Coronavirus: India will have over 17,000 patients by the time the lockdown ends on April 14. (File)
India has registered 4,421 cases of COVID-19 including 114 deaths since the outbreak began earlier this year. If the current growth rate of coronavirus cases continues, India will have over 17,000 patients by the time ongoing nationwide lockdown ends on April 14, data has showed. The rate at which coronavirus cases double in the country has risen in the past eight days - from six to four days now.
After US President Donald Trump's comments about "retaliation" if Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined to ship the medicines needed for coronavirus treatment, India said it will supply the key drugs being tested as coronavirus cure to "nations that have been badly affected" by the pandemic.
"In view of the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic, it has been decided that India would licence paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries who are dependent on our capabilities. We will also be supplying these essential drugs to some nations who have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.
Here are the Live Updates on Coronavirus Pandemic:
Coronavirus News: Maharashtra Reduces Price Of Shiv-Bhojan Thaali To Rs 5 Amid Lockdown
Amid nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19, Maharashtra government has decided to reduce the rate of Shiv Bhojan Thali across all districts from Rs 10 per plate to Rs 5, reported ANI.
The decision was taken in today's cabinet meeting, which was done through video conferencing, officials said.
As many as 150 more COVID-19 cases were reported in Maharashtra today. The total number of coronavirus cases in the state stands at 1,018.
Coronavirus News: 3 More Tablighi Jamaat Attendees Test Positive In UP's Bulandshahr
Three more people who attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi tested positive for coronavirus, officials said on Tuesday, taking the total number of cases in the district linked to the Jamaat to 5, reported ANI.
The three persons who were tested positive were identified as Tasim - a native of Bagpat, Noor Mohammad and Toshif Ahmad - natives of Maharashtra's Malegaon.
Coronavirus News: Delhi Government Hands Over Phone Numbers Of 1,950 Jamaat Members To Delhi Police
The Delhi government has handed over the phone numbers of 1,950 Tablighi Jamaat members to the police to track them down, reported ANI.
The numbers were sourced from the Nizamuddin office of Tablighi Jamaat. The government has asked Delhi Police to trace the movements of the members and find the places visited by them before March 25 and the people they met by tracking their phones.
Coronavirus News: 7 Coronavirus Hotpots Identified In Bengal, Says Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the government has identified seven COVID-19 hotspots in the state and is chalking out a plan to restrict the virus within those areas.
Ms Banerjee also said that the death toll in the state has risen to five, while the number of active cases stands at 69, reported PTI.
On Tuesday, eight new coronavirus cases were reported.
Coronavirus News: 4 Arrested Across Outer Delhi Areas For Delivering Alcohol Amid Lockdown
Four people were arrested in separate cases for supplying liquor in outer Delhi areas amid the lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus, police said on Tuesday.
Of the four violators, three had curfew passes issued by the police or municipality, reported PTI.
Coronavirus News: 2 New Cases From Mumbai's Dharavi Reported On Tuesday
Two cases of coronavirus was reported on Tuesday from Dharavi, the densely-populated urban slum sprawl, in Mumbai adding to
the worries of the Brihanumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The total number of coronavirus positive cases in Mumbai now stands at 642 with 40 deaths so far, a BMC release said.
According to the BMC, at least four of the six patients who died had co-morbidity conditions, reported PTI.
With two more testing positive for coronavirus, the number of cases in Dharavi now stands at seven.
Coronavirus News: 200 Quarantined From Noida's JJ Cluster In "Cluster Containment" Exercise
Around 200 people from a JJ cluster in Noida were quarantined and put under observation as a precautionary measure on Tuesday, as surveillance teams went on contact tracing in areas which have previously reported positive coronavirus cases, officials said.
This is the first "cluster containment" exercise in Gautam Buddh Nagar, which has so far recorded 58 COVID-19 cases of which 10 have been cured and discharged from hospitals, the officials said.
District administration stressed that "no new case" of coronavirus has been found in Sector 8, where the JJ cluster is located, reported PTI.
"No new case has been found in Sector 8. Contact tracing and surveillance teams have traced the ''possible contacts'' of JJ cluster where Covid19 positive patients were found a few days back," District Magistrate Suhas L Y said.
Coronavirus News: 2 Tablighi Jamaat Members In Haridwar Charged For Attempted Murder After They Refused To Get Tested
Two members of the Tablighi Jamaat were charged for attempted murder in Uttarakhand's Haridwar on Tuesday after they allegedly avoided getting tested for coronavirus, reported PTI.
DGP (Law and Order) Ashok Kumar said the two Jamaat members from Haridwar's Roorkee had recently returned from Rajasthan's Alwar.
They deliberately hid themselves from the administration to avoid the tests, he added.
"Their friend had tested positive for COVID-19. Still, they deliberately hid themselves from the administration to avoid being tested despite repeated appeals and warnings, thus endangering their own lives and those around them," the officer said.
Coronavirus News: Thane Reports 8 New Cases Taking Total To 114 In District
The COVID-19 count in Thane district in Maharashtra reached 114 on Tuesday after eight more people tested positive, health officials said, reported PTI.
While Kalyan-Dombivali account for 35 cases, the number of COVID-19 patients in Thane municipal limits is 25, while that in Navi Mumbai is 28, and 22 in Mira Bhayander, they said.
Coronavirus Update: Bihar Paramedic Working At Coronavirus Isolation Ward Allegedly Assaulted By Neighbours
A paramedic working at an isolation ward of a Begusarai hospital on Tuesday alleged that she was beaten up by her neighbours who said they would be infected with coronavirus if she enters her house using a gate that is adjacent to theirs, police said, reported PTI.
Punjab Government gives 24-hour deadline to Tablighis attendees to report or face criminal prosecutionPunjab Health Department on Tuesday gave a 24-hour deadline to all Tabligh Jamaat (TJ) participants of the Delhi Nizamuddin Markaz event, "who were hiding out in the state," to report to the nearest police station, or else face criminal prosecution.
As per an official release, the spokesperson of the department said all those who had attended the event at Nizamuddin Markaz and were currently in Punjab should report and appear for Covid-19 screening within the next 24 hours.
14-month-old boy dies due to coronavirus in JamnagarA 14-month-old baby boy, who had tested positive for coronavirus in Gujarats Jamnagar district
on April 5, died of multiple organ failure, PTI reported.
Will seal off Thane if people violate lockdown: CollectorThane collector Rajesh Narvekar on Tuesday warned that the entire district will be sealed off if people continue to flout the lockdown norms. To check the spread of coronavirus, the administration has already sealed off Kalwa township in view of people defying the lockdown orders.
"Citizens seem to be not taking the ongoing lockdown seriously. People are seen moving on streets in some areas and even using their vehicles for non-essential purposes. Some people are seen moving in groups and assembling at traffic junctions on roads, which will not be tolerated," he said in a message.
Wearing masks at public places made mandatory in Chandigarh
To check the spread of deadly coronavirus, the Chandigarh administration has made it mandatory for people to wear mast in public spaces.
HLL introduces ''MakeSure'' rapid diagnostic antibody kit for corona detection
HLL Lifecare Limited, a Central government enterprise under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has developed the rapid antibody diagnostic kit for COVID-19, ANI reported.
23-day-old baby found positive for COVID-19 in Telangana
A 23-day-old baby is among three COVID-19 cases reported at Mahabubnagar in Telangana on
Tuesday, all of whom have been infected from the Tablighi Jamaat event returnees.
8 travelers test positive, 7 arrested for disobedience in LaturSeven people have been arrested in Latur in Maharashtra for not informing authorities about 12 Andhra Pradesh residents who traveled from Haryana and took shelter in a mosque in Nilanga here during the lockdown, eight of whom later tested positive for novel coronavirus, police said on Tuesday.
The 12, hailing from Kurnool in AP, had attended a religious gathering in Ferozepur Jhirka and then arrived by a private vehicle in Nilanga, and were apprehended by police on Friday, officials said said.
Eight of them tested positive for the virus next day and are undergoing treatment, they added.
Nagaland Government planning to set up 2 biosafety labs soonThe Nagaland government is planning to set up two biosafety laboratories at the earliest to overcome the problem of testing samples for COVID-19 outside the state, a senior official of the health and family welfare department said on Tuesday.
A very specialised research laboratory that deals with infectious agents is known as biosafety lab.
Any biosafety laboratory has to be approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the state government is in constant touch with it, he said.
COVID-19 cases in Delhi rise to 550; death toll climbs to 9: Authorities
The total number of coronavirus cases in the national capital on Tuesday climbed to 550, with 25 fresh cases and two deaths being reported in a day, according to Delhi government authorities.
Of the total cases, 331 are related to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation that took place in Nizamuddin area in March, PTI reported.
Odisha reports first COVID-19 death
Odisha reported its first COVID-19 fatality with the death of a 72-year-old man in Bhubaneswar.
The state also reported a fresh coronavirus case during the day, taking the total count of those infected to 42, PTI reported.
Curfew imposed in some areas of Pune
Curfew was imposed in areas in central Pune which were earlier sealed off after
several residents tested positive for the novel coronavirus, officials said.
UP man claims to have found COVID-19 cure; arrested
A man was arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia for allegedly claiming to have found a cure for COVID-19, police said on Tuesday.
Child Body to help people carry out constructive activities during lockdown
The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) has launched a counselling helpline to help parents and children carry out constructive activities during the ongoing lockdown.
The helpline was launched on Twitter by Minister of Women and Child Development Rajendra Pal Gautam, PTI reported.
Delhi police move 33 pregnant women to hospitals in 24 hours during lockdown
Delhi Police personnel moved 33 pregnant women, including a Finland national, to various hospitals across the national capital in 24 hours amid the ongoing lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak, officials said.
Amritsar family refuses to claim COVID-19 victim's body, district administration performs last rites
In yet another case in the state, a family in Amritsar refused to claim the body of a coronavirus victim, forcing the district administration to perform his last rites, officials said.
Similarly, a family in Ludhiana on Monday had refused to accept and cremate the body of a 69-year-old COVID-19 positive woman. The administration there had too perform her last rites, PTI reported.
Tablighi Jamaat returnees identified in Maharashtra, being traced
News agency ANI reported that all the Tablighi Jamaat members who returned to Maharashtra from Nizamuddin Markaz have been identified.
Cabinet minister Siddharth Nath Singh donates Rs 1 crore to UP COVID Care Fund
Siddharth Nath Singh, MSME minister in Uttar Pradesh government, has donated Rs 1 crore to UP COVID Care Fund from his Legislative Area Development Fund.
COVID-19 count reaches 59 in Noida
One more person tested positive for coronavirus in Noida, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases to 59 in the city, ANI reported.
Himachal Pradesh cabinet decides to slash 30% salaries of MLAs for one yearThe Himachal Pradesh government has also decided to deduct 30 per cent salaries of state MLAs for a year to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, an official spokesperson said.
In a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur through video conferencing on Tuesday, the state cabinet decided to deduct 30 per cent salaries and honorarium of all Members of Legislative Assembly, including the chief minister, Vidhan Sabha speaker, deputy speaker and ministers for one year.
Mizoram contemplating to extend lockdown
The Mizoram government is contemplating to extend the ongoing 21-day lockdown in the state after receiving an "informal suggestion" from a medical panel it had set up to fight the contagion, a senior official was quoted as saying by PTI.
At least 100 new COVID-19 cases detected in Mumbai
At least 100 new COVID-19 cases detected in Mumbai; tally 590, PTI reported.
COVID-19 patient dies in Kashmir, 15 fresh cases in J&K
A 54-year-old man died of coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir, taking the death toll to three, officials said.
The number of cases in the Union Territory now stands at 125 and 15 of them were reported on Tuesday.
BSF cancels all movement of troops till April 21
The Border Security Force (BSF) said it has suspended all movement of its troops till April 21 as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak, PTI reported.
"Instructions have been issued to all formations of BSF that leave of personnel to be extended upto April 21 who are already on leave and are due to join in the month of April, 2020."
52-year-old man dies due to COVID-19 in Gujarat
A 52-year-old coronavirus positive patient died at a Surat hospital. The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the state now stands at 13.
Delhi Cancer Institute OPD shut after staff found COVID-19 positive, patients being shiftedThe Out-Patient Department at Delhi State Cancer Institute has been shut and patients are being temporarily shifted to a private hospital after several DSCI staffers tested positive for COVID-19, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Two doctors and 16 paramedic have tested positive for coronavirus at DSCI.
The official said authorities are investigating how the staffers contracted the infection as the cancer institute was not admitting COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 patient who escaped from UP hospital, caughtA COVID-19 positive Nepal national who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat event was on Tuesday caught by police after he escaped from a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat where he was admitted.
"He was found from a place 3 km away from the hospital, the patient has been admitted to the hospital again," Praveen Kumar, Inspector General, Meerut said.
30 COVID-19 positive cases in JodhpurThe number of COVID-19 positive cases in Rajasthan's Jodhpur has reached 30, said Dr GL Meena, Principal of SN Medical College.
Out of the 30 positive cases, five people have been cured or discharged, he said.
Tablighi Jamaat returnee found COVID-19 positive in Assam, total cases now 27One more person has been found positive for coronavirus in Assam on Tuesday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 27. The affected person attended the Tablighi Jamaat event at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi, informed state minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
7 policemen, 5 workers test positive for COVID-19 in BhopalTwelve new cases of coronavirus were reported from Bhopal on Tuesday, which included health staff and policemen. The total count of COVID-19 patients in the city is now 74, said the state's Health Department.
According to the information provided by Bhopal's health officer Sudhir Kumar Dehriya, out of the total 12 cases, five victims are health workers and the remaining seven are the cops.
Indian-Origin Cardiac Surgeon Dies Of COVID-19 In UKAn Indian-origin cardiac surgeon who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus has died at a hospital in Cardiff in the UK.
Jitendra Kumar Rathod, Associate Specialist in cardio-thoracic surgery at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW), was described as an "incredibly dedicated surgeon" by his National Health Service (NHS) workplace.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board posted a tribute to the medic, who had studied for his medical degree in India.
Three COVID-19 patients die in PuneThree coronavirus infected people died on Tuesday in Pune, taking the total number of deaths of coronavirus patients to 8 in the city, said District Magistrate of Pune Naval Kishore Ram.
"Three deaths have been reported in Pune today. All patients were COVID-19 positive and are cases of co-morbidity," he said.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi urges Muslims to offer prayers at home on Shab-e-BaratUnion Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has directed the Central Waqf Board to ensure that there is no violation of lockdown on Shab-e-Barat on April 9 and people should offer prayers at their homes and maintain social distancing amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
In a statement, Mr Naqvi urged the Muslim community to honestly follow the guidelines of the lockdown and social distancing on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat.
"On the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the entire country is seriously and honestly following the guidelines of the lockdown. Everyone should pray at their home to give strength to India and the entire world to eliminate the challenges posed by coronavirus," the Union minister said.
Officials in Andhra Pradesh provide door step delivery of essential commodities in ''Red Zone'' areasThe officials in Andhra Pradeh's Machilipatnam town distributed essential commodities to the people residing in "Red Zone" at their door step. A mini truck was brought in areas filled with the vegetables. Milk and other products were also provided to the locals.
The areas have been marked as ''Red Zone'' by the administration after a death was reported in the town due to the lethal infection. People residing within 1 kilometer of range have been asked not to step out of their houses as a precautionary measure.
UP increasing COVID-19 testing centres: Yogi AdityanathUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said the government is ramping up the number of COVID-19 testing centres in the state, including at the district level, as the coronavirus cases have increased rapidly over the past few days.
He said 308 COVID-19 cases have been found in the state "as of now", of which 168 are linked to the Tablighi Jamaat gathering in Delhi last month.
Separate doctors, hospitals for coronavirus patients and suspects: Odisha GovernmentThe Odisha government on Tuesday said it has separated novel coronavirus patients from other sick persons in the state-run medical facilities. The government has also said that doctors, nurses and other para-medical staff engaged to treat COVID-19 patients will not handle other patients.
First death reported in Odisha due to coronavirus: Report
Odisha reported its first COVID-19 fatality as a 72-year-old man infected with coronavirus died, officials tell news agency PTI.
The man died on Monday and the report confirming that he tested positive for the virus arrived today.
Indian-origin doctor dies in UK from coronavirus
An Indian-origin cardiac surgeon who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus has died at a hospital in Cardiff in the UK, where a number of medics have lost their lives on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jitendra Kumar Rathod was Associate Specialist in cardio-thoracic surgery at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW).
Sonia Gandhi gives suggestions to PM on coronavirus fight
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that austerity measures which can be used to divert much needed funds to fight against COVID-19 are need of the hour.
Some of her suggestions include:
Impose complete ban on media ads - TV, print and online - by government and PSUs for two years
Suspend Rs 20,000 crore Central Vista beautification and construction project "forthwith"
Order proportionate reduction of 30% in expenditure budget, other than salaries, pensions and central sector schemes
All foreign visits including that of top officials should be put on hold
Transfer all money under 'PM Cares' fund to the 'Prime Ministers National Relief Fund' ('PM-NRF').
Cooperation of citizens key in coronavirus fight: Arvind Kejriwal
The Centre will give us 27,000 PPE kits in the next 24 hours, says Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
"In Delhi, 24-hour vigilance and round-the-clock facilities being made available is my responsibility, and I will ensure things are in place. Our biggest fighters in this battle is you, the citizen. Your cooperation and help in maintaining social distancing is key. Stay in your houses," he says.
One lakh random tests to be conducted in Delhi
The Delhi government will conduct one lakh random tests for COVID-19 in hotspot areas, says Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
He says the government will give phone numbers of Tablighi Jamaat event attendees to the Delhi Police so that they can be traced, and to find out whether they visited nearby areas.
Have formed a 5-step plan: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says the government has formed a 5-step plan after talking to experts on how to control the spread of coronavirus in the national capital.
"We will trace those who came in contact with the ones who tested positive for coronavirus near Markaaz, and will start the process of quarantining them," he says. "This is a '5 Ts' plan -- testing, tracing, treatment, team-work and tracking -- along with monitoring."
Rajnath Singh discusses lockdown situation with Group of Ministers
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting of Group of Ministers in New Delhi to review measures related to the coronavirus pandemic. Cabinet Ministers including Amit Shah, DV Sadananda Gowda, Nirmala Sitharaman, Ramvilas Paswan, among other were present at the meeting.
Third week of lockdown would be crucial: Vice President
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu says health concerns should precede over that of the economy when deciding about lockdown extension amid coronavirus pandemic.
He says the third week of lockdown would be crucial for decision-making. "People should continue to cooperate with leadership's decision even if hardship continues. Indians' response so far for good of all highlights spiritual dimension of motherland," he adds.
Four have died in Andhra Pradesh till now: Report
One more person dies of coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh. The death count in the state due to Covid-19 is now four, says state government according to news agency PTI.
Case against 16 Tableeghi Jamaat members in Chhattisgarh
16 Tableeghi Jamaat members were booked yesterday in Korba, Chhattisgarh, for allegedly hiding travel history, misleading the authorities and putting the lives of others at risk. One of them had tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing treatment at AIIMS in Raipur, Korba police official Abhishek Meena tells news agency ANI.
Lifesaving medicines should be for Indians first: Rahul Gandhi
After US President Donald Trump's comments about "retaliation" if PM Modi declined to ship the medicines, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says "friendship isn't about retaliation."
Delhi government to conduct testing at coronavirus hotspots
Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain says the government has placed an order of 1 lakh rapid testing kits. These test kits will first be used in the hotspots of the city -- Nizamuddin area and Dilshad Garden.
A decision on the lockdown will taken only after assessing the situation from all angles, he says.
23 more test positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra
23 more people tested positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra today, taking the total number of cases in the state to 891, a health official says.
City-wise breakup of new cases:
Sangali: 1.
Pune: 4
Ahmednagar: 3
Buldhana: 2
Mumbai: 10
Thane: 1
Nagpur: 2
Overall cases in the state: 891
Assam police arrest MLA for comments on quarantine facilities
One Assam MLA has been arrested for allegedly saying that the condition of quarantine facilities and hospitals treating COVID-19 patients is worse than detention centres.
The MLA from Dhing constituency in Nagaon district, Aminul Islam, belongs to the Maulana Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF.
Practice social distancing: PM Modi
The Prime Minister took to Twitter on World Health Day to talk about the need for social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.
Show gratitude towards healthcare workers: PM Modi
On World Health Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked people to reaffirm gratitude towards healthcare workers who are leading the battle against the COVID-19 menace.
Bihar to take action against health officials absent from duty
The Bihar government tells news agency ANI that it plans to take action against 122 health officials who were found to be absent from duty during the coronavirus crisis.
Kerala nurses "frontline of humanity": Pinarayi Vijayan
Kerala chief minister praises nurses on World Health Day:
One more coronavirus positive case in Assam, count rises to 26
A new COVID-19 positive case related to Nizamuddin Tablighi Jamaat congregation was reported in Assam today, taking the number to 26, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Government offices in Meghalaya to function from April 15
The Meghalaya Cabinet has decided that all government offices will start functioning with full staff strength from April 15. However, academic institutions will remain closed until the end of this month.
Lockdown should be extended at COVID-19 hotspots : Karnataka minister
The Karnataka Government has said that it is too early to take a call right now on lifting the nationwide lockdown.
State Medical Education Minister Sudhakar K said the government is in favour of the lockdown extension in COVID-19 hotspots by at least two weeks. "Where there are red alerts and zones, those zones, in my opinion, should continue to be in a lockdown situation at least for two weeks... till this month-end, I will request them (the Centre) to do this," he added.
PM Modi tweets video starring Akshay Kumar, Ayushmann Khurrana, others
Prime Minister Narendra Modi this mornings shared a morale booster music video amid the grim situation due to the coronavirus crisis in the country and tweeted: "India will smile again, India will win again."
The video features Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar, Ayushmann Khurrana, Kartik Aaryan, Taapsee Pannu, Ananya Panday and others.
India to supply key drugs linked to a coronavirus cure to badly-hit nations
India will supply key drugs linked to a coronavirus cure to "nations that have been badly affected" by the pandemic, the government said today, hours after US President Donald Trump's stunning comments about "retaliation" if the Indian government did not allow the export of anti-malarial drugs.
Delhi aims to conduct 1 lakh tests, say sources
The Delhi government is set to chalk out a strategy for tackling coronavirus. According to sources, the government aims to conduct 1 lakh tests and random samples will be taken from the hotspot zones like Dilshad Garden and Nizamuddin which have registered the higher number of cases.
Quarantine centres will also be established at a large scale.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to make the announcements today. Delhi currently has 525 cases of COVID-19 and 8,464 tests have been conducted so far.
Five more die of coronavirus, death count reaches 114
Five people have died in India due to the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total death count to 114. Around 4,421 cases have been reported so far.
Tamil Nadu orders 1 lakh rapid test kits from China
The Tamil Nadu government has ordered one lakh rapid test kits from China. These would take just thirty minutes to test, says Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.
The consignment is expected to arrive on April 9. The state also has ordered 2,500 ventilators.
1,300 Americans return home from India on special flights: US official
Senior US diplomat Alice Wells has said that at least 29,000 US citizens have flown back from South and Central Asian countries, including India on 13 repatriation flights.
"In India, we are responding to requests for assistance from thousands of Americans located in cities and villages spread across a vast area. So far, we have supported the repatriations of about 1,300 American citizens there despite the lockdown conditions," Ms Wells added.
Lifeline UDAN flights supplied over 184 tons of medical cargo across India
About 132 cargo flights have been operated so far across the country to transport medical cargo under Lifeline UDAN initiative of Ministry of Civil Aviation.
"With support from Air India, Alliance Air, IAF and private airlines, medical supplies of more than 184 tons have been delivered till date during lockdown period," a release of Ministry of Civil Aviation said.
Air India will be operating dedicated scheduled cargo flights to China for the uplifting of critical medical equipment as per the requirement.
China reports no new coronavirus deaths for first time
China on Tuesday reported no new coronavirus deaths for the first time since it started publishing figures in January, the National Health Commission said.
Cases in mainland China have been dwindling since March, but the country faces a second wave of infections brought in from overseas, with health officials reporting nearly 1,000 imported cases in total. China's health authorities reported 32 new cases nationwide, all of which were imported.
Trump warns of "retaliation" if India doesn't clear key drug export
US President Donald Trump has said he would be surprised if India did not allow the
export of Hydroxychloroquine tablets to the United States despite a request made to New Delhi over the subject. "I would be surprised if he would, you know, because India does very well with the United States," Donald Trump told reporters during a press briefing at the White House.
Hydroxychloroquine tablet is used to prevent and treat malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, among other ailments.
UK PM Boris Johnson taken to Intensive Care for COVID-19 treatment
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved
to intensive care Monday when his condition worsened in a battle with the coronavirus, as the death toll from the pandemic hit grim new highs in Europe and the United States.
Johnson, the most prominent victim yet of the pandemic, deputized his foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, to stand in for him, but remained conscious according to Downing Street.
The setback came as the death toll from the virus jumped in Western Europe and soared past 10,000 in the United States -- taking the global toll above 73,000, out of more than 1.32 million confirmed cases.