Coronavirus: Worldwide, over 7,000 people have died, and more than one lakh infected.
A woman died in Maharahstra today after contracting the coronavirus infection, taking the death count in India to three. Maharashtra has reported maximum cases of the highly contagious illness in India. Coronavirus or COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation. As the total number of infected people reached 142, the government has stopped incoming travel from a number of nations, including the European Union, Malaysia, Philippines and Afghanistan.
The death in Maharashtra comes as number of COVID-19 cases rose to 125 in India. Last week two people - a 68-year-old woman in Delhi and a 76-year-old woman in Karnataka - died. Both the deaths were linked to COVID-19, which originated in China's Wuhan city at a meat market in December.
Amid widespread scare, the centre on Monday declared a countrywide lockdown of schools, colleges, gyms and swimming pools -- crowded areas that could allow for exponential spread of the virus. The government had last week declared the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country a "notified disaster", in a move it called "a special one-time dispensation".
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the coronavirus pandemic that has killed thousands and brought life in countries across the world grinding to a halt could end by July in the United States. Worldwide, over 7,000 people have died, more than one lakh have been infected in 143 countries.
Here are the LIVE Updates on the Coronavirus Outbreak:
First positive case of COVID19 confirmed in West Bengal. The 18-year-old man has travel history to United Kingdom. He is kept in isolation, news agency ANI reported.
IndiGo Cancels Flights On Delhi-Istanbul, Chennai-Kuala Lumpur Route From March 18IndiGo announced on Tuesday that as aviation regulator DGCA has restricted international traffic from Turkey and Malaysia, it will be cancelling its flights on Delhi-Istanbul route and Chennai-Kuala Lumpur route from March 18 to March 31.
"These are purely temporary and precautionary measures. We understand that these measures will cause inconvenience to our customers and we will be refunding the full amount to the impacted passengers," the airline stated in a press release, news agency PTI reported.
Government Deputes 30 Joint Secretary And Above Rank Officers To Assist State Governments On CoronavirusThe Centre on Tuesday deputed 30 officers in the rank of Joint Secretary and above to states so that they can effectively deal with the outbreak of coronavirus.
The move comes after 137 people so far tested positive and three persons died of the outbreak.
"The Government of India deputes 30 officers of Joint Secretary and above level, to assist state governments in effective management of COVID19 India," an official spokesperson said, news agency PTI reported.
In the wake of coronaVirus outbreak, the Rock Garden of Chandigarh shall remain closed for general public and tourists with immediate effect till March 31, 2020.
Congress Leader In Dehradun Advised To Stay In Isolation At HomeUttarakhand Congress vice president Suryakant Dhasmana has been advised to stay in isolation at home for 14 days after he visited a government hospital here to assess the health department's preparedness to deal with coronavirus outbreak.
Sharing the information on social media, Dhasmana said he visited the wards built for coronavirus patients at the Doon Hospital on Monday while wearing a mask and taking other necessary precautions.
However, the CMO and deputy CMO have asked him to stay in isolation at home and inform them if he feels any kind of uneasiness during the period, he said, news agency PTI reported.
Gujarat: Statue Of Unity Closed Amid Coronavirus FearGujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday appealed to citizens to maintain vigil and follow the government's guidelines to ensure that coronavirus does not spread in the state.
The state government has banned entry to tourists at Statue of Unity in Kevadia town of Narmada district till March 25 and also directed hotels and restaurants to avoid hosting large functions.
Gujarat has not reported a single positive case of COVID-19 so far, news agency PTI reported.
Bhima Koregaon Judicial Inquiry Commission Postpones All Hearing In March Amid Coronavirus FearsThe Bhima Koregaon Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) on Tuesday postponed all hearing in the case scheduled for the last week of March at Pune in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
"In view of the coronavirus pandemic, Koregaon-Bhima commission of Inquiry has decided to postpone all hearing scheduled at Pune during last week of March," Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry Secretary VV Palnitkar said in a press note today.
The press note further said that the scheduled hearing, which was fixed at Pune is re-scheduled and will take place at the Mumbai office from March 30 to April 4, 2020.
"Detailed schedule of the hearing will be notified at the Commission''s office at Pune and Mumbai. All concerned are requested not to visit the office of Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry except for compelling reasons," it added, news agency ANI reported.
Travel of passengers from Afghanistan, Philippines and Malaysia to India is prohibited with immediate effect: Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry
ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) has strongly appealed that private laboratories should offer COVID-19 diagnosis at no cost: Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry
Aviation Regulator Asks Airline To Disinfect Planes Every 24 HoursAviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday asked airlines to disinfect and deep-clean each plane at least once in 24 hours and place hand sanitisers in lavatories and galleys of each aircraft in view of coronavirus pandemic.
Moreover, the regulator said in its circular that all planes should have one or more universal precaution kit.
"Such kit should be used to protect crew members who are assisting potentially infectious cases of suspected Covid-19 and in cleaning up and correctly discarding any potentially infectious contents," the DGCA added, news agency PTI reported.
Three More Tested Positive For Coronavirus In LadakhThree more persons were tested positive for coronavirus infection in Ladakh, taking the total number of such cases in the Union territory to six, a senior official said on Tuesday, announcing imposition of prohibitory orders in the entire Kargil district as a preventive measure.
The three patients - two from Leh and one from Kargil -- tested positive but they are in stable condition and are undergoing treatment in specially set up isolation wards, Ladakh's Commissioner Secretary (Health) Rigzin Samphel said.
With three more persons testing positive for coronavirus, he said, the confirmed cases of corona-affliction in the UT have now risen to six, including one medical staff, news agency PTI reported.
GoAir to suspend international operations starting Tuesday, amid coronavirus pandemic, news agency PTI reported.
Raj Ghat Closed Till March 31 Due To CoronavirusAs part of measures to counter coronavirus outbreak, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial, Raj Ghat, has been closed till March 31.
Total 8 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in the national capital.
A total of 126 positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in India so far, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said, news agency ANI reported.
Odisha Government Extends Timings At Its Aahaar Centres Amid Coronavirus FearThe Odisha Government has extended the timings at Aahar Centers, set up under the subsidised meal distribution scheme of the state, in an attempt to decongest them amid coronavirus fears.
The serving time during the day will now be from 10 am to 4 pm.
The centres usually open at 11 am and shut down by 3 pm.
The Housing and Urban Development Department has also issued instructions to regulate the service at the Aahar Centers.
The department has instructed that a distance of 1.5 metre should be maintained between two individuals along with the provision of proper systems for handwashing. Rigorous cleaning and santising using disinfectants may be done at all centers in the state. It also has instructed that the money boxes should be kept at the token counters to avoid physical contact.
A total of 126 positive cases of coronavirus and three deaths from the infection have been reported in the country, news agency ANI reported.
All Kendriya Vidyalayas in Delhi to announce annual results through email, WhatAapp due to coronavirus outbreak, news agency PTI reported quoting officials.
Central Railway today cancelled 23 trains to contain the effects of coronavirus and non-occupancy of trains, news agency ANI reported.
Exams till Class VIII Cancelled In Goa Amid Coronavirus FearExams for students upto Class VIII were cancelled in Goa on Tuesday as a precautionary measure against the novel coronavirus outbreak.
A circular issued by Goa Education Director Vandana Rao informed that exams for Classes IX to XII will be held as per schedule with schools asked to seat students one metre apart.
She said the decision was as per the guidelines laid down by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, news agency PTI reported.
A Russian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova has cancelled their visit to India, due to coronavirus. The meeting was expected to be held in March, news agency ANI reported quoting Russian Embassy official.
Health Ministry To Allow Accredited Private Labs To Conduct Tests For CoronavirusTo enhance capacity for diagnosis and detection of novel coronavirus amid rising cases in the country, the Union Health Ministry has decided to allowed accredited private labs to conduct tests for COVID-19, officials said on Monday.
At present only government labs are permitted to do the test and the Centre is making arrangements to nearly double its capacity to test for the respiratory ailment.
According to Health Ministry officials, around 60 accredited private laboratories are likely to be given permission to conduct the tests soon.
"We are yet to finalise the names of labs. The modalities for the same are being worked out," an official said.
Both are confirmatory tests for COVID-19 are currently being done free-of cost at government set-ups, news agency PTI reported.
Maharashtra: Nehru Science Centre in Mumbai to remain closed for the visitors from 16th to 31st March 2020, in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
Puducherry reports its first confirmed COVID-19 case; 68- year old woman tests positive in Mahe region, news agency PTI reported quoting Health Department official.
Srinagar Administration Resorts To ''Shutdown'' To Shield Valley From CoronavirusThe Srinagar district administration on Tuesday announced a slew of additional measures, including plans of televised classes for students, to ensure that there is no outbreak of coronavirus in the city and the Valley.
District Magistrate Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary issued a three-page order listing various dos and don'ts for people for curbing the COVID-19 spread in the city and the rest of the Valley.
While all educational institutions in the city have been closed till further orders, the district administration on Tuesday directed the head of the departments and institutions to devise and submit proposals for televised classes for students by 20 March, news agency PTI reported.
We have also engaged non-ICMR, Ministry of Health, govt laboratories include CSIR, DRDO, DBT, govt medical colleges, we have 49 of those labs which will start testing by the end of this week: Director-general of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Dr Balram Bhargava, director-general of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): We already know that we are in stage 2. We are in not in stage 3, clearly.
Tourist Activities At Tiger Reserves In Uttarakhand Amid Coronavirus ScareTourism activities in national parks and tiger reserves in Uttarakhand, including Corbett and Rajaji, were prohibited till March 31 on Tuesday as a precautionary measure against coronavirus, an official order said.
Corbett Tiger Reserve Director Rahul told PTI that tourists will be refunded for the bookings made for that period.
Filming and research activities at these facilities have also been prohibited till March 31 under Section 28 of the Wildlife (Conservation) Act 1972, it said.
The order applies to the famous Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Gangotri National Park, Binog and Binsar wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand, news agency PTI reported.
Health Ministry Recommends Anti-HIV Drug Combination Lopinavir-Ritonavir For Coronavirus On Case-To-Case BasisThe Union Health Ministry has recommended use of anti-HIV drug combinations Lopinavir and Ritonavir on a case-to-case basis depending upon the severity of the condition of a patient having coronavirus infection.
In its revised guidelines on the ''Clinical Management of COVID - 19'' issued on Tuesday, the ministry recommended Lopinavir-Ritonavir for high-risk groups patients aged above 60, suffering from diabetes mellitus, renal failure, chronic lung disease and are immuno - compromised.
According to a health ministry official, a committee of experts comprising doctors from AIIMS, experts from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and WHO among others revisited the treatment guidelines and recommended supportive treatment in patients suffering from coronavirus infection, news PTI reported.
Thailand Closes Schools, Bars, Puts Off Holiday To Fight CoronavirusThailand is to close schools and entertainment venues including its racy night spots, and even call off one of its most important holidays of the year to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the prime minister said on Tuesday.
The measures came after the number of coronavirus cases in Thailand more than doubled in three days to 177, including 30 new cases reported on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters after a cabinet meeting that there would be "no complete city or country lockdown yet"."We're reducing the chance of the disease spreading in high-risk places by closing them," said Mr Prayuth, who was wearing a face mask.Schools and universities across the country will be closed for two weeks from Wednesday, Mr Prayuth said, news agency Reuters reported.
Public Relations Officer (PRO), Central Railway: Central Railway has increased platform ticket price from Rs. 10 to Rs. 50 on its Mumbai, Pune, Bhusawal and Solapur Divisions, till further orders, in order to curb crowd at these stations.
Routine issue of visitors, temporary passes be suspended with immediate effect in wake of COVID-19, news agency PTI reported.
All ministries asked to install thermal scanners at government buildings in wake of COVID-19, news agency PTI reported.
Local Body Polls Will Stay Postponed: Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Amid Coronavirus FearAndhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner (SEC), Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar in his reply to state Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney's letter, seeking the conduct the local body elections as per the original schedule, said that the elections will remain postponed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, news agency ANI reported.
The National Museum in Delhi ill remain closed for public from 17th-31st March or until further order, to prevent the spread of coronavirus, news agency ANI reported.
Pune Restaurant and Hoteliers Association: It is decided that all restaurants and bars will be voluntarily closed for next three days till 20 March to avoid spread of coronavirus.
Tourist Centres In Tamil Nadu Under Coronavirus LockdownMajor tourist places, including those in hilly Nilgiris district and the coastal town of Mamallapuram near Chennai, in Tamil Nadu have come under lockdown as part of preventive measures to check spread of coronavirus, officials said.
In Nilgiris district in western Tamil Nadu, officials shutdown all tourist centres, including those in the district headquarters town of Udhagamandalam, popularly known as Ooty, and asked visitors staying in hotels and resorts to return to their places within 24 hours, news agency PTI reported.
Himachal Pradesh Closes Government-Run Temples Over Coronavirus; Advises Devotees To Go For Online DarshanThe Himachal Pradesh government on Tuesday advised people to shun darshan of deities at temples in a bid to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic which has infected over 100 people in the country.
There will be no darshans in all the government-controlled temples in Himachal Pradesh in view of the possibility of people getting infected with the coronavirus in gatherings, the state government said in a statement.
Under this, three Shaktipeeths -- mother Jwalamukhi, mother Bajreshwari Kangra and mother Chamunda -- of Kangra have been closed from Tuesday.
The decision was taken after the state government issued a notification, news agency PTI reported.
Germany will begin repatriating citizens stranded abroad as borders shut and airlines scrap flights because of the coronavirus pandemic, its foreign minister said, as Berlin issued a formal warning against holiday travel abroad.
Coronavirus Is Like Tsunami: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi warned of an "economic devastation" in the next six months as he said that "people of the country are going to go through unimaginable pain" if India doesn't prepare itself amid
coronavirus outbreak.
"Indian economy is going to be devastated. You don't how painful this is for the country," he told reporters this morning, while talking about novel coronavirus or COVID-19.
"I will tell u a story... In Andaman and Nicobar, before the tsunami came, the water went out. When the water went out, everybody went to get the fish. When they went, the water (levels) came up. I have been warning the government. They are fooling around... they are not clear about what to do," adding that "Coronavirus is like tsunami".
"India should be preparing itself not just for COVID-19 but for the economic devastation that's coming. I am saying it again and again. I am sorry to say this but our people are going to go through unimaginable pain in the next six months," he said.
Man who died in Mumbai didn't reveal travel history: Minister
Minister of Public Health and Family Welfare of Maharashtra, on the death of 63-year-old patient in Mumbai, says: "He was admitted at Kasturba Hospital on March 5 and he had hid some details from us, including that he had come from Dubai. But we grew suspicious on March 13."
Qutub Minar closed till March 31
Qutub Minar in Delhi has been closed for public till March 31.
"Maharashtra is in the second stage at the moment," Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra's health minister told reporters in Mumbai. "But if we don't curtail or stop the infection from spreading this contagious disease we could slip to stage three and that would mean a spike in the number of infections," he said. "We have to contain this disease under any circumstances."
Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) writes to Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan to provide health insurance cover for doctors and for adequate provisions of masks and other personal protective equipment.
ICMR working on inclusion of private labs
ICMR Director Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar says: "We are not averse for the private labs. Discussion are on about the safeguards. Once it's done we will get into action."
Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General of ICMR, confirmed that they are working on both things -- inclusion of private labs as well as whether non-travel history patients will be tested."
Trying best to deliver best possible treatment: Health Minister
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in Rajya Sabha says:
"Scientists at ICMR are in touch with everything happening on this front all over the world. As far as retroviral drugs are concerned, we're using them on some patients, we've given approvals after scientific satisfaction after having been in touch with the world."
"We've heard about some research being done on Chloroquine in US right now. Approvals are given after detailed scientific scrutiny, not by Ministry but by scientists working at ICMR. We're trying best to deliver the best possible treatment to the patients."
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan will meet President Ram Nath Kovind at 6pm today to brief him on the coronavirus situation in India.
Coronavirus cases rise to 126
Total number of coronavirus cases rises to 126, as one more person in Haryana tests positive.
India is still doing quite well: WHO Representative to India
Cabinet Secretary is holding a meeting with senior officials from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Union Health Ministry and senior officials from other ministries.
Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative to India on meeting with ICMR, tells news agency ANI: "We have very good research capacity in India and especially at ICMR and Department of health research. They have been able to isolate the virus, now India will continue to be part of the research community."
"The commitment from Indian government, the Prime Minister's Office has been enormous, very impressive. It is one of the reasons why India is still doing quite well. I am very impressed that everyone has been mobilised," he adds.
Entry from Malaysia, Philippines and Afghanistan banned
Entry of passengers from Malaysia, Philippines and Afghanistan has been banned to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
PM Modi asks MPs to create awareness on coronavirus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in BJP Parliamentary party meeting today said that the Parliament will run till April 3. He has asked the MPs to visit their constituencies to make people aware about Coronavirus.
64-year-old dies due to coronavirus
One person dies due to coronavirus in Maharashtra, taking the death count to 3.
He was admitted at Kasturba Hospital and had high blood pressure, pneumonia and inflammation of heart muscles as well as increased heart rate which led to his death. He had tested positive for COVID19.
2 people test positive in Noida
Two people have tested positive for coronavirus in Noida, one in Sector 78 and another in Sector 100 with travel history to France, said Gautam Budh Nagar CMO Anurag Bhargav.
Officials of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) meet World Health Organisation officials.
Coronavirus cases in India rise to 125
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare says the total number of confirmed COVID19 cases in India is 125.
The Municipal Corporation Of Greater Mumbai released a few guidelines on its social media accounts on how to tackle the coronavirus.
It has listed dos and don'ts, precautionary measures and some other guidelines.
Nearly 14,000 New Coronavirus Cases Reported Globally In 24 Hours: WHO
The total number of cases and deaths outside China has overtaken the
total number of cases in China, says the World Health Organisation. Nearly 14,000 people were infected with the novel coronavirus globally over the past day, bringing the total number of confirmed cases above 167,500, the WHO said in its report.
A total of 167,511 cases have been confirmed worldwide, with 13,903 new ones over the past 24 hours. At the same time, the global death toll rose by 862 to 6,606.
Maharashtra to stamp people in home quarantine
The Maharashtra government has decided to stamp all those people who have been sent to 100 per cent home quarantine in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
The left hand of all people observing quarantine will be stamped to identify them if they mingle with the general public.
The decision, taken at a meeting of top officials chaired by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, has been described as a precautionary measure after 39 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the state - highest in India - and around seven suspected patients had fled from treatment centres in the past couple of days.
Late on Monday evening, Greater Mumbai's Municipal Commissioner Pravin Pardeshi issued an order to all officials concerned at hospitals and the airport, asking them to stamp behind the left palm of the home quarantined person concerned, the dates of isolation, with ink that would last for 14 days.
Coronavirus could bankrupt most airlines by end of May, consultant warns
The coronavirus pandemic will bankrupt most airlines worldwide by the end of May unless governments and the industry take coordinated steps to avoid such a situation, an aviation consultant warned.
Many airlines have probably been driven into technical bankruptcy or substantially breached debt covenants already, Sydney-based consultancy CAPA Centre for Aviation warned in a statement Monday. Carriers are depleting cash reserves quickly because their planes are grounded and those that aren't are flying more than half empty, it said.
Two new coronavirus cases in Karnataka
The Karnataka Health Department says it two new confirmed cases of COVID-19. Total 10 positive cases in the state till now, reports news agency ANI.
A 20 year-old woman with travel history to the UK and a 60 year-old person, a contact of the now dead Kalaburagi COVID-19 patient, have tested positive. Both are admitted in designated isolation hospital, officials said.
Everyone need not wear a mask, says Health Ministry
The Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a statement on when and how to wear a mask, to tackle the coronavirus effectively.
Taj Mahal closed for visitors from today
The iconic Taj Mahal will be closed to visitors from today as part of measures to try and combat the coronavirus pandemic, the tourism ministry said on Monday.
All ticketed monuments and all other museums have been directed to be closed until March 31," Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel tweeted late Monday.
Most schools and entertainment facilities, including cinemas, have already been closed across India.
UN Security Council halts meetings
The UN Security Council called off its two remaining meetings for the week on Monday due to the coronavirus crisis.
The council was "still functioning" despite abandoning its remaining sessions for the week, said the Chinese mission, which holds this month's rotating presidency of the body.
Europe closes borders to tackle coronavirus
France was ordered into lockdown as Europe closed its borders in the latest drastic attempt to combat the coronavirus pandemic, as President Donald Trump said the United States was readying for a month-long fight ahead.