Coronavirus: More than 27,000 people have recovered from COVID-19 in India. (File)
COVID-19 Highlights: India has registered 84,712 coronavirus cases, data from state health departments showed on Friday, crossing the COVID-19 tally of China where the virus emerged in late last year. India now is ranked 11th in the world in terms of coronavirus cases.
However, India's fatality rate still remains significantly better than China's at 3.2 per cent compared to 5.5 per cent. More than 27,000 people have recovered in India, according to the latest available data from the Union Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, the government will amend Essential Commodities Act to enable better price for farmers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today, in her third set of announcements on the mega economic stimulus to tackle the coronavirus crisis.
Agriculture food stuff including cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and potato will be deregulated, Ms Sitharaman said.
The government will also bring in law to implement agriculture marketing reforms to provide marketing choices to farmers. The law will provide adequate choices to farmers to sell produce at an attractive price, said the Finance Minister.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a cumulative package of Rs 20 lakh crore, nearly 10 per cent of India's GDP, to help various sections of the economy battered by coronavirus lockdown.
This included a Rs 1.7 lakh crore package comprising free foodgrain and cash to poor for three months announced in March, and Rs 5.6 lakh crore stimulus provided through various monetary policy measures by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The government has so far made two tranches of announcements with a cumulative package of Rs 9.1 lakh crore, comprising largely of credit lines to smaller firms, concessional credit to farmers and support to shadow banking and electricity distributors.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases Highlights:
"Nobody Needs To Travel On Foot": Nitish Kumar Urges Migrant WorkersMigrants returning to Bihar from other parts of the country must not travel on foot upon entering the state and, in case of non-availability of vehicles, should inform the nearest police station or block headquarters and arrangements will be made to ferry them to their respective destinations, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Friday.
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In Migrants From Bihar, Yogi Adityanath Finds New Fan Base Amid COVID-19While it is fairly well-known that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar privately blames his Uttar Pradesh counterpart for a wave of violations during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, it seems that Yogi Adityanath has found favour among migrants from Bihar, especially those coming via road, crisscrossing various districts of the state.
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Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Favours Lockdown Extension But In ModerationHaryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala on Friday said he favours an extension of the coronavirus-triggered lockdown but with more leniency and states to be given liberty to decide what activities should be allowed for a gradual return to normalcy.
When asked if he was in favour of extending the lockdown in Haryana, Mr Chautala said the measure has to remain in place while citing the recent spike in number of COVID-19 cases in the state.
"Yes, there should be lockdown, but there should be leniency on day-to-day life (activities)," he told reporters at his residence in the evening, news agency PTI reported.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has declared that except in four zones in Hyderabad, there are no coronavirus active cases in the State: Chief Minister's Office
Pune Civic Body To Distribute Homoeopathic Drug In COVID-19 HotspotsThe Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to distribute a homoeopathic medicine, recommended by the AYUSH Ministry in the fight against coronavirus, to 70,000 households in the COVID-19 hotspot areas in the city, an official said on Friday.
In January this year, the AYUSH Ministry had issued a health advisory and recommended that homoeopathic medicines could be effective in the prevention of novel coronavirus infections.
It had recommended that homoeopathic medicine Arsenicum album 30 could be taken empty stomach daily for three days as a prophylactic medicine against the COVID-19 infection, the official said.
"We have received some 14 lakh vials of the immunity booster medicine- arsenicum album 30- and we will start distributing among the 70,000 households in the hotspot areas in the city," PMC commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad said.
He added that it is a three-day course with two tablets twice a day.
Talking about Pune's COVID-19 death rate, which is more than five per cent, Mr Gaikwad said that testing needs to be increased to curb the number of fatalities.
Since the last seven days, over 1,000 tests were being conducted on a daily basis.
"We can further increase the testings, but there are some limitations with the National Institute of Virology (NIV)," he added, news agency PTI reported.
Bihar Government Seeks Extension Of Lockdown Till End Of MayThe Bihar government has urged the Centre to extend the nationwide lockdown till the end of this month besides keeping air and rail traffic, other than Shramik Special trains, suspended during the period, sources said on Friday.
The suggestions were made in response to the Centre inviting feedbacks from the states for framing guidelines for the fourth phase of the lockdown which shall come into force from May 18, they said.
In his address to the nation on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hinted that the lockdown which is to end on May 17, would be extended but with revised guidelines to enable resumption of economic activities for which his government has announced Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package, news agency PTI reported.
42,259 Undertrials Released From Jails Across Country During Lockdown: National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) ReportIn nearly over one and half months, a total of 42,259 undertrial prisoners were released from jails across the country during the lockdown period in a move to decongest the prisons in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
An interim report on initiative taken by National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) said that during the period, Uttar Pradesh released highest number of 9,977 undertrials prisoner followed by Rajasthan (5,460), Tamil Nadu (4,547), Punjab (3,698), Maharashtra (3,400), Madhya Pradesh (2,833), Delhi (2,177), Haryana (1,843), West Bengal (1,715) and Chhattisgarh (1,643).
It said during the pandemic the undertrial prisoners were released pursuant to the recommendations of the High Powered Committees constituted by the Supreme Court.
The top court had on March 23, directed all the states and UTs to constitute High Powered Committees which could decide which prisoners may be released on interim bail or parole during the pandemic.
The report said that across the country, a total of 16,391 convicts were released during the period on parole, etc. in pursuant to the recommendations of the High Powered Committees, news agency PTI reported.
With 213 new positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Rajasthan today, the total number of positive cases and deaths rise to 4,747 and 125 respectively. The number of recovered cases stand at 2,729 while there are 1,893 active cases in the state: Rajasthan Health Department
India has registered 84,712 coronavirus cases, data from health departments in states, showed on Friday, crossing the COVID-19 tally of China where the virus emerged in late last year. India now is ranked 12th in the world in terms of coronavirus cases.
1,486 Stranded Himachal Pradesh Residents Return From Goa In Special TrainA total of 1,486 people from Himachal Pradesh stranded in Goa due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown arrived here in a special train on Friday, an official spokesperson said.
The train arrived at Una railway station in the morning, Una Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kumar said.
This was the second special train bringing back stranded HP residents to their state. Earlier, 642 people from Karnataka returned to HP in a special train on Wednesday.
Two more special trains will bring back more state residents from Maharashtra and Chennai in the coming days, Mr Kumar said.
Of the 1,486 passengers arriving from Goa, 415 were from Mandi, 397 from Kullu, 322 were from Kangra, 128 from Chamba, 80 from Shimla, 53 from Hamirpur, 37 from Solan, 24 from Bilaspur, 20 from Sirmaur, 7 from Una, two from Lahaul-Spiti and one from Kinnaur, he said.
The passengers were provided face masks, hand sanitisers, water and food packets before being sent to their home districts in Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses, Mr Kumar said, news agency PTI reported.
Liquor Shops To Open In Tamil Nadu Tomorrow, Colour-Coded Tokens For Crows Management At OutletsColour coded tokens, that specify the time and day of the week are ready for distribution to consumers to buy liquor at state-owned outlets set to open on Saturday as part of efforts to manage crowd and ensure social distancing.
The Supreme Court's order earlier on Friday paved the way for resumption of liquor salein Tamil Nadu through Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation retail vends.
As per the new arrangement, those seeking to buy liquor will have to gettoken first and only then they could make the purchase on the date and time specified, an office-bearer of a TASMAC workers association said here on Friday.
The liquor outlets start sales from tomorrow in non- containment areas, except in Chennai Police limits and Thiruvallur district limits, a press note said.
Shops would be open 10 a.m to 5 p.m and only 500 tokens would be issued to the public per day per shop, the release added.
Seven different colour-coded tokens have been readied to be provided to the people, news agency PTI reported.
169 new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Madhya Pradesh today, taking the total number of cases to 4,595. Death count in the state stands at 239 with 2,293 recoveries: State Health Department
1,576 new COVID-19 positive cases and 49 deaths reported in Maharashtra today, taking the number of active cases to 21,467 and deaths to 1,068. Total positive cases stand at 29,100. Total 6,564 patients have been recovered/discharged in state so far: Maharashtra Health Department
In last 24 hours, 340 new positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Gujarat. Total number of positive cases rise to 9,932 including 4,035 cured/discharged and 606 deaths: Gujarat Health Department
933 fresh positive cases of COVID-19 and 24 deaths have been reported today in Mumbai, taking the total positive cases to 17,512 and 655 respectively. 4,658 patients have been discharged so far: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
385 new cases of COVID-19 and 5 deaths have been reported in Tamil Nadu today, taking the total number of cases in the state to 10,108 and deaths to 71: Tamil Nadu Health Department
84 new COVID-19 positive cases reported in Mumbai's Dharavi taking the total number of cases in the area to 1,145. No new death recorded today; death count stands at 53 in Dharavi: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
Kargil is COVID-19 free: Rigzin Samphel, Commissioner/Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Union Territory of Ladakh.
4 more COVID-19 cases reported today in Gautam Buddha Nagar. The total number of cases in the district is now at 242, including 169 discharged, 69 active patients and 4 deaths: District Surveillance officer, Gautam Buddha Nagar
Coronavirus India: Over 2,000 People Detained For Violating Lockdown In DelhiFifty-one cases were registered and over 2,000 people detained in the national capital on Friday for violating lockdown norms, police said here.
According to the data shared by the police, 51 cases were registered under relevant section of the Indian Penal Code till 5 pm.
A total of 2,068 people were detained under section 65 (persons bound to comply with reasonable directions of police officers) and 100 vehicles impounded under section 66 of the Delhi Police Act, it showed.
A total of 282 movement passes were issued during the day, the police said.
Fourteen cases were registered against people for stepping out of their houses without wearing masks, they added.
Since March 24, 1,65,635 people have been detained for violating government orders under section 65 of the Delhi Police Act in the city, news agency PTI reported.
16 new positive COVID-19 cases reported in state today, taking the total number of cases to 576 and active cases to 80: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
13 more cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Bihar, taking the total number of cases to 1,012: Sanjay Kumar, State Principal Health Secretary
Two more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Jharkhand, taking the total number of cases to 205: Nitin Madan Kulkarni, State Health Secretary
Nirmala Sitharaman Announces Reforms To Help Farmers Earn Better PricesThe government will amend Essential Commodities Act to enable better price for farmers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today, in her third set of announcements on the mega economic stimulus to tackle the coronavirus crisis.
Agriculture food stuff including cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and potato will be deregulated, Ms Sitharaman said.
Coronavirus Lockdown India: Migrants Stranded In Haryana Cross Yamnua To Reach Uttar PradeshNearly 100 migrant workers crossed the Yamuna, which flows along UP-Haryana border on some stretches, and reached Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district, police said on Friday.
The workers, who were stranded in Haryana due to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown, crossed the river and reached Kairana town in Shamli during Thursday night, police said.
The district authorities have sent them to a shelter home, police added. The workers decided to cross the river as many inter-state borders have been sealed and movement without permission from authorities is not allowed.
On the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, six migrant workers walking to their homes in Bihar from Punjab were killed when a roadways bus ran over them in Muzaffarnagar, news agency PTI reported.
A facilitative legal framework will be created to enable farmers for engaging with processors, aggregators, large retailers,exporters in a fair and transparent manner: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
A central law will be formulated to provide adequate choices to the farmers to sell produce at an attractive price, barrier-free interstate trade and framework for e-trading of agricultural produce: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Government to amend the Essential Commodities Act to enable better price realisation for farmers; agriculture products including cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions, and potatoes to be de-regulated: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Operation Greens to be extended from Tomatoes, Onions and Potatoes (TOP) to all fruits and vegetables (TOTAL): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Government to implement a Rs 500 crore scheme of infrastructure development related to integrated beekeeping development centres, collection, marketing and storage centres, post-harvest and value addition facilities; this will lead to an increase in income of 2 lakh bee-keepers: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Rs 4,000 crore allocated for promotion of herbal cultivation; 10,00,000 hectare will be covered in the next 2 years. National Medicinal Plants Board will bring 800-hectare area by developing a corridor of medicinal plants along the banks of river Ganga: Finance Minister Sitharaman
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund of Rs 15,000 crores will be set up: Finiance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
National Animal Disease Control Programme for Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis launched with a total outlay of Rs 13,343 crore: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Government to launch the Rs 20,000 crore Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for development of marine and inland fisheries. 55 lakh people expected to get employment from this program: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
All COVID-19 related deadline extensions relating to fisheries activities, many of them involving overseas contracts, have been honoured. Very many measures which will help marine and coastal farmers have been undertaken as promised: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Government introduces a Rs 10,000 crores scheme for the formalisation of Micro Food Enterprises (MFE), the scheme promotes PM's vision of 'Vocal for Local with global outreach': Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Government to immediately create a Rs 1 lakh crore Agri-Infrastructure Fund for farm gate infrastructure for farmers: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
During COVID-19 lockdown period, the demand for milk reduced by 20-25%. A new scheme to provide interest subvention at 2% per annum to dairy cooperatives for 2020-21. The scheme will unlock Rs 5000 crore additional liquidity, benefit to 2 crore farmers: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
During lockdown period, Minimum Support Price purchases of amount more than Rs 74,300 crores, PM Kisan fund transfer of Rs 18,700 crore: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on additional steps for agriculture during COVID-19
I will be announcing 11 measures today, of which 8 of them relate to strengthening infrastructure, capacities and building better logistics, while the rest 3 will pertain to governance and administrative reforms: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Largest population of India is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. The maximum being small and medium farmers: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Today's announcements will focus on agriculture and allied activities: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Social Distancing Norms Flouted As Crowd Gathers For Village Fair In KarnatakaFlouting all social distancing norms, people gathered in large numbers for a village temple fair in Karnataka's Ramanagara district.
On Thursday, people in large numbers came out on a road to participate in the fair. Attendees took permission for gathering from Panchayat Development Officer NC Kalmatt.
According to a Tehsildar official, Kalmatt was suspended by Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner for granting permission for the gathering.
People have been advised to wear mask in public space and maintain social distancing to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, 45 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Karnataka, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 1,032 on Friday, according to the state Health Department, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus India Lockdown: 20 Dubai Returnees Test COVID-19 Positive In 2 Karnataka DistrictsTwenty people who arrived here by a special repatriation flight from Dubai three days ago tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, officials said.
Fifteen of them were from Dakshina Kannada (DK) district and five from neighbouring Udupi district, which remained COVID-19 free for over a month, they said adding all had been admitted to designated hospitals.
The returnees were taken to hotels and other facilities for mandatory 14-day institutional quarantine after they landed at the Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) on Tuesday night and their swab samples were subsequently sent for test, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus India Lockdown: Rajasthan Makes Khadi MasksWashable khadi masks are being made in view of the coronavirus pandemic crisis by khadi institutions in the state, Additional Chief Secretary Subodh Agarwal said on Friday.
He said Khadi institutions of the state have prepared and made available more than 1.70 lakh masks.
He said more than one lakh of these masks have been made available free of cost at district administration and police officials, besides at hospitals and other places.
Mr Agarwal said initiatives have been taken to start work in Khadi and village industries in the state.
Work has started in 1,614 village industries and 58 Khadi institutions related to Khadi in the state. With this, cottage industries have started operating in rural areas and artisans are getting employment, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus death count in Delhi mounts to 123, cases climb to 8,895, news agency PTI reported quoting authorities.
Coronavirus Lockdown 4.0: What States Are Planning For Lockdown 4, Starting Monday - 10 PointsAllowing public transportation, including metro services and flights, and restarting economic activity in non-containment zones were among the proposals sent by states to the Prime Minister's Office, as the centre draws up plans for a phased exit from the nationwide lockdown. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a six-hour video call with several chief ministers and asked for states' input on this matter. Lockdown 4.0 will seek to project "normalcy on the ground". The current lockdown - the third since it was enforced on March 25 - is scheduled to end on Sunday. It will be extended again, given the steep rise in the number of cases, but, with red flags over the condition of the economy, further relaxations in economic activity are likely. Across India coronavirus cases jumped by 3,976 in the past 24 hours, with 100 deaths reported in that time. The total number of cases in the country has crossed 81,000, with 2,649 deaths linked to the virus."
Coronavirus news: 7 new cases reported in UP
Seven new COVID-19 cases were reported from Uttar Pradesh on Friday after 708 samples were tested for the infection, said the King George's Medical University (KGMU).
"Out of the 708 samples tested yesterday for COVID-19, results of 7 are positive," said the KGMU.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the state has so far reported 3,902 COVID-19 cases which include 2,072 cured or discharged cases and 88 deaths.
Coronavirus news: Mayawati expresses concern over plight of migrant labourersBSP chief Mayawati said in a tweet, "Videos of millions of migrants labourers, their helpless families on the streets returning home, their hunger and deaths on the way shown on TV are heartbreaking and sad. In such a situation, effective arrangements should be immediately made by central, state governments to help them in their life-and-death battles."
We have worked out a plan to attract investment: Maharashtra Industries Minister to NDTV- Migrant workers will return because the income source is most important
- Negotiations are on with many countries to attract investment in the state. We will assign one single officer 'Udyog Mitra' for each investor who will provide an end-to-end solution
- We have worked out a plan to attract investment
- Maharashtra is at the forefront of industrial progress in the country, we would like to maintain it
- Introduced new plan of working with less number of people
Coronavirus news: 100 Coronavirus Deaths In India In 24 Hours, 3,967 New Cases
India reported 3,967 cases and 100 deaths due to coronavirus in the last 24 hours, government data shows. The total cases in the country reached 81,970 and so far 2,649 have died. Some 27,920 have recovered from the highly infectious disease.
The centre is considering easing lockdown guidelines in a graded manner. The projection of "normalcy on ground" will be the focus of the extended lockdown, which kicks in from May 18.
One of the first areas where relaxation will be allowed wherever possible is public transport, including flights, a senior Home Ministry official told NDTV, asking not to be named. The pointer to the ground situation, sources said, will be data crunched by the Home Ministry, a copy on which is with NDTV. (Read full story
here)
Coronavirus India Lockdown news: 3 migrant workers on way to hometown killed in road accident
Three migrant workers travelling from Surat in Gujarat to Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh were killed in the barabanki district of uttar pradesh last night. They had just got off a truck and were standing on the road waiting to find another one going towards bahraich when a speeding truck hit them from behind.
Coronavirus news: PM Modi Discusses COVID-19 Situation And Vaccine To Cure It With Bill Gates
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and philanthropist Bill Gates on Thursday discussed the global response to COVID-19, and the importance of global coordination in scientific innovation and research to combat the pandemic.
During a video conference, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Bill Gates and Prime Minister Modi agreed that given India's willingness and capacity to contribute to global efforts, it was important for New Delhi to be included in the global discussions for coordinating responses to the pandemic.
PM Modi also underlined the conscious approach that India has adopted in its fight against the health crisis. (Read full story
here)
Coronavirus India Lockdown News: lanes, Bus To Be Allowed In Select Areas In Lockdown 4.0, Say Sources
A senior home ministry official told NDTV that one of the first areas where relaxation will be allowed wherever possible, is public transport -- on ground and the skies. The boundaries will be based on the states' blueprint -- sought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week -- and how compatible it is with the situation on the ground, officials involved in drawing up the Lockdown 4.0 guidelines told NDTV.
Officials also indicated that one of the key demands of the states -- having the power to define their hotspots -- may be granted. This was flagged by a number of states during their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week. (Read full story
here)
After Its Highest Spike, Assam Comes Up With Strict Quarantine RulesWith Assam witnessing its highest spike of 22 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, that too from Guwahati, a green zone, and at a time when the special passenger trains are arriving with stranded people from outside, the state government has tweaked its quarantine protocol and has come up with a strict SOP. The state has witnessed a 34 per cent jump in the number of cases on Thursday and this week its doubling rate has narrowed down to 8.64 days, raising concerns.
Read here
China Stealing US Research On COVID-19: Mike PompeoUS Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday accused China of "stealing" US intellectual property and data related to COVID-19 research.
Pompeo's allegations came a day after the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security claimed that organisations conducting research into COVID-19 may be targeted by computer hackers linked to the Chinese government.
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Shops Can Now Open From 7 am To 6 pm In PunjabFurther relaxing the curfew imposed to stem the spread of coronavirus, the Punjab government on Thursday extended the business hours of shops in the state, allowing them to remain open from 7 am to 6 pm.
Earlier, shops in Punjab were allowed to remain open from 7 am to 3 pm.
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Shops Can Now Open From 7 am To 6 pm In PunjabFurther relaxing the curfew imposed to stem the spread of coronavirus, the Punjab government on Thursday extended the business hours of shops in the state, allowing them to remain open from 7 am to 6 pm.
Earlier, shops in Punjab were allowed to remain open from 7 am to 3 pm.
Read more
Planes, Bus To Be Allowed In Select Areas In Lockdown 4.0, Say SourcesThe projection of "normalcy on ground" will be the focus of Lockdown 4.0, which comes into effect from May 18. A senior home ministry official told NDTV that one of the first areas where relaxation will be allowed wherever possible, is public transport -- on ground and the skies. The boundaries will be based on the states' blueprint -- sought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week -- and how compatible it is with the situation on the ground, officials involved in drawing up the Lockdown 4.0 guidelines told NDTV.
Read more
Coronavirus Update: Kerala Sees Spike In COVID-19 Cases As 26 More Test PositiveIn a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in Kerala in several days, as many as 26 people, including seven foreign returnees and a police personnel, tested positive for Coronavirus infection on Thursday.
This takes the total number of people under treatment to 64.
The tally of COVID-19 cases in the state has risen to 560.
While ten of the new cases were from Kasaragod district, Malappuram reported five, Palakkad and Wayanad three each, Kannur two and Pathnamthitta, Idukki and Kozhikode districts
one case each,Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
Howrah Slum, Home To 3,000 People, Records 38 COVID-19 Cases: OfficialA slum in West Bengal's Howrah district has accounted for at least 38 COVID-19 cases so far, a district official said on Thursday.
According to sources, the slum, one of the largest in the district, houses more than 3,000 people.
"Around 150 people from the slum work for the Howrah municipal corporation. That is a matter of concern," he said.
The first case of infection from the area was reported on May 3, the official said. Read More
3 More Medical Colleges To Start COVID-19 Tests In Odisha
Odisha has decided to start swab tests in three more state-run medical college hospitals in Bolangir, Koraput and Baripada.
COVID-19 tests are now being conducted in eight laboratories, including one private facility, across Odisha.
The testing will begin at the medical colleges in Bolangir, Koraput and Baripada on May 16, May 23 and May 31 respectively, Health and Family Welfare Minister N K Das said after a meeting.
Coronavirus In Gujarat: 324 New Coronavirus Cases Take State Tally To 9,592
Gujarat has reported 324 new coronavirus cases the last 24 hours. With the new cases, the tally in the state has gone up to 9,592 on Thursday. There 586 registered deaths in the state so far, said health department officials.
As many as 191 persons also recovered and given discharge from different hospitals in the state, taking the number of such people to 3,753, a senior health ministry official has said.
12 Paramilitary ITBP Jawans Test COVID-19 Positive
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has said that its 12 Jawans have tested COVID-19 positive, while 12 jawans have been cured and recovered in the last 24 hours.
A total of 78,003 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in India. 26,235 persons have recovered or migrated, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Thursday.
Coronavirus Update From Goa: 8 New Cases Found
After being free of COVID-19 for more than a month, Goa has recorded eight fresh cases, one of them a member of a ship's crew, over the last two days, said Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday.
Vishwajit Rane said that a person who was working on a ship was found positive for the infection during a rapid test on Thursday and his sample has been sent to a lab for confirmatory test.
The new cases comes after samples of seven others, five of them members of one family, tested positive for the disease. One of the patient is a one-year-old girl.