient or relative or friend while being on leave or temporary duty. The troops are also required to reveal any travel history to be identified COVID-19 hotspots by the government of India.
The advisory also mentioned that the COVID-19 has spread to all parts of the country and the troops and their families are at risk of getting infected. In most people, the infection will be passed off as mild illness, however, it has the potential to cause severe respiratory illness.
The Army has been making a lot of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 amongst its rank and file and has also issued multiple advisories to deal with it.
In a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Indian Army has issued an advisory warning the troops against concealing symptoms and information related to the pandemic.
"Non-disclosure of the information related to COVID-19 is likely to put other troops in harm and this act of not disclosing information will be treated as wilful concealment and it will be dealt with as a breach of discipline under the Army Act," the advisory said.
The advisory made it clear that it is obligatory for all ranks to disclose any of the conditions immediately to superiors during rollcall and while screening by the medical authorities.
The information, which the troops are required to give, include symptoms of cough, throat pain, fever, difficulty in breathing and contact with any COVID-19 patient or relative or friend while being on leave or temporary duty. The troops are also required to reveal any travel history to be identified COVID-19 hotspots by the government of India.
The advisory also mentioned that the COVID-19 has spread to all parts of the country and the troops and their families are at risk of getting infected. In most people, the infection will be passed off as mild illness, however, it has the potential to cause severe respiratory illness.
The Army has been making a lot of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 amongst its rank and file and has also issued multiple advisories to deal with it.
Indian-Americans at forefront to help during COVID-19 crisis, says Indian ambassador to US
The Indian-American community is working on the forefront to help those is need due to the crisis triggered by the COVID-19 situation in the United States, India's ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, said on Monday.
"I think there is hope and we will all come out of it together. The two nations are working on the community part. This is not just limited to helping the Indians here. A lot of Americans are also stuck in India as well. But the Indian American community is playing a very active role here and that too at the forefront in trying to fight against this emergency. And I think we are all very proud that the Indian Americans are very much in the forefront," the ambassador exclusively told ANI.
According to media reports, the US now has the most confirmed cases worldwide, with more than 200,000 confirmed cases and nearly 3,000 deaths. While in India, the highly contagious virus has infected at least 1,117 people and the death count stands at 32.
In view of the surging cases, India has suspended all international flights from landing at any airport in the country. As a result of which, many Indian nationals are still stranded at various places abroad.
"As soon as we became aware of the situation, immediate action was taken from our part. We instituted 24/7 emergency lines. Whoever got in touch was immediately assisted. Some of them were also issued emergency visas. The mission and the consulates were continuously open. A special unit was also set up to facilitate the students to get in touch with the respective universities. Most of the varsities agreed to keep the students on campus. But as you know, the entire campuses have been closed. So that makes the work a bit tedious," Mr Sandhu said.
"But, beyond that, we have been putting out regular advisories for the students. We have also reached out to the Indian American community which has been very forthcoming. Some of the hotel owners have come forward and offered free accommodation as well as food to these people," he added deliberating further on the efforts by the Embassy to the stranded Indian citizens here.
During the time of crisis, first and foremost, the ambassador urged everyone to take care of their health and follow all advisories which are being put out by the experts, local and federal authorities.
"Do not rush out without any emergency. Please stay where you are. If you are having any problems, our helplines are always open. Get in touch with us, work with us together and we will resolve together," Mr Sandhu stressed.
He further assured all the stranded Indian citizens that the Indian authorities are in regular touch with the US administration to tackle issues at the earliest.
The Indian-American community is working on the forefront to help those is need due to the crisis triggered by the COVID-19 situation in the United States, India's ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, said on Monday.
"I think there is hope and we will all come out of it together. The two nations are working on the community part. This is not just limited to helping the Indians here. A lot of Americans are also stuck in India as well. But the Indian American community is playing a very active role here and that too at the forefront in trying to fight against this emergency. And I think we are all very proud that the Indian Americans are very much in the forefront," the ambassador exclusively told ANI.
According to media reports, the US now has the most confirmed cases worldwide, with more than 200,000 confirmed cases and nearly 3,000 deaths. While in India, the highly contagious virus has infected at least 1,117 people and the death count stands at 32.
In view of the surging cases, India has suspended all international flights from landing at any airport in the country. As a result of which, many Indian nationals are still stranded at various places abroad.
"As soon as we became aware of the situation, immediate action was taken from our part. We instituted 24/7 emergency lines. Whoever got in touch was immediately assisted. Some of them were also issued emergency visas. The mission and the consulates were continuously open. A special unit was also set up to facilitate the students to get in touch with the respective universities. Most of the varsities agreed to keep the students on campus. But as you know, the entire campuses have been closed. So that makes the work a bit tedious," Mr Sandhu said.
"But, beyond that, we have been putting out regular advisories for the students. We have also reached out to the Indian American community which has been very forthcoming. Some of the hotel owners have come forward and offered free accommodation as well as food to these people," he added deliberating further on the efforts by the Embassy to the stranded Indian citizens here.
During the time of crisis, first and foremost, the ambassador urged everyone to take care of their health and follow all advisories which are being put out by the experts, local and federal authorities.
"Do not rush out without any emergency. Please stay where you are. If you are having any problems, our helplines are always open. Get in touch with us, work with us together and we will resolve together," Mr Sandhu stressed.
He further assured all the stranded Indian citizens that the Indian authorities are in regular touch with the US administration to tackle issues at the earliest.
COVID-19: Centre sanctions Rs 10 crore special funds for CRPF
CRPF Director General A P Maheshwari told PTI that the fund will be utilised to procure protective masks, sanitisers, food items and other essentials required by the people.
The Union Home Ministry has granted a special Rs 10-crore fund to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), enabling it undertake relief works for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.
The money, as per a March 30 home ministry order, accessed by PTI, is meant "to procure COVID-19 preventive items."
Officials said a proposal to carry out relief works and providing essential commodities to those displaced or affected by the ongoing lockdown in view of the viral disease outbreak was first made by the paramilitary force on March 25 after which the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) granted the sanction.
The sanction for financial year 2019-20 has been made under the ''civic action programme'' head to the country''s largest CAPF that has about 3.25 lakh personnel in its ranks.
Fresh coronavirus cases from Sirsa, Hisar, Faridabad take Haryana's total to 25
The number of COVID-19 patients discharged in the state stands at eight -- six from Gurugram and one each from Faridabad and Panipat.
The total number of coronavirus positive cases in Haryana rose to 25 on Tuesday with fresh cases reported from Hisar, Sirsa and Faridabad, officials said.
However, the figure does not include 14 Italian tourists who were earlier admitted to a private hospital in Gurugram after they were found COVID-19 positive.
Among the fresh cases is a woman from Sirsa who tested positive, they said.
According to the state's health department, the total number of cases include 10 from Gurugram, five from Faridabad, four from Panipat, and one each from Sirsa, Hisar, Panchkula, Palwal, Sonipat and Ambala.
The coronavirus positive case from Ambala is a man who lives in a village in neighbouring Patiala district of Punjab, officials said.
The test reports of 218 samples are awaited, they said.
Migrant workers from Bihar, UP stranded at sealed Nepal border
Thousands of migrant workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have been stranded at Raxaul-Birgunj border between India and Nepal due to the lockdown that has been imposed in both countries in view of the surging COVID-19 cases.
The workers have been held up at the no man's land for 30 hours while attempting to flee back to their hometown after Indian authorities did not allow them to enter the country as a preventive measure over the coronavirus threat.
On March 16, India sealed its porous border with Nepal, banned the entry of foreign nationals into Bihar and suspended bus services for a fortnight to stem the spread of the highly contagious disease.
Thousands of migrant workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have been stranded at Raxaul-Birgunj border between India and Nepal due to the lockdown that has been imposed in both countries in view of the surging COVID-19 cases.
The workers have been held up at the no man's land for 30 hours while attempting to flee back to their hometown after Indian authorities did not allow them to enter the country as a preventive measure over the coronavirus threat.
On March 16, India sealed its porous border with Nepal, banned the entry of foreign nationals into Bihar and suspended bus services for a fortnight to stem the spread of the highly contagious disease.
Bengaluru COVID-19 survivor ''doing perfectly well now''
Venkara Raghava, a software engineer from Bengaluru, who was infected with the coronavirus has recovered and is currently "doing perfectly well".
"I am doing perfectly well now. I had travelled to Los Angeles via Heathrow airport and that is when I came in contact with many travellers. I might have picked up the infection there," Raghava told ANI.
It was in Los Angeles when he started getting a ''low-grade fever'' which led him to prepone his flight to Bengaluru. "When I landed back in Bengaluru on March 8, I had a fever and I isolated myself. The same day I went to a hospital where my travel history was taken and I tested positive for COVID-19", he said.
The next day, he was admitted to the isolation centre. His entire family was also tested but the results came back negative.
When asked about what does suffering from COVID-19 feel like, he responded that it was a like a regular viral fever and was "nothing to be scared of". "The fever is very grinding, and since my childhood, I never had a fever. I had a fever for almost 15 days consistently 100 degrees (F)," he said.
About his experience at the isolation centre, he said that it was an experience unlike that of a hospital. "At the isolation centre, one has to take care of themselves, unlike a hospital where doctors and nurses take care of the patient. I had to put a wet cloth on myself and you cannot overdose yourself with Calpol or Paracetamol," he said.
For him, "The tough times are now over" and now he has fully recovered but in the process, he ended up losing about five kilograms. "After the fifteenth day when I woke up with no fever, they took a test for the nose and the throat and it came back negative," he recalled, and on March 22, he was set free.
For one week, he has been in self-quarantine at home "being completely watchful" that the symptoms do not reoccur.
Venkara Raghava, a software engineer from Bengaluru, who was infected with the coronavirus has recovered and is currently "doing perfectly well".
"I am doing perfectly well now. I had travelled to Los Angeles via Heathrow airport and that is when I came in contact with many travellers. I might have picked up the infection there," Raghava told ANI.
It was in Los Angeles when he started getting a ''low-grade fever'' which led him to prepone his flight to Bengaluru. "When I landed back in Bengaluru on March 8, I had a fever and I isolated myself. The same day I went to a hospital where my travel history was taken and I tested positive for COVID-19", he said.
The next day, he was admitted to the isolation centre. His entire family was also tested but the results came back negative.
When asked about what does suffering from COVID-19 feel like, he responded that it was a like a regular viral fever and was "nothing to be scared of". "The fever is very grinding, and since my childhood, I never had a fever. I had a fever for almost 15 days consistently 100 degrees (F)," he said.
About his experience at the isolation centre, he said that it was an experience unlike that of a hospital. "At the isolation centre, one has to take care of themselves, unlike a hospital where doctors and nurses take care of the patient. I had to put a wet cloth on myself and you cannot overdose yourself with Calpol or Paracetamol," he said.
For him, "The tough times are now over" and now he has fully recovered but in the process, he ended up losing about five kilograms. "After the fifteenth day when I woke up with no fever, they took a test for the nose and the throat and it came back negative," he recalled, and on March 22, he was set free.
For one week, he has been in self-quarantine at home "being completely watchful" that the symptoms do not reoccur.
COVID-19 spread contained so far due to proactive steps, fake news biggest hindrance: Centre to Supreme Court
"The detailed modalities in this behalf would immediately be worked out and the details regarding the web portal which can be approached by citizens for true, genuine, scientific and correct factual position will be displayed immediately," it said.
The Centre informed the Supreme Court Tuesday that it has taken "proactive and preemptive timely steps" to deal with the coronavirus pandemic due to which its spread is so far contained but fake news causing serious panic, is the "single most unmanageable hindrance" in the management of this challenge.
In a status report filed in the top court, the government has given details of the steps taken, including enhancement of testing capacity and issuance of order to purchase 40,000 ventilators to meet the contingencies, to prevent coronavirus or Covid-19 and its spread in the country.
"It is submitted that as narrated in subsequent part of this status report, deliberate or inadvertent fake news and/or material capable of causing serious panic in the mind of population is found to be a single most unmanageable hindrance in the management of this challenge," it said.
The Centre has said that it would be setting up a separate unit, headed by a joint secretary level officer in the Ministry of Health and consisting of eminent doctors from recognised institutions like AIIMS, to answer every query of citizens and to provide real time and true facts regarding Covid-19.
Food Being Provided To Over 22 Lakh Migrant: Centre tells Supreme Court
The Central government on Tuesday filed a status report in the Supreme Court on a petition seeking directions to provide basic amenities like food, water and shelter to the migrant workers across the country in the wake to coronavirus lockdown.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and also comprising of Justice L Nageswar Rao continued hearing the petition filed by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava through video conferencing today.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, filed a detailed status report pertaining to the case and said that food is being provided to over 22 lakh 88 thousand people, including the needy, migrant and daily wage workers.
The Central government on Tuesday filed a status report in the Supreme Court on a petition seeking directions to provide basic amenities like food, water and shelter to the migrant workers across the country in the wake to coronavirus lockdown.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and also comprising of Justice L Nageswar Rao continued hearing the petition filed by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava through video conferencing today.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, filed a detailed status report pertaining to the case and said that food is being provided to over 22 lakh 88 thousand people, including the needy, migrant and daily wage workers.
Health Ministry briefing on coronavirus today - Main pointers:
- The Delhi government has issued an order to senior officers to take action if tenants are evicted.
- Landowners or homeowners were forcing doctors to vacate the places, Delhi government has issued an order that all district magistrate have to take action under epidemic act.
- A task force is working on drug trials.
- Health ministry is working on increasing the production of protective equipment, along with textile ministry and state governments.
- 15000 nurses have been trained online.
- Health ministry is organising training on critical care through webinar.
- We are giving technical guidance to people. We are creating a panel to give authentic technical guidance. We have been giving technical guidelines through 1075 helpline. You can ask any technical queries. We will be able to give authentic technical guidelines through this. The panic situation will not be created.
- The government is trying to increase testing and working on gaining more knowledge. Essential supplies are at a satisfactory level. 23 lakh people have been given food. The migrant situation is in control.
- Interstate cargo services are running smoothly. We step in wherever there is a problem.
- 42788 samples have been tested. 4346 samples have been tested yesterday. 123 labs are functional. 49 private labs have been given permission.
- As far as homemade masks are concerned. International organizations have not given any categorical guidelines. Our whole effort is to create a logistics system in India. Besides Korea our ambassadors are looking into other countries to help tackle covid19 situation.
- There are states where a number of labs are less and special emphasis should be put on such states. We have to ensure that dedicated COVID hospitals have to made quickly.
- Almost 21000 relief camps have been set up. over 6000 people have been given the facility of shelter. This facility is provided to stranded and migrant workers.
- Basic essential services-- we are ensuring that these services are continued. I keep mentioning that as part of managing COVID-19 we are undergoing training so that doctors know the precautions to be taken. Under International Health regulation we are sharing the required information. Any place we get some case we consider that place as a hotspot.
- On vaccine, medicine - it matters after virus is isolated in diagnostics and testing. We have vaccine and diagnostic reagents on the agenda. Three quasi species are spreading as viral strains came from different countries. That there is no evidence that these three types will have different impacts.
- There is no delay in approving private labs. We are approving the labs that are meeting the criteria.
- We all need to understand this is not time to find faults but to take action: Health Ministry official on COVID-19 cases in Nizamuddin Mosque.
- Failure at one level, all the effort done by the government will come back to 0.
As far as masks are concerned. We are requesting that not everyone should wear masks. We have indicated that if you are not feeling well then you should wear masks. we are focusing on social distancing. We wear masks so that we do not touch our faces. - Delhi government has issued an order under Epidemic Disease Act to District Magistrates, Municipal Corporations & Police, to look into the matters wherein landowners are forcing doctors&nurses to vacate their property.
- Ministry of External Affairs has identified suppliers from South Korea, Turkey & Vietnam to increase the availability of logistics items in the country. DRDO is also working with local manufacturers to increase supply of N95 masks.
41 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Punjab: State Health Minister
The total COVID-19 positive cases in Punjab on Tuesday increased to 41, including three deaths, according to Punjab Health Minister, BS Sidhu.
The minister further stated that the state's first COVID-19 patient has fully recovered and contact tracing of all positive patients is taking place.
Earlier, Ramnagar Sainian village of Patiala was sealed by the local administration as a precautionary measure after a 21-year-old resident of the village, who returned from Nepal, tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the latest update by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country have reached 1,251.
The total COVID-19 positive cases in Punjab on Tuesday increased to 41, including three deaths, according to Punjab Health Minister, BS Sidhu.
The minister further stated that the state's first COVID-19 patient has fully recovered and contact tracing of all positive patients is taking place.
Earlier, Ramnagar Sainian village of Patiala was sealed by the local administration as a precautionary measure after a 21-year-old resident of the village, who returned from Nepal, tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the latest update by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country have reached 1,251.
Another COVID-19 case reported in Bihar, total count 16
Her family members, including her son who had recently travelled to Italy but did not test positive, have been living at home in self-imposed quarantine.
A 35-year-old man with a travel history to Dubai tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the tally of those afflicted in Bihar to 16, an official said.
Pradip Das, Director of ICMR Rajendra Memorial Research Institute, which is conducting the bulk of coronavirus tests in the state, said the latest case was that of a resident of Gopalganj district who had returned from Dubai before the lockdown came into force.
Meanwhile, a 45-year-old woman, who had tested positive on March 22 and had been admitted to AIIMS, Patna, was on Monday discharged after full recovery, hospital authorities said.
The woman had recently travelled to Nepal and had turned up at the hospital to get tested as a precautionary measure.
The hospital authorities said she remained stable during her stay at the facility, developed no symptoms and looked perfectly healthy, though a close watch would be kept on her for another week.
Bengal allows sweet shops to be open for 4 hours amid COVID-19 lockdown
The West Bengal government on Tuesday allowed sweet shops in the state to remain open for four hours a day, amid the nationwide lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.
As sweets are one of the most popular food items in the state, the decision has brought cheers to some of the daily customers.
Speaking to ANI, Poonam Gupta, a customer, said: "I am very happy that after several days of lockdown, we are finally able to purchase sweets, which was unexpected. As it is not possible to purchase these sweets every day, we are buying them in bulk."
However, Sujay Mullick, a shop owner, remained sceptical about the flow of customers following the announcement.
"We are welcoming the decision, but we don''t know what lies in the future. We have 10 shops, but we could only open three shops, as most staff members have gone to their homes. Only a few staff members are left, so we have been able to make fewer sweets. We used to have 150 varieties of sweets, but we could only make 10 varieties."
The West Bengal government on Tuesday allowed sweet shops in the state to remain open for four hours a day, amid the nationwide lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.
As sweets are one of the most popular food items in the state, the decision has brought cheers to some of the daily customers.
Speaking to ANI, Poonam Gupta, a customer, said: "I am very happy that after several days of lockdown, we are finally able to purchase sweets, which was unexpected. As it is not possible to purchase these sweets every day, we are buying them in bulk."
However, Sujay Mullick, a shop owner, remained sceptical about the flow of customers following the announcement.
"We are welcoming the decision, but we don''t know what lies in the future. We have 10 shops, but we could only open three shops, as most staff members have gone to their homes. Only a few staff members are left, so we have been able to make fewer sweets. We used to have 150 varieties of sweets, but we could only make 10 varieties."
Modified rail coaches to provide 3.2 lakh isolation beds: Railways
Only non-AC ICF sleeper coaches are being planned to be utilised for conversion into quarantine/isolation coaches.
Further fine-tuning its plans to offer 20,000 coaches converted into isolation wards for coronavirus patients, the Indian Railways on Tuesday said these coaches can accommodate up to 3.2 lakh possible beds.
It has also earmarked targets for its 16 zones, with the South Central Railways headquartered at Secunderabad in Telangana leading the pack with 486 coaches being allocated for conversion, followed by Mumbai headquartered Central Railway being allocated 482 coaches.
"These modified 20,000 coaches can accommodate up to 3.2 lakh possible beds for isolation needs. Work on modification of 5,000 coaches, which are to be converted initially into quarantine/isolation coaches has already started.
"These 5,000 coaches would be having a capacity to accommodate up to 80,000 beds. One coach is expected to have 16 beds for isolation," a statement from the railways said.
Coronavirus: Supreme Court asks Centre to prevent migration, set up portal within 24 hours for real time info
The Centre told the top court that the suggestion by a petitioner to sprinkle water and chemicals on migrants to sanitise them does not work scientifically and is not the right way.
The bench adjourned the hearing on the PILs to April 7, asking the Centre to ensure that duties of managing the shelter homes are entrusted to volunteers and not to the police and there should not be any use of force or intimidation.
The Supreme Court asked the Centre on Tuesday to prevent migration of people due to coronavirus and set up within 24 hours a portal for disseminating real time information on the pandemic to counter the panic being spread through fake news.
"Panic will destroy more lives than the virus", the top court said and asked the Centre to get trained counsellors and community leaders of all faiths to calm down the migrants, who are kept in shelter homes across the country.
It said these shelters should be run by volunteers and not the police, and there should be no use of force and intimidation.
It asked the Centre to prevent migration of people and take care of their needs of food, shelter, nourishment and medical aid.
The top court, which refused to restrain high courts from taking up the issue of migrants, said they may monitor the issue more closely.
It, however, asked the Centre to tell government lawyers to inform high courts about the orders passed by the apex court.
A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and L Nageswara Rao, which took up two PILs on the issue of migration through video conference, asked the Centre to look into the letter petitions filed by Kerala MP from Kasaragod constituency Rajmohan Unnithan and one filed by an MP from West Bengal on the issues related to coronavirus.
Nitish Kumar should involve socio-cultural institutions for COVID-19 relief distribution, says BJP leader
BJP leader Sanjay Paswan on Tuesday suggested that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should distribute at least half the amount of Chief Minister''s Relief Fund through socio-cultural institutions like Ramkrishna Mission, Gayatri Pariwar and Seva Bharati, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
"So many people are contributing to the Chief Minister''s Relief Fund, so at least half of the amount that is being used from this fund should be distributed through these organisations. I think Chief Minister should pay attention towards this," Mr Paswan told ANI.
Taking to Twitter, Paswan wrote, "At this hour of crisis, mere reliance on bureaucracy is not enough. I appeal the Hon''ble Chief Minister Sh Nitish Kumar to actively engage socio-cultural institutions like RK Mission, Gayatri Pariwar and Seva Bharati, RSS."
BJP leader Sanjay Paswan on Tuesday suggested that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should distribute at least half the amount of Chief Minister''s Relief Fund through socio-cultural institutions like Ramkrishna Mission, Gayatri Pariwar and Seva Bharati, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
"So many people are contributing to the Chief Minister''s Relief Fund, so at least half of the amount that is being used from this fund should be distributed through these organisations. I think Chief Minister should pay attention towards this," Mr Paswan told ANI.
Taking to Twitter, Paswan wrote, "At this hour of crisis, mere reliance on bureaucracy is not enough. I appeal the Hon''ble Chief Minister Sh Nitish Kumar to actively engage socio-cultural institutions like RK Mission, Gayatri Pariwar and Seva Bharati, RSS."
Rajasthan Quarantine Facility Under Lockdown After 9 Test Positive
Nine people have tested positive at a quarantine facility run by the Army in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer.
Nine people have tested positive at a quarantine facility run by the Army in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer.
Social workers begin drive to feed stray animals amid COVID-19 lockdown
Volunteers of Trivandrum Kennel Club on Monday came forward to feed the stray animals, especially dogs, who are facing difficulty in finding food due to the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown.
The organisation fed the dogs with milk and food products.
The Animal Welfare Board of India has also recently issued an advisory to all Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories in India regarding caring for animals in case of a lockdown.
"Feed and fodder of large animals and food for companion animals and strays is an essential service and may be kept operational during the lockdown," chairman of the Board OP Chaudhary said.
Volunteers of Trivandrum Kennel Club on Monday came forward to feed the stray animals, especially dogs, who are facing difficulty in finding food due to the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown.
The organisation fed the dogs with milk and food products.
The Animal Welfare Board of India has also recently issued an advisory to all Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories in India regarding caring for animals in case of a lockdown.
"Feed and fodder of large animals and food for companion animals and strays is an essential service and may be kept operational during the lockdown," chairman of the Board OP Chaudhary said.
No Migrants On Road "As Of 11 am": Centre To Supreme Court Amid Lockdown
There are no migrant workers on roads "as of 11 am today", the central government told the Supreme Court on a petition asking for relief for thousands desperate to reach home after being left without jobs or shelter because of the coronavirus lockdown.
"The Home Secretary is saying that as of 11 am this morning, nobody is on the road. They have been taken to the nearest available shelter," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court.
There are no migrant workers on roads "as of 11 am today", the central government told the Supreme Court on a petition asking for relief for thousands desperate to reach home after being left without jobs or shelter because of the coronavirus lockdown.
"The Home Secretary is saying that as of 11 am this morning, nobody is on the road. They have been taken to the nearest available shelter," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court.
Seven New Coronavirus Cases Reported In Tamil Nadu
Seven new coronavirus positive cases have been reported in Tamil Nadu, the National Health Mission (NHM) said on Tuesday.
"Tamil Nadu has seven new COVID-19 cases. A 43-year-old male with travel history to Trivandrum, a 28-year-old male coworker of an earlier positive patient at Tiruvannamalai, three male patients at Vilupuram with travel history to history to Delhi, two male patients at Madurai Rajaji, travel history to Delhi. All patients are in isolation and stable," NHM Tamil Nadu tweeted.
India has recorded 1,117 active COVID-19 positive cases so far.
Seven new coronavirus positive cases have been reported in Tamil Nadu, the National Health Mission (NHM) said on Tuesday.
"Tamil Nadu has seven new COVID-19 cases. A 43-year-old male with travel history to Trivandrum, a 28-year-old male coworker of an earlier positive patient at Tiruvannamalai, three male patients at Vilupuram with travel history to history to Delhi, two male patients at Madurai Rajaji, travel history to Delhi. All patients are in isolation and stable," NHM Tamil Nadu tweeted.
India has recorded 1,117 active COVID-19 positive cases so far.
Validity of expired Driving Licences and Vehicle Registration Extended Till June 30
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has extended the validity of documents like driving licenses, permits and registration that expired since February 1. In an advisory to all states and Union Territories, the Ministry has asked them to treat such documents as valid till June 30.
The decision was taken to facilitate people facing difficulties in renewing the validity of various motor vehicle documents due to nationwide lockdown in the country and closure of government transport offices.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has extended the validity of documents like driving licenses, permits and registration that expired since February 1. In an advisory to all states and Union Territories, the Ministry has asked them to treat such documents as valid till June 30.
The decision was taken to facilitate people facing difficulties in renewing the validity of various motor vehicle documents due to nationwide lockdown in the country and closure of government transport offices.
Delhi government has given order to file a police case: Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain
Event organisers have committed a grave crime. Disaster Act and Contagious Diseases Act was enforced in Delhi, no assembly of more than 5 people was allowed. Still they did this. I have written to governor to take strictest action against them. Delhi government has given order to file a police case: Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain
Event organisers have committed a grave crime. Disaster Act and Contagious Diseases Act was enforced in Delhi, no assembly of more than 5 people was allowed. Still they did this. I have written to governor to take strictest action against them. Delhi government has given order to file a police case: Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain
334 of them have been sent to hospital and 700 sent to quarantine centre: Delhi Minister
We are not certain of the number but it is estimated that 1500-1700 people had assembled at Markaz building. 1033 people have been evacuated so far - 334 of them have been sent to hospital and 700 sent to quarantine centre: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain
24 Who Were At The Mosque Event In Delhi Tested Positive
24 people, who attended the Delhi mosque event, test positive for Coronavirus.
24 people, who attended the Delhi mosque event, test positive for Coronavirus.
US Coronavirus Death Count Passes 3,000
The US death toll from the coronavirus pandemic passed 3,000 on Monday, according to the running tally compiled by the Johns Hopkins University, with more than 163,000 confirmed cases.
The United States has recorded 3,008 deaths, according to the tally, while its 163,429 cases are by far the highest national number ahead of Italy, Spain and China.
The US death toll from the coronavirus pandemic passed 3,000 on Monday, according to the running tally compiled by the Johns Hopkins University, with more than 163,000 confirmed cases.
The United States has recorded 3,008 deaths, according to the tally, while its 163,429 cases are by far the highest national number ahead of Italy, Spain and China.
Time To Sanitise Politics: Kapil Sibal On Bareilly Incident
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Tuesday slammed the incident in which disinfectants were sprayed on migrant labourers who were returning to Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly.
"Disinfectant Spray. Time to sanitise our politics, Not migrant workers reaching Bareilly to go home They work -1) in factories, 2) harvest crops, 3) in restaurants, hotels, 4) in construction projects, highways, 5) in homes. They build India, Treat them with dignity," Mr Sibal tweeted.
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Tuesday slammed the incident in which disinfectants were sprayed on migrant labourers who were returning to Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly.
"Disinfectant Spray. Time to sanitise our politics, Not migrant workers reaching Bareilly to go home They work -1) in factories, 2) harvest crops, 3) in restaurants, hotels, 4) in construction projects, highways, 5) in homes. They build India, Treat them with dignity," Mr Sibal tweeted.
US Has Performed 1 Million Coronavirus Tests So Far: Donald Trump
The United States has performed over one million coronavirus tests so far, said President Donald Trump on Monday.
The United States has performed over one million coronavirus tests so far, said President Donald Trump on Monday.
"Today, we reached a historic milestone in our war against coronavirus. Over 1 million Americans have now been tested, more than any other country by far, not even close," Trump said during a press briefing.
Coronavirus deaths top 35,000 worldwide, most in Europe: AFP tally
More than 35,000 people have died worldwide from the coronavirus pandemic since it emerged late last year in China, most of them in Europe, according to an AFP tally at 1615 GMT Monday using official figures.
In total, 35,905 people have died, including 26,076 in Europe. Italy has the most deaths with 11,591, following by Spain with 7,340 and China with 3,304.
More than 740,00 cases have been officially detected in 183 countries and territories, including at least 408,203 in Europe, almost 150,000 in the United States and Canada with 2,635 deaths and 106,609 cases in Asia with 3,827 deaths.
More than 35,000 people have died worldwide from the coronavirus pandemic since it emerged late last year in China, most of them in Europe, according to an AFP tally at 1615 GMT Monday using official figures.
In total, 35,905 people have died, including 26,076 in Europe. Italy has the most deaths with 11,591, following by Spain with 7,340 and China with 3,304.
More than 740,00 cases have been officially detected in 183 countries and territories, including at least 408,203 in Europe, almost 150,000 in the United States and Canada with 2,635 deaths and 106,609 cases in Asia with 3,827 deaths.
Coordination teams formed in Jammu & Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir administration constituted various coordination teams on Monday to ensure movement of essential goods and services, and address difficulties amid the lockdown over the novel coronavirus pandemic, news agency PTI reported.
According to the order, the Health and Medical Education financial commissioner Atal Dulloo will be the incharge of the coordination.
The order mentions that the commissioner secretary of Labour and Employment shall coordinate labour issues, including problems of daily-wage labourers of Jammu and Kashmir currently under lockdown in other parts of the country.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration constituted various coordination teams on Monday to ensure movement of essential goods and services, and address difficulties amid the lockdown over the novel coronavirus pandemic, news agency PTI reported.
According to the order, the Health and Medical Education financial commissioner Atal Dulloo will be the incharge of the coordination.
The order mentions that the commissioner secretary of Labour and Employment shall coordinate labour issues, including problems of daily-wage labourers of Jammu and Kashmir currently under lockdown in other parts of the country.
Mumbai: With 47 new cases, Mumbai's count reaches 170
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region's COVID-19 count reached 170 on Monday with 47 people testing positive for the novel coronavirus, officials said.
While 29 of the new infections are in Mumbai, the rest 18 are from other parts of MMR, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials said.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region's COVID-19 count reached 170 on Monday with 47 people testing positive for the novel coronavirus, officials said.
While 29 of the new infections are in Mumbai, the rest 18 are from other parts of MMR, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials said.
Also, an 80-year-old man, who suffered from acute respiratory distress, succumbed to COVID-19 at a private hospital, taking the death toll in MMR to eight, including six in Mumbai, said the civic body's release.
PTI Input
