Coronavirus: The US this morning also suspended all travel from Europe for the next 30 days. (File)
The number of coronavirus patients in India rose to 74 with 14 fresh cases, including nine from Maharashtra and one each from Delhi, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh as well as one foreign national, the Union Health Ministry said today.
All schools, colleges and cinema halls in the national capital will remain shut till March 31 amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Thursday. Coronavirus has also been declared as an epidemic in Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today tweeted no ministers in his government will go abroad in order to minimise the risk of being infected with the highly contagious novel coronavirus or COVID-19.
The head of World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday said the coronavirus outbreak "is a controllable pandemic" if countries step up measures to tackle it.
"We are deeply concerned that some countries are not approaching this threat with the level of political commitment needed to control it," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told diplomats in Geneva, according to a statement.
The United States this morning also suspended all travel from Europe for the next 30 days, except the United Kingdom.
Here are the Updates on Coronavirus Outbreak:
Coronavirus Outbreak: Government Has Set Up Helpline Number Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
The government has set up a central helpline - 011-23978046 - related to coronavirus outbreak in the country, besides 15 states and union territories using either of ''104'', ''108'' and ''102'' as their state-level helpline number, the Union Home Ministry said on Thursday.
Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Punjab, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep and Puducherry are using phone number 104 as helplines for tackling coronavirus outbreak, it said.
Meghalaya is using 108 and Mizoram 102 as their respective helpline for the viral outbreak, they said.
A central helpline - 011-23978046- related to coronavirus outbreak in the country has also been set up, the ministry said. The Delhi government's help line is 011-22307145, it said.
76-Year-Old Man In Karnataka, Who Died On Tuesday, Had Coronavirus
A 76-year-old man who died in Karnataka's Kalburgi district on Tuesday had been infected by the novel coronavirus, government officials said late Thursday night. He had returned from Saudi Arabia on February 29 and had been screened on arrival at Hyderabad airport. He had showed no symptoms at that time.
On March 5 he went to a private hospital in Kalburgi and was admitted the following day with asthma and hypertension. Hospital staff tested him for novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Maharashtra Reports 2 More Coronavirus Cases, Total Numbers Rise To 14
Two more cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Maharashtra today evening, one of them in Mumbai and other in neighbouring Thane, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said in Mumbai.
It took the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state to 14. The new coronavirus patient in Mumbai was a 65-year-old man who had returned from Dubai and his condition was somewhat critical, Mr Tope said. The patient had traveled to France, he said.
Earlier in the day, test of one person in Pune had come out positive. There are now nine confirmed coronavirus patients in Pune, three in Mumbai, one in Thane and another in Nagpur.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Those Testing Coronavirus Negative To Be Brought First: Centre
Amid the government's plan to evacuate Indians in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, the External Affairs Ministry today said that an evacuation does not mean bringing back everybody and people who test negative for the infection will be brought back first.
It also asked the citizens in other countries to stay put.
The comments were made by MEA Additional Secretary Dammu Ravi who has been appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate efforts to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said a medical team will be reaching Italy on Friday morning and they will be looking into issues faced by Indian students in getting negative (coronavirus) certificates. Tests will be conducted and those who test negative will be issued certificates so they can board commercial flights.
"We have to be clear that evacuation does not mean that we are trying to bring everybody. We need to understand that people who are not contaminated will be first brought in," Mr Ravi said.
"We will have a sample testing medical team going there. Tomorrow a team will go and get the samples. Samples will be coming through various sources by previous flights. These are being tested in India and those who are negative cases will be brought in. In case of Italy, a medical team will go there."
"In Iran a medical team is already stationed and the samples are coming in on regular basis and being tested and then we take measures on how to bring them back and that is a situation which evolves on daily basis," he said.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Delhi Government Requests Centre For More Coronavirus Testing Laboratories
The Delhi government today requested the centre to increase the number of testing laboratories for COVID-19 in Delhi as the city reported its sixth case of coronavirus.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain wrote to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan requesting him to increase the number of testing labs for coronavirus in the city.
Talking to reporters after a high-level meeting attended by Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and top officials, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said private hospitals should also be permitted to conduct COVID-19 tests because it is important for every hospital to have a testing lab.
He also called for opening testing laboratories in four Delhi government hospitals along with the Lady Hardinge Hospital, where the testing laboratory was to become operational.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Rahul Gandhi Says PM Is “Clueless” About Coronavirus
Accusing the Narendra Modi government of not taking adequate measures to contain coronavirus, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said today, "Our Prime Minister is clueless and sleeping."
"There is no preparation. The government is sleeping. They don't realise that coronavirus is spreading in this country. It's going to have devastating consequences. We are heading to the highway for an accident as a nation," Mr Gandhi said addressing the media at the Parliament House.
"Only after when I tweeted on the COVID-19, the Prime Minister also started tweeting about it," he said.
The coronavirus had worsened the already sinking Indian economy, he said. "We have got to start taking emergency measures now. It's already too late," he added.
Coronavirus Outbreak: No Community Transmission Of Coronavirus Has Been Observed: Government
Amid rise in novel coronavirus cases in India, the government today asked people not to panic, saying no community transmission of the virus has been observed and there has only been a few cases of local transmission so far.
With novel coronavirus being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), health ministry officials said even though the virus is difficult to isolate, scientists at the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, have been successful in finding about 11 isolates, but developing a vaccine will take at least one-and-a-half to two years.
The number of COVID-19 patients in India rose to 74 today, which includes 16 Italians and one Canadian. The figure also includes three patients from Kerala who were discharged last month following recovery.
The government has stepped up vigil and following a strong contact tracing system to ensure anyone who has come in touch with the infected are not missed out.
Coronavirus Outbreak: 2 Special Flights To Evacuate Indians Stranded In Coronavirus-Hit Iran
ndia will operate two special flights from Mumbai and Delhi to evacuate Indians stranded in coronavirus hit Iran, informed Union Ministry of Civil Aviation today.
"As per the evacuation plan of Ministry of Civil Aviation, following special flights will operate to evacuate Indians from Iran-from Mumbai on March 13 at 12:30 pm and from Delhi on March 15 at 1:40 am," said Union Ministry of Civil Aviation official.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that over 6000 Indian nationals are stranded in different provinces of coronavirus-hit Iran and the Indian government is making focused efforts for their safe return to India.
"Given a large number of Indians in Iran, it was natural that we should seek to sequence their return, taking into account their location and exposure. The initial focus is on visiting pilgrims. Many of them are in Qom, where Coronavirus incidence has been strong," S Jaishankar said.
The minister informed that a team of six Indian health officials has been deputed to Iran in order to set up testing and sampling facilities there.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Traffic Reduced By 50% At Bangalore Airport Amid Coronavirus
Bangalore Airport has seen a 50% dip in international traffic in March amid travel restrictions by a host of countries and subsequent flight cancellations due to coronavirus concerns.
Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), in a statement today also said domestic passengers volume has also been squeezed by 2-4 per cent and it may dip further if the number of coronavirus cases go up further.
"Traffic at Bangalore Airport has been affected by the Coronavirus, like most other airports globally. International traffic has dropped by 20 per cent from normal levels (before COVID19 was detected) in February and almost by 50 per cent from normal levels in March," BIAL said in a statement.
Against an average daily international passenger volume of around 14,000-15,000, only around 6,000-7,000 international passengers are arriving at Bangalore airport per day, the statement added.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Received Requests From Neighbouring Countries For Coronavirus Assistance: Centre
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today said that MEA has received requests from some of the neighbouring countries to provide them assistance for protective gear in the wake of coronavirus scare, which is under process.
"We have received requests from some of the countries in the neighborhood in terms of providing them assistance for protective gear.
Requests are under process. In February we had sent a consignment to China," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
"We have received requests (for protective gear) from Bhutan, Maldives, Iran, and Italy. In China, it has already been dispatched," he added.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Andhra Pradesh Man Tests Positive For Coronavirus, Total Cases Rise To 74
The number of coronavirus patients in India rose to 74 with 14 fresh cases, including nine from Maharashtra and one each from Delhi, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh as well as one foreign national, the Union Health Ministry said today.
As the contagious disease with flu-like symptoms spreads across the globe and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation, the cabinet secretary has said states and Union Territories should invoke provisions of Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 so all advisories issued by the Union Health Ministry and state governments are enforceable.
The ministry said the government is undertaking measures to ensure safety and security of its citizens in Iran after it became clear that the country was facing a COVID-19 outbreak.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Mumbai Railway Staffs Trained To Detect People With Coronavirus Symptoms
Railway authorities in Mumbai have trained their staffs to identify commuters with symptoms of the coronavirus and help them reach the hospital where such patients are being treated, an official said today.
Local trains of the Central railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) ferry around 80 lakh commuters every day, which account for nearly half of the total number of passengers who travel by trains in the country daily. On average over 5,000 people travel by a local train in Mumbai during peak hour.
"Station masters have been trained to spot symptoms of the coronavirus. They have been instructed to approach the passengers showing coronavirus-like symptoms and assist them reach the nearest hospital," a senior official said.
The staff at Emergency Medical Rooms at railway stations have been sensitized about the virus, he added.
If the staff spot a suspected coronavirus patient at a station, they have been asked to inform the district collector.
"Passengers too can approach the station master or call the railway helpline to report such suspected patients," he added. Special helplines have been set up for this purpose, he stated.
The authorities are also trying to create awareness among the commuters through posters about DOs & DON'Ts and audio and video messages.
"Isolation wards and high-contact surfaces are being sanitized regularly with disinfectants," said a WR release. Health inspectors are conducting awareness drives in Railway colonies, offices and stations to prevent panic.
Passengers arriving in Mumbai by long-distance trains should be screened, he said. But according to railway officials, screening of passengers at railway stations is practically impossible, looking at sheer numbers.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Defense Ministry Sets Up 7 More Quarantine Facilities Amid Coronavirus
The Ministry of Defense has set up seven more quarantine facilities for COVID-19 patients, especially for Indian citizens being brought to back from coronavirus-hit countries, an official said today.
The facilities have been set up at Jaisalmer, Suratgadh, Jhansi, Jodhpur, Deolali, Kolkata and Chennai.
"We are expecting more civilians to be brought back to India. We are ready with our facilities," Army spokesperson Colonel Aman Anand said.
The army is already operating a quarantine facility in Manesar while the one in Hindon, near Ghaziabad, is being operated by the air force.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Passengers From 7 Countries Under Strict Watch Amid Coronavirus In Pune
Passengers arriving in Pune by Dubai-Pune flights would be placed under quarantine at hospital if they have visited, after February 15, any of the seven "high-risk" countries which have seen major coronavirus outbreaks.
Eight Pune residents, including a couple who returned from Dubai, have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Passengers from seven high-risk countries will be straightway sent to quarantine irrespective of whether they have any symptoms, said divisional commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar.
A Spice Jet flight from Dubai is scheduled to land at the Pune airport on Friday and another on Saturday.
"As per the Union government's guidelines, if passengers on these flights have travel history to China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15, they will be kept under institutional quarantine (in hospital) in the city," said Mr Mhaisekar.
"We are trying to obtain travel history post-February 15 of the passengers on these two flights," he added.
A "containment program" has been launched in three-km radius in four areas of the city where the patients who have tested positive for the virus live.
"We are conducting house-to-house surveys in these areas and screening people," said a senior official.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Iran's Death Count From Coronavirus Reaches To 429: Health Official
Iran today reported 75 new deaths from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said, bringing the death count to 429 in the worst-hit country in the Middle East.
"We have identified 1,075 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, meaning that there are 10,075 infected people in the country. The death toll is 429," Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur told state television.
The outbreak has infected a host of senior officials, politicians, clerics and members of the elite Revolutionary Guards in Iran, the fourth worst-affected nation after China, South Korea and Italy.
At least seven officials and politicians have died since February 19, when Iran announced first infections and two deaths from the virus.
Iranian officials have repeatedly urged people to avoid unnecessary trips and stay at home.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Bombay Bar Association Urges Members To Avoid Handshakes Amid Coronavirus
The Bombay Bar Association (BBA) today urged its members to avoid handshakes and asked litigants not to visit its premises in wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The BBA issued a notice asking members to use hand sanitizers, wear mask or cover their mouth and nose with handkerchief while sneezing. Handshakes should also be avoided, it added.
As per suggestions made by the BBA, the Bombay high court administration has agreed to provide temperature guns at security gates to screen entrants and issue directions to litigants to not attend proceedings unless asked by the court.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Air India To Suspend Flights To Italy, South Korea Amid Coronavirus: Sources
Air India has decided to immediately suspend its flights to Italy and South Korea, two of the worst affected countries, sources said today.
According to sources, Air India's Delhi-Seoul, Delhi-Rome and -Milan flights stand suspended till March 25 and 28 respectively.
"Flight services have been suspended due to the outbreak of coronavirus in these two countries," the sources told news agency IANS. The flight suspension is effective from today onwards."
The airline said on March 9 that in accordance with the circular of Director General of Civil Aviation, in addition to visa restrictions already in place, passengers travelling from or having visited Italy or the Republic of Korea and entering India will need a certificate of negative test for COVID-19 from labs authorized by these countries.
Maharashtra CM Holds Meeting With All District Collectors Via Video Conferencing Amid Virus ScareMaharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday held a meeting with all District Collectors through video conferencing to discuss issues related to coronavirus.
State Health Minister Rajesh Tope, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta were also present.
The number of people infected with coronavirus climbed up to 73 in India with Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh witnessing a surge in cases, news agency ANI reported.
Health Ministry Issues Guidelines For Home Quarantine As Virus SpreadsAs the number of coronavirus cases in the country soared to 73, the Health Ministry has prepared a draft set of guidelines to be followed by those quarantined at home. The guidelines also include tips for the use of masks. Read
here.
6000 Indians Stranded In Coronavirus-Hit Iran, Initial Focus On Evacuation Of Pilgrims: S Jaishankar6000 Indian nationals are stranded in different provinces of coronavirus-hit Iran and the Indian government is making focused efforts for their safe return to India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday.
Making a suo-motu statement in the Lok Sabha, Mr Jaishankar said that the government''s initial focus is on the evacuation of about 1100 pilgrims hailing mainly from the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir and the State of Maharashtra.
Among the stranded Indians include about 1000 fishermen hailing from the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. In addition, nearly 300 students, primarily from the Jammu and Kashmir are also stranded in the coronavirus-hit Middle Eastern country, the ministry informed.
"As per available information, there are over 6000 Indian nationals in various provinces of Iran. These include about 1100 pilgrims mainly from the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir and the State of Maharashtra; nearly 300 students primarily from the UT of Jammu and Kashmir; about 1000 fishermen, including from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat; and others who are on longer-term stay in Iran for pursuing their livelihood and religious studies," Mr Jaishankar said.
"Given a large number of Indians in Iran, it was natural that we should seek to sequence their return, taking into account their location and exposure. The initial focus is on visiting pilgrims. Many of them are in Qom, where Coronavirus incidence has been strong," he added.
The minister informed that a team of six Indian health officials has been deputed to Iran in order to set up testing and sampling facilities there, news agency ANI reported.
Schools, Colleges, Cinema Halls Shut Till March 31: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
UN Human Rights Council To Suspend Session Over CoronavirusThe top UN rights body decided Thursday to suspend its main annual session at the end of this week over the new coronavirus pandemic.
A proposal presented by Human Rights Council president Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger "to suspend the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council on the 13th of March until further notice", was met with no objections, news agency AFP reported.
COVID-19 Is A 'Controllable Pandemic': WHO chiefThe new coronavirus outbreak "is a controllable pandemic" if countries step up measures to tackle it, the head of the World Health Organization said Thursday.
"We are deeply concerned that some countries are not approaching this threat with the level of political commitment needed to control it," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told diplomats in Geneva, according to a statement, news agency AFP reported.
Delhi Traffic Police Gives Instructions About Coronavirus For Safety Of Its Personnel, MotoristsThe Delhi Traffic Police has issued instructions regarding coronavirus for the safety of its personnel and motorists, officials said on Thursday.
They have been provided extra straws to be used with breath analysers during the alcohol test.
"The Delhi Traffic Police personnel have been provided extra masks, straws and hand gloves. They have been asked to wash their hands if possible or use gloves. They have been instructed not to interact without mask especially during alcometer test," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) NS Bundela said, news agency PTI reported.
Every individual gets separate straw, which is disposable, for alcometer, they said, news agency PTI reported.
We have received requests (for protective gear) from Bhutan, Maldives, Iran, and Italy. In China, it has already been dispatched: Raveesh Kumar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
We have received requests from some of the countries in the neighborhood in terms of providing them assistance for protective gear. Requests are under process. In February we had sent a consignment to China: Raveesh Kumar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
I think it is for the organizers to decide whether to go ahead with it or not. Our advice would be to not do it at this time but if they want to go ahead, it is their decision: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the effect of coronavirus on IPL
Iran announces 75 new coronaVirus deaths, taking total to 429: AFP News Agency
No Central Minister Will Travel Abroad In Upcoming Days, Says PM Modi On Coronavirus
Government Fully Vigilant About Coronavirus Situation: PM Modi
Spectators Banned As Olympic Flame For 2020 Games Lit in GreeceThe Olympic flame for the 2020 Tokyo Games was lit in ancient Olympia on Thursday amid an unprecedented health lockdown as Greece registered its first death from coronavirus.
With spectators banned, an actress dressed as an ancient Greek high priestess lit the flame using the rays of the sun reflected off a concave mirror, launching a week-long torch relay in Greece before the flame is handed to Tokyo organisers on March 1, news agency AFP reported.
Flame For 2020 Tokyo Olympics Lit In Greece Amid Coronavirus LockdownThe Olympic flame for the 2020 Tokyo Games was lit in ancient Olympia on Thursday amid an unprecedented health lockdown as Greece registered its first death from coronavirus.
With spectators banned, an actress dressed as an ancient Greek high priestess lit the flame using the rays of the sun reflected off a concave mirror, launching a week-long torch relay in Greece before the flame is handed to Tokyo organisers on March 19.
"Today marks the beginning of the journey of the Olympic flame to Japan," said International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach.
"When the flame returns to Tokyo after 56 years, hope will light the way across the entire country," he said.
With the coronavirus causing a tsunami effect in world sport, doubts are increasingly being raised over whether the Olympics can be held as scheduled from July 24 to August 9, news agency AFP reported.
Spain Minister Tests Positive For CoronavirusSpain's equality minister has tested positive for coronavirus and has been quarantined with her partner, deputy prime minister and Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, a government statement said Thursday.
"The minister (Irene Montero) is in a good condition and second deputy prime minister Pablo Iglesias is also in quarantine due to the situation," the statement said.
"This morning, all members of the government will undergo testing," it added, indicating the results would be published later in the day.
The announcement was made barely two hours before the government was to convene a special cabinet meeting to discuss an emergency plan of action to respond to the coronavirus crisis, news agency AFP reported.
One More Person Tests Positive For Coronavirus In LadakhOne more person with travel history to Iran tested positive for coronavirus in Ladakh on Thursday, taking the total number of cases in the union territory to three, a senior government official said.
His family members have been moved to the isolation centre at Heart Foundation Hospital here, they said.
The man was part of a group that had gone to Iran on a pilgrimage. Last week, two persons tested positive for the contagious virus in the union territory.
All the patients belong to Chushot Gongma area where people from a pilgrimage from Iran had returned back last month. The area has been cordoned off and all essential supplies are being provided to the villagers by the union territory administration, the official said, news agency PTI reported.
Varsity in Chhattisgarh Suspends Classes Till March 18 Amid Virus ScareAs the battle against coronavirus intensifies, a Chhattisgarh-based law university has suspended its classes till March 18 as a precautionary measure after a few of its students were found suffering from cough, cold and fever.
The management of the Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) in Raipur district has asked its students to vacate by Thursday evening the hostels located in the campus.
"Taking preventive measures regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the university is suspending its classes for students till March 18," an order issued on Wednesday by university registrar (in-charge) Dr Ayan Hazra said.
"A review will be taken on March 16 by the university administration regarding the preparedness of resuming the classes," he said.
All the students of the university have been directed to vacate the hostels by 6 pm on Thursday evening, it said, news agency PTI reported.
All facts about it are still being studied. There are no confirmatory studies. It is generally expected that the virus, if it is in higher temperatures may have difficulty in surviving, but it is not confirmed: Luv Aggarwal, Health Ministry on coronavirus
India's efforts to deal with coronavirus in consonance with WHO; focus is on preventive approach: Health Ministry
We have managed to isolate the coronavirus, we have 11 such isolates. Vaccines will take a minimum of 1.5 to 2 years: Indian Council of Medical Research
Right now, luckily for India we do not have any community transmission. We have only a few cases that have come from outside & they have primarily affected their close family members: Luv Aggarwal, Health Ministry on coronavirus
We already have around 1 lakh testing kits available, additional testing kits have already been ordered and they are also in procurement: Luv Aggarwal, Health Ministry on coronavirus
52 testing facilities are located across the country. There are a total of 56 sample collection centers: Luv Aggarwal, Health Ministry on coronavirus
So far, the Government of India has evacuated 900 Indian citizens along with 48 belonging to other nations like Maldives, Myanmar, Bangladesh, China, US, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa, and Peru: Union Health Ministry
IPL Behind Closed Doors? BCCI To Decide Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is discussing the possibility of holding the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 behind closed doors as a fallout of the Coronavirus outbreak, a board official told NDTV. "We are discussing the possibility of playing IPL behind closed doors," the official said.
"Compensation for teams to be discussed on Saturday," the official added. The government issued fresh advisory with a ban on all existing foreign visas, except a few categories like diplomatic and employment, till April 15 in the wake of new positive cases of novel coronavirus in the country.
As Nations Work To Contain Coronavirus, What Is A Pandemic The World Health Organization (W.H.O) has called the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 a pandemic on Wednesday, issuing a grim warning that the global spread and severity of the illness was due to "alarming levels of inaction".
The call came as Europe faced a mounting number of cases -- including a slew of new countries clocking first deaths -- prompting governments to roll out increasingly tough measures to slow the rapid spread of the virus.
Parliament Cancels Visitors Passes Amid Coronavirus Scare Amid fear of spread of coronavirus, Parliament on Thursday cancelled the visitors passes in general so as to avoid any contact with outsiders.
When asked about any proposal of adjourning the House, the Speaker said: "NO".
Speaker Om Birla was asked after he arrived in Parliament. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi did not comment on the issue. The cases in the country has crossed 70 with the largest jump in cases reported on Wednesday.
"Coronavirus Matter Of Concern," Says Foreign Minister; Cases Climb To 73 Coronavirus outbreak is a "matter of concern", Foreign Minister S Jaishankar told parliament today as cases across the country climbed to 73. "Exceptional situations require exceptional response," he said, adding that "travel at this time is not recommended as it only heightens risks".
Seventy-three cases have been reported across India as the country witnessed its biggest jump in the number of infections in the last two weeks. Kerala has reported maximum number of cases.
JustIn: Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases across India (including foreign nationals) is 73: Government
"Unprecedented Times, Work From Home": Twitter To Staff Amid Virus Scare Twitter has ordered all staff globally to work from home in an effort to stop the spread of the deadly new coronavirus epidemic.
The outbreak has spread across the world since emerging in central China late last year, killing more than 4,600 people, infecting over 126,000, and prompting a wave of travel restrictions.
Coronavirus: Daily International Passenger Arrivals Falls To 62,000
The number of international passengers arriving at the country's airports has reduced to around 62,000 per day from 70,000 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in Lok Sabha on Thursday.
He said the count might further come down to around 40,000 following the travel advisory issued on Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Addresses Parliament On Indians Stranded In IranGlobal coronavirus outbreak being constantly monitored, says S Jaishankar in parliament.
Delhi High Court Asks Centre To Contact Indian Students Stranded In Iran After Coronavirus Outbreak
The Delhi High Court directed the Centre on Thursday to ensure that the Indian embassy in Iran gets in touch with the Indian students stranded there in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Justice Navin Chawla told the Centre that the court will not tolerate non-compliance of its direction to contact the students and said it wants a report on that aspect on March 17, the next date of hearing.
Cancelling Olympics "Unthinkable", Says Tokyo Governor Amid Virus Scare Cancelling the 2020 Olympics is "unthinkable" although the classification of the coronavirus as a pandemic will likely have some impact on the Games, the Tokyo city governor said on Thursday.
"It can't be said that the announcement of a pandemic would have no impact... But I think cancellation is unthinkable," Yuriko Koike told reporters.
The Delhi government has set up control rooms for people to report and avail medical help.
A Patient Recovered From Coronavirus Shares How To Handle It An American woman who has recovered from the novel coronavirus has a simple message for people who are worried: Don't panic -- but do think about high-risk individuals and stay home if you feel ill.
Elizabeth Schneider lives in Seattle, the biggest city of Washington state, which has the most deaths in the United States from the disease sweeping the globe.
Chinese Airlines Report $3 Billion Loss As Coronavirus Erodes Travel Demand Chinese airlines reported a total loss of 20.96 billion yuan ($3 billion) in February as the coronavirus epidemic spread and hit travel demand, the aviation regulator said on Thursday.
China's overall aviation industry recorded a loss of 24.59 billion yuan for the month, Zhang Qing, an official with Civil Aviation Administration of China, told a press conference.
Philippine President To Undergo "Precautionary" Coronavirus Test Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will be tested for the new coronavirus, an official said Thursday, as two key government buildings were being disinfected over an exposure scare.
The Philippines has seen a jump this week in cases, including people who recently attended events with Senate lawmakers and government officials, potentially exposing them.
Fogging carried out at International arrival in Indore to disinfect all areas after the arrival process is completed.
Foreign Media On India's Move To Suspend Visas To Contain Coronavirus India suspended most visas in a bid to halt the spread of the coronavirus as the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic.
All existing visas -- except permissions given for diplomatic, official, United Nations, other international organizations, employment and project visas -- will be suspended until April 15, according to a government statement Wednesday.
US Advises Citizens Against All Foreign Travel Over Coronavirus Americans should reconsider foreign travel because of the spreading new coronavirus, the State Department said late Wednesday.
"The Department of State advises US citizens to reconsider travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19," it said in a statement.
Two-Thirds Of Germans May Get Coronavirus: Angela MerkelGermany will spend what it takes to tackle the coronavirus which is likely to infect up to 70% of the population in Europe's largest economy, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday.
"We will do what we need to get through this. And then at the end we will look at what that means for our budget," she told reporters, seeming to distance herself from Germany's policy of no new borrowing.
Shanghai Skyscrapers' Viewing Platforms Re-Open As Virus Eases
High-profile fixtures of Shanghai's skyline began to re-open Thursday on a limited basis in a sign of confidence that the coronavirus was being tamed in the Chinese financial centre.
The 632-metre (2,073-foot) Shanghai Tower -- the world's second-tallest building -- and the futuristic Oriental Pearl Tower Radio and Television Tower were among skyscrapers to announce viewing platforms and other public areas had opened again, subject to various restrictions.
The Shanghai Museum said it was re-opening on Friday but would cap daily visitors at 2,000.
Italy Shuts Stores Across Country To Fight Coronavirus Italy on Wednesday shut all stores except for pharmacies and food shops in a desperate bid to halt the spread of a coronavirus that has killed 827 in the the country in just over two weeks.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced the latest wave of restrictions in a dramatic appeal to the nation that came with the country of 60 million battling its biggest crisis in generations.
Philippine Leader To Undergo 'Precautionary' Virus Test
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will be tested for the new coronavirus, his spokesman said Thursday, as two key government buildings were being disinfected over an exposure scare.
The Philippines has seen a jump this week in cases, including people who recently attended events with Senate lawmakers and government officials, potentially exposing them.
Spoke To PM Narendra Modi Over Coronavirus Issue: Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he has spoken to PM Narendra Modi over the issues related to the Coronavirus outbreak and its effect to the supply lines in his country.
The deadly novel coronavirus that first originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year has claimed over 4,200 lives and infected more than 117,330 people across 107 countries and territories, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) describing the outbreak a pandemic.
Tom Hanks, Wife Rita Wilson Test Positive For Coronavirus, Actor Tweets Hollywood star Tom Hanks and his actress wife Rita wife have tested positive for coronavirus, the actor announced on Twitter this morning. He said the couple is in Australia at present.
Tom Hanks said he and Rita Wilson, both 63, came down with a fever while in Australia and will now be isolated and monitored.
NBA To Suspend Games After Player Tests Positive For Coronavirus The NBA will suspend play starting on Thursday after a Utah Jazz player preliminarily tested positive for the new coronavirus, the league said Wednesday.
The test result was reported shortly before Utah's game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City was to begin, and that game was abruptly postponed.
Asia Stocks Sink After US Bans Europe Travel Over Coronavirus Stock markets tumbled Thursday after US President Donald Trump announced a 30-day ban on travel to the United States from Europe over the coronavirus.
Asian markets were already a sea of red at the open, with traders taking their lead from a global rout as the World Health Organization declared the spread of the new virus was officially a pandemic.
Air India Announces Suspension Of Flights To 3 Cities Amid Coronavirus Scare National carrier Air India on Wednesday night announced a temporary suspension of its flight services to Rome, Milan and Seoul.
While services to Rome (Italy) are being discontinued from March 15 to March 25, flight operations to Milan (Italy) and Seoul in South Korea will remain suspended between March 14 and March 28, an airline official said.
World Health Organisation Has Declared The Novel Coronavirus A Pandemic
Novel coronavirus, which has killed around 4,300 people across the world, can be characterised as a "pandemic", the World Health Organization has announced.
"WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction. We have therefore made the assessment that COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom said at a press conference.
- The government has suspended all visas to India as the cases of coronavirus in the country sharply spiked and the World Health Organisation declared it a pandemic.
- Altogether, 67 people in India are infected, a chunk of them are a group of tourists from Italy.
- The Union health ministry said all existing visas -- except diplomatic, official, UN/International organisations, employment and project visas -- will be suspended till April 15.