This Article is From Apr 21, 2020

Coronavirus Highlights: COVID-19 Cases Rise To 17,656, 549 Dead

COVID-19 India Updates: The government has said that India's COVID-19 doubling rate has improved to 7.5 days from 3.4 days before the lockdown was enforced

Coronavirus Highlights: COVID-19 Cases Rise To 17,656, 549 Dead

COVID-19 Cases India Updates: Maharashtra continues to remain the worst-hit state in the country

New Delhi:

Coronavirus India Live Updates: The total number of coronavirus positive cases on Monday rose to 17,656 in India, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Out of these, 14,255 patients are active cases and 2,842 cases have been cured or discharged and migrated. The number of deaths in India due to COVID-19 stands at 559.

80 per cent of people with coronavirus in India are asymptomatic, or do not show symptoms of the infection, and this is matter of worry, a senior scientist at the country's top medical research body told NDTV. The Centre has asked states and union territories to strictly comply with the lockdown measures announced to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic and not to dilute them at any level. In a communication to chief secretaries of state governments and Union Territory administrations, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said some states and UTs are issuing orders allowing activities which have not been allowed as per the guidelines issued by the home ministry under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The Centre on Monday said the COVID-19 situation is "especially serious" in Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata and a few other places in West Bengal, and violation of lockdown measures risk the spread of the novel coronavirus.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Maharashtra continues to be the worst-affected state. India has seen an improvement in the recovery rate that indicates the number of people who have successfully fought off the illness, according to Union Health Ministry. The rate stood at 14.75 per cent this morning, an improvement over 14.19 per cent on Sunday, 13.85 per cent on Saturday, 13.06 per cent on Friday, Thursday's 12.02 per cent, Wednesday's 11.41 per cent and Tuesday's 9.99 per cent. More than 2,500 patients across the country have recovered from the highly infectious illness so far. 

World

67,69,38,430Cases
62,55,71,965Active
4,44,81,893Recovered
68,84,572Deaths
Coronavirus has spread to 200 countries. The total confirmed cases worldwide are 67,69,38,430 and 68,84,572 have died; 62,55,71,965 are active cases and 4,44,81,893 have recovered as on January 9, 2024 at 10:54 am.

India

4,50,19,214 475Cases
3,919 -83Active
4,44,81,893 552Recovered
5,33,402 6Deaths
In India, there are 4,50,19,214 confirmed cases including 5,33,402 deaths. The number of active cases is 3,919 and 4,44,81,893 have recovered as on January 9, 2024 at 8:00 am.

State & District Details

State Cases Active Recovered Deaths

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases Highlights:

Apr 21, 2020 04:40 (IST)
Apr 21, 2020 03:57 (IST)
Bhopal Administration Deploys 50 Ola Cabs For Doctors, Nurses To Reach Hospitals Amid Lockdown
Bhopal district administration on Monday ordered the deployment of 50 Ola cabs for the doctors and other medical emergency service providers to travel to hospitals from their respective destinations.

District Collector Tarun Pithode has issued the relevant orders. Through the Ola app, emergency service providers like doctors and nurses can book a cab to reach a hospital.

Mr Pithode informed that 100 district hospitals have been connected to this facility.

This facility only covers doctors, medical emergency service providers, he said, news agency ANI reported.
Apr 21, 2020 03:12 (IST)
Maharashtra To Use Anti-Malaria Drug HCQ To Prevent COVID-19: Minister
Maharashtra, the state with the highest number of coronavirus patients, will allow the use of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in parts of the state, including Dharavi - Asia's largest slum- as a precautionary measure against the disease. The announcement was made this evening by state health minister Rajesh Tope, but the areas apart from Dharavi were not specified.

Maharashtra altogether has 4,666 cases of COVID-19, roughly a third of the country's 17,656 cases. Mumbai has crossed the 3000 mark, of which 168 are from Dharavi.
Apr 21, 2020 02:52 (IST)
Rajasthan COVID-19 Count Reaches 1,576 With 98 New Cases
Out of 98 coronavirus cases, 50 cases were reported from Jaipur, 32 from Jodhpur and 7 from Kota. Meanwhile, with one person each succumbing to the infection in Nagaur and Kota, the total death count due to the virus stood at 25, as per the State Health Department.

As per the cumulative count of coronavirus cases in the State, the highest number of people infected by the disease were from Jaipur at 585 followed by Jodhpur (260), Kota (106) and Bharatpur (102).

The total number of samples collected for coronavirus testing are 56,332, news agency ANI reported.
Apr 21, 2020 02:28 (IST)
Apr 21, 2020 02:07 (IST)
France has become the fourth country to record more than 20,000 deaths from coronavirus, following the United States, Italy and Spain, news agency AFP reported.
Apr 21, 2020 01:41 (IST)
Kerala's Kasaragod Witnesses Sharp Fall In COVID-19 Cases
Kerala's Kasaragod district, which has recently emerged as the COVID-19 hotspot with 169 cases, has managed to bring down the active corona cases to 27, said State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday.

"The Kasargod district, in particular, has shown much resilience in fighting the pandemic in the last two months as the district had the highest number of 169 confirmed cases within the State. Now, 142 have recovered and the rest 27 patients are on their way to recovery with no serious issues. The way Kasargod fought back should be a role model for the country," said Mr Vijayan, news agency ANI reported.
Apr 21, 2020 01:25 (IST)
COVID-19 Cases In Andhra Pradesh Cross 700; Government Hints At Community Transmission
With the number of COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh crossing the 700 mark and the count from the contagion touching 20, the state government on Monday hinted at a possible community transmission of the pandemic, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 21, 2020 01:08 (IST)
"One Nation, 2 Rules": Jharkhand Chief Minister Dials PM Over Kota Students' Return
The prospective return of hundreds of students from Rajasthan's Kota to their home states has irked Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who conveyed his strong objections to Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. The Chief Minister dialed the Prime Minister this morning, and complained about what he called "one nation two sets of rules", indicating the Centre's efforts to enforce the lockdown in some states.
Apr 21, 2020 00:54 (IST)
Madhya Pradesh's COVID-19 Count Inches Towards 1,500-Mark
With 84 more people testing positive for coronavirus during the past 24 hours, the count in Madhya Pradesh climbed up to 1,485 on Monday, while the death count rose to 76, health officials said.

Four more deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, taking the count to 76, according to a state health department bulletin.

Bhopal registered the highest number of new cases at 40, taking the number of COVID-19 infections in the state capital to 254 till now, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 21, 2020 00:15 (IST)
Navi Mumbai: Elderly Temple Priest Held For Lockdown Violation
An 80-year-old priest was arrested on Monday morning for opening a temple for devotees in Panvel in neighbouring Navi Mumbai, police said.

Police got to know that Karumata Mandir in Owle area of Panvel was open since morning and was attracting devotees, after which a team visited the site, an official said.

"For opening the temple despite prohibitory orders as part of the lockdown for the coronavirus outbreak, the 80- year-old priest was arrested under IPC and Epidemic Diseases Act and then released on bail," said Senior Inspector Ajay Kumar Landge of Panvel City police station, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 21, 2020 00:09 (IST)
Apr 21, 2020 00:07 (IST)
17 Test Positive For COVID-19 In Bihar, Total Climbs To 113
The number of COVID-19 cases crossed the 100-mark in Bihar on Monday as 17 people tested positive for the disease in Nalanda district, taking the total count of such cases to 113 in the state, a top official said.

Principal Secretary, Health, Sanjay Kumar said all the fresh cases -- seven females aged between 17 and 50 years, 10 males in the age group of 14 to 50 years -- were reported from Bihar Sharif, the headquarters of Nalanda district.

This is the second-highest jump in the number of coronavirus cases in the state so far. On April 10, Mr Siwan had reported 19 cases.

Contact-tracing for the patients was on, Mr Kumar said, adding that it was not immediately known how many of the patients were related to each other, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 20, 2020 23:27 (IST)
Rajasthan revises wages under MGNREGA amid COVID-19 Lockdown
Wages and working hours for workers under the Centre''s flagship scheme MGNREGA have been revised in Rajasthan.

Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said unskilled workers will be paid Rs 220 per day against the earlier Rs 199 per day. Skilled and semi-skilled workers will be given Rs 235 per day.

Mr Pilot said the working hours too have been revised from 6 am to 1 pm. 
Apr 20, 2020 22:41 (IST)
Single-day deaths in New York falls below 500 mark for first time in nearly 3 weeks: Governor
New York reported less than 500 deaths in a single day from the coronavirus for the first time in nearly three weeks, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Monday, stressing that continuous drop in hospitalizations suggest that the state is descending from the "plateau" of COVID-19 infections. 

Mr Cuomo said that another 478 people had died in New York on April 19, the lowest single-day toll in more than two weeks and the first time that the COVID-19 number of fatalities fell below the 500 mark.
Apr 20, 2020 22:15 (IST)
Fight against COVID-19 can be won through patience, self- confidence: Jharkhand Governor
Jharkhand Governor Droupadi Murmu on Monday said the fight against novel coronavirus can be work through patience and self-confidence. She said some government offices have opened as per the Centre's guidelines and appealed to the people to maintain social distancing amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Apr 20, 2020 22:02 (IST)
Over 3,000 arrested for violating lockdown in Delhi
Over 3,000 people were detained for violating the ongoing lockdown on Monday and around 273 cases registered, police said. The data shared by Delhi Police states, 3,562 people were apprehended under charges of persons bound to comply with reasonable directions of police officers. 

Besides, there were 273 cases registered under disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant till 5 pm, according to the data.

It also stated that 331 vehicles were impounded by the police and 160 cases were registered against people for stepping outside their houses without wearing masks.

Apr 20, 2020 21:30 (IST)
COVID-19 India: Uttarakhand students brought back from Kota amid lockdown
Over 360 students from Uttarakhand studying in coaching institutes of Kota in Rajasthan were brought back and sent to their homes on Monday, officials said.

A total of 362 students were brought from Kota on Monday and sent to their homes in properly sanitised state- owned buses after their thermal screening by medical teams, Additional District Magistrate BS Budhiyal said.

They have been handed over to their parents and guardians with an advice to keep them in home quarantine for 14 days, he said.

Medical teams will visit them on regular intervals for check-ups, the official said.
Apr 20, 2020 20:56 (IST)
COVID-19 positive doctor, elderly man with coronavirus symptoms die in UP's Moradabad
The head of a government health centre in the district, who had tested positive for COVID-19, and a 72-year-old man suspected to have contracted coronavirus have died, officials said on Monday.

Both of them were at a quarantine centre in the TMU Hospital in the district and died on Sunday night, the officials said.

According to the incharge of the quarantine centre, Virendra Singh, the 35-year-old doctor was involved in treatment of COVID-19 patients and later contracted the infection.
Apr 20, 2020 20:32 (IST)
COVID-19 Lockdown: 7 States And Union Territories begin free supply of 1 kg pulses via PDS
Seven states and union territories, including Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, have commenced free distribution of one kg pulses per PDS household under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Anna Yojana (PMGAY), the Food Ministry said on Monday.

Other states like Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi have received the partial stock and will commence the distribution to beneficiaries in a phased manner as per their plan, it said in a statement.

"About 107,077.85 tonne of pulses have so far been issued to the States/UTs," according to the ministry.
Apr 20, 2020 20:11 (IST)
Coronavirus Lockdown: Economic activities resume partially in Uttarakhand
Economic activities partially resumed in Uttarakhand on Monday after the state government allowed some businesses to operate amid the coronavirus lockdown.

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, who confirming the news, said they were allowed to operate with conditions regarding social distancing in place.

Shops dealing in agricultural goods and the repair of vehicles among others have been allowed to operate, he said. "In a way, economic activities have partially resumed in the state," Mr Rawat said.
Apr 20, 2020 19:49 (IST)
RTPCR kits should be kept under 20 degrees temperature for better result: ICMR
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that RTPCR kits are US FDA approved and have good standards and these should be stored under 20-degree temperature for better result.

"We have received a grievance that in West Bengal, RTPCR kits are not working properly. These kits are US FDA approved and have good standards. Only thing is that these should be stored under 20 degrees temperature. Otherwise, results may not be correct," ICMR head scientist Dr R Gangakhedkar said.

He said that the kit used at the National Institue of Virology (NIV) will be provided to West Bengal government for a temporary period.
Apr 20, 2020 19:20 (IST)
Coronavirus: 101 dead in Bangladesh due to COVID-19
Bangladesh on Monday reported ten more deaths due to the novel coronavirus, taking the total number of the COVID-19 fatalities in the country to 101, as experts warned that the visible scenario could be the tip of an iceberg in view of the growing number of cases.

"The toll now stands at 101 as ten more patients died in the past 24 hours," an official from the directorate general of health services (DHHS) said during a media briefing on the novel coronavirus situation.

DGHSs Additional Director General Professor Nasima Sultana said that 2,779 COVID-19 suspects were examined in the last 24 hours and 492 were tested positive, the highest so far in a single day since the first detection of three simultaneous coronavirus cases in the country on March 8.
Apr 20, 2020 18:40 (IST)
Coronavirus India: Six new COVID-19 cases in Kerala
Six more cases of COVID-19 were detected in Kerala on Monday, taking the total active cases to 114,even as the state government decided to test all those in quarantine in two to three days.

So far, 408 people have been detected positive for the virus, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters. "At least 46,000 people are under surveillance, while 398 undergoing treatment in various hospitals,including 62 admitted on Monday," Mr Vijayan said.

Apr 20, 2020 18:25 (IST)
Coronavirus News: India To Obtain 5 lakh Coronavirus Testing Kits From South Korea
India is procuring five lakh coronavirus testing kits from South Korea to meet their growing demand in view of rising cases of the infection, officials said today.

The Indian embassy in Seoul signed a deal with a South Korean pharma giant Humasis Ltd to procure the kits, they said. The company is sourcing raw materials for production of the testing kits from India, the officials said.

Over the past few weeks, a number of Indian agencies and private companies have sourced 4.5 lakh testing kits from South Korea.

India received 6.5 lakh coronavirus testing kits from China last week, PTI reported.

Apr 20, 2020 18:09 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Unorganised Sector Starts Selling Vegetables To Survive Lockdown
Amid the COVID-19 lockdown, when life has come to a standstill and many people in the unorganised sector are facing massive financial constraints, many of them have switched over to different professions like selling vegetables to make ends meet.

A 24-year-oLd starts selling vegetables to meet the demands of his family in Delhi. Similarly, a Bihar man who was a tea-seller in Delhi has started selling venetables amid lockdown.

Apr 20, 2020 17:49 (IST)
1,553 New Coronavirus Cases In India, Total Count Reaches 17,265: Centre
With 1,553 fresh cases of coronavirus reported in the last 24 hours, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in India has reached 17,265, said Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare on Monday.

As many as 2,546 people have recovered from the disease so far, said Mr Aggarwal during the daily media briefing on the coronavirus. 

"This takes the cure percentage to 14.75 per cent," he added.

"A total of 17,265 confirmed cases have been reported in India including 2,546 people have recovered. A total of 36 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours," said Mr Aggarwal.
Apr 20, 2020 17:39 (IST)
Coronavirus Indian: COVID-19 warriors deserve accolades, stakeholders support: Om Birla
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the "coronavirus warriors" deserve accolades and support of all stakeholders in the national strategy to contain the impact of the virus.

Mr Birla, who arrived at the Parliament House on Monday following the resumption of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, said that health workers, sanitation personnel, security personnel and several other groups have been fighting the difficult battle selflessly for the sake of the nation, and urged people to extend respect to these "warriors".

Apr 20, 2020 17:17 (IST)
Coronavirus: Delhi High Court lauds medical workers for their efforts to tackle COVID-19
The Delhi High Court has appreciated and applauded the work being done by the doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and all others associated with them in various hospitals, dispensaries, and clinics in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.

A division bench of Justices JR Midha and Jyoti Singh expressed satisfaction with the government's approach for taking requisite measures to the best of their capacity. 

"We also appreciate the brilliant work being done by other Government agencies on the Administrative side including police, armed forces, paramilitary forces, to name a few, who amongst other tasks are helping the health workers," the court said in its order on Friday.
Apr 20, 2020 16:55 (IST)
In Ranchi, Postmen Delivering Essentials To Homes, Hospitals Amid COVID-19

The number of letters arriving at the post offices in Ranchi for dispatch might have reduced since the imposition lockdown, but postmen in Ranchi have been keeping busy delivering medicines and other essential goods to houses and hospitals, a senior official said.

Some of them have also found the addressees sceptical about receiving parcels or registering their digital signature on their phones due to threat of virus transmission, he said, PTI reported.
Apr 20, 2020 16:49 (IST)
Coronavirus News: 5 Delhi Cops Test Positive For Coronavirus
Five more police personnel have tested positive for COVID-19 today, the Delhi Police said.

With this, a total of 8 personnel from the police station have so far tested positive for COVID-19, ANI reported.
Apr 20, 2020 16:33 (IST)
Badrinath temple to open on May 15: Official
The portals of Badrinath temple in Garhwal Himalayas, which were scheduled to open on April 30, will now open on May 15, a temple official said.

The decision to reschedule the opening of the temple gates was taken in view of circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dharmadhikari of the Badrinath temple Bhuvan Chandra Uniyal said.


Apr 20, 2020 16:33 (IST)
Coronavirus News: India's Coronavirus Cure Rate Is 14.75%, Says Government
The government has said that India has already cured 2,546 coronavirus patients. The cure rate in India is 14.75%. India has reported 17265 coronavirus cases and 36 new deaths in last 24 hours. Based on the data of the last seven days India's coronavirus doubling rate has improved to 7.5%. The government also said that there are no active coronavirus cases in Goa, all the patients are cured and discharged. The government also said that in 59 districts there were no active coronavirus cases in two weeks.

Home Ministry wrote to Kerala government and expressed concerns over modified guidelines regarding lockdown issued by the later. Kerala has allowed some activities that violate the ministry's instructions issued under Disaster Management Act.

The government also said that people should follow the lockdown orders strictly. The health ministry has also released guidelines like- use reusable mask, sanitiser, avoid gathering of five or more people, to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Apr 20, 2020 15:42 (IST)
No relaxation of any kind in Bihar, lockdown to remain imposed till May 3: DGP
Refuting certain rumours about easing coronavirus restrictions, the Director-General of Police (DGP), Bihar on Monday clarified that there is no relaxation in the lockdown. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has allowed the resumption of some activities.

"There's a lot of rumours going around, I'm reiterating it again and again that there's no relaxation of any kind from today. Lockdown will go on for common man till 3rd May, just like it has, till date. Everyone has to stay at home. There's no relaxation," said Gupteshwar Pandey, DGP Bihar.


Apr 20, 2020 15:17 (IST)
Coronavirus: Rajasthan reports 40 more COVID-19 cases

40 more coronavirus cases have been reported from Rajasthan till afternoon, said the State Health Department on Monday. Earlier today, 17 people were confirmed of coronavirus.
Apr 20, 2020 15:16 (IST)
Coronavirus Cases: 75 new COVID-19 cases reported in Andhra Pradesh; number rises to 722
As many as 75 new coronavirus cases were added in Andhra Pradesh, taking the total past the 700 mark to 722 on Monday. With three deaths reported, the toll mounted to 20.

Also, 27 patients got cured and discharged from hospitals, increasing their number to 92, according to the latest Covid-19 bulletin.

A woman sub-inspector of police and seven other frontline government staff of different departments contracted the virus in temple town Srikalahasthi of Chittoor district, official sources said.
Apr 20, 2020 14:12 (IST)
COVID-19: 16 high-risk contacts of infected Delhi pizza delivery agent test negative

Sixteen "high-risk contacts" of a pizza delivery agent, who was infected with COVID-19 last week, have tested negative for coronavirus in south Delhi, an official said on Monday. The 19-year-old pizza delivery agent had tested positive for the virus on April 14, prompting authorities to put 72 families he delivered pizza under home quarantine.
Apr 20, 2020 14:04 (IST)
17 more coronavirus cases in Kanpur

17 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Kanpur, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the district to 74. "There were 49 active cases. Now, as per Microbiology Department's report this morning, 17 more positive cases have been found," said Dr Ashok Shukla, Kanpur Chief Medical Officer.
Apr 20, 2020 13:52 (IST)
PM Modi spoke to Maldives President on economic challenges COVID-19 pandemic poses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Maldives President Ibrahim Solih on the health and economic challenges the COVID-19 pandemic poses for the island nation.
Apr 20, 2020 13:40 (IST)
Yogi Adityanath mourns father: "Can't go to funeral due to corona fight"

Yogi Adityanath received the news of his father's death during a meeting on the COVID-19 crisis, a senior bureaucrat tweeted. Read more
Apr 20, 2020 13:30 (IST)
Coronavirus: Karnataka Cabinet decides to extend COVID-19 lockdown

Karnataka cabinet has decided to continue the lockdown till May 3, in order to combat the spread of coronavirus in the state.
Apr 20, 2020 13:22 (IST)
Flight restrictions will be lifted once spread of COVID-19 is controlled: Hardeep Singh Puri

Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today clarified that the flight restrictions that have been imposed as a result of COVID-19 outbreak will be lifted once the spread of the infection is controlled. The Minister in a series of tweets repeated the earlier directions for the flights and made certain clarifications regarding the restrictions.
Apr 20, 2020 13:12 (IST)
Delhi High Court Satisfied With government measures for emergency treatment to non-COVID-19 patients

The Delhi High Court has expressed satisfaction over measures taken by the Centre and Delhi government to provide treatment to non-COVID-19 patients including those needing chemotherapy, dialysis and pregnant women, despite the enormous pressure due to coronavirus situation. The court said if a citizen has any grievance related to medical facilities, it can approach competent authorities in the government for appropriate redressal through helplines and dedicated Whatsapp numbers and also asked Centre and Delhi government to give wide publicity to helpline numbers and continue to render medical aid and assistance to citizens.
Apr 20, 2020 13:00 (IST)
80% COVID-19 cases in India Asymptomatic, worrying: Top scientist to NDTV

80 per cent of people with coronavirus in India are asymptomatic, or do not show symptoms of the infection, and this is matter of worry, a senior scientist at the country's top medical research body told NDTV. "80 per cent of the cases are asymptomatic. Our biggest worry is on their detection. There is no other way than contact-tracing," said Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar, a senior scientist at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Read more
Apr 20, 2020 12:52 (IST)
Coronavirus: Newborn tests positive for COVID-19 in Rajasthan's Nagaur

A newborn baby has tested positive for coronavirus in Rajasthan's Nagaur district, an official said today. "The baby born on Saturday is coronavirus positive. Her mother, father and other family members too are COVID-19 patients," Nagaur chief medical and health officer Dr Sukumar Kashyap said.

Apr 20, 2020 12:50 (IST)
Coronavirus update: "Kerala making way back to life", says Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala is making its way back into life, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted today after the central government, in a letter last night, took strong objection to relaxations in parts of the state from today, including the reopening of restaurants and bookshops, amid the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
Apr 20, 2020 12:35 (IST)
COVID-19: 30 students brought from Rajasthan's Kota reach home in UP's Muzaffarnagar

Thirty students, who were brought to Uttar Pradesh from Kota in buses sent by the state government, have reached their homes in Muzaffarnagar, amid the nationwide lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Apr 20, 2020 12:33 (IST)
COVID-19: 80% of coronavirus cases in India are asymptomatic, says ICMR

80 per cent of coronavirus cases in India are asymptomatic, a matter of concern, says Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Apr 20, 2020 12:31 (IST)
Noida is COVID-19 sensitive, People Need to Practice Social Distancing: UP Government

Gautam Buddh Nagar is a sensitive area and the public here needs to be more cautious about the COVID-19 pandemic, Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Jay Pratap Singh said and urged people to practice social distancing during the lockdown. Mr Singh, who is also the state government's minister in-charge of the district, made the remarks during a video conference with Jewar-Greater Noida MLA Dhirendra Singh and a few journalists on Sunday. Gautam Buddh Nagar, adjoining Delhi in western UP, is among the districts worst-hit by the pandemic and has so far recorded 97 positive cases of coronavirus even as 38 of these patients have been cured and discharged, according to officials.

Apr 20, 2020 12:29 (IST)
COVID-19: 5 new cases confirmed in Karnataka

Five new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Karnataka, taking the total number of infections in the state to 395, the Health Department said today.
Apr 20, 2020 12:21 (IST)
Coronavirus: Latest updates on COVID-19 crisis around the world

Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus crisis in India and other parts of the world

  1. Death count in Indore rises to 52 as three more people in the district die due to COVID-19 complications.
  2. A bright red robot at the district collectorate in Bulandshahr UP is helping people maintain social distancing and minimise the spread of coronavirus by dispensing sanitiser to staff and visitors.
  3. Odisha policeman suspended for entering Jagannath temple amid lockdown.
  4. Centre asks states and UTs to strictly comply with COVID-19 lockdown guidelines and not dilute them.
  5. The number of coronavirus cases in Gujarat rose to 1,851 after 108 more people tested positive for the disease, officials say.
  6. Three more persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Bihar, taking the number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 96.
  7. Four more patients succumbed to coronavirus in Gujarat, taking the toll in the state to 67, official says.
  8. Actors Hrithik Roshan, Ajay Devgn and Varun Dhawan urge those recovered from COVID-19 to donate blood to fight virus.
  9. The number of COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir climbs to 354 as four more persons tested positive for the virus.
  10. Amid the coronavirus lockdown, a group of activists has taken the initiative of providing food to monkeys starving along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway here in Maharashtra.
  11. The novel method developed to understand how coronavirus evolves.
  12. The Centre says the COVID-19 situation is "especially serious" in Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata and a few other places in West Bengal, and violation of lockdown measures risk the spread of the novel coronavirus.
  13. Indian-origin British filmmaker Gurinder Chadha''s aunt has died due to coronavirus complications.
  14. Thirty students, who were brought to UP from Kota in buses sent by the state government, have reached their homes Muzaffarnagar, amid the nationwide lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
  15. Bangladesh wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim decides to auction his bat to raise funds for the COVID-19 relief work in his country.
  16. One more person dies of coronavirus in Rajasthan while 17 fresh cases reported on Monday, officials say.
  17. Indian-American Dr Madhvi Aya, who contracted the coronavirus in the line of duty in New York, the country's COVID-19 epicentre, could only exchange text messages with her husband and daughter from her hospital bed before she lost the battle to the deadly virus.
  18. Textile body develops high quality cloth to make ''N-99'' masks.
  19. Toll collection on National Highways across the country resumes in line with government directives, a move which is being opposed by transporters.
  20. The Punjab government rules out any relaxation in the curfew till May 3 barring wheat procurement.
  21. COVID-19 death toll rises to 543 in country as the number of cases climb to 17,265, Union Health Ministry says.
  22. US wants to send team of experts inside China for COVID-19 probe, US President Donald Trump says.
  23. MP government to make available 50 lakh low cost masks at PDS shops.
  24. China's new confirmed coronavirus cases dropped to 12 with eight of them reported from Chinese nationals coming from abroad, taking the total tally to 82,747, health officials say.
  25. The US has carried out more tests for the novel coronavirus pandemic than 10 other countries, including India, taken together, President Donald Trump says.
Apr 20, 2020 12:10 (IST)
State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane tweeted, "We are proud to announce that all the patients that were reported positive in the state of Goa have recovered from the COVID-19. The active number of cases in Goa now stands at zero."
Apr 20, 2020 12:05 (IST)
COVID-19: Kerala government to ease restrictions in 2 zones from April 20

The Kerala government announced a relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in two zones, allowing among other private vehicles movement in an odd-even basis and dine-in services at hotels from today. State police chief Loknath Behera said the relaxations of restrictions imposed would come into effect in the Green and Orange-B zones in the state from today, an official release said.
Apr 20, 2020 12:02 (IST)
Coronavirus: Thane district declared containment zone

Thane district neighbouring Mumbai was on Sunday night declared as a containment zone in light of surge in the number of COVID-19 cases, a senior official said. All the restrictions in place under the ongoing lockdown will remain in force without any change, and the relief stated in the April 17 notification for certain zones will not be available for Thane district, stated the order issued by district collector Rajesh Narvekar.
Apr 20, 2020 11:57 (IST)
Rajya Sabha staff in Delhi wait for elevators at the secretariat, while standing in marked circles, in a bid to maintain social distancing.
Apr 20, 2020 11:47 (IST)
Coronavirus: 108 new COVID-19 cases reported in Gujarat

The Gujarat Health Department today said that 108 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the State, taking the total number of cases to 1,851. The total number of cases in the state include 106 patients who have been discharged and 67 deaths.
Apr 20, 2020 11:44 (IST)
Coronavirus updates: Four New COVID-19 cases in Kashmir

The number of coronavirus cases in Jammu and Kashmir has climbed to 354 as four more persons tested positive for the virus, officials said today.
Apr 20, 2020 11:21 (IST)
Coronavirus: Activists feed starving monkeys on Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway

Amid the coronavirus lockdown, a group of activists has taken the initiative of providing food to monkeys starving along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in Maharashtra.

Apr 20, 2020 11:17 (IST)
Rajasthan Government partners with healthcare app ''Aayu'' to tackle COVID-19 pandemic

Rajasthan government has partnered with healthcare startup MedCords to provide 24x7 online consultation and medicine delivery to the people of Rajasthan as the State battles to control cases of Coronavirus. Through its integrated solution -Aayu & Sehat Sathi app, MedCords will help over 68 Million of people in Rajasthan through this collaboration.

Apr 20, 2020 11:06 (IST)
COVID-19: Departments of Bihar government have resumed functioning from today

The departments of Bihar government have resumed functioning from today, amid COVID19 lockdown period.
Apr 20, 2020 11:02 (IST)
COVID-19 situation serious in Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Indore: MHA

The Centre today said the COVID-19 situation is "especially serious" in Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata and a few other places in West Bengal, and violation of lockdown measures risk the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Apr 20, 2020 11:00 (IST)
COVID-19: Pralhad Joshi condemns attack on health workers in Bengaluru

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi condemned the mob attack on police and medical staff at Padarayanpura Bangalore
Apr 20, 2020 10:47 (IST)
COVID-19: Punjab rules out relaxation in curfew till May 3

The Punjab government has decided to have no relaxation in the curfew till May 3 barring wheat procurement.
Apr 20, 2020 10:38 (IST)
Coronavirus latest: 12 more COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh

12 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, according to authorities at King George's Medical University (KGMU) "Out of the 1031 samples tested, 12 were reported positive for COVID-19," the authorities said.

Apr 20, 2020 10:28 (IST)
Coronavirus: Rajasthan reports 17 new COVID-19 cases

17 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Rajasthan, taking the total count to 1,495, said the State Health Department on Monday. "Of the 17 new COVID-19 cases that have been confirmed today, 8 are from Jaipur, 2 from Kota, 2 from Jhunjhunu, 1 from Nagaur, 1 from Banswara, 1 from Ajmer and 2 from Jodhpur," said the Health Department.
Apr 20, 2020 09:22 (IST)
COVID-19: 79 areas have been identified as containment zones in Delhi

79 areas have been identified as containment zones in Delhi
Apr 20, 2020 09:02 (IST)
Coronavirus latest: 543 coronavirus deaths in India, 36 in 24 hours

The number of coronavirus cases in India has climbed to 17,265, which includes 543 deaths, Union Health Ministry said today, adding that 1,553  new cases and 36  deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. 

Apr 20, 2020 08:55 (IST)
COVID-19 updates: Don't "dilute" Coronavirus lockdown rules, centre tells states

The government has made it clear that states and union territories cannot "dilute" the guidelines issued by the centre on the nationwide lockdown to control the spread of coronavirus and said states cannot allow their own activities during this period.
Apr 20, 2020 08:46 (IST)
COVID-19: Amid lockdown, what opens today, what won't

As per a Home Ministry order released on Sunday, the supply of non-essential goods by e-commerce companies has now been prohibited during the lockdown period. The sale of such goods - like mobile phones, laptops, television sets and refrigerators - had been permitted by the government last week.

Apr 20, 2020 08:26 (IST)
Coronavirus cases: 9-day-old baby tests positive for COVID-19 in Bhopal

A nine-day-old baby girl tested positive for COVID-19 in Bhopal on Sunday. She was born in Sultania Hospital, where two hospital nurses earlier tested positive for the virus.

Apr 20, 2020 08:12 (IST)
Coronavirus: Bengal pins COVID-19 testing delays on "defective kits" from medical body

Faulty kits supplied by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), the country's nodal body for COVID-19 testing, have been throwing up inconclusive results and delaying the pace of testing, the West Bengal government has said.
Apr 20, 2020 08:06 (IST)
Only Central government employees above the rank of Deputy secretary will be attending their offices 100%: Additional Commissioner of Police, Special Branch
Apr 20, 2020 07:53 (IST)
COVID-19 updates: Lockdown in Telangana Till May 7

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has announced extension of the coronavirus lockdown till May 7. He said the lockdown will be enforced in a stringent manner, and the food delivery mobile applications will not be allowed starting Monday. "The cabinet has decided to extend the lockdown in the state till May 7. The cabinet will take stock of the situation on May 5," he said.
Apr 20, 2020 07:37 (IST)
Coronavirus: NHAI in Maharashtra resumes toll collection on national highways

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Maharashtra resumes toll collection on national highways from today. 
Apr 20, 2020 07:11 (IST)
US Records 1,997 Coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: Report

The number of coronavirus deaths in the United States rose by almost 2,000 in the past 24 hours to reach 40,661 on Sunday, a tally from Johns Hopkins University showed. 
Apr 20, 2020 06:59 (IST)
Agra COVID-19 Cases Reach 255
With 14 new corona positive cases reported in Agra on Sunday, the district's tally of the virus-infected people climbed to 255.

"14 people have tested positive for coronavirus, taking the tally to 255," said the Agra district administration in a statement.

So far six persons have succumbed to the COVID-19 infection.

Out of 255 corona cases, 92 belong to Delhi's Tablighi Jamaat event.

The Agra administration has collected 4000 samples for COVID-19 testing in the city till Sunday.

As per the Union Health Ministry, there are 1084 corona positive cases in Uttar Pradesh, news agency ANI reported.

Apr 20, 2020 06:39 (IST)
Kerala Declares 88 COVID-19 Hotspots In 14 Districts
The Kerala health department has declared 88 local bodies including the corporation, municipality and panchayats, spread over 14 districts in the state as COVID-19 hotspots.

"The lockdown restrictions in these areas will be continued in the hotspots announced by the state health department," said state DGP Lokanath Behera in a statement.

"Hot spots are being announced based on COVID-19 positive cases, primary contacts and secondary contacts. As the outbreak of the disease increases, hot spots will be revised daily," said State Health Minister KK Shailaja, news agency ANI reported.
Apr 20, 2020 06:19 (IST)
UP's Jajmau Declared ''Red Zone'' After 6 Students Test Positive For COVID-19
Jajmau has been declared as ''red zone'' after six students tested positive for coronavirus here on Sunday, police said.

As per the government guidelines, red zones indicate infection hotspots.

Speaking to media, Circle Officer RK Chaturvedi said: "Since lockdown, several students were living here. As some of them had symptoms like viral fever and cold, samples of 89 students were taken for corona testing. Six of them have detected positive for the virus."

The area has been declared as ''red zone'' to contain the spread of the virus and the entire area has been sealed by the administration.

Chaturvedi appealed people in Jajmau to follow lockdown restrictions and stay indoors. he said the people will be provided with essential commodities, news agency ANI reported.
Apr 20, 2020 05:58 (IST)
COVID-19 Pandemic Highlighted Weaknesses In Healthcare Systems: G20 Health Ministers
The G20 health ministers acknowledged that the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted systemic weaknesses in healthcare systems and vulnerabilities in the global community''s ability to prevent and respond to pandemic threats.

The ministers held a virtual meeting on Sunday to further coordinate efforts in combatting COVID-19. During the meeting, the ministers addressed the need to improve the effectiveness of global health systems by sharing knowledge and closing the gap in response capabilities and readiness. Indian Health Minister Harsh Vardhan was also a part of the meeting.

"G20 Ministers emphasized that people's health and well-being are at the heart of all decisions taken to protect lives, tackle illness, strengthen global health security, andalleviate the socio-economic impacts resulting from COVID-19," read an official statement following the Health ministers meeting, news agency ANI reported.
Apr 20, 2020 05:55 (IST)
Bengal Pins COVID-19 Testing Delays On "Defective Kits" From Medical Body
Faulty kits supplied by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), the country's nodal body for COVID-19 testing, have been throwing up inconclusive results and delaying the pace of testing, the West Bengal government has said.
Apr 20, 2020 05:53 (IST)
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