COVID-19 LIVE | Govt must protect wages of workers suffering due to lockdown: Chidambaram

Union Home Ministry in coordination with Gujarat & Andhra Pradesh Govts, today, facilitated the arrangement of buses to ferry more than 3800 stranded fishermen from Gir Somnath, Gujarat to Andhra Pradesh, who are stuck in Gujarat for the last 35 days: Ministry of Home Affairs

On a day the coronavirus count crossed the 50-mark with 11 fresh cases, the Chandigarh administration said that CCTV cameras and drones will be used to identify people not adhering to social distancing guidelines. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

According to Maharashtra’s health department data, in 23 swab testing, one person is detected as coronavirus infected at the national level while in Pune, it has been one patient in nine tested. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

In Karnataka we've made red zone, orange zone, yellow zone & green zone. Today state govt issued direction to all the DCs & other offices that in green zones all shops, except malls, restaurants, bars and pubs, can open. Some shops can also open in yellow zones: Jagadish Shettar https://t.co/nHtMghLal9

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

| @bmcbbsr partially relaxes the #lockdown norms in #Bhubaneswar as no new #COVID cases reported in the city in last 14 days. #OdishaFightsCorona @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/FSo3Y9yCY7

— TNIE Odisha (@XpressOdisha) April 28, 2020

Three deaths and 143 new #COVID19 positive cases have been reported in Pune district in last 24 hours. Total positive cases in the district stand at 1491 and death toll at 83: Health Department, Zilha Parishad, Pune #Maharashtra

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

he Centre on Tuesday asked all states and Union territories to ensure that health facilities, especially in the private sector, remain functional and those needing critical healthcare such as dialysis, blood transfusion and chemotherapy are not denied such services amid the ongoing lockdown. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

We have to popularise work from home (WFH) norm. There are many restrictions for it like money deposits & clearances, these things were relaxed till April 30 after #COVID19 outbreak. We have decided to extend the relaxation till July 31: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad pic.twitter.com/GucV56OcNF

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

To keep people inside their homes, the Churu Police is holding live sessions of TV actors, motivational speakers and theatre personalities between 5 pm to 7 pm. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Today 12 more CRPF jawans have tested positive for #COVID19 in Delhi. Total number of CRPF jawans who tested positive stands at 47 which includes one jawan who passed away today: CRPF

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

All pilgrims returning from Nanded, and students and labourers coming from Rajasthan will be stopped at the border and sent to Government quarantine centres for 21 days, said Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

WB: A crowd, which had gathered at a market place in Tikiapara of Howrah today - defying the lockdown, attacked Police personnel & pelted stones at them when they asked the crowd to return to their homes. 2 police personnel injured. Heavy Police force & RAF deployed in the area. pic.twitter.com/Bnu0Cj1K5o

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Malayalam actor Chemban Vinod Jose got hitched on Tuesday to Mariam Thomas amid the coronavirus lockdown.This is the actor's second marriage. He announced his wedding to psychologist Mariam Thomas on his social media handles. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the contributions being made by the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in the nation's COVID-19 fight and also their operational plans through video conference on Tuesday.  

Govt ITI Cuttack has developed two robots, COVOT and Megabot in collaboration with SAK Robotic Lab start-up to prevent #COVID19 contamination. Appreciation for @skilled_odisha for using their skill innovation to strengthen #Odisha’s fight against the pandemic. #OdishaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/wRGunqZ4xl

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) April 28, 2020

A slew of measures, including total lockdown of hotspots, concerted contact tracing, quarantining of contacts, testing and restricting movement of people on the streets, seem to have paid dividends in checking the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic in combined Vellore which comprises Vellore, Tirupathur and Ranipet districts as reporting of new cases has drastically dropped. 

FULL REPORT HERE

Death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 937 and the number of cases climbed to 29,974 in the country on Tuesday, registering an increase of 51 deaths and 1,594 cases since Monday evening, according to the Union Health Ministry. The number of active COVID-19 cases stand at 22,010, while 7,026 people have recovered, and one patient has migrated, the ministry said. Thus, 23.44 per cent of the infected people have recovered so far, a senior Health Ministry official said. 

This is the first death due to the pandemic among the about 10 lakh personnel strong Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) or the paramilitary forces that function under the Union Home Ministry for upkeep of internal security and border guarding. The assistant sub-inspector (ASI) rank official was admitted to the Safdarjung hospital a few days back after being detected positive for the virus.

FULL REPORT HERE 

Total number of Corona positive persons till date has crossed 2,000; 121 persons tested positive today taking the total to 2058; Chennai alone recorded 103 new cases ; So far, the number in Chennai 570 @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress

— T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) April 28, 2020

A head constable and another cop attached to the intelligence wing at the Nungambakkam police station have tested positive for COVID-19. The head constable was working as a writer in the law and order wing. The Nungambakkam police premises comprises the law and order wing, crime wing, traffic division and assistant commissioner's office with more than 70 personnel altogether. 

 Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Malladi Krishna Rao said eight youths from Yanam region of Puducherry working in Hyderabad, Odisha and Puttaparthy reached the Yanam border after walking for several days following the COVID-19 lockdown. However, the Yanam administration which had sealed the border with Andhra Pradesh did not allow them to enter.

CM @vijayanpinarayi lauds @NewIndianXpress @xpresskerala for distributing face masks to all it's readers free of cost. #tniekerala @MSKiranPrakash @shailajateacher @CMOKerala https://t.co/E90fjxe2Xp pic.twitter.com/9jAdgjbrZz

— TNIE Kerala (@xpresskerala) April 28, 2020

Defining COVID as "Chinese Originated Viral Infectious Disease", the medico-turned-politician and BJP MP from Bettiah said the outbreak had its roots in China's Wuhan and had wreaked havoc on the world. He said that it was high time to move beyond diplomatic niceties and call a spade a spade declaring that COVID-19 was of Chinese origin.

FULL REPORT HERE 

#CoronavirusIndia
NEWSALERT: 4 people test positive for #Covid19 in #Kerala on Tuesday even as an equal no of people declared cured of the disease. @xpresskerala @NewIndianXpress

— Sovi Vidyadharan (@sovividyadharan) April 28, 2020

All green districts have been permitted to open manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Oriented Units, industrial estates and industrial townships.

FULL REPORT HERE

#TNIEupdatesOnCovid19 #KarnatakaFightsCorona
11 more, tally 523- #Kalaburgi, 3 #Bagalkot, 1 #Bengaluru, 1 #Gadag. 207 discharged.@NewIndianXpress@XpressBengaluru @santwana99 @CMofKarnataka @sriramulubjp @mla_sudhakar @KalaburgiCorp @CeozpB @dcbagalkot @BBMPCOMM @DIPRGadag pic.twitter.com/rGcnmsheUW

— Bosky Khanna (@BoskyKhanna) April 28, 2020

Abhinay Soni, an architect, drove around in his high-end BMW car, relaying his lockdown violation live over FB at around 11 pm Monday.
He travelled around 20 km away to get some food from a roadside dhaba at Mandirhasaud. Early morning the next day, Soni was arrested by the cops who made him post his arrest and the reason for it on his FB handle.

FULL REPORT HERE 

The Northeast so far recorded 56 cases which include two deaths, one each in Assam and Meghalaya. Five districts of Assam were earlier declared Red Zones. Of Assam’s 37 patients, 27 recovered and were discharged from hospitals. Similarly, two patients each in Manipur and Tripura and one in Arunachal Pradesh also recovered.

FULL REPORT HERE 

Health & Family Welfare Ministry has issued guidelines for home isolation of people who either have very mild #COVID19 symptoms or are in the pre-symptomatic phase. Such patients with requisite self-isolation facility at their residence will now have the option for home isolation pic.twitter.com/k4cLVidl0e

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

With no money or material left, migrant couples from Madhya Pradesh depend on food distributed by social workers to sustain the life for the past few days at Othakadai in Madurai on Tuesday.
Express Photo | K K Sundar#lockdown @xpresstn pic.twitter.com/ppmsT0iFKK

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) April 28, 2020

 With 1543 new cases in the last 24 hours, the total COVID19 positive cases in the country are now 29,435. 684 patients have been found cured, in the last 24 hours; our recovery rate is now 23.3%. This is a progressive increase in recovery rate.

• Plasma therapy is being experimented, however no evidence that this can be used as a treatment. National level study launched by ICMR to study efficacy.
• No new cases of COVID-19 reported from 17 districts in last 28 days

• The Central team has found that Surat administration is using modern techniques for detection and tracking of cases. Data on health systems, surveillance is being plotted using GIS mapping and analysis done accordingly.
• Surat administration is doing extensive testing for early detection of COVID19 cases, using Surat Nagar Nigam War Room and special team of doctors. Modern tech such as drones and CCTV are being used for surveillance. Lockdown measures are mostly being followed 
• IMCT held discussions with various stakeholders including textile and diamond industries, who are major employers of labourers. Most labourers have received the pay for last month. Central team has told Surat administration to prepare future plans as well.

In revised guidelines on home isolation issued late on Monday evening, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said while all suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 are currently being isolated and managed in a hospital setting with the intent to break the chain of transmission, those with mild symptoms or without symptoms -- if diagnosed so by the treating doctor -- will now have the option of home isolation.

FULL REPORT HERE 

Lockdown Birthdays can be special too. We wish Sh. Karan Puri of Sector 7, Panchkula a Very Happy Birthday 🎂
@Nijhavan_v @cmohry @police_haryana @nsvirk @ipspankajnain @ANI pic.twitter.com/RRKCrvD9SE

— Commissionerate of Panchkula (@CP_PANCHKULA) April 28, 2020

The friends from Kolkata's Park Circus area have so far fed at least 1500 families who are predominantly slum dwellers and from the lower ranks of the society. When the Indian government called for a month-long nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus, these young professionals made it their priority to help the needy through the dark days.

FULL REPORT HERE 

To avail the medicine delivery service, customers need to visit any Blue Dart/DHL counter across India and provide valid medical prescription for sending medicines overseas to their family/ friends through the Blue Dart-DHL's door-to-door express service, the company said in the release. 

The entertainment streaming giant said 15.8 million more people had subscribed between January and the end of March, as billions were confined to their homes to help stem the spread of COVID-19.

FULL REPORT HERE 

Muchram Behara, a fisherman form Odisha, sitting in one of the boat anchored in the Puthiyappa Harbour in Kozghikode. He came along with his friend to Kerala and now he is stuck here beacuse of the #COVID19 #lockdownindia @NewIndianXpress @xpresskerala #fisherman pic.twitter.com/l0KqQaP18K

— Manu R Mavelil (@manumavelil) April 28, 2020

Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi has requested to develop an app where the best strategies of all states to contain COVID19 pandemic will be shared. We have accepted this suggestion. I have asked the National E-Governance Division & National Informatics Centre to prepare an app, and they have agreed to develop the app within three days: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad  

We will be able to produce RT-PCR and antibody test kits in India by May. All processes are in advanced stage and production will start after getting approval from ICMR. It will help us in meeting our target of 1 lakh test per day by May 31: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan 

19 inmates of Central Jail who are currently lodged at a temporary jail have tested positive for Coronavirus in MP: Praveen Jadia, Chief Medical and Health Officer, Indore
 

One 56-year-old woman, who had suffered a brain stroke and is undergoing treatment at AIIMS Rishikesh, has now tested positive for COVID-19: Harish Thapliyal, PRO AIIMS, Rishikesh 

A railway employee who wears PPE kit on his way back home to protect himself from #COVID19 at one of the hotspots Krishnalanka in Vijayawada on Tuesday.
Express Photos | Prasant Madugula pic.twitter.com/huuoVfGqTj

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) April 28, 2020

The shrine administration is sanitising the premises at regular intervals and following the social distancing guidelines. Eight of the Sikh pilgrims who recently returned from Nanded to Punjab tested positive for coronavirus on Monday. Five of the pilgrims belonged to Tarn Taran while three hailed from Kapurthala in Punjab.

FULL REPORT HERE 

The ICMR on Monday asked states and union territories to stop using the test kits procured from the Chinese companies, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics, due to "wide variations" in their performance. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Many companies and firms shut office operations after the nationwide lockdown was announced on March 25. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

A bench headed by Justice N V Ramana, hearing the matter through video-conferencing, passed the direction after it was informed that asymptomatic COVID-19 patients are reported to be on the rise in India. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

A 16-year-old girl from Salmara Bongaigaon, a secondary contact of a Markaz attendee, has tested #COVID19 positive. Number of #COVID19 patients now stands at 36: Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pic.twitter.com/4ICBRhJMO5

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

During an analysis, it came to light that the three deceased and the other police personnel currently undergoing treatment for coronavirus disease were above the age of 50, a senior Mumbai Police official said on Tuesday. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

“I earned my livelihood as a make-up artist. There is no stable income as most of the work is seasonal. I have not been able to find a permanent job because I am a transgender person. With the lockdown, I have no idea when I will earn next. Anyway, I earn very little. I have not been able to complete my transition into a woman because of a lack of funds,” said Pam. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

From 4th May, the Chairperson & Members of the National Green Tribunal, as well all the officers of NGT (Deputy Registrars and above) will attend office with 100% attendance, while the remaining staff upto 33% strength shall physically attend office: National Green Tribunal pic.twitter.com/3tAh75VLz0

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Delhi: Shops selling electronic products have been allowed to open following govt's revised lockdown guidelines. An electric fan shop owner says, "I've opened shop today after 21st March. It's the peak season for the sale of fans, but very few customers are coming.” pic.twitter.com/G3HEtGQYH6

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

• The NITI Aayog building in the National Capital has been sealed for 48 hours, after a director level officer tested positive for coronavirus, a senior official said on Tuesday. A director level officer working at NITI Bhawan has been tested positive for COVID-19.
• Today at 9 am, he got his report, and then he informed authorities," Alok Kumar adviser at NITI Aayog told PTI. He further said that those who came in contact with the person have been asked to go on self-quarantine.
• "We are following necessary protocol and the health ministry has been informed and all the due processes will be followed. So, we are closed for 48 hours," Kumar added.
• Recently, the Aviation Ministry headquarters was also sealed after one of its employees who had attended office on April 15, tested positive for COVID-19.

Total number of active COVID-19 cases in Chhattisgarh stand at three now; total 34 patients have been cured and discharged till date: AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) Raipur.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan to review the current status of COVID-19 surveillance in Delhi with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Health Minister Satyendra Jain and top officials of concerned departments, today through video conferencing.

Chhattisgarh: Around 75 buses carrying over 2000 students who were stranded in #Kota, Rajasthan have reached the state. Visuals of students undergoing screening for COVID-19 symptoms after reaching Raipur. #CoronavirusLockdown pic.twitter.com/WvycsH3eJs

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

8 new #COVID19 positive cases reported in Karnataka from 27th April 2020, 5:00 PM to 28th April 2020, 12:00 noon, taking the total number of cases to 520: Karnataka Government pic.twitter.com/kf9nnjsXve

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

One officer in NITI Aayog has tested positive for #COVID19.
The necessary protocol is being followed, including sealing of the building for two days for thorough disinfection and sanitisation: Ajit Kumar, Deputy Secretary (Administration), NITI Aayog. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/zgj7Da5Rss

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

A deserted view of the Koyembedu market after the #lockdown, in Chennai on Tuesday.
Express Photos | @haisat2005@xpresstn pic.twitter.com/PiTFESEUdm

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) April 28, 2020

So, now Kerala starts to announce Covid cases as and when results come. 3 more cases from Idukki today. #KeralaCovidupdate

— Rajesh Abraham (@pendown) April 28, 2020

• No fresh case reported in 80 districts since last 7 days.
• In 47 districts, no case has been reported in last 14 days, while 39 districts have not reported a case since last 21 days.
• 17 districts have not reported a case for last 28 days.
• For the last 14 days, our doubling rate is 8.7, while for the last seven days, it is 10.2 days.
• In last three days, it is 10.9 days roughly.

West Bengal: Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), today, visited a hospital in Siliguri to review the preventive measures and guidelines being followed at the hospital against #COVID19. The team also visited ward number 47 in Siliguri, which is a containment area. pic.twitter.com/GNG3pqqN7a

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami holds a meeting with IAS Officers (of the 12 groups formed to coordinate #Coronavirus prevention activities) to discuss #COVID19 situation in the state. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/9M0RbNljuA

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

522 news cases and 27 deaths reported in Maharashtra today. Total 8590 positive COVID-19 cases and 369 deaths have been reported in the state till date. Mortality Rate stands at 4.30%: Maharashtra Health Department.

82 new #COVID19 cases take #AndhraPradesh's tally to 1,259. Kurnool crosses the 300-mark with 40 +ves, at 332. Gnt 254 n Krishna 223.

23 new recoveries n no deaths in the last 24hr: state nodal ofc

Total:1259
Death: 31
Recov: 258
Active:970#APFightsCorona #COVID #COVIDー19 https://t.co/YvgyN3XcGy pic.twitter.com/wICDyZCoyf

— Jayanth P (@Jayanth_TNIE) April 28, 2020

Eight more persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Agra, taking the total number of cases to 389 including 54 cured/discharged. We are tracing the contacts of positive cases: District Magistrate Prabhu N Singh.

The total number of positive cases in Delhi stands at 3108 now, of which 190 cases were reported yesterday. 877 patients have been cured, while 11 are on ventilator. Death toll stands at 54. The doubling rate of COVID-19 in Delhi is 13 days: Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain.

Long queue of vehicles seen on Delhi-Gurugram border as Police personnel check passes of people commuting through the route, as a preventive measure against #COVID19 amid #CoronavirusLockdown. pic.twitter.com/q1JpQdm2mW

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Till Tuesday, the total number of positive cases in the state stands at 2328. While 766 have recovered, 51 succumbed to the deadly virus.

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chairs a meeting with 'COVID-19 management Team-11' of the state, over the #CoronavirusPandemic. pic.twitter.com/L60mPWLsgj

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 28, 2020

One more positive COVID-19 case reported today in Mohali, taking the total number of cases to 64, of which 27 are cured. 2 deaths reported till date in Mohali: Girish Dayalan, DC Mohali.

After concerns being raised by Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh over lethal strain of COVID-19 virus, experts engaged in genome sequencing call it too early to jump to any conclusion. India needs to scale up work to better understand virus mutation, they said. (READ FULL INTERVIEW HERE)

Goa: People practice social distancing at a vegetable market on Inox Road in Panaji, amid the #CoronavirusLockdown. pic.twitter.com/92IzcZ53Co

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Principal Secretary of Health Department Sanjay Kumar said that 16 cases where reported from Rohtas district and one each from Nawada Darbhanga and Purnia districts. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

As 5 asymptomatic persons returning from Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra have tested positive for #COVID19 in Tarn Taran, it has been decided that all returnees coming from Hazur Sahib are to be put in quarantine facilities. They'll be tested for COVID-19:Dept of Health,Punjab pic.twitter.com/doRI8KzFK5

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Public parks remain closed in Ghaziabad following the @dm_ghaziabad's order to keep them shut during the #lockdown period.
Express photo by @anilpjournalist.#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/8u1SEM6Kld

— TheMorningStandard (@TheMornStandard) April 28, 2020

Maharashtra: Police take action against violators of #CoronavirusLockdown norms at a vegetable market in Narendra Nagar in Nagpur. Inspector Vijay Akot says, “Only 10 vehicles are allowed inside the market at a time, so other vehicles were moved out & required action was taken." pic.twitter.com/jvPDTzeW2Y

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

62 deaths and 1543 new cases in last 24 hours due to coronavirus, the sharpest ever increase in death cases in India.

Students from different parts of the state who are stranded in Prayagraj are being sent back to their homes by UP government, amid #CoronavirusLockdown. pic.twitter.com/CQCqzHjrQn

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 28, 2020

A 69-year-old doctor passes away; he was infected with COVID-19. West Bengal Orthopaedic Association demands state honour for him.

Delhi: People make purchases at wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Okhla, amid the #CoronavirusLockdown. pic.twitter.com/kZmAK0qmYZ

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Total number of COVID-19 positive cases in India rises to 29435 including 21632 active cases, 6868 cured/discharged, 934 deaths and 1 migrated: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Jammu and Kashmir: Police are conducting checks on the movement of people amid the #CoronavirusLockdown. Visuals from Bathindi in Jammu. pic.twitter.com/bqWc0xhe1B

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Seven new COVID-19 positive cases reported in the state, taking the total number of cases to 118. Total 37 patients have been cured/recovered. 1 death reported till date: Odisha Health Department.

#WATCH Haryana: A clash broke out between police & locals after the body of an elderly woman, possibly infected with #COVID19, was brought to the designated cremation ground in Chandpura, Ambala. (27.04.20) pic.twitter.com/BQEXHOAkxx

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

Tripura: The first wedding in the state during the #CoronaLockdown was held on 26th April in Udaipur, Gomati district. The couple tied the knot after obtaining conditional permission from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. pic.twitter.com/MELp5QfovN

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Delhi Government yesterday lifted the bar on veterinarians, plumbers,& electricians after reviewing #COVID19 situation in the national capital. In the order, Delhi Disaster Management Authority(DDMA) also allowed inter-state travel of health workers, lab technicians & scientists. pic.twitter.com/4wlyzF6Mus

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Police personnel checking passes and identity cards of people to control the movement of vehicles during #CoronavirusLockdown; Visuals from Delhi-Gurugram border pic.twitter.com/M8P7IEHFSx

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

The global death toll from the novel coronavirus has increased over the past 24 hours by nearly 5,000 to top 198,000, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said. According to the latest WHO data, 85,530 new cases of infection have been registered globally over the past day, with 4,982 deaths.

A patient, who was under the same unit treating RJD leader Lalu Yadav, has tested positive for COVID-19 at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here. "Today, a patient who had been admitted in the medicine department for the past three weeks was found COVID-19 positive. He was under the unit of Dr Umesh Prasad. Significantly, Lalu Yadav is also being treated by the same unit and Dr Umesh Prasad is his treating physician. Though, Lalu is admitted in the paying ward," RIMS administration stated.

Jharkhand saw a sudden jump in COVID-19 cases with 20 new positive cases registered on Monday, taking the total tally of positive cases in the state to 103. Notably, out of the 103 positive cases, 75 are from Ranchi followed by Bokaro with 10 cases.  (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

While Gujarat and Assam favoured a gradual lifting of the lockdown, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Goa and few other states suggested continuing the lockdown till May 3. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

The Health Ministry has issued guidelines for home isolation of very mild and pre-symptomatic Covid-19 cases under which a patient can stay at home but will have to be in touch constantly with the District Surveillance Officer, and a hospital and will have to sign an undertaking. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

According to apex court sources, the employee had worked full day on the court complex on April 16, and later he tested positive. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

"We want the restrictions to continue till May 21. We have to be careful till that time," Banerjee told media persons. The Chief Minister, however, clarified that she was not announcing any extension on lockdown, as that decision will be taken by the central government.

A 63-year-old woman in Patiala died of coronavirus on Monday, taking the total number of COVID-19-related deaths to 19 in Punjab, officials said. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

To facilitate the entry of Keralites returning from other states, Kerala's transport department suggested using only four inter-state check posts for the purpose."The department will consult with Norka-Roots, Health Department and Local Self Government Department before the final approval by the government." said an officer of the Transport Department. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday announced returning 24,000 rapid test kits imported from China, hours after the ICMR asked states to stop using the COVID-19 rapid antibody kits procured from two companies in the Asian country to be sent back to the suppliers. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

West Bengal Health Department now clarifies, #COVID19 positive patients to be mandatorily brought to hospitals. Only primary/secondary contacts allowed home isolation. Earlier CM Mamata Banerjee had announced in her press conference that positive patients could home quarantine. pic.twitter.com/Z6GgkSt2uu

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

Coronavirus claimed one more life in Uttar Pradesh, taking the fatality count to 31 in the state, which inched closer to the 2,000-mark with 113 fresh cases on Monday. The number of confirmed infection cases in the state is 1,986 now, (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

On the lines of Mumbai and Delhi, the Madhya Pradesh government on Monday banned spitting in public places to contain further spread of the deadly COVID-19 infection. The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government decided to slap a penalty of Rs 1000 on those who are found violating the ban by spitting in public places. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

The magician, popularly known as RJ Samrat Jadugar, has to turn to this to satiate the hunger of his family including three kids during the present lockdown as there is no other source of regular income for the family. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

We recommend that #lockdown should be extended after May 3. No mode of public transport should be allowed between States: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant pic.twitter.com/pLloX53eM1

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

Speaking to the media, Jain said the cases are not being reported from the COVID-dedicated hospital. "We have found that in the COVID-dedicated hospitals the staffers are not testing positive. The health workers from non-COVID hospitals are testing positive," Jain said.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged people to get acquainted with the social distancing norms and masks and said they could remain in place for nearly two years. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Kerala Govt has set up Ayurveda bodies at State, region & district levels for a #COVID19 prevention program & started Ayur Raksha Clinics at govt hospitals at district & taluk levels: Dr. S Gopakumar, Resident Medical Officer, Govt Ayurveda College in Thiruvananthapuram (1/2) pic.twitter.com/ktEZQuCmMZ

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

Maharashtra #COVIDー19 update
Today's report
New 522 cases , deaths 27 while 94 discharged.
Cumulative total -- 8,590, deaths -- 369, while discharge 1282. @NewIndianXpress

— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) April 27, 2020

New 247 #COVID19 positive cases have been reported in Gujarat in last 24 hours. Total positive cases rise to 3548 which includes 394 cured/discharged and 162 deaths: Health Department, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/GyLWDcldSb

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

A day after their construction, the walls raised across border roads between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were removed as they denied access to ambulances and other vehicles with medical emergencies from the neighbouring state, Vellore district collector A Shanmuga Sundaram told The New Indian Express. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

The main highlight of the meeting (of PM with CMs) is that the #COVID19 situation varies from State to State so the States should be allowed to take a decision on the extension of #lockdown: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel pic.twitter.com/DFozko4udO

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

While lamenting that state lacks the capability of providing large quarantine facilities, the West Bengal CM said, "Lakhs and lakhs of people can't be quarantined, government has its own limit." (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

After lockdown was imposed, Pant started a page on Facebook titled 'Operation Sanjivni'. One can post a request of required medicine and Pant tries through different transportation channels including police, administration, transportation vehicles (READ MORE)

13 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Dharavi area of Mumbai today, taking the total number of cases to 288 including 14 death: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' has called a meeting with state education ministers to discuss issues related to COVID-19 and mid-day meal programme, officials said on Monday, The meeting will be held at 2. 00 pm on Tuesday through video conferencing.

More than 2,961,540 cases were registered in 193 countries and territories. Of these cases, at least 809,400 are now considered recovered. (READ MORE)

(Photo| EPS)

23-year-old Smruti Thakkar shared her experience of donating plasma for the treatment of novel coronavirus. "I received a phone call from the hospital, requesting to donate my plasma for the treatment of COVID 19 patients, which I happily agreed to, and donated. It took just 99 minutes to donate the plasma," Thakkar said. (READ MORE HERE)

"I had written to Dr Manmohan Singh ji to guide us along with a group of experts headed by Montek Singh Ahluwalia. I am grateful to him for accepting," Chief Minister Amarinder Singh tweeted on Monday.

52 more persons tested positive for coronavirus on Monday in Tamil Nadu taking the total number to 1937.

In a first in #Madurai dist, a #pregnant #COVID19 pt delivered a baby girl on Apr 26 around 9.15 pm. Sample of newborn yet to be taken.

The 24-yr-old woman from Doddappanaickanur tested +ve for #COVID19 & delivered her 2nd baby through C-section the same day. @xpresstn

— 𝐋𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐚𝐧𝐢 (@Lalitha_Ranjani) April 27, 2020

Mumbai Police regrets to inform about the unfortunate demise of HC Shivaji Narayan Sonawane (56) from Kurla Traffic Division. HC Sonawane had been battling Coronavirus.

We pray for his soul to rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sonawane family.

— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) April 27, 2020

Nine new cases have been confirmed for COVID-19 in Karnataka taking the state tally to 512.

"The journalists are sincerely carrying out their responsibility by creating awareness about the deadly coronavirus. If a working journalist dies of the virus, the state government will provide Rs 15 lakh ex gratia to the kin," said a CMO statement. (READ MORE)

Rising to the occasion, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Kishori Pednekar has decided has returned to her old calling -- nursing -- to contribute in the fight against COVID-19. Pednekar was a nurse before coming to politics and has decided to join the team of BMC's BYL Nair Hospital to aid the COVID-19 patients in their fight against the virus. (READ MORE)

Observing that 61 per cent mark-up on such test kits is on the "higher side" but "more than sufficient", the Court disallowed a 145 per cent profit from landed price of Rs 245 to ICMR's purchase price of Rs 600 per test and slashed it to Rs 400 per kit. (READ MORE)

District-wise & Taluk-wise colour-coded representation of active #COVID19 cases in Karnataka.
Active cases limited to 16 out of 30 districts. Even within districts, cases limited to few taluks.

Source - State COVID19 war room@XpressBengaluru @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/qk1cJ72CBF

— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) April 27, 2020

Kerala Covid update: 13 positive cases - Kottayam (6); Idukki (4); Palakkad, Malappuram, Kannur (1 each). 5 persons from TN, one from overseas. 13 cases cured too. @NewIndianXpress

— Rajesh Abraham (@pendown) April 27, 2020

Three FIRs were lodged against the celebrity singer at different police stations in the state capital last month. (READ MORE)

"Stigma should be addressed through an intensive campaign. We've to understand that there is no risk of transmission from recovered patients. They, in fact, can be a potential source of healing for antibodies using plasma therapy. We should avoid spreading misinformation and panic. No community or area should be labelled for COVID-19 spread. In particular, healthcare and sanitary workers or police should not be targeted as they are there to help you," said Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health.

District Food and Civil Supplies Officer (DFCSO) Amit Bengia, in a notice issued to the fuel stations, said the government's move was aimed at ensuring safety of people living in the state capital, amid the spurt in COVID-19 cases across the country. (READ MORE HERE)

• 28,380 total confirmed positive COVID-19 cases so far
• 20,835 people are under active medical supervision
•  6184 people have cured/ recovered so far
• In last 24 hours, 381 people have cured and 1396 new cases have been registered

American Physicians of Indian-Origin (AAPI) President Dr Suresh Reddy, applauding the hundreds of thousands of Indian-origin medical personnel bravely fighting against the virus, said that "every 7th doctor in the US is an Indian and they are at the frontlines, working as soldiers and fighting the virus". (READ ABOUT COVID WARRIORS)

(Photo| EPS)

Most CMs told PM during interaction that lockdown should continue: Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy.

मुख्यमंत्री द्वारा बहुप्रचारित कोरोना से लड़ने का 'आगरा मॉडल’ मेयर के अनुसार फ़ेल होकर आगरा को वुहान बना देगा. न जाँच, न दवाई, न अन्य बीमारियों के लिए सरकारी या प्राइवेट अस्पताल, न जीवन रक्षक किट और उस पर क्वॉरेंटाइन सेंटर्स की बदहाली प्राणांतक साबित हो रही है.

जागो सरकार जागो!

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) April 27, 2020

The ongoing lockdown, wherein many people are forced to work from home, has resulted in a surge in subscribers and also data usage, the research wing of domestic rating agency Crisil said in a note. Fixed broadband refers to taking internet connectivity till homes or businesses using an optical fibre or fixed line. (READ MORE)

Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh on Monday said that five out of the eight states in the North-East are corona-free now. He said that those five states are - Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura. (READ MORE)

Uttar Pradesh on Monday introduced the plasma therapy to treat COVID-19 patients in the state. The King Georges’ Medical University (KGMU) conducted the first transfusion on a government doctor, 54, from Orai. The plasma was extracted from the blood donated by an NRI woman doctor from Canada, the first corona patient of Lucknow. (READ MORE)

1. केन्द्र व सभी राज्य सरकारंे कोरोना वायरस की टेस्टिंग बढ़ाने के साथ-साथ खासकर लाचार लाखों गरीब मजदूर प्रवासियों को पेट भर खाना उपलब्ध कराये वरना भूख से तड़पते ये लोग कैसे अपनी इम्यूनिटी बढ़ाकर घातक कोरोना बीमारी से बच पायेंगे? सरकारी गोदामों का गल्ला आखिर किस दिन काम आएगा? 1/2

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) April 27, 2020

“About 33% or 22,000 of the 65,875 Chakmas and Hajongs are children. Hunger and starvation have engulfed them because of the violation of the right to food during the pandemic. This purposeful starvation of the children is an act of inhumanity and cruelty,” RRAG director Suhas Chakma said. (READ MORE)

After two truck drivers at the Koyambedu wholesale market tested positive for COVID-19, police have warned that it may be forced to shut down. This is the only market functioning indoors during the lockdown, with all other markets across the state having been taken outdoors following the social distancing norms announced by the Chennai corporation and municipalities. (READ MORE)

(Photo| EPS/ S Dinesh)

#WATCH Delhi: As part of awareness drive initiated by Delhi Police, volunteers wearing symbolic #Coronavirus helmets appeal to people in Dwarka to stay at home amid #CoronavirusLockdown. pic.twitter.com/tnp3gIK0kD

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

Maulana Saad (Tablighi Jamaat chief) tested negative for COVID-19. He is not an absconder, nor has he been asked by Delhi Police to appear. We've not received any summon copy. We have received 3 notices till now&have responded to all 3: Fuzail Ayubi, Maulana Saad's lawyer to ANI.

Seven of his customers have been placed under home quarantine in Nerkundram so far and their test results are awaited. A few others have also been quarantined in Koyambedu after they came forward to be tested after hearing that the man had tested positive. However, several more people are expected to have visited his saloon. (READ MORE)

The Congress cited media reports about rapid test kits for COVID-19 being sold at around 150 per cent profits to the government and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fix responsibility for the same. (READ MORE HERE)

A 50-year-old man infected with the novel coronavirus committed suicide by jumping off a building here, police said on Monday. According to the health department, the man was suffering from Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI).(READ MORE HERE)

A woman journalist has tested positive for coronavirus, in the second case of COVID-19 in Unnao district. The patient is a resident of Shuklaganj area under Ganga Ghat police here station and has been taken to Kanpur to be kept in isolation.

Andaman and Nicobar Chief Secretary Chetan Sanghi on Monday said that over 7,100 coronavirus tests per million population are being conducted in the Union Territory. Taking to Twitter, Sanghi said that the Andaman and Nicobar is chasing COVID-19. (READ MORE)

#WATCH Anuj Sharma, recovered COVID19 patient from Delhi, has donated plasma for COVID19 patients. He says, "Within 45 minutes plasma donation was done. If someone's life can be saved by plasma donation then we must do it". pic.twitter.com/6Cv5A5vbYV

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

Meghalaya wants the lockdown in the state to continue beyond May 3 to stem the spread of COVID-19, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Monday after a teleconference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The chief minister, however, said some relaxations will be introduced in green zones and non-COVID-19 affected districts after the nationwide shutdown has been lifted. (READ MORE)

Till date, 511 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed, this includes 19 deaths & 188 discharges. 8 new positive cases have been reported from 5:00 PM yesterday till 12:00 noon today: Government of Karnataka pic.twitter.com/B53IMb4nfg

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

PM Narendra Modi's video conference meeting with the Chief Ministers of all States on COVID19 situation, concludes.

11 new COVID19 cases reported; the total number of cases in Yavatmal is now 71: Yavatmal Collector MD Singh

For the economic revival of the State, a committee of ministers& a committee of experts has been constituted. CM has suggested that duration of MNREGA wage employment be increased to 150 days from the present 100 days: Uttarakhand CM Office on the meeting of CMs with PM Modi

#WATCH An ambulance and commuters were stopped by Chennai Police near Island Grounds intersection to allow VIP convoy to pass, today. #Chennai pic.twitter.com/0gdvHOhrFX

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

With 3 more deaths and 55 new positive cases reported in Pune, the death toll and total number of positive cases rises to 80 and 1319, respectively: Health Officials, Pune

Many who work in Delhi&stay in Haryana, are 'corona-carriers'. I appeal to Delhi CM that stay arrangements of ppl who work in Delhi should be made in Delhi itself. They shouldn't be issued passes to travel to Haryana as this is increasing COVID19 cases here: Haryana Minister Anil Vij

CRPF Additional Director Gen writes a letter to DGP Karnataka requesting inquiry into the matter wherein Constable Sachin Savant of CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) was arrested&manhandled by Belagavi Police on 23 April on alleged charges of violating lockdown norms

The restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease were intensified in Kashmir on Monday as the valley entered the 40th day of its lockdown, officials said. (READ MORE)

Former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy has called for citizen-centric measures and stressed the need to lower the cost of living, as he cautioned the state and Central governments about the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on economy and people in-tuen. (READ MORE)

#WATCH Social distancing norms being violated in Raja Bazaar area in Kolkata, West Bengal #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/XI2v4XdtnB

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

Government of West Bengal will initiate every possible help to people of the state stuck in different parts of the country due to lockdown, in returning home: CM Mamata Banerjee

10 new COVID19 positive cases reported in Agra district in last 24 hours; the total number of positive cases in the district is now 381: DM Agra Prabhu N Singh

Total 8068 positive COVID-19 cases and 342 deaths have been reported in the state till date. Mortality Rate stands at 4.24 per cent: Maharashtra Health Department

Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds video conference with the Chief Ministers of all States on COVID19 situation. pic.twitter.com/D9kiiXk4XK

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

Happy to announce that our Virology Lab in Goa Medical College will be functioning 24x7 to cater to doing maximum tests and strengthen our fight against COVID-19: Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane

Telangana: Police personnel have been deployed and movement of only essential service providers allowed in Malakpet area in Hyderabad, after the area was declared as a #COVID19 hotspot by the district administration. pic.twitter.com/WlBeGhV54m

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

With 13 more COVID-19 cases, the total number of coronavirus cases reported in Bihar stands at 290, said Sanjay Kumar, Bihar Principal Secretary (Health) on Monday. (READ MORE)

#WATCH Karnataka: People make purchases at Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Shivamogga, amid #CoronavirusLockdown. The market opens from 6 am to 10 am daily.

No positive #COVID19 case has been reported in the district till date. pic.twitter.com/wLFTQbR613

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

Blood samples of 4 COVID-19 survivors has tested positive for antibodies. Their plasma will now be used to treat other patients. BMC appeals other also who've recovered to come forward&help others recover by opting for Plasma Donation: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

Delhi's Hindu Rao Hospital has resumed services of casualty and emergency wards including the Flu Clinic and the 3 OPDs (Gynae, Pediatrics, Medicine) with restricted entry of patients & attendants from today.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan did not attend the video conference meet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with chief ministers on Monday on the prevailing COVID-19 situation. (READ MORE)

Medical staff conducting #COVID19 test to the police personnel in Vijayawada.
Express Video | P Ravindra Babu@xpressandhra pic.twitter.com/qZq4lFMiMM

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) April 27, 2020

Madhya Pradesh is manufacturing 12,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits per day for frontline warriors battling COVID-19, as against its daily requirement of 10,000 kits. (READ MORE)

The suggestion by young Indian Revenue Services officials to propose higher tax for the rich has landed them in trouble after the Income tax department had initiated an enquiry against them. (READ MORE)

Contrary to an earlier perception that old people are more vulnerable to COVI-19, hundreds below 40 years of age, including minors, have got infected by the virus in Bihar. (READ MORE)

As many as 6,517 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. With 33 new cases reported, the total number of cases in Krishna district rose up to 210. While Guntur district registered another 23 new cases taking the tally to 237, Kurnool reported 13 cases and now has a total of 292 COVID-19 positive cases. (READ MORE)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a video conference with chief ministers to discuss the situation arising due to the coronavirus pandemic in the country, which has been under a lockdown since March 25 to contain the spread of the virus, amid indications that the interaction would also focus on a graded exit from the ongoing lockdown. (READ MORE)

In a suspected case of a data breach, COVID-19 patients, who recovered, said they were getting calls from unknown numbers in Bangaluru seeking their details, including passport numbers. (READ MORE)

The month-long lockdown has affected the pre-monsoon activities that are usually carried out to check malaria in the high burden districts and inaccessible pockets. (READ MORE)

Police have beefed up security along the inter-state border with Tamil Nadu to prevent illegal movement of people across the border. Apart from the main checkposts and arterial roads, peripheral roads have also been put under the radar. (READ MORE)

The first hour of the Norka Roots registration for the Kerala diaspora who wish to return to the state once the flights resume saw panic response from NRIs. (READ MORE)

“Sir ji, we beg you to let us go to our native places. We don’t want any other help from you,” these were the words of some migrant labourers who were stopped by the police and revenue officials in Khammam on Sunday morning while they were walking back to their native villages in Maharashtra. (READ MORE)

For the consecutive second day, Telangana witnessed only a few COVID-19 positive cases — 11 to be precise — on Sunday, which made Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao express satisfaction over the gradual decline in the incidence of Coronavirus. (READ MORE)

Saturday and Sunday brought relief and hope of sorts to Kurnool district, the COVID-19 hotbed in Andhra Pradesh. Relief because, the recovery rate improved with 24 people discharged Saturday, and hope, as the district, which accounts for the highest number of cases in the State, saw only four new cases Sunday, the lowest in almost 10 days. (READ MORE)

Railway Hospital in Vijayawada has decided to deliver medicines at the doorstep of railway employees and pensioners from Monday. Hospital assistant chief medical superintendent Naseer Hussain on Sunday said all railway employees, pensioners and family pensioners who are residing in and around the city can avail the door delivery of medicines for ailments such as diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases. (READ MORE)

The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 872 and the number of cases climbed to 27,892 in the country on Monday, according to the Union Health Ministry. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 20,835 while 6,184 people were cured and discharged, and one patient has migrated, the ministry said. (READ MORE)

Vijayawada has recorded a surge of 52 coronavirus cases in a day, taking its tally to 160. Most of these cases are from Krishna Lanka and Karmika Nagar, where two truck drivers spread the virus to 40 people by playing cards and other indoor games with their neighbours. (READ MORE)

With a comparative higher testing rate at 639/million population, Karnataka is faring way better than the national average but much like the national trend, the State has more asymptomatic cases. (READ MORE)

Like many other industries, the lockdown has hit the defence manufacturing sector hard despite essential works in the sector exempted from restrictions. (READ MORE)

espite the government making it clear that migrant workers should not be evicted or harassed during these trying times, labourers including women from West Bengal living in shanties in Thubarahalli in Varthur police station limits were allegedly attacked by the goons of their landlord on Saturday. (READ MORE)

While the number of cases of elderly abuse has been on the rise in Bengaluru and extensively reported earlier, the lockdown seems to have an adverse effect on seniors opening up. (READ MORE)

While there is a decrease in law and order cases such as chain-snatching since the lockdown was imposed on March 24, cybercrime cases in the city continue to rise. In just 15 days of April, the city clocked 460 cases, compared to 483 in February. (READ MORE)

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) has seen a 30 per cent spike in gaming addiction, with youngsters who had reduced it with therapies, getting back to old habits amid the lockdown. (READ MORE)

Out of the 461 samples tested yesterday for COVID-19, results of six are positive: King George's Medical University, Lucknow

36 new COVID19 positive cases reported in the state; the total number of positive cases in the state rise to 2221: Rajasthan Health Department pic.twitter.com/CzST30wHeS

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

People in Mysuru and Mandya are grateful to this ‘delivery boy’  — a priest. Ramachandra Dixith (36), a priest at an Anjaneya temple in Srirangapatna, is proving that ‘service to man is service to God’. (READ MORE)

Given that many have spent most of their money and have very little or no opportunity of finding work, people have found it easier to purchase essential commodities using the barter system in rural parts of Ariyalur. (READ MORE)

India's total number of Coronavirus positive cases rise to 27,892 (including 20835 active cases, 6185 cured/discharged/migrated and 872 deaths): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

A couple tied the knot at the bride’s house in Thanjavur amid the lockdown, on Sunday. The inter-caste love marriage of B Venba of Pillyarpatti and P Chandrapandian of  Bengaluru was conducted through video conferencing. (READ MORE)

A basic assessment into the nature of work given to the seven police personnel, who tested positive for COVID-19 recently, since the lockdown period began indicated that all of them were deployed at various checkpoints across the district to crackdown on violators, according to police sources. (READ MORE)

Can incubation period for the novel coronavirus go beyond the 14 days as stated by health experts? This question has become all the more relevant in Tamil Nadu as three people were tested positive for COVID-19 after completing 23 days of self isolation and having tested negative two weeks ago. (READ MORE)

Ever since the lockdown was announced, demand for IT and electronics goods has grown due to scores of employees working from home. However, with Ritchie Street, the hub of electronic gadgets closed, techies and traders have urged the government to include them in the essential sector as well. (READ MORE)

With the announcement of complete lockdown coming just a day before its implementation, a lot of Muslims said that grocery and meat stores had already run out of stock by they reached, resulting in dearth of the essential ingredients required to make the “Nombu Kanji” and other dishes with which they usually break their day long-fast in the Ramadan month. (READ MORE)

As calls for evacuations of Indians stranded across the world grow, the Centre has started preparing to bring them back. Indians abroad have been posting videos, writing emails to authorities and doing everything in their power to come back home or to ensure their loved ones return. (ALSO READ)

Assam: 391 students from the state arrive in Chirang from Kota, Rajasthan amid #CoronaLockdown. A student says, "Returning to my home state feels great. We were taken care of, the government has done a lot for us, I thank them". pic.twitter.com/rxY1WcEC6v

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2020

More than 133 doctors in the district have agreed to provide their services to people over telephone. People can contact these doctors and get a prescription for their conditions: Tarun Kumar Pithode, Bhopal District Magistrate

Delhi: People at Okhla vegetable market to buy essentials, amid #CoronaLockdown. The nationwide lockdown imposed to combat #COVID19 will last till 3rd May 2020. pic.twitter.com/PCamdUgolg

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

Delhi Hindu Rao Hospital will resume services of casualty and emergency wards including the Flu Clinic and the 3 OPDs (Gynae, Pediatrics, Medicine) with restricted entry of patients & attendants from today: NDMC Commissioner Varsha Joshi

Gujarat Congress leader Badruddin Shaikh has passed away due to COVID-19, party leader Shaktisinh Gohil said. (READ MORE)

Kerala is likely to witness a counter-migration soon, with 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh Malayalis returning home jobless from West Asia alone by September owing to the Covid-19, said migration expert S Irudaya Rajan. (ALSO READ)

In a welcome move, the Tamil Nadu government on Sunday promulgated an ordinance to punish persons who prevent a ‘decent burial’ of COVID-19 victims. The move — coming in the wake of recent incidents of public opposition to such burials, especially in the case of two medical doctors — has been well received by members of the public. (READ MORE)

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has overwhelmed the healthcare delivery system in most of the affected nations. Globally, a total of  more than 29,15,300 cases and over 2,03,000 deaths have been reported, amounting to a case fatality rate of around 6.8% (WHO Covid-19 Situation Report 90). In India, as on 26 April 2020, over 26,500 cases have been reported, while at least 825 people have lost their lives due to the infection, with Maharashtra, Gujarat and New Delhi being the most affected. (READ MORE)

As Tamil Nadu slips into an ‘intensive’ lockdown period, philosophical questions about social isolation remain unanswered. Do the poor have to come socially close so that the rich can socially distance themselves? Would self-isolation be possible without vegetable vendors, kirana store owners and delivery agents stepping out to work, putting their lives in danger? (READ MORE)

In a major development, the men’s hostel of PG doctors at the Madras Medical College in the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), has been shut down after a sweeper there tested positive for COVID-19. (READ MORE)

Migrant workers don't need to travel to their native places during lockdown; daily needs of them, their families being taken care of: Centre tells Supreme Court in status report

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 26, 2020

Uttarakhand state government on Sunday late evening decided to roll back its decision of relaxation of timings to open shops of essential items in 9 out of 13 districts of the state which remain unaffected by COVID-19. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

The dominance of the more virulent L-type coronavirus strain as compared to the S-type one could be behind the high mortality rate in the state, which has reported 133 deaths so far. However, no research has been conducted to confirm this, experts said. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

At least 29 healthcare workers including doctors, nurses, paramedics & other staff of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital in Delhi have tested positive for #COVID19. Results of 4 other cases are 'presumptive positive', as stated by a report of National Institute of Biologicals, Noida. pic.twitter.com/WMbKgxqp8E

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2020

• COVID-19 situation improving in India, mortality rate 3.1% while globally it's 7%: Harsh Vardhan
• Kerala CM holds video conferencing with Non-Resident Keralites
• There was no party hosted by me: Kanika Kapoor opens up about COVID-19 diagnosis
• 3-year jail term for blocking burial or cremation of COVID-19 victims in Tamil Nadu
• PM Modi to interact with CMs on Monday to discuss way out of lockdown
• Walls raised on Tamil Nadu-Andhra border roads to regular vehicle movement amid lockdown
• Indore man made to do sit-ups by cops for cruising in his Porsche despite COVID-19 lockdown
• Aggressive testing key to fight battle against COVID-19: Manmohan Singh
• 52-year-old head constable becomes Maharashtra's second cop to die in 48 hours
• PM in Mann Ki Baat address hails contribution of state govts in fight against COVID-19 pandemic, warns people against complacency in fight against COVID-19.