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COVID-19 LIVE | Lockdown extended till May 7 in Telangana, fresh spike in cases in Maharashtra

With 31 deaths and 1324 new cases reported in last 24 hours, India's total number of Coronavirus positive cases rises to 16116, informed Health Ministry.
Medical officials wear protective gear interacts with local residents during going for the door to door to check for new COVID-19 cases in Ahmedabad. (Photo| ANI)
Medical officials wear protective gear interacts with local residents during going for the door to door to check for new COVID-19 cases in Ahmedabad. (Photo| ANI)
TNIE online desk

After showing a constant dip for three-four days, Tamil Nadu reported a sudden rise in the number of cases with 105 positive cases on Sunday. The Union Health Ministry stated that1,324 new cases and 31 deaths in the last 24 hours has taken the total number of COVID-19 cases in India to 16,116 including 519 deaths.

Health Ministry’s Joint Secretary Lav Aggarwal informed the media that the lockdown will be relaxed in places which are not containment zones from April 20. The hotspots will see even more stringent norms.

As the country entered 26th day of the lockdown, the Ministry of Home Affairs earlier in the day allowed the movement of stranded migrants within a state. The interstate movement continues to remain banned from the states where they are currently located.

The central government also clarified that the service of non-essential items by e-commerce companies will remain banned during the ongoing lockdown.

WATCH| Lockdown extended till May 7 in Telangana, fresh spike in cases in Maharashtra

Samples of baby elephant suspected of COVID-19 infection sent for test

The baby elephant has been separated and staff have been deployed to look after the sick child. (READ HERE)

Economic, industrial work to resume in Madhya Pradesh from April 20

The CM, however, added that Indore, Ujjain and Bhopal and some other red zone districts, which have reported bulk of cases and deaths, will not be permitted to resume economic or industrial activities. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

One-month-old among 10 new COVID-19 cases in Punjab, tally now 244

Ten more people, including a one-month-old girl and three of her family members in Mohali, tested positive for novel coronavirus in Punjab on Sunday, pushing the total count to 244 in the state. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Violence breaks out in Bengaluru's Padarayanapura

Coronavirus cases cross 2000-mark in national capital

Maharashtra minister holds review meeting as cases surge

Telangana extends COVID-19 lockdown till May 7; Swiggy, Zomato services suspended

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday announced that the ongoing lockdown in the state has been extended till May seven. Briefing reporters after a state cabinet meeting, he said the lockdown would be implemented in a tough manner in the state.

Two BJP MLAs booked in Rajasthan for hate speeches amid corona crisis

The coronavirus pandemic may be the worst crisis the world has faced since World War II but many in India are fueling communal fears even in this moment of grave tragedy. In Rajasthan, two BJP MLAs have been booked for making provocative speeches to spread hatred in their attempt to attack the Gehlot Government's action plan on tackling the Corona crisis. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Lockdown in Telangana to be extended till May 7

Maharashtra tally now stands at 4200

BMC wants to give hydroxychloroquine in mass scale to COVID-19 suspected patients

Sources in BMC said that this experiment will be first tested in Asia's largest slum - Dharavi and after the result, it will be used at larger scale in another part of the state as well. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

54 districts in India without new COVID-19 cases in last 2 weeks: Centre

The 10 new districts that have now got added in the list of districts that didn’t report cases in last 14 days include Gaya and Saran in Bihar, Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, Fatehgarh Sahib and Rupnagar in Punjab, Bhiwani, Hisar and Fatehabad in Haryana and Cachar and Lakhimpur in Assam.

Lockdown relaxation in selected districts of Kerala from April 20

he relaxation of lockdown in Green and Orange B zones will come in to effect in selected districts in Kerala from Monday. The Green zone comprises of Kottayam and Idukki districts, while the Orange B zone encompasses Alappuzha, Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Wayanad and Thrissur districts.

Government unlikely to exempt GST on masks, ventilators, PPEs

The government is unlikely to exempt GST on medical items like ventilators, PPEs, masks, test kits and sanitisers, as it would lead to blocked input tax credit (ITC), thereby increasing the cost of manufacturing and increase the price for consumers. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Kerala records two fresh COVID-19 cases, tally now at 401

With this, the tally in the state stands at 401. Of this, 129 are currently under treatment. At the same time, 13 patients were recovered from the illness on the day. Meanwhile, the total number of recovered persons has touched 270.

50-year-old woman dies of Covid-19 in Mangaluru

A 50-year-old woman who died at District Wenlock Hospital on Sunday morning tested positive for Covid-19. The woman, a resident of Kasba in Bantwal taluk was admitted to the hospital on April 18 and was put on ventilator as she was suffering from Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). The doctors had sent her throat swab for tests and were waiting for the results when she succumbed to the illness at 9.15 am on Sunday. The test results which came at 5 pm found that she was positive for Covid-19. The last rites of the deceased will be done as per medical protocal, said a release from Deputy Commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh. This is the first Covid-19 casualty in Dakshina Kannada district.

Karnataka records two coronavirus deaths in last 24 hours

HDK thanks Karnataka CM Yediyurappa for backing his son's wedding amid lockdown

Asserting that social distancing was maintained during the wedding, the JD(S) leader in a series of tweets hit out at those accusing his family of violating lockdown norms, by stating that they were doing it out of "political hate".

READ FULL REPORT HERE

All judicial hearings in Madras HC to take place via video conferencing only

Hereafter, cases will be heard only through video-conference and there will be no sitting of judges and hearing of cases in the court halls during the lockdown period, until further orders. A notification to this effect was issued by Madras High Court Registrar-General C Kumarappan, following the advice of Chief Justice A P Sahi, on Sunday.

No new positive case in Goa after 3rd April, says CM Sawant

WATCH | Empty Qutub Minar lit up with 'Stay safe, stay home' message on World Heritage Day

Health Ministry briefing on COVID-19 crisis

  • 1334 new cases and 27 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours

  • Over 2230 patients have recovered

  • No cases reported from 43 districts in the last 14 days

  • Selective relaxation outside containment zones

  • 744 dedicated COVID hospitals and 1400 COVID health centres set up across the country

    • ICMR on coronavirus testing in India

  • 3.87 lakh samples tested till date

  • 37,000 tested in the last 24 hours

    • MHA briefing on Coronavirus crisis

  • Non-essential supplies remain suspended

  • Farming activities allowed

  • Workers must stay inside the factories

  • Corona warriors must be protected

    • Ministry of Finance transfers funds via DBT

  • More than Rs 36,659 Crore transferred by using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through Public Financial Management System (PFMS) in the Bank accounts of 16.01 crore beneficiaries during COVID19 lockdown.

  • Payments were also made under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. Rs 500 was credited in women account holder's Jan-Dhan accounts. Till 13.04.2020 total number of women beneficiaries were 19.86 crores, which resulted in disbursement of Rs 9,930 crores.

    • CBDT to revise return forms for FY 2019-2020

    In order to enable taxpayers to avail full benefits of various timeline extensions granted by the Govt of India due to COVID-19 pandemic situations, CBDT is revising the return forms for FY 2019-20 (Assessment Year 2020-21) which will be notified by the end of this month: CBDT 

    Lockdown implemented in six prisons of Maharashtra

    Prisons in Maharashtra have more inmates than their actual capacity. So we've decided to implement lockdown at Aurangabad jail -arrangements for food & stay of police personnel will be made inside jail. No one will be allowed to come out or go inside. Similar decision has been taken for five more jails in the state: State home minister Anil Deshmukh 

    MHA issues SOP for migrants' movement

    READ FULL REPORT HERE

    80 coronavirus cases in Rajasthan

    Eighty positive cases reported in Rajasthan
    17 in Bharatpur,
    1 in Bhilwara,
    2 in Bikaner,
    7 in Jaipur,
    1 in Jaisalmer,
    1 in Jhunjhunu,
    30 in Jodhpur,
    12 in Nagour,
    2 in Kota,
    2 in Jhalawar,
    1 in Hanumangarh
    1 in Sawai Madhopur.
    Total positive cases 1431, says the state health department 

    Covid-19 cases in Haryana increase to 246

    A total of 246 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Haryana so far. Out of the total 246 confirmed cases, 24 are foreign nationals and 64 are from other states: Health Department 

    Key points from Uddhav's latest media address

  • In a video message, he also said that industries which are ready to provideaccommodation to their workers during the lockdown will be given food grain supply and permission for raw material from the state.

  • "The state government is allowing the industries from green and orange zones to start production and processing activities in a restricted manner. The industries will have to arrange the accommodation for their workers. They would not travel long distance for work, the Maharashtra CM said.

  • The green zones are those which have not reported any coronavirus case, while orange zones are the ones where only a few cases have been reported.

  • The chief minister also said that except for movement of essential services, all the district borders would remained sealed.

    • Uddhav's message to the migrant workers

    "I give you my word that Maharashtra government will take you to your homes, the day this crisis ends. I believe that when you go back to your homes, you should go back happily and not out of fear," said the Maharashtra CM.

    Uttar Pradesh coronavirus latest bulletin

  • Total count : 1055

  • Tablighi Jamat related cases : 616

  • Recovered : 108

  • Deaths: 17

    • No door-to-door newspaper sale in Maharashtra

    GoAir employees to go on leave without pay till May 3 amid COVID-19 lockdown

    In March, the Wadia Group-owned airline asked its employees to go on LWP on a rotational basis besides cutting their salaries. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Uddhav on Mahrashtra lockdown

    Union Health Minister's latest statement

    I'm being told that around 95 patients, out of the 177 admitted here, will be discharged by today evening. Analysis of our data in the past few days has been satisfactory. The data is improving everyday: Union Health Minister after visiting Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital.

    Peacocks spotted in Nashik

    Latest coronavirus numbers in Uttar Pradesh

    Total number of positive cases till Sunday: 1055. Out of which, 616 have Tablighi Jamat links. While 105 recovered so far, 17 deaths were reported from the state

    Good news from Karnataka

    Out of the nine COVID-19 patients admitted at Indian Naval Hospital Patanjali at Karwar, eight have been cured and discharged so far. The remaining patient is responding well to the treatment.

    Union Health Minister visits COVID-19 hospital in Delhi

    Now, jailer tested positive in Haryana

    Jail warden of Bhondsi Jail tests positive for COVID-19 after returning from his home in Bhiwani. He was tested positive before he joined duty and no one at the Jail came in contact with him: Chief Medical Officer Gurugram, Haryana.

    Latest Karnataka coronavirus figures

    Till Sunday, 388 positive cases were recorded in the state. While 105 got discharged, 14 succumbed to the deadly pandemic.

    25-year-old health reporter in Tamil news daily tests positive for COVID-19

    According to corporation officials, the journalist had seemingly not come into contact with any known cases of COVID-19 patients before. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    44 new COVID-19 cases in Thane district; tally 364

  • The number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra's Thane district rose to 364 after 44 more people tested positive for the disease, authorities said on Sunday. One more person died of the viral infection, taking the toll in the district to 12, they said.

  • So far, 130 COVID-19 cases have been reported from areas under Thane Municipal Corporation, 73 from Kalyan- Dombivali, 69 from Mira-Bhayander, 60 from Navi Mumbai, 14 from Badlapur township, 10 from Thane rural, four from Ambernath township, three from Bhiwandi-Nizampur municipal limits and one from Ulhasnagar.

    • Kejriwal refuses to relax lockdown norms. Here are some of the important points from his presser

  • I had word with one of COVID-19 positive person,he told me that he was volunteering at a government food distribution center and was helping in food distribution.

  • I have ordered to hold rapid testing of people who came to that food center, along with others working at our centres Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in Delhi but it’s still under control.

  • No need to panic All the 186 COVID19 positive cases that were reported yesterday were asymptomatic, they didn’t know they had Coronavirus.

  • This is more worrying Currently, lockdown is necessary. No relaxations should be given in the hotspots in the city. On 27th April, a review meeting will be held again.

  • We have decided to keep people of Delhi safe, the lockdown will remain there will be no relaxation. Will review again after a week

    • More information from Gujarat

  • Of the total new cases, 140 were reported from Ahmedabad, taking the district's tally to 1,002, state principal secretary (health) Jayanti Ravi said.

  • Besides, Surat reported 67 new cases, Vadodara-eight, Rajkot-five, Banaskantha and Bhavnagar-two each, and Botad, Chhota Udepur and Mehsana- one each, she said.

  • Out of 1,443 active cases in Gujarat, nine patients are on ventilator support, while the condition of the rest is stable, she said.

  • Total 28,212 samples have been tested so far in the state for coronavirus, she added.

    • Maharashtra mortality rate coming down in Maharashtra

    Kejriwal addressing media

    Gujarat tally crosses 1500

    228 new COVID-19 cases in Gujarat; state tally goes up to 1,604. 140 new cases in Ahmedabad; district tally crosses 1,000: Health official.

    Five more die of COVID-19 in Gujarat; state toll rises to 58

  • Five more coronavirus patients, including three women, died in Gujarat, taking the toll in the state to 58, a health official said on Sunday. Out of the five deaths, four were reported from Ahmedabad, and one from Surat, state principal secretary (health) Jayanti Ravi said.

  • Four out of these five victims suffered from co-morbid conditions like diabetes, kidney failure, and hypertension, she said.

  • The deceased from Ahmedabad included a 43-year-old woman who was also suffering from diabetes, and a 78-year-old man who had a kidney ailment.

  • Besides, a 57-year-old man from suffering from hypertension and a 66-year-old woman having no co-morbid condition also died of coronavirus in Ahmedabad.

  • In Surat, a 56-year-old woman, who also had hypertension, succumbed to COVID-19, the official said.

    • Another advisory on e-commerce operations during lockdown

    Andhra registers one more death

    Update from Andhra Pradesh

    Social distancing goes for a toss in Nagpur

    Two Uttarakhand districts named Red Zones

    Haridwar and Nanital districts declared 'Red Zone' after the total number of Coronavirus positive cases in the state reaches 42. According to Yugal Kishor Pant, Additional Secretary (Health), 80 per cent of the cases in the State are from Dehradun, Haridwar and Nainital districts.

    Delhi Health Minister's latest statement

    There are a total of 1893 positive cases in Delhi including 186 cases from yesterday. We have got 42,000 rapid testing kits, a trial run being done at LNJP hospital. Our target is to do 42,000 tests in one week's time: Satyendar Jain.

    Hospital sealed in Jharkhand

    A private hospital (Lake View hospital) sealed and more than 50 staff quarantined. A retired DDC, who tested COVID-19 positive at a hospital in Gurugram, received treatment here after suffering a brain hemorrhage. His apartment has also been sealed: Ranchi District Administration, Jharkhand.

    These eight tier-1 cities have over 40 per cent of COVID-19 cases in India

    Analysis of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and the cities where they were detected has shown that all these Tier-1 cities excluding Kolkata and Bengaluru have a high concentration of positive cases. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Update from Punjab

    Four family members including the one-month-old baby of PGI employee (from CD ward who tested positive on April 17 and is in PGI's isolation ward) from Nayagaon, also test positive for COVID19: Girish Dayalan, DC Mohali, Punjab.

    Nine more test positive in Nagpur

    Nine people test positive for coronavirus in Nagpur district today; the total number of positive cases is 72: District Information Office, Nagpur.

    More news from Delhi

    A 10-month-old baby who was brought by his father to the Emergency ward of Lady Hardinge hospital for respiratory ailments tests positive for COVID-19. The father also tests positive. The mother’s test report awaited. The pediatric ICU is now being sanitized: Hospital official.

    Balancing act: Flattening coronavirus curve without pushing economy to the brink

    There is growing impatience to return to ‘normalcy’; yet the galloping pandemic has kept people in India and elsewhere locked up at home, and the economy in a deep freeze. With the government beginning the rollback of curfew measures from April 20, the search is on for the balancing point: how do we keep isolation measures in place to flatten the curve of infection and death without pushing the economy to the brink? (READ FULL OPINION HERE)

    Staff in Delhi hospital test positive for coronavirus

    Two doctors and six nurses of Delhi's Lady Hardinge hospital test positive for COVID-19. Hospital authorities have quarantined all eight healthcare staff. Their contact tracing has been started. Hospital authorities holding a meeting for the containment plan of the hospital: Hospital official.

    More on latest India coronavirus numbers

    1,334 new cases, 27 deaths reported in the last 24 hours: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

    300 US citizens from Ludhiana depart from Punjab

    Latest COVID-19 stats

    Total number of COVID-19 positive cases rise to 15712 in India (including 12974 active cases, 2230 cured/discharged/migrated people and 507 deaths): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    Sad news from Madhya Pradesh

    Police Inspector Devendra Chandravanshi tested positive for Coronavirus dies in Indore's SAIMS Hospital.

    News from Tripura

    Latest Maharashtra coronavirus stats

    Total 3665 people have been tested positive so far. Death toll stands at 211, while 365 were discharged. On Sunday, 328 new patients got admitted.

    Early morning visuals from a Gujarat market

    More than 1000 deaths in US in last 24 hours

    United States records 1,891 coronavirus deaths in past 24 hours, according to Johns Hopkins: AFP news agency.

    Early morning views from locked down national capital

    Woman who tested positive for coronavirus dies in Haryana

    A 50-year-old person who had tested positive for COVID-19 and passed away at around 12 am: Gurugram District Administration.

    Landlord in Odisha waives off a month's rent for seven tenants

    COVID-19: Spain death toll breaches 20,000

    The COVID-19 pandemic continued to hit Europe, as more deaths were registered on Saturday in the continent, especially in those worst-affected countries. Spain became the second European country to have over 20,000 deaths after Italy, while fatalities in France and Britain passed 19,000 and 15,000 respectively.

    Italy registers 175,925 coronavirus cases, death toll at 23,227

    The coronavirus pandemic has claimed over 23,000 lives in locked-down Italy, bringing the total number of infections, fatalities and recoveries so far to 175,925, according to the latest data released by the country's Civil Protection Department on Saturday.

    France reports 642 more COVID-19 deaths; toll touches 19,323

    A further 642 people had died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours in France, raising the country's death toll to 19,323, official data showed on Saturday. The number of people receiving treatment in French hospitals was down by 551 in the last 24 hours to stand at 30,639, according to the French Health Ministry, Xinhua reported.

    After Maharashtra, Rajasthan uses rapid testing kit to detect Coronavirus

    Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to begin rapid testing for Coronavirus (COVID-19) through the Rapid Anti-bodies Test Kit. Additional Chief Secretary (Medical & Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said that the first set of 52 Rapid Tests were carried out at Jaipur’s Topkhana Primary Health Centre in the Walled City area on Friday evening. Fortunately, all the 52 people tested on the first day were found to be negative. (READ MORE)For representational purpose. (Photo | EPS)

    Spain to extend lockdown till May 9

    Recovered COVID-19 patient tests positive again, Himachal Pradesh tally now at 40

    A person, who had earlier recovered from the novel coronavirus, tested positive for the infection again on Saturday, taking the number of active cases in Himachal Pradesh to 23, officials said.For representational purpose. (Photo | PTI)

    After Arunachal, Manipur to become coronavirus free?

    Manipur's second COVID-19 65-year-old patient has tested negative for coronavirus on Saturday, said the director of of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Prof Ahanthem Santa Singh. (READ MORE)For representational purpose. (Photo | PTI)

    When lockdown blues turn deadly: Homesick migrant sculptor cuts off his tongue at Gujarat temple

    A labourer from Madhya Pradesh who was apparently depressed because of the lockdown and yearning to return home chopped off his tongue at a temple in Gujarat's Banaskantha district on Saturday, police said. (READ MORE)

    No decision on starting domestic, international flight operations yet: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri

    Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said airlines are advised to open bookings only after the government takes a decision on starting domestic and international commercial passenger flight services. (READ MORE)

    New York registers daily deaths under 550 for first time in two weeks

    New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the state appears to be past the "plateau" on the coronavirus infection curve and is "starting to descend", as hospitalizations continue to decline and the daily death toll dropped under 550 for the first time in almost two weeks. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Delhi updates

    JKSLSA sets up helplines to reach out people in distress as cases in Kashmir rise to 341

    The Jammu and Kashmir State Legal Service Authority (SLSA) set up helplines on Saturday as part of its effort to reach out to people in distress during the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus. The helplines manned by District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) secretaries were launched across the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, a spokesperson said. 

    Pak PM Imran Khan says coronavirus cases could pose challenge by mid-May as tally rises to 7,638

    Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan warned on Saturday that the coronavirus cases could increase by the middle of the next month posing a challenge to his government, as the country reported 622 fresh cases taking the total number of COVID-19 patients to 7,638.

    Nursing officer of AIIMS Delhi, her baby test positive

    A nursing officer of AIIMS Delhi and her 20-month-old baby tested positive for COVID19. There's possibility that the nurse might have been exposed to her husband who is COVID-19 positive. He was being treated at RML and has now been shifted to healthcare facility, Jhajjar: AIIMS officials.For representational purpose. (Photo | M K Ashok Kumar, EPS)

    Updates from Indian Council of Medical Research

    Total sample tested - 3,72,123

    Total individuals tested - 3,54,969

    Samples tested today - 35,494

    Over 328 new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, tally now at 3,648

    With 328 persons testing positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra on Saturday, the total number of cases in the state reached 3,648, the health department said. Eleven patients died, taking the death toll due to the pandemic in Maharashtra to 211. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Countries across the globe debate easing lockdown as economic hardship grows

    Governments around the world are wrestling with when and how to ease the restrictions designed to control the coronavirus pandemic amid rising unemployment and with many of their citizens struggling to make ends meet.For representational purpose. (Photo | AP)

    Vijayawada top cop hints at community transmission, warns locals to be cautious

    Hinting at community transmission of COVID-19 in Vijayawada, the city's top cop Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao on Saturday said there are cases where they could not ascertain how the patients contracted the virus. In another case, a person with a history of foreign travel contracted the virus after 28 days of quarantine, he said. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)For representational purpose. (Photo | R.Satish Babu)

    Karnataka updates

    Kasaragod updates

    Tamil Nadu updates

    Odd and even rule to be implemented in Kerala

    83 per cent of Maha COVID-19 victims had other ailments, mortality rate now 6.05 per cent

    In Maharashtra, of the 200-plus people who have died from COVID-19, 83 per cent had co-morbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart issues, said Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    21-month-old infant tests positive for coronavirus in Kolkata

    A 21-month-old boy has tested positive for COVID-19 in the city even as none of his family members exhibited any coronavirus-like symptom, a health official said on Saturday.

    Tiruchy police control rooms receive numerous calls about domestic violence amid lockdown

    The police control rooms in Tiruchy range have been receiving numerous calls, among others, related to domestic violence during this quarantine period. However, expert in women development opined that there could be more such happenings and many go unreported due to the compelling situation that all members of families have to stay indoors. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)For representational purpose. (Photo | Martin Louis)

    Slight decrease in Delhi COVID-19 cases in last three days, says CM Arvind Kejriwal

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said there had been a slight decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital in the last three days and hoped that it would reduce further in the coming days. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)For representational purpose. (Photo | R.Satish Babu)

    Two more test coronavirus positive in Uttarakhand, state count touches 42

    Two more persons tested coronavirus positive in Uttarakhand on Saturday taking the state tally to 42. Both of them belong to Haridwar. It is said that they have a history of contact with Tabhligi Jamaat followers.

    WATCH | No new coronavirus cases reported in 22 districts across India in last 14 days

    Puducherry asks JIPMER to increase COVID-19 tests to 150 per day

    Puducherry has asked JIPMER to enhance COVID-19 testing in its ICMR laboratory to 150 per day, even as the number of active cases came down to four on Saturday and no new case was detected in the past 17 days. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Fear of stigma continues to haunt COVID-19 survivors

    A 25-year-old man, who was discharged from the Govt Vellore Medical College Hospital (GVMCH) on Saturday, said he was worried about how society would react to him when he resumes normal life.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    District wise distribution of COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu

    Man makes ambulance his home amid lockdown, takes people to hospital for free

    The 34-year-old Manikandan from Ramanathupuram village has taken over 20 people to hospitals, including six pregnant women for delivery, from the rural areas of Sellipet, Thondamanatham, Koodapakkam, Arasur, Villianur and Sulthanpet during the lockdown period.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Home Minister Amit Shah chairs meeting with top officials to take stock of COVID-19 situation

    COVID-19 scare: People burn currency note found on road in Mysuru

    This is what happened at Nazarbad in Mysuru where people panicked after they found a Rs 100 note lying on the road. Fearing that it was infected with the deadly coronavirus, they first poured a sanitiser on it before lighting it up. 
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Delhi government identifies 71 containment zones in the capital

    Some people not following lockdown order, stepping out of homes in these areas. 26 members of a family have tested positive for coronavirus in Delhi's Jahangir Puri making it a containent zone: CM Arvind Kejriwal (Photo| EPS)

    Latest coronavirus updates from the southern states

  • Kerala: Four Covid-19 cases reported in the state on Saturday. 67,190 are under observation with 66,686 placed under home quarantine

  • Tamil Nadu: 49 more persons tested positive for COVID-19 infection today, taking the total number of persons who have contracted this virus to 1,372

  • Karnataka: State reports 25 new positive cases taking total to 394

  • Andhra Pradesh: Vijayawada top cop hints at community transmission, warns locals to be cautious

  • Telangana: The government will collect data from medical shops on patients who are buying medicines for fever, cold and cough etc. Tests will be conducted on patients having coronavirus symptoms

    • France finds more than 1,000 coronavirus cases on aircraft carrier

    The ship, France's biggest carrier and the flagship of its navy, is undergoing a lengthy disinfection process since returning to its home base in Toulon five days ago. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Karnataka: State reports 25 new positive cases taking total to 394

    Empty stadiums, strict social distancing, masks...: Doctors on how and when sport can resume

    The New Indian Express spoke to three doctors with significant backgrounds in infectious diseases and they were of the opinion that sport in the country will not commence at least till the second week of August.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    India reports 36 new deaths in 24 hours; toll reaches 488

    WATCH | 'I pray that no one has to go through the pain,' says Swiss-based Malayali COVID-19 survivor

    COVID-19 lockdown has severely disrupted supply chains: NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant

    He added that Ayushman Bharat scheme was a great step but in the coming years, it is imperative to ensure India goes beyond it. Teamlease chairman Manish Sabharwal said, "Work from home has provided continuity but also has to ensure productivity. In the long run, we have to ensure that remote working is beneficial for all." (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Mortality rate due to COVID-19 in India around 3.3 per cent: Health Ministry

    A healthcare worker collecting blood sample from a person to test it using rapid testing kit at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. (Photo | A Raja Chidambaram, EPS)

    Mortality rate due to COVID-19 in India around 3.3 per cent: Health Ministry

    Coronavirus updates from Odisha

    Europe remains hardest-hit continent as global count reach 2.25 million

    In the United States, the country where the virus is progressing most rapidly, there are 706,779 cases including 37,079 fatalities. 
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    JUST IN | Coronavirus cases in West Bengal at 178

  • Totoal positive cases: 178

  • Death toll: 12

  • People discharged: 62

    • Coronavirus death toll crosses 20,000 in Spain, 565 killed in last 24 hours

    The death toll from the coronavirus in Spain, one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, moved past 20,000 on Saturday, the health ministry said. A total of 20,043 people have now succumbed to the disease, which killed 565 people in Spain in the past 24 hours, slightly down on the 585 reported on Friday.
    (Inputs from AFP)

    JUST IN | Air India opens bookings for select flights

    Air India opens bookings for select domestic flights May 4th 2020 onwards and International Flights June 1st, 2020 onwards. (Inputs from ANI)

    Ludhiana ACP Anil Kohli succumbs to COVID-19

    Kohli died due to multiple organ failure. He had tested positive for coronavirus a few days ago. He began to show symptoms of fever and cough in the first week of April and was admitted to SPS Hospital in Ludhiana on April 8. His first swabs came negative but when his samples were again after some days, they came out positive. A few days ago he was put on a ventilator.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    4,291 cases in India linked to Tablighi Jamaat: Ministry of Health

    (Photo | S Senbagapandiyan, EPS)

    Pointers from government briefing on coronavirus

  • 1992 people cured from COVID-19

  • 991 new cases reported in last 24 hours

  • 14,378 totoal COVID-19 cases in India

  • 480 deaths reported in India so far

  • 43 COVID-19 deaths took place in last 24 hours

  • No new cases reported in 22 districts in 14 days

  • 3.3 per cent is the mortality rate in our country

    • Pointers from government briefing on COVID-19

  • Supply of essentials under control, says MHA

  • Foreigners can apply for exit permit till May 3

  • People can file complaints on helpine number-112

    • WATCH | There is community transmission in Vijayawada, says city police commissioner

    Firms can reopen from April 20, but how will you commute to work?

    The relaxation from April 20 is unlikely to have any significant impact because public transport is yet to be exempted from the lockdown. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Maharashtra to provide Rs 2,000 to each construction worker amid COVID-19 lockdown

    Maharashtra government to provide an assistance of Rs 2,000 each to 12 lakh registered construction workers through direct benefit transfer scheme during coronavirus lockdown: State Labour Minister Dilip Walse Patil. (Inputs from ANI)(Photo | S Senbagapandiyan, EPS)

    Hyundai ties up with Air Liquide to produce ventilators amid COVID-19 outbreak

    Ventilators are medical devices used by healthcare professionals to treat patients who are unable to breathe on their own by delivering air with a high concentration of oxygen to their lungs. For patients severely affected by COVID-19, ventilators are critical to ensure continuous oxygen is supplied to overcome respiratory insufficiency. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Punjab: Ludhiana Assistant Commissioner of Police passes away due to coronavirus

    12 Myanmar nationals illegally enter Mizoram during COVID-19 lockdown, held

    Official sources said the twelve, mostly traders, were booked under relevant sections of the Passport Act and Indian Penal Code. After 14 days of quarantine, they were lodged at the district jail in Champhai near the India-Myanmar border. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Centre amends FDI policy amid COVID-19 lockdown

    Unemployment: Nations debate easing COVID-19 restrictions as economies falter

    Many places have mandated strict restrictions on movement to try to stop the spread of a new coronavirus that has infected more than 2.2 million people and for which there is no vaccine. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    IN PIC | Chennai police barricading a containment zone

    After doctors and cops, sanitation workers come under attack in MP, prime accused held

    The workers were sanitising the area when a group of men led by Adil - armed with sticks, rods and axes - surrounded them. Before the sanitation workers could comprehend anything, the gang attacked them. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Following are the services that will stay open from April 20 across India

    Confusion, seizure, strokes: How COVID-19 may affect the brain

    At times this is linked to low oxygen levels in their blood, but in certain patients the confusion appears disproportionate to how their lungs are faring. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    IN PICS | Rapid coronavirus testing begins in Tiruchy

    85-year-old being monitored for COVID-19 dies in Malappuram after three negative tests

    His last rites will be conducted without following the special protocol for COVID-19 victims. However, the family members will have to follow the restrictions related to the curfew during the burial. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    IN PIC | Rapid coronavirus testing begins in Tiruchy

    Rapid COVID-19 testing started at Tiruchy MGMGH on Saturday after 1000 kits arrive. (Photo | MK Ashok Kumar, EPS)

    Challenge accepted? Manipur health minister’s one-minute task to keep coronavirus anxiety at bay

    Singh urged people to participate in the “challenge” named “Yumda Leisi + Hakchang Phagathansi” (let’s stay home, let’s stay healthy) by creating a video of one minute performing any activity – ranging from yoga to dance or singing or any form of exercise. The challenge entails nominating two individuals to expand the network. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    'Humanity will surely overcome this pandemic,' tweets PM Modi as Swiss Alps Matterhorn Mountain lit up with Indian tricolour amid COVID-19 darkness

    Over 4500 foreigners in 25 relief flights departed from Goa Airport so far

    Strict thermal screening and social distancing measures, undertaken to contain the coronavirus spread was maintained at every checking, pre-security and immigration post at the airport, the airport director said. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    WATCH | Migrant workers bear the brunt of extended nationwide lockdown

    Recovery from coronavirus may not confer immunity, warn experts

    There is no clear answer to this question, experts say, even if many have assumed that contracting the potentially deadly disease confers immunity, at least for a while.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Maharashtra likely to start commercial, manufacturing industries post April 20 to restart economy

    More on the Pune cop, wife who got tested positve

  • The constable and his wife tested positive for coronavirus on Friday evening and were shifted to an isolation facility in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area, the official said.

  • The constable worked with the Pune police and lived in Pimpri, he said, adding that the authorities were now tracing the close contacts of the couple.

  • According to health officials, as many as 565 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Pune district so far, of which 48 have succumbed to the infection.

    • WATCH | Scuffle between Cops, hawker in Mumbai

    Madhya Pradesh coronavirus statistics

  • Total Positive: 1360

  • Active: 1223

  • Deaths: 69

  • Negative: 68

  • New cases since last night 50 (all reported in Indore, the city's total positive count now at 892).

    • Air India flight departs for Guangzhou to pick up medical supplies

    On Wednesday, the national carrier said it has carried, in the last 1 days, around 170 tonnes of COVID-19 related medical cargo from Shanghai and Hong Kong. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Economy will be given momentum in phases amid lockdown in Maharashtra: Ajit Pawar

    Pawar's remark comes a day after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced that some industrial and commercial activities will resume from April 20, in keeping with the norms put in place to fight the pandemic. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Rasogullas, samosas, pan and gutka: Lockdown helplines in UP witness strangest requests

    Police were also not amused by demand for pizza in Rampur, where district authorities are punishing those making such calls, reports say. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Rapid kits will be used in containment zones in the national capital from tomorrow

    "We have received 42,000 rapid kits, they will be used in containment zones starting from tomorrow," said Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain.

    Latest northeast numbers

  • Assam - 34 Meghalaya - 11 Manipur - 2 Tripura - 2 Mizoram- 1 Nagaland- 1 Arunachal - 1

  • Deaths 2 – Assam and Meghalaya.

  • Recovered 11.

  • Nine in Assam and one each in Manipur and Tripura Two latest cases are in Meghalaya.

    • Central drug regulator permits clinical trial of convalescent plasma in COVID-19 patients

    The Drug Controller General of India said ICMR has submitted a list of institutes, which have shown an interest in the trial, to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and they may do so in consultation with the health research body. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Delhi Health Minister on coronavirus situation in national capital

    There are 1767 COVID-19 positive cases in Delhi, out of which 67 were reported yesterday. There have been 42 deaths in the national capital, 911 patients are admitted at hospitals, of which 27 are in ICUs and six are on ventilators: Satyendar Jain

    News from Tamil Nadu

    Maharashtra latest coronavirus situation

  • Total number of positive cases in Nagpur district is 63 including 1 death, 12 discharged: District Information Office Nagpur. Four new COVID19 positive cases reported in Nagpur today: Nagpur Municipal Corporation.

  • Joint Commissioner of Police Pune City Dr Ravindra Shisve has confirmed that a 42-year-old police constable and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19, in Pune.

  • A 65-year-old COVID-19 patient died at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Maharashtra's Aurangabad city in the early hours of Saturday, an official said. This is the third coronavirus-related death in Aurangabad district, he said.

  • The woman was referred to the GMCH from a private hospital on April 13 and her swab samples were sent for testing, following which she was reported positive three days later, GMCH nodal officer Dr Arvind Gaikwad said.

  • "The patient had a medical history of co-morbid conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes and pneumonia," he said.

  • Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy tested positive for COVID-19 late on Friday night.

  • With this, the count of cases in the district has gone up to 29, a health official said.

    • Rajasthan latest coronavirus numbers

  • Positive cases on Saturday: 41

  • Total cumulative positive: 1217

  • Received : 183

  • Deaths: 19

    • Update from Odisha

    Odisha Government has asked all district administrations to conduct a situation review relating to migrant labourers and stranded persons in the State due to COVID-19 lockdown and to ensure the safety of women and girls in the shelter camps on utmost priority.

    No Health Minister in MP as Shivraj Chouhan government forms COVID-19 panel

    The coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown have delayed the cabinet formation and the BJP-led government is drawing flak from the opposition Congress for not having a dedicated health minister at this critical juncture. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Temple secretary, 12 others held for conducting Siddalingeshwara Jatra flouting lockdown norms

    Sources said that Wadi police have arrested the 13 persons who were actively involved in the chariot pulling ceremony of Shri Siddalingeshwara deity in which hundreds of devotees participated violating lockdown norms. Wadi police have registered FIR against 20 people of the Temple Trust including on the secretary of the Trust and on about 200 people of Ravoor village on Thursday evening. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    More from Gujarat

  • The number of coronavirus positive cases in Gujarat rose to 1,272 after 176 new cases were reported on Saturday, a health department official said. Ahmedabad reported 142 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of cases in the city to 765, Principal Secretary (Health), Jayanti Ravi said.

  • Vadodara and Surat reported 13 new cases each, while Rajkot and Bhavnagar reported two cases each, and Anand, Bharuch and Panchmahal reported one case each. Majority of the 142 cases reported in Ahmemdabad are from the city's COVID-19 hotspot areas, Ravi said.

  • A few cases are from other areas where intense surveillance is being carried out, she said. Two more patients were discharged, one each in Rajkot and Gandhinagar, taking the total number of recovered persons in the state to 88, Ravi said.

    • Important meeting underway at Rajnath Singh's residence

    News from Gujarat

    Seven more die due to COVID-19 in Gujarat; state death toll rises to 48: Official.

    News from Karnataka

    Need to mobilise scientists, engineers to work on innovative solutions to COVID-19 crisis: Rahul

  • Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday described the COVID-19 pandemic as a "huge challange" and an "opportunity", saying there is a need to mobilise the country's scientists, engineers and data experts to work on innovative solutions to the crisis.

  • "The Covid19 pandemic is a huge challenge but it is also an opportunity," he said in a tweet.

  • "We need to mobilise our huge pool of scientists, engineers & data experts to work on innovative solutions needed during the crisis," the former Congress president said.

  • On Thursday, Gandhi had called for a united fight against the pandemic and said a lockdown is not the solution to defeat coronavirus.

  • He had asserted that aggressive testing is the "biggest weapon" to fight the virus.

    • Yogi Adityanath meets UP government officials again

    Andhra coronavirus tally continues to grow

    Over 1000 sailors on French aircraft carrier test positive for coronavirus

    The origins of the outbreak remain a mystery. The crew of the carrier, on a three-month deployment, had not been in contact with any outsiders since a stopover in Brest in northwest France from March 13 to 16. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Woman who delivered a baby in Jharkhand tested coronavirus positive

    A woman who had delivered a baby two days ago at Sadar Hospital, tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, her child has been admitted to the isolation ward at RIMS hospital. The Sadar Hospital staff that had attended the woman will now undergo tests. Baby is under proper care and all precautions are being taken. A detailed discussion was held by experts and doctors, and the baby has been allowed to be fed by mother, after proper sanitization. Baby's sample will be sent for testing today: Dr V Kashyap, Medical Superintendent RIMS

    After Delhi, now Gujarat plans plasma tranfusion to treat COVID-19 patients

    In this treatment, the plasma extracted from the blood of a fully recovered COVID-19 patient is injected into the critical patient to help his body generate antibodies to fight the virus. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Lovely Professional University gets Punjab government notice for violating lockdown rules

    Latest coronavirus stats from Uttar Pradesh

  • Total count of positive patients : 896

  • Saturday's cases : 46

  • Number of recovered people : 82

  • Deaths so far : 14

    • UK sets up new Vaccine Taskforce as COVID-19 death toll hits 14,576

    Addressing the daily Downing Street briefing, UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma said on Friday the new Vaccine Taskforce, led by the government's Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, is a collaboration between business and industry and academia. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Two more test positive for COVID-19 in Bihar; number rises to 85

  • According to Principal Secretary, Health, Sanjay Kumar, one of the patients is a youth aged 17 years from Bihar Sharif, the headquarters of Nalanda district, while the other is a 42-year-old man from Begusarai.

  • Contact-tracing of both the patients, whose test reports came late on Friday night, was on, he said.

  • The fresh cases raise the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 in Begusarai and Nalanda to 10 and eight respectively.

  • One patient has recovered in Begusarai while two have undergone recovery in Nalanda.

  • According to the state health department, the total number of recovered cases so far was 37.

  • Two patients have died.

    • More pictures of the plights of the Punjab farmers

    UN chief 'salutes' India's international aid for fighting COVID-19

    India has offered to help member countries of the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and has sent medicines to several countries, including the US, Brazil and Israel. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Wheat harvesting in Punjab affected due to rains, lockdown

    Another set of vital information

    991 new COVID-19 cases and 43 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    Latest government data on coronavirus situation in India

    India's total number of COVID-19 cases crosses the 14,000 mark; currently at 14,378 (including 11,906 active cases, 1992 cured/discharged/migrated and 480 deaths): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    Latest visuals from Mumbai

    Others will revise virus COVID-19 death tolls like China: WHO

    Wuhan, the COVID-19 epicentre, admitted missteps in tallying its death toll, abruptly raising the city's count by 50 per cent -- following growing world doubts about Chinese transparency over the outbreak. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    A large global economic contraction in the first half of 2020 is inevitable: IMF MD

    Addressing the Development Committee Meeting during the annual Spring Meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said a severe economic impact in the first half of 2020 is inevitable and the pandemic encounters weak public health systems. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    COVID-19 to wipe out two-fifths of global air passenger traffic in 2020: Report

    The traffic estimates for the first quarter of 2020 portray a distressing picture. (READ THE FULL STORY HERE)

    Indian Navy issues statement on its base in Mumbai coming under COVID-19 grip

    "21 serving personnel tested positive for COVID-19 within naval premises at Mumbai. This number includes 20 sailors of INS Angre, a shore establishment at Mumbai. Most of these are asymptomatic & have been traced to a single sailor who was tested positive on 7th April. All primary contacts (though asymptomatic) were tested for COVID-19. The entire inliving block was immediately put under quarantine, containment zone and INS Angre under lockdown. Action being taken as per established protocol. No cases of infection onboard ships & submarines."

    Discarded masks biggest potential carriers of coronavirus, say experts

    The experts have suggested that the municipal authorities should impose heavy penalties on all those who are found throwing the masks or any bio-waste (gloves, PPEs) in open. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Early morning views from the national capital

    Update from Indore

    As directed by District Collector we have started 50 Ola ambulance service from today. Its main objective is to shift patients from green hospitals to yellow hospitals after screening. We've also set up a control room: CEO of Indore Development Authority.

    Case against bride, groom for violating lockdown norms in Gujarat

    BREAKING: Navy base comes under COVID-19 grip

    20 Navy personnel have tested positive for COVID-19 at a naval base in Mumbai. The first case was reported on April 7 at the INS Angre base there. All other persons who came in contact with these affected personnel have also been tested: Navy officials

    Global COVID-19 deaths top 150,000; global response intensifying

    Global COVID-19 deaths surpassed 150,000 with over 2.2 million infections on Friday as international institutions are intensifying their collective efforts on battling the pandemic. A total of 150,948 people have died of the disease as of 3:30 p.m. (1930 GMT) among 2,214,861 cases worldwide, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University, Xinhua reported.

    Kerala man tests positive on 29th day of isolation

    The rare case has left the health officials perplexed. The infected was one of the two brothers to return to their house at Edachery in Kozhikode from Dubai and go straight into quarantine.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Punjab government gives nod to plasma therapy

    Doctors at a private hospital in Ludhiana will conduct plasma therapy on a police officer who recently tested positive for COVID-19, in what is set to be the first such treatment for the disease in the state.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Delhi Police approve Rs 1 lakh grant to officers/staff who test positive

    MHA extends visa of stranded foreigners in India

    The Home Ministry also said the visa granted to those foreigners, except diplomats and UN officials, who are supposed to come to India, will remain suspended till May 3, an official statement said.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    State-wise break down of COVID-19 cases

  • Total cases: 849

  • Death toll: 14

  • Recovered: 82

  • Total cases: 162

  • Death toll: 10

  • Recovered: 55

  • Total cases: 328

  • Death toll: 5

  • Recovered: 42

    • WATCH | Will Asia see an economic growth famine in 2020?

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