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COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS | Jaipur doctors cure 3 out of 4 coronavirus patients via combination of medicines

Three out of 4 COVID-19 patients have been cured with a novel combination of medicines given to Malaria, Swine Flu and HIV positive patients.
For representational purposes
For representational purposes
Online Desk

Even as the coronavirus cases are rising by the day with a total of 110 people testing positive in the country, a major piece of good news has surfaced in Jaipur. Three out of the four COVID-19 patients have been cured with a novel combination of medicines given to Malaria, Swine Flu and HIV positive patients at the state's biggest government hospital, the Sawai Mansingh Hospital in Jaipur.

Earlier, an FIR was lodged in Agra against the father of a coronavirus positive person for resisting health officials and concealing information.

The woman had gotten married to the Google employee in early February, sources said. They went to Italy for their honeymoon and visited Greece and France before returning to Mumbai on February 27.

The couple then flew down to Bengaluru. On March 7, the man started showing COVID-19 symptoms and later tested positive. Consequently, the couple was placed in isolation.

Earlier today, PM Narendra Modi along with leaders and representatives from SAARC nations participated in a video conference to chalk out a joint strategy to fight the coronavirus outbreak that has killed over 5,000 people worldwide.

Meanwhile, ten persons have been admitted to the isolation ward of the Beliaghata ID and BG Hospital in Kolkata with coronavirus-like symptoms, a senior health department official said on Sunday.

All the 10 persons, who are from across West Bengal, have a history of travelling abroad or coming in contact with foreigners, he said.

Earlier 20 passengers of a Dubai-bound flight were offloaded at the Kochi airport on Sunday shortly before take-off after the UK national among them tested positive for novel coronavirus, taking the tally to 107 cases in India.

ALSO READ | 'Wasn't afraid after getting symptoms': How India's first coronavirus patient was cured

COVID-19: CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR STATE HERE

S Ramalingam, District Magistrate, Sonabhadra, UP: Four of a family have recently returned from Nepal, so they have been kept in an isolation ward in a hospital in Renusagar. This is part of the routine process to check if they have the virus.  

No religious, social, political gatherings, protests of over 50 in Delhi till March 31: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said religious, social, cultural and political gatherings as well as protests comprising more than 50 people will not be allowed in the national capital till March 31 in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

READ FULL STORY HERE 

Click on this link for today's (MARCH 16) COVID-19 LIVE UPDATES

Noida administration orders closure of all cinema halls, gyms till March 31 (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Tata Motors asks staff in office-based roles to work from home amid COVID-19 outbreak

Tata Motors has asked its staff in office-based roles at headquarters and regional offices to work from home with effect from Monday in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to an internal memo by the company's Managing Director and CEO Guenter Butschek to its employees. With the outbreak spreading beyond China's border, the company has constituted a team to monitor and initiate actions to reduce risk to employees and has developed a three tier response plan based on incidence of infection in cities it operates it or has manufacturing sites. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Events at BAPS Swaminarayan Shikharbaddh Mandirs, Hari Mandirs, and Satsang centres to be postponed

All Sunday, weekly&daily sabhas, events and festivals like Murti-Pratistha, Patotsav, Poonam, Ekadashi etc. for all age groups at all BAPS Swaminarayan Shikharbaddh Mandirs, Hari Mandirs, and Satsang centres across India to be postponed. Darshan and Abhishek (where applicable) at all BAPS Swaminarayan Mandirs in India will remain open as usual.

Shutdown in Lucknow till March 31

Lucknow administration has shut down all cinema halls, multiplexes, gyms, swimming pools and discotheques in the state capital till March 31. The decision has been taken in view of the coronavirus scare after two patients tested positive in Lucknow.

No film, TV, digital shoot from March 19 to 31

A notification unanimously issued by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association, Federation of Western India Cine Employees and other similar bodies have ordered that shooting for films, TV shows, digital and other kinds of entertainment format will have to remain suspended between March 19 to 31.

 (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Kerala IT parks to follow strict protocols to combat COVID 19 threat

  1. Thermal screening is being deployed in all the buildings from tomorrow onwards. Those who have higher than normal temperatures and other symptoms like cough, cold etc will be directed to the medical facility in the IT parks for further directions. Employees may be requested to cooperate with this.
  2. The Park campuses are being sanitised on a daily basis. The campuses will be fumigated and disinfected on a regular basis.
  3. Work from home may be encouraged to the maximum extent possible. 
  4. Visitor entry to the campuses will be restricted. Only highly essential visits will be permitted to the campus.
  5. All conferences and meetings of large gatherings may please be postponed 
  6. Large gatherings may please be avoided in the buildings / campuses
  7. Crowd at food courts may be avoided by using appropriate time slots for floors/ companies
  8. Foreign visitors will be permitted only if they have undergone health screening at the port of entry. They may also have to undergo quarantine, if required, as per the Government guidelines.
  9. Employees who have returned from Corona affected areas may also be quarantined, if required, as per the Government guidelines
  10. All non-essential travel of the employees may please be avoided
  11. Please make use of the Technopark/ Infopark medical facility wherever required.
  12. Employees who have fever, cold, cough, soar throat etc may avoid attending office
  13. Employees may keep social distancing - keep at a suitable distance from others in gatherings, public transport etc
  14. In case any employee develops any symptoms, please make use of the Park ambulance to go to hospital.
  15. Gyms inside the parks will be closed until further orders
  16. All games/ matches within the IT parks have been postponed
  17. All companies are requested to prepare Business Continuity plans, in case of any disruptions in the working, even though unlikely as of now

Cinema halls, schools, gyms to remain closed in Haryana till March 31

Kerala government imposes restrictions on large gatherings in Guruvayur and Kodungallur temples in Thrissur district. People will be allowed only in limited numbers.

Kin of deceased victim tested positive for COVID-19 in Karnataka's Kalaburgi

He said that BMCRI (Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute) confirmed the development of this patient, who was a relative of the 76-year old man, who died due to COVID-19 on March 10, the country's first coronavirus death. When contacted to get further information, the Deputy Commissioner said that he would brief the press on Monday with more details.(READ FULL STORY HERE)

Gauhati HC to hear only urgent matters; adjourns all other cases indefinitely amid coronavirus threat: Sources

Jaipur doctors cure three out of four coronavirus patients via combination of medicines

Amid the global scare over coronavirus, a major piece of good news has surfaced in Jaipur. Three out of the four COVID-19 patients have been cured with a novel combination of medicines given to Malaria, Swine Flu and HIV positive patients at the state's biggest government hospital, the Sawai Mansingh Hospital in Jaipur.(READ FULL STORY HERE) 

Noida admin launches helpline for queries related to coronavirus

Noida administration launches dedicated email id dmgbncorona@gmail.com and 24x7 phone line 0120 2569901 for queries related to coronavirus.

Telangana COVID-19 positive tally rises to 3

Uttarakhand reports its first positive case of coronavirus

Trainee IFS officer with travel history to Spain tests positive in Uttarakhand

 (READ FULL STORY HERE)

University of Hyderabad suspends academic activities

Institutions closed in view of coronavirus

  • Gopichand academy in Hyderabad closed till March 31

  • Science City in Kolkata will remain closed till March 31 or until further notice

  • J&K: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board issues advisory to NRIs/ foreigners & other visitors not to visit the Shrine for 28 days after landing in India

  • Domestic visitors having symptoms like cough, heavy fever and breathing problems are also advised to reschedule or postpone their visit to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine

  • West Bengal: Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, in Howrah to remain closed from today until further notice

    • Kerala confirms two more COVID cases; total cases in India rises to 108

    Kerala tested two more positive cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 24 including three discharged cases earlier. The two positive cases include a UK citizen who was de-boarded from a Dubai-bound flight at the Cochin International Airport after he slipped away from a resort in Idukki. A doctor from Thiruvananthapuram who came from a foreign country after a course recently, also tested positive.

    (READ FULL STORY HERE) 

    FIR lodged against father of coronavirus patient in Agra

    An FIR was lodged in Agra against the father of a coronavirus positive woman for resisting information after his daughter fled quarantine in Bengaluru.

    (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    LISTEN | This man narrates his ordeal as a traveller who had to self-quarantine in wake of coronavirus

    ISIS travel advisory warns terrorists off coronavirus-hit Europe

    The Middle East-based terror outfit, which has in the past encouraged operatives to plot attacks in Europe, also instructed those of its followers who may have become ill with coronavirus not to leave the region, in order to prevent the disease spreading. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    No nation can afford to be unresponsive in wake of coronavirus: Pakistan PM's special assistant

    No nation can afford to be unresponsive to situation in wake of coronavirus outbreak, says Pakistan PM's Special Assistant on Health Zafar Mirza

    Calcutta HC, subordinate courts to hear only urgent matters from March 17

    'From Tuesday (March 17), the cause list will be published for only those matters which are urgent in nature and mentioned before the respective benches for listing,' the notification said.

    Thankful to PM Modi for bringing and hosting our people back from Wuhan: Bangladesh CM Sheikh Hasina

    We must all prepare together, act together and succeed together: PM Modi concludes SAARC video conference speech

    "Our people-to-people ties are ancient and our societies are deeply interconnected. Therefore, we must all prepare together, act together and succeed together," said PM Modi concluding his speech and thanking his counterparts' for participating in this video-conference discussion to tackle COVID-19.

    Essential to share perspectives as we are in an unknown situation: PM Modi tells SAARC member countries

    Prepare but don't panic: PM Modi sets India's mantra to tackle coronavirus

    We started screening entry of foreign nationals into India from January itself: PM Modi on efforts to curb spread of COVID-19

    We started screening entry into India from mid-January itself, while also gradually increasing restrictions on travel. ​The step-by-step approach has helped avoid panic: PM

    Have made special efforts to reach out to vulnerable groups: PM Modi at SAARC video conference on coronavirus

    We have made special efforts to reach out to vulnerable groups. ​We have worked to quickly ramp up capacity in our system including through training our medical staff across the country, said PM Modi.

    We have responded to call of our people abroad, evacuated nearly 1,400 Indians from different countries: PM Modi

    So far our region has recorded less than 150 cases, says PM Modi at SAARC member countries' video conference

    I would like to thank you all for joining this special interaction at short notice. As we all know, COVID-19 has recently been classified by W.H.O. as a pandemic. ​So far, our region has listed fewer than 150 cases: PM Modi at SAARC video conferencing on coronavirus

    WATCH | PM Modi addresses coronavirus crisis over video conference of SAARC member countries

    BJP issues notice to state party units to postpone all kinds of major programmes in view of coronavirus

    Al-Aqsa mosque, third holiest in Islam, closes indefinitely over coronavirus

    Sheikh Omar Kiswani, the director of the mosque, said Sunday that prayers will continue to be held outdoors. The closure is to continue indefinitely. Iran is battling one of the worst outbreaks outside China, with nearly 13,000 confirmed cases and more than 600 fatalities. (READ MORE)

    Bihar govt suspends bus service to Nepal

    Briefing the decision of the government, Transport Secretary Sanjay Agarwal said here today that the bus services from Patna to Nepal would remain suspended till March 31st. The Bihar State Road Transport Corporation was plying two buses everyday on Gaya-Patna-Kathmandu Road whereas on Patna -Jakkanpur Road four buses where being run everyday.

    No new cases of coronavirus, people cooperating: Karnataka CM

    PM speaks to Maharashtra CM on mitigation efforts

    The telephonic conversation, which took place at 11 am, was centred on the efforts by the state and the Centre to tackle the situation. Thackeray informed the PM about the measures taken by his government, sources said.

    Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust appeals devotees to postpone visits

    "As per the directives of the government, I request the devotees to postpone their visit to Shirdi for a few days," said Arun Dongre, Chief Executive Officer of Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi. (READ HERE)

    A sandbrick worker wearing mask in Tirupati. (Photo | Madhav K, EPS)

    Telangana shuts pubs

    The Telangana government has ordered the closure of bars, clubs and other public gathering places in the state till March 21 in the wake of an outbreak of coronavirus across the country. "In the circumstances stated in the reference cited and in exercise of the powers vested under Section 72 of Telangana Excise Act 1968, Government, hereby direct the Director, Prohibition and Excise, Hyderbabad to close all bars, club, tourism bars and permit rooms of A4 shops upto 21st March, 2020," the notification read.

    Outbreak affects Kerala tourism

    10 people with COVID-19 symptoms hospitalised in Kolkata

    All the 10 persons, who are from across the state, have a history of travelling abroad or coming in contact with foreigners, he said. (READ HERE)

    Delhi to disinfect buses daily

    The Delhi government has ordered all mini buses to be disinfected daily in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the city where seven positive cases and one death have been reported so far. The government had recently also ordered the agencies concerned to disinfect all DTC and cluster buses in the wake of the outbreak of the virus.

    Doon University suspends classes, postpones exams

    Amid coronavirus outbreak concerns, all teaching activities at Doon University in Uttarakhand have been suspended till March 31. The University has also decided to shut down hostels for students from March 16 and has postponed the pre-schedule mid-term exams, which were scheduled to commence from March 23.

    Operations normal at Kochi Airport

    WATCH | Bus conductor distributes face masks in Karnataka

    Assam government shuts schools, theatres

    Barring board examinations, all exams scheduled till March 29 now stand cancelled. (READ MORE)

    Cleaning missions intensified

    Railway contract employees during a cleaning drive at Tirupati Railway Station. (Photo Madhav K, EPS)

    Bengaluru drug dealers booked for hoarding masks, hand santisers

    The police booked cases against many pharmacies for allegedly selling the essential medical items 2-3 times over the maximum retail price. (READ HERE)

    Madhya Pradesh jail inmates to make masks for health department

    The inmates of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Jail in Jabalpur started making the masks after a request from the state health department, DIG Gopal Tamrakar said. (READ HERE)

    Kerala tourism badly hit as coronavirus fear looms across state

    First person: Self-quarantine in the time of coronavirus

    I restricted myself mainly to the Business Lounge and Transit hotel within the airport. I neither ventured out of the airport nor roamed too much inside the airport. I didn't see many people wearing masks, neither at Los Angeles nor Frankfurt airports. (READ MORE)

    59-year-old woman tests positive for coronavirus in Aurangabad; total cases in Maharashtra rise to 32

    "The woman has tested positive for coronavirus infection. She had travelled to Russia and Kazakhstan. She has been quarantined at Dhoot Hospital in Aurangabad," an official said. (READ MORE)

    JUST IN: Positive coronavirus cases rise to 107 in India

    Uttarakhand government declares coronavirus as epidemic

    The officials from the state health department said that if anyone tests positive and the number of cases rise in the hill state, the department has chalked out a plan to build a temporary hospital of 100 beds like China to control the outbreak. (READ MORE)

    20 passengers deboard at Kochi airport after UK national tests positive for coronavirus

  • 20 people were deboarded at Kochi Airport after a UK man tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday.

  • The flight took off with a total of 269 people on board after a delay of seven hours.

  • Authorities said the entire flight and the passengers were sanitized, before allowing the flight to take off.

  • The passenger belonged to a group of 19 holidaying in the hill resort town of Munnar and was under surveillance.

  • The UK national and his wife have been admitted to Kalamassery Medical College.

  • The remaining travellers have been sent to Munnar for further measures.

    • (Inputs from ENS)

    Karnataka Health Minister visits GIMS in Kalaburgi for inspection

    40 lakh techies to work from home as govt relaxes norms

    IT industry body Nasscom and various others have been urging the government to relax the norms under the existent OSP rulebook, under which the firms are required to set up Provider Provisioned Virtual Private Network connectivity, and share locations of their extended agents (employees) as well as deposit security for availing such services. (READ MORE)

    Amitabh Bachchan cancels Sunday meet with fans outside his residence amid coronavirus

    Coronavirus impact: Demand for hand sanitizers up 400 per cent

    Most cities, including the national capital region, are running out of protective masks and hand sanitizers after the government has declared them as essential commodity, mainly due to hoarding by people as well as shopkeepers. (READ MORE)

    Western Railways has decided to withdraw curtains from trains to prevent spread of coronavirus

    Local body polls postponed: Andhra Election Commissioner

    We have decided to postpone the local body polls for six weeks in the wake of coronavirus spread. New dates will be announced once the spread of the virus is contained: Andhra Pradesh Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar

    We began seeing negative impact of coronavirus in last week of January

    We began seeing negative impact of coronavirus in last week of January when customers started cancelling flight bookings for China. In February, we saw about 35% fall in international bookings compared to Feb 2019: Madhav Oza, Director, Blue Star Air Travel Services in Mumbai

    Soldiers have volunteered to provide care countrymen returning from overseas: Indian Army

    Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer is fully equipped facility to help Indian citizens undertake mandatory quarantine period under the supervision of skilled medical authorities. Soldiers have volunteered to provide care and support to our countrymen returning from overseas: Indian Army

    UT Administrator issues 'The Chandigarh Epidemic Disease, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020'

    Chandigarh: Exercising power conferred under sections 2,3 & 4 of The Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, UT Administrator V P Singh Badnore issues 'The Chandigarh Epidemic Disease, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020'.

    The govt has issued advisory asking civil hospitals & medical colleges to set up isolation wards. We are trying our best to contain spread of coronavirus which has spread to 12 states: Union Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey

    We bought the masks at Rs 10 and are selling at Rs 2: Cochin Surgicals co-owner

    Thasleem PK, co-owner of Cochin Surgicals: For the last 8 years we have been selling masks at Rs 2. But now, the rate has gone up everywhere. We bought the masks at Rs 8 or Rs 10 & are selling at Rs 2, while others are selling at Rs 25.

    A surgical shop in Kochi sold around 5000 masks at Rs 2 each in two days

    Pune Police arrests three for selling substandard sanitisers

    Hotels in Jammu and Kashmir issued advisory amid coronavirus threat

    Jammu Municipal Corporation initiate drive

    TTD cancel waiting system for devotees in compartments

    Andhra Pradesh: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, the administrative body of Lord Balaji temple at Tirumala, has decided to temporarily cancel the waiting system for devotees in compartments, in wake of #coronavirus. Devotees will be allotted tokens in different time-slots.

    Coronavirus fake news

    Mumbai Police issues order

    As a precautionary measure to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus, Mumbai Police has issued an order prohibiting conduct of any kind of tour involving group of people traveling together to a foreign or domestic destination organised by private tour operators or otherwise using powers u/s 144 Cr. PC. The order shall remain in force from 00.01 hrs of 15/03/2020 to 24.00 hrs of 31/03/2020. However, should anyone, including private tour operators, need to travel under exceptional circumstances, they may do so after seeking permission from the office of the Commissioner of Police,Greater Mumbai.

    Five more test positive for coronavirus in Pune suburbs, cases in Maharashtra rise to 31

    There is no sign of reducing the corona virus-positive patients in Maharashtra. With the more five patients in Pimpri Chinchwad, the extended suburb of Pune, the total corona virus-positive patients are now 31 in Maharashtra along with one corona positive suspected death of 71-year-old in Buldhana. (READ MORE)

    UK national tests positive for coronavirus; all 289 passengers offloaded at Kochi airport

    At least 289 passengers of a Dubai-bound flight were offloaded at the airport here on Sunday shortly before takeoff after a UK national among them tested positive for novel coronavirus, (READ MORE)

    JUST IN: 'The Batman' shuts down production for two weeks due to coronavirus

    According to reports, the suspension comes as the film crew was planning location change to Liverpool. (ALSO READ)

    Karnataka Education Ministry postpones school exams till March 31

    Fresh advisory issued for travel and tourism sector in Kerala

    The advisory lists the Dos and Don’ts to be followed by symptomatic and quarantined travellers isolated in hotels/resorts/homestays/lodges and other places. (READ MORE)

    Indians from Milan to be shifted to Indo-Tibetan Border Police's Chhawla camp

    Do not kiss holy cross, says Archbishop Goa over coronavirus threat

    The advisory issued by Archbishop of Goa Daman and Diu, Filipe Neri Ferrao also urged people to not shake hands and offer a Namaste instead. (READ MORE)

    States in Lockdown Mood

    In view of coronavirus outbreak pilgrimage to Kartarpur Sahib suspended

    On Saturday, Pakistan government had announced suspension of all types of passenger movement from 00:00 hours on March 15 through the Indo-Bangla, Indo-Nepal, Indo-Bhutan and Indo-Myanmar borders barring a few specified border checkposts. (READ MORE)

    Health Minister shares the science behind hand washing to kill coronavirus

    No waiting for darshan at Tirupati temple amid coronavirus threat

    According to the TTD EO, pilgrims will be allowed for darshan by limiting the number in the allotted time-slots. (READ MORE)

    WATCH | 236 Indians evacuated from Iran will be in medical supervision for 15 days

    China reports 20 new coronavirus cases; jump in 'imported' infections says Health Commission

    There have now been 111 imported infections, with regions outside of Hubei reporting no new indigenous cases for the third day in the row, prompting fears that China's measures to contain the virus domestically could be undone by reintroduced outbreaks. (READ MORE)

    236 Indians evacuated from Iran reach newly created Army quarantine facility in Jaisalmer

    OPINION | Viral fears and view of the next economy

    Every crisis also arrives with its own window for reflection. As William Gibson famously said, ‘the future is here’ and is waiting to be embraced. The instruments of mitigation afford a glimpse of the next economy and dare one say, even the next society. (READ MORE)

    Diamond Princess cruise ship detainee returns home, recalls horror

    Recalling his harrowing experience, Sibasish said the Japanese health officials segregated all the passengers in the ship and kept them in separate rooms. (READ MORE)

    Five people test positive for coronavirus near Pune; positive cases in Maharashtra touches 31

    OPINION | Virus, virus, go away, l’le Johnny

    'Coronavirus forces Modiji to go down to the level of the unaffectionate Namaste. This is of course very Indian, traditional and non-touching, formally acknowledged as Anjali Mudra, meaning, I bow to the divine in you,' writes TJS George. (READ MORE)

    WATCH| First batch of Keralites stranded in Rome arrive at Kochi airport

    Special Air India flight with 211 Indian students takes off from Milan

    The evacuation by India was carried out after the World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic and said that Europe is the new epicentre of the lethal virus. (READ MORE)

    Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez's wife tests positive for coronavirus

    The condition of both the Prime Minister and his wife are assessed as "good". Both are now in their residence, following the health authorities' advice. (READ MORE)

    236 Indians who were evacuated from Iran brought to Jaisalmer

    Donald Trump tests negative for coronavirus

    US President Donald Trump has been tested negative for coronavirus, said his personal physician Sean Conley on Saturday (local time).

    "Last night, after an in-depth discussion with the President regarding COVID-19 testing, he elected to proceed. This evening, I received confirmation that the test is negative," Conley said in a statement released by the White House.

    (READ MORE)

    24-yr-old man tested positive for coronavirus in Rajasthan

    A 24-year-old man has been tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur, taking the total of cases in Rajasthan to four, the state health department confirmed on Saturday.

    The man has recently returned from Spain.

    Taking every measure to ensure compliance with best advice from medical authorities: IndiGo

    In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, IndiGo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ronojoy Dutta said that the airline is taking all possible measures to ensure compliance with the best advice from medical authorities and the government.

    Malls, multiplexes and restaurants stare at losses of up to Rs 20 crores per week

    The two-week closure is set to affect not just the retail industry, but also related industries like film and food and beverage outlets. Fear of contracting the virus had already slowed down social activities with the entire industry staring at massive losses. (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

    Mysore Palace to remain closed till March 22

    Bihar jail inmates to not have visitors

    The Bihar prison department banned visitors including prisoners' kins in 54 jails across the state on Saturday, as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.

    (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

    Kerala takes the prison route to solve mask crisis

    Number of coronavirus cases worldwide passes 150,000

    The number of coronavirus cases worldwide passed 150,000 on Saturday driven by a spike in infections in Italy. 

    Italy, the worst-hit country outside of China where the outbreak began in December, has now registered a total of 21,157 cases and 1,441 deaths.

    India suspends all land border crossings

    Preventive measures are important, even US President agrees

    Trump takes COVID-19 test, results awaited

    US President Donald Trump on Saturday finally took the coronavirus test as questions swirled about why he, his top aides and his family weren't doing more to protect themselves and others after repeated exposure to COVID-19.

    Modi to lead SAARC nations to chalk roadmap on virus tomorrow

    Punjab closes all cinema halls, gyms indefinitely

    The Punjab government on Saturday announced the closure of all cinema halls, gyms and swimming pools till further orders. The order comes into effect from Saturday midnight. Punjab has reported one positive case of coronavirus (Covid-19) out of the 96 samples collected. The patient, who was diagnosed positive, had returned from Italy along with his family.

    (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

    People in Kerala on alert as COVID-19 cases increase

    (Photo| TP Sooraj)

    24-year-old man tests positive for coronavirus in Jaipur upon return from Spain

    "The 24-year-old male who returned from Spain on March 14 has tested positive today. He flew to Delhi from Madrid and then from Delhi to Jaipur in an Air India flight," said Additional Chief Secretary, Medical and Health, Rohit Kumar Singh.

    (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

    UAE suspends visas to foreigners from March 17

    The Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship said in a statement released on Saturday that the "move comes as part of the precautionary measures taken by the UAE in response to the World Health Organisation's declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, a development which reflects the high risks" associated with travelling while the virus is spreading across borders at a fast pace.

    Gujarat to ban public spitting to curb coronavirus spread

    Though there has been no coronavirus case in Gujarat, the state government is taking stringent measures to curb its spread. "We are discussing ways to ban spitting in public places with the district collectors, municipal commissioners and municipality chief officers through video link. We are also discussing how to penalise spitting, which can be a cause of coronavirus spread," said Jayanti Ravi, Principal Secretary (health and family welfare department).

    26 and counting: Maharashtra now has the most coronavirus cases in India

    With nine more coronavirus cases confirmed in Maharashtra on Saturday, the state has overtaken Kerala to have the highest number of cases in the country with 26. Of these, ten have been quarantined in Pune, five in Mumbai, four in Nagpur, two in Yavatmal and one each in Navi Mumbai, Kalyan, Thane, Panvel and Ahmednagar.

    (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

    Saffron-clad swami hosts 'gaumutra party' in Delhi to 'beat' coronavirus

    (Photo| AP)(CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

    Padma Awards ceremony postponed

    The Ministry said the new date and time of the ceremony will be announced later. (READ HERE)

    IPL 13 will be shortened: Ganguly

    "It will happen, because if it is April 15, then, in any case 15 days are gone, it has to be truncated. How truncated, how many games, I can't say at the moment," the BCCI president said. (READ HERE)

    Maharashtra govt closes educational institutions till March 31

    Two arrested in Karnataka for spreading false news

    According to police, the arrested men spread false information about a girl from Nanjangud being positive for coronavirus. Soon after the post, which had the girl's image morphed on a private television channel, was shared on social media platforms, the girl turned up at the Nanjangud town police station to clarify that she was healthy and the post was false.

    335 persons with travel history to coronavirus-hit countries missing

    CHANDIGARH: Punjab government on Saturday informed that as many as 335 passengers with travel history to the COVID-19 affected countries are untraceable. (READ HERE)

    Visitors cleaning their hands using hand sanitiser at the ticket counter of Coimbatore Corporation Zoo. (Photo | U Rakesh Kumar, EPS)

    Journalists who interviewed Karnataka COVID-19 victim's son quarantined

    The victim's son, his wife, sister and his son have been under observation in an isolated ward at the state-run ESI Hospital in the city since Friday. (READ HERE)

    Lucknow man shows coronavirus symptoms, hospitalised

    The 22-year-old is a relative of the Indian-origin woman from Canada who tested positive for the contagious disease on March 11. (READ MORE)

    Indian tests positive for coronavirus in Rwanda

    An Indian citizen arrived who arrived Rwanda from Mumbai on March 8 has been tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the first confirmed case in the east African country. (READ HERE)

    Odisha Anganwadis to deliver food at children's doorsteps

    India to treat coronavirus as 'notified disaster'

    The move would enable the states to spend a larger chunk of funds from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to fight the pandemic. (READ HERE)

    Google employee's wife faces jail for fleeing quarantine

    The woman, after her return from Italy was put under quarantine after her husband showed symptoms of the COVID-19. But defying protocols, she escaped from Bengaluru on March 8 and flew to New Delhi and then took a train to Agra to be with her parents. (READ HERE)

    Man coming from Bengaluru quarantined in Kerala

    A man coming from Bengaluru was isolated in Thrissur after Motor Vehicles Department's inspection found him with with high temperature in aninter-state bus on Saturday. As per the sources in the health department, the person was returning home from Qatar and landed in flight in Bengaluru. He took a bus from Bengaluru to Thrissur, while the inspection was held at Mannuthy.

    Two more suspected cases in Telangana

    Centre announces Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia to kin of dead

    The kin of those who succumb to the infection during relief operations or associated in response activities will also be given the aid.

    BCCI puts domestic matches on hold

    The BCCI on Saturday announced that all matches of the Paytm Irani Cup, Senior Women's One-Day Knockout, Vizzy Trophy, Senior Women's One-Day Challenger, Women's Under 19 One-Day knockout, Women’s Under 19 T20 League, Super League and knockout, Women's Under 19 T20 Challenger Trophy, Women's Under 23 knockout, Women’s Under 23 One-Day Challenger have been suspended until further notice.

    'Norm on COVID-19 negative certificate not new'

    The Directorate General of Civil Aviation's directive insisting on a negative test result for COVID-19 as a pre-requisite for evacuation is not a newly-introduced norm but part of a policy the Centre has been adopting for all evacuations since the viral outbreak first occurred in China, Minister of State For External Affairs V Muraleedharan told TNIE in an interview. (READ HERE)

    Mask-themed pre-wedding photoshoot in Mysuru

    Madhu Gupta and Titu posed for a mask-themed photoshoot to spread awareness on the use of wearing them amidst the COVID-19 scare. (Photo | EPS)

    J&K medical officer suspended for refusing to monitor suspected COVID-19 cases

    He allegedly refused surveillance duty to monitor suspected coronavirus cases placed under home quarantine in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said on Saturday. (READ HERE)

    Keralites from Rome reaches Aluva hospital

    First batch of 21 stranded passengers from Rome International Airport arrives at Aluva taluk hospital on Saturday. (Photo | A Sanesh, ENS)

    Five labs for coronavirus testing in Uttar Pradesh

    The labs have been set up in King George's Medical University Lucknow, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences Lucknow, Baba Raghav Das Medical College Gorakhpur, Banaras Hindu University, and in Aligarh said CM Yogi Adityanath. (READ HERE)

    COVID-19 can survive on your phone surface for a few days

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends cleaning all “high-touch” surfaces daily, including phones, keyboards and tablet computers. Here is how you can clean them. (CLICK HERE)

    Screenings intensified

    Devotees being screened for fever at Sri Ranganathar temple Srirangam, Tiruchy (Photo | M K Ashok Kumar, EPS)

    All India Football Federation suspends all activities till March 31

    The Hero I-League now stands suspended from March 15 along with second division games, youth leagues, and all other national competitions.

    Goa to shut schools, colleges, clubs till March 31

    Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said malls, restaurants and hotels will remain ope and added that the directions for closure were only meant for places where people gather in closed premises. (READ HERE)

    Ministry of Health makes guidelines for home quarantine available online

    All schools, colleges in West Bengal to remain shut till March 31

    Board examinations will continue as per schedule, officials said. Internal examinations will also remain suspended during this period, the officials said. There will be a review of the situation on March 30, following which further decision will be taken, they added.

    Special medical help desk setup at Hubballi railway

    Apple to close all stores outside China until March 27

    "One of those lessons is that the most effective way to minimize risk of the virus's transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance," CEO Tim Cook said in a statement.

    WATCH | Measures taken by Railways to check coronavirus

    Telangana reports second coronavirus positive case

    Telangana confirmed a fresh coronavirus positive case on Saturday taking the total number of those infected to two. The patient with travel history to Italy has been quarantined at the state-run Gandhi hospital in Hyderabad, CM K Chandrasekhar Rao told the Assembly. (READ MORE)

    Infosys evacuates Bengaluru office after employee comes in contact with suspected COVID-19 patient

    The development comes after the Karnataka government advised IT and other professionals working in air-conditioned places to work from home for time being, for about a week, to prevent the spread of the virus. (READ MORE)

    COVID 19: 81000 teachers to be trained online in Kerala

    Necessity is the mother of invention goes the old saying and hence Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) on Saturday decided to give specific IT training in an online mode for over 81,000 primary teachers in the state, through a focussed intervention in 11,274 schools. (READ MORE)

    https://images.newindianexpress.com/uploads/user/resources/pdf/2020/3/14/Guidelines_DT_13.03_.2020_.pdf.pdf

    As blood banks reports shortage, Kerala leaders donate blood

    West Bengal seals border with Bhutan in wake of outbreak

    The Himalayan kingdom had earlier this month banned the entry of foreigners after an American tourist tested positive for the coronavirus. (READ MORE)

    Coronavirus awareness programme in Chennai

    All government, private colleges and schools to be closed till March 31: Himachal CM

    All educational institutions and cinema halls have been closed in Himachal Pradesh till March 31 as a precautionary measure to check community transmission of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said in the state assembly on Saturday. (READ MORE)

    Toilets on trains will be washed at major stations: East Coast Railway

    East Coast Railway has directed to remove blankets in (AC) Tire I, II and III train coaches, in view of pandemic Coronavirus. Toilets on trains will be washed at major stations: JP Mishra, PRO, East Coast Railway

    Goa CM Pramod Sawant holds high-level review meeting

    WATCH | Blankets of trains being disinfected at plant in Muzaffarpur

    Special isolation ward set up in railway hospital at Karbighiya end

    Bihar: Special isolation ward has been set up in railway hospital at Karbighiya end of Patna junction as precautionary measure for coronavirus. Dr Shyamal Das says,"It is 10-bedded ward with all necessary medical equipment.A nodal officer has been appointed&a control room set up".

    Malls in Bengaluru have been closed amid COVID-19 pandemic

    Mumbai Cricket Association suspends all its cricket activities

    Mumbai Cricket Association has suspended all its cricket activities & tournaments till 31st March in wake of state government's advisory about COVID-19.

    Some pharmacies have stopped selling N95 masks

    People with lung-related ailments need to take extra precautions: Dr Neeraj Jain

    Coronavirus behaves similarly to influenza and H1N1 viruses. If one is infected, then, it's important to isolate oneself. People with lung-related ailments need to take extra precautions: Dr. Neeraj Jain, Chairperson, Dept of Chest Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital

    Compulsorily use masks and hand sanitizers in public places: DIPR, Nagaland

    The Home Department has directed all the Deputy Commissioners to issue notice for ensuring that people compulsorily use masks and hand sanitizers in all the public places: Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), Nagaland

    Foreign tourist footfall will decrease: Prahlad Singh Patel

    As tourist visas have been suspended, foreign tourist footfall will decrease. Our priority is to follow the instructions of the Health Ministry and take precautions against coronavirus: Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel

    WATCH | Vendors packing up their items at chitrakala parishath

    Will participate in SAARC video conference on coronavirus: Pakistan on PM Modi's proposal

    PM Modi reached out to the eight-member regional grouping on Friday and pitched for a video conference among the leaders of the SAARC to chalk out a strong strategy to combat coronavirus outbreak. (READ MORE)

    Virat Kohli asks people to 'stay strong, fight outbreak' as coronavirus cases rise in India

    India captain Virat Kohli has urged his countrymen to take all necessary precautions in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed lives of over 4000 people across the globe. (READ MORE)

    CIAL bans visitor's entry to Kochi Airport terminals

    CIAL banned visitor's entry to the terminals of Kochi Airport with immediate effect. Visitors are not allowed to the terminal building areas, viewers gallery. CIAL requests all the passengers to limit the accompanying persons.

    Italian citizen travel details

    Travel details of the Italian citizen at Varkala resort, tested positive for coronavirus, yet to be released.

    21 pax who were stranded in Italy arrived at COK

    21 pax who were stranded in Italy arrived at COK via Dubai by Emirates. They are being shifted to Aluva Hospital for further investigation.

    Odia couple from Canada quarantined in Balangir

    The husband and wife had come to their native place Titlagarh on Wednesday to attend funeral of the man’s father who died earlier this week. (READ MORE)

    Hotels in Odisha asked to collect travel history of guests

    The Odisha Government has asked owners of hotels and other accommodation providers to collect guests’ detailed travel history of last three weeks. (READ MORE)

    Isolation ward has been set up at Tihar Jail: Official

    An isolation ward has been set up at the jail. All inmates have been checked & not displayed symptoms, new inmates are being screened & will be kept in different wards for 3 days. Around 17,500 inmates are lodged at the jail currently: Tihar Jail official

    335 passengers with history of travel to COVID-19 affected countries are untraceable

    We have decided to evacuate one of our satellite buildings in Bengaluru: Infosys

    We have taken a decision to evacuate one of our satellite buildings in Bengaluru as a precautionary measure, as one of our employees had been in contact with an individual with suspected COVID-19: Infosys

    Every devotee provided with hand sanitizer while entering the temple premises

    Aadesh Bandekar, Chairman, Shree Siddhivinayak Temple Trust, Mumbai on preventive measures against Coronavirus: Every devotee is being provided with hand sanitizer while entering the temple premises. The temple floors and hand railings are being cleaned and sanitized frequently.

    COVID-19 suspects will be brought back to hospital

    Nagpur: 5 COVID-19 suspects escaped from isolation ward of Mayo Hospital. S Suryavanshi, Sub-Inspector Nagpur police station says, "One of them had tested negative, reports of other 4 were awaited. We have traced them & they will be brought back to hospital by the administration."

    Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra rises to 19

    Two more positive cases of COVID-19 reported yesterday, one each from Ahmednagar & Mumbai. Total positive coronavirus cases in the state rises to 19: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope

    RSS cancels crucial meet in Bengaluru due to coronavirus

    Suresh Joshi appealed to all RSS workers to cooperate with administration to create awareness among public and to face this challenge successfully. (READ MORE)

    Theaters, gyms and public gardens in Nagpur closed

    All movie theaters, gyms, swimming pools and public gardens in Nagpur are closed till 30th March, as a preventive measure against coronavirus.

    Crisis-hit Venezuela reports first coronavirus case

    The announcement prompted President Iván Duque of neighboring Colombia to order his nation's border with Venezuela closed as a coronavirus containment measure. (READ MORE)

    Sourav Ganguly arrives at BCCI headquarters

    Odisha declares coronavirus as 'disaster', orders closure of schools, cinemas

    The Odisha Government on Friday declared COVID-19 as a 'disaster' under the provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005 to adequately empower public officials to combat the spread of coronavirus. An amount of Rs 200 crore has been earmarked to deal with the outbreak, while educational institutions and cinemas have been ordered to remain closed till March 31. (READ MORE)

    Embassy of India in USA issues advisory for Indian students

    Andhra Pradesh to implement Epidemic Diseases Act to contain coronavirus

    The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday decided to implement the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, as a precautionary measure to curb the possible spread of the novel coronavirus. (READ MORE)

    Nellore cinema halls shut down after first positive case of coronavirus in Andhra

    Cinema theatres in Nellore city, where the first positive case of COVID-19 in Andhra Pradesh was reported, were shut down on Friday as a precautionary measure to prevent mass gatherings. All the eight theatres in the city will remain closed till Saturday. (READ MORE)

    Nipah lessons come in handy for Kerala to tackle COVID-19 outbreak

    The ongoing battle with COVID-19 has brought back memories of the state’s valiant and successful fight against the Nipah virus outbreak in Kozhikode in 2018. The valuable lessons learnt in tackling Nipah has come in handy to a great extent for health authorities in taking on COVID-19. (READ MORE)

    General Hospital authorities in Kerala send COVID positive man home in major goof-up

    In a shocking lapse on the part of the health department, the third person, who flew in here from the UK and who had tested positive for COVID -19, was on Friday allowed to go home by the authorities at the Government General Hospital. (READ  MORE)

    Despite COVID-19 scare, foreign tourists continue to visit Kerala

    The COVID-19 scare has not deterred foreign tourists from coming to Kerala so far. In the last 17 days (between February 25 and March 12), 8,993 foreigners reached the state through Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) while 16,066 have flown out of the country from CIAL. (READ MORE)

    Move to track foreigners as Italian man tests positive for coronavirus

    The Italian tourist, who tested positive for COVID-19 in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, had visited Paripally, find authorities. (READ MORE)

    US couple evades quarantine at Alappuzha Medical College

    A US couple, who was referred to the isolation ward of Alappuzha Medical College Hospital, evaded quarantine and went missing on Friday. (READ MORE)

    Labs will be set up in every district: Karnataka CM Yediyurappa

    Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said on Friday that measures will be taken immediately to set up laboratories in every district to test suspected new coronavirus samples. The government will also set aside 10 beds in every government hospital for suspected COVID-19 cases, he said. (READ MORE)

    Firewalls go up across Karnataka

    A day after the country’s first COVID-19 death was confirmed from Kalaburagi, the State Government on Friday ordered the closure of all universities, malls, cinema halls, pubs, night clubs and places of entertainment across the state, which witness huge gatherings, for the next one week beginning Saturday, to contain the spread of the virus. (READ MORE)

    COVID-19: Consulates in Bengaluru apprised of visa restrictions

    Additional Chief Secretary, health and family welfare, Jawaid Akhtar on Friday held a meeting on COVID-19 with consulate-generals having their offices in Bengaluru, and updated them on advisories from the ministry of health and family welfare. (READ MORE)

    Chennai plays as coronavirus disrupts calendar elsewhere

    At a time when the Delhi government has cancelled all sporting activities due to coronavirus and the BCCI has postponed the South Africa ODIs along with the IPL, sports in Chennai seem to be running sm­o­othly. (READ MORE)

    A look at global coronavirus hotspots and impact on Indians

    Coronavirus hits export industries hard

    The disruption in supply of cheaper raw material from China due to coronavirus outbreak has severely impacted many industries in the state. Finished goods despatched to China, Italy, Germany and France too have taken a major hit, say leading industry representatives. (READ MORE)

    OPINION | Coronavirus and the rise of Namaste

    In addition to yoga, another aspect of traditional Indian lifestyle—greeting others with a namaste or namaskar—is storming the globe. This is since the world has not been left with many options in the time of the deadly and contagious coronavirus epidemic. Physicians and world leaders are advising the people to minimise social contact. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, while advising people to avoid handshakes, even demonstrated how Indians greet each other with a namaste. (READ MORE)

    Coronavirus: Indians stranded at Italy’s airports battle odds

    Sleepless hours. Frustration. Hunger. Stranded Indian passengers at Italian airports have been going through a lot in the past 72 hours. Ever since the airport officials prevented them from boarding their aircraft, the passengers have been on a fight against the injustice meted out to them. Most of them, who are still stuck there, are yet to come out of the shock. (READ MORE)

    Coronavirus infected man in Thrissur visited mall, cinema, attended betrothal

    Throwing caution to the wind, the 21-year-old man who tested positive for COVID-19 in Thrissur district visited a shopping mall, watched a movie and even participated in an engagement ceremony. (READ MORE)

    Might get tested for coronavirus: Donald Trump

    US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said he may get tested for coronavirus but clarified that he is not taking the test because he has recently been in contact with people who have contracted the virus.

    Trump, during a press conference on coronavirus, said that he would "most likely" get tested but not because of who he has come into contact with.

    Donald Trump to declare COVID-19 a national emergency

    President of United States Donald Trump is expected to declare coronavirus a national emergency. The move will allow him to used USD 40 billion allocated for disaster relief to tackle the crisis. Trump has been largely criticised for his handling of the virus pandemic.

    Earlier, despite having met with an aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who was found afterwards to test positive, the White House said that Trump will not undergo a test.

    All badminton tournaments suspended until April 12

    All Badminton World Federation (BWF) sanctioned tournaments around the world have been suspended until April 12, the badminton world body said in a statement on Friday. "Tournaments affected include the YONEX Swiss Open 2020, YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2020, Orleans Masters 2020, CELCOM Axiata Malaysia Open 2020, and Singapore Open 2020, as well as a number of international Grade three tournaments," said the BWF.

    WHO says Europe now 'epicentre' of COVID-19 pandemic

    The World Health Organization said Friday that Europe was now the "epicentre" for the global coronavirus pandemic, and warned it was impossible to know when the outbreak would peak. "Europe has now become the epicentre of the pandemic," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a virtual press conference. He said the continent had now "more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China."

    Telangana's lone coronavirus patient discharged from hospital

    Doctors said the 24-year-old was allowed to go home as he had fully recovered. However, he has been advised strict home isolation for two weeks. The techie, the lone COVID-19 positive case from Telangana, was discharged after his samples were twice tested negative. He returned to his home in Secunderabad here.

    (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

    RSS defies diktat, to go ahead with annual meeting in Bengaluru

    The annual meeting of the Rashtriya Swamyamsevak Sangh (RSS) would be held from Sunday as scheduled in the city despite a week-long lockdown in Karnataka from Monday due to coronavirus scare, an official said on Friday. "As our 3-day meeting from March 15 is internal and not for public, it will be held as scheduled in the city's southern outskirts with all precautions and safety measures in place," RSS spokesman Rajesh Padmar said.

    68-year-old woman patient dies in Delhi

    A 68-year-old woman who tested positive for coronavirus infection has died in Delhi, the Health Ministry confirmed on Friday. The West Delhi resident's death was confirmed due to comorbidity issues (diabetes and hypertension). Her son who tested positive for the virus had travel history to Switzerland and Italy between February 5th to 22nd February, 2020.
    He had returned to India asymptomatic, but after day one, developed fever and cough, after which he reported to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on March 7, 2020.

    Bachchan recites poem, asks people to wash hands

    WhatsApp admin gets cops' warning for 'false' coronavirus post

    A woman admin of a WhatsApp group and its members were given a stern warning by the police at Sangamner in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district on Friday over a "false" message posted in the group about a suspected coronavirus patient, an official said.

    The police warning came after a medical officer of First Referral Unit (FRU) and Rural Hospital in Sangamner lodged a complaint against the admin of the WhatsApp group and its another woman member for "spreading rumours" about coronavirus, the official said.

    (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

    People take precautionary measures against virus

    (Photo| EPS/ Pandarinath B)

    Good news| Anganwadi centres in Kerala deliver mid-day meals to beneficiaries at their homes

    The government has decided to provide meals at homes to ensure that the children get nutritious foods. About 3.75 lakh Anganwadi children across 33,115 Anganwadi centres across the state are being benefitted from this project. In addition, around 3 lakh pregnant and lactating mothers, 2 lakh adolescents and 4.75 lakh children under the age of 3 have already been provided with nutritional services.

     (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

    Masks, hand santizers declared 'essential commodities'

    The government on Friday declared masks, including N95, and hand sanitizers as 'essential commodities' in the wake of the coronavirus scare leading to shortages and black marketing of these items. These items will remain under essential commodities segment till June-end, a move aimed at ensuring availability at reasonable prices and cracking down on hoarders/black marketeers.

    (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

    Nursery schools to shut down in Tamil Nadu

    The Tamil Nadu government has asked nursery schools to remain shut till March 31. Primary schools in districts bordering Kerala would remain shut as well.

    Three more test positive for virus in Kerala

    Three more persons have tested positive for coronavirus, the chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed on Friday. He added that one is an Italian, another is an Indian who returned from the UK and the third patient has a travel history to Italy and Germany.

    Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for coronavirus

    Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been tested positive for coronavirus on Friday, according to local media. He had undergone a test for the new coronavirus after a top aide contracted the disease following a trip on which both met with Donald Trump, his son said Thursday.

     (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

    N95 masks, 2-ply and 3-ply surgical masks, sanitizers declared essential commodities temporarily: Consumer Affairs Ministry

    Punjab closes all schools till March 31 

    Punjab Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla on Friday announced the closing of all schools in the state till March 31 as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus. He, however, said exams would be continued to be conducted according to schedule. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Jammu & Kashmir coronavirus positive cases now 2

    Malls, theatres to remain open in Maharashtra

    Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope clarifies that malls and theaters will remain open.

    IIT-Delhi students asked to leave hostels by Sunday

    The Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi campus has directed students to leave hostels by Sunday in view of coronavirus threat. Foreign students, PhD scholars whose research is at crucial stage however may stay in hostels.

    SC to hear only urgent matters from Monday

    In view of coronavirus the functioning of the Supreme Court from Monday (16th March) shall be restricted to urgent matters with such number of benches as may be found appropriate.

    Uttarakhand government cancels celebrations on completing three years

    Uttarakhand government on Friday cancelled celebrations titled 'Batien Kam Kaam Zyada' scheduled on March 18 to highlight the government's achievements on the occasion of completing three years. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said, "Keeping in view the safety of the people, we have decided to do away with celebrations, gatherings and rallies scheduled on March 18." (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    MHA, MEA, Civil Aviation ministry brief on coronavirus measures

    Dammu Ravi, MEA: Around 220 students are in and around Milan, Italy, our priority is to bring them back. If any other students are left behind they can contact our missions, and we wil lsee what next we can do.

    Rubina Ali, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation: Air India would be taking flight to Milan (Italy) to bring back Indians stranded there. The flight would take off tomorrow afternoon and would be landing on Sunday morning at Delhi Airport. 

    Anil Malik, MHA: Indo-Bangladesh passenger buses/trains to remain suspended till 15th April. Along Indo-Nepal border 4 check posts will remain operational. For Bhutan and Nepal nationals visa-free entry to continue.

    Health Ministry briefing on Coronavirus

  • Till now, there are 81 confirmed cases in India, out of which 64 are Indians, 16 Italians and 1 Canadian national.

  • More than 4000 put under surveillaince for contact with the confirmed cases. 42,296 passengers under community surveillance, out of which 2,559 were symptomatic and 522 hospitalized including 17 foreign nationals.

  • 124 evacuees from Japan and 112 evacuees from China are being discharged after having tested negative for coronavirus in second round of tests.

  • If masks are sold at exorbitant prices then States can take action as per law.

  • Coronavirus not a health emergency but Centre trying to support initiative taken by states in terms of managing the situation by invoking epidemic act.

    • 10 COVID-19 suspects go missing in Ludhiana

    A total of 480 people returned from various countries in Ludhiana district but whereabouts of 10 of them are not known.

    Remaining two India vs SA ODI matches called off

    (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Remaining two India vs SA ODI matches called off

  • School in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad will be closed till further notice except for class 10, 12 exams.

  • Gyms, swimming pools in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Pimpri-Chinchawad to be closed till March 30

    • Delhi L-G issues COVID-19 regulations to take action against those refusing treatment

    Madhya Pradesh govt orders closure of schools; exams to take place as per schedule

    Govt releases the route map of the places travelled by the Kannur resident

    IIMC suspends classes till March 31

    One more person tests positive for coronavirus in Pune, total 84 cases in India

    Remaining I-League matches to be conducted behind closed doors

    Kerala COVID-19 suspect back from Italy was earlier told to go home though he disclosed symptoms 

    Exposing glaring lapses in COVID19 prevention measures, it has now come to light that health authorities here did not take proper precautions in the case of an air passenger from Italy who voluntarily informed them that he had a suspected viral infection. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    UP education institutes to remain shut till March 22, exams postponed

     (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Karnataka cancels leaves of all government doctors and health officials.

    Markets make record-breaking recovery after worst-ever crash over coronavirus fears

    Indian stock markets staged a sharp, record-breaking recovery on Friday after an initial crash saw trade suspended for the first time in twelve years. The BSE Sensex regained the 34,000 point mark to close 4.04 per cent higher at 34,103.5, while the NSE Nifty closed just shy of the 10,000 mark at 9,955.20 (up 3.81%) after bargain seekers flooded the market in search of blue-chip stocks at throw-away prices and market regulator Sebi said it would “take any action” required to contain the carnage.

    Man who returned from Italy tests positive in Army's Manesar facility

     (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Bihar announces closures of cinema halls, education institutes till March 31

  • All cinema halls and public parks will remain closed till March 31

  • All schools, colleges, and coaching institutes will remain closed till March 31

  • Students of govt schools will get the money for mid-day meal in their bank accounts till their schools are closed

  • All govt programmes related to Bihar Diwas, which was to be observed on March 22, have been cancelled.

    • Two fresh coronavirus cases reported from Nagpur, total cases in India reaches 83

    Couple quarantined in UP's Hamirpur after suspected coronavirus

    A couple has been put under quarantine after they were suspected of having coronavirus, informed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) on Friday. The couple has recently returned from the US. And their samples have been sent for further tests. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Nellore orders closures of cinema halls after coranavirus case reported in town.

    WATCH | Karnataka CM bans weddings, large gatherings for a week

    Over 700 employees of Noida leather company under surveillance as owner tests positive 

    More than 700 people working in a leather company in Greater Noida have been put under surveillance after a Delhi-based director of the firm tested positive for novel coronavirus, officials said on Friday. The 46-year-old man had recently travelled to Italy, Switzerland before returning to India, (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Museum at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai to remain closed till March 31

    The Heritage Museum at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus will remain closed for public for the month of March 2020, Central Ralways Chief PRO said.

    Indians evacuated from coronavirus-hit Iran shifted to Navy's quarantine facility in Mumbai

    Coronavirus a bioweapon, act of terror, says Congress leader Manish Tewari

    Congress MP Manish Tewari claimed that coronavirus is a "bioweapon". "Coronavirus is a bioweapon that went rogue or was made to go rogue. It is an act of terror," Tewari tweeted. "International investigation be conducted either under the auspices of the International Court of Justice or International Criminal Court," he added. This is, he said, "necessary to unearth the truth and bring focus back on eradicating biological weapons".

    Karnataka closes malls, cinema halls; bans weddings for one week

    Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced that ll malls, cinema halls, pubs, wedding ceremonies and other large gatherings in the state have been banned for another one week. Earlier in the day, Chairperson of Infosys Foundation, Sudha Murty in a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had suggested the same. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Animals can't transmit coronavirus, do not create panic: Maneka Gandhi

    BJP lawmaker and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi on Friday said the coronavirus can neither affect animals nor be transmitted through them and advised concerned ministries to not bring out "fake ads" in this regard. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Top losers in BSE as of 12:46 PM

    Click on the image to enlarge

    Top gainers in BSE as of 12:46 PM

    Click on the image to enlarge

    Uttarakhand follows Odisha way

    "We have issued advisories to all hotels regarding safety measures to be taken while allowing foreign tourists in hotels. All schools have been closed until March 31. Do not fear as no case of coronavirus has been reported here," says CM Trivendra Singh Rawat.

    Dalal Street bloodbath: What it means?

    Coronavirus not a matter of joke: Hema Malini

    Government to have press conferences everyday

    Joint Secretaries of all five ministries, including Ministry of External Affairs, Health, Civil Aviation, Finance and Commerce will address a press conference every day on COVID-19.

    Odisha shuts down educational institutions, Cinema halls, swimming pools, and gyms

    Delhi government bans all sports activies in national capital

    "We have decided to ban any sports activity where people will gather in huge numbers like IPL. Social distancing is important to curb the breakout of coronavirus," Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said.

    JNU supends lectures, classes till March 31

    All lectures, class presentations and examinations at JNU are suspended till 31st March. Conducting any event, such as seminars, conferences and workshops, in the campus during this period should be postponed.

    Markets across Asia in red

    CountryIndexPercentage fall
    JapanNikkei6.07 per cent
    ChinaShanghai stock exchange1.71 per cent
    Hong KongHang Seng Index3.63 per cent
    SingaporeStraits Times Index2.73 per cent
    KoreaKorea Composite Stock Price Index 3.44 per cent

    Sudhamurthy to sponsor treatment of COVID-19 patients in Karnataka hospital

    Sudhamurthy of Infosys Foundation has come forward to take expenses of all the patients infected with Coronavirus at one hospital, says Education Minister.

    CEA weighs on the market trends

    No passenger on Dubai-Pune flight visited 'high-risk' nations

    More than 125 passengers were on-board the flight operated by SpiceJet. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Italian couple, Thai national in isolation ward at Kolkata hospital

    The Italian couple, in their mid-30s, came to India on March 5 and arrived in Kolkata recently, the official said, adding their blood and swab samples have been collected and sent for tests. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Ignoring the problem is a non-solution: Rahul slams government response to coronavirus

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday stepped up his attack on the Centre over its response to the coronavirus outbreak, saying the Modi government was in a "stupor" and the economy would be destroyed if a strong action is not taken.

    FDA cracks down on sale, manufacture of substandard sanitisers

    Acting against such elements, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has launched a crackdown on home-grown units which manufacture substandard hand wash and sanitisers and push them into the local market, an official said. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Confirmed cases reach 81 in India

    One employee of a private firm in Noida has tested positive for CoronaVirus. He has travel history to France and China. He is a resident of Delhi.

    Another suspected COVID-19 case in Kerala

    One suspected COVID-19 case in Thiruvananthapuram. Passenger from Italy who came by Qatar Airways two days ago. A total of 96 under observation in Thiruvananthapuram. 31 in 10 more results from Pathanamthitta are negative.

    Delhi government shuts all swimming pools in national capital

    The health department of the Delhi government had issued an order in this regard on Thursday, the official said, adding swimming pools of all hotels and other entities, where people use the facilities, will be closed. On Thursday, the Delhi government had declared coronavirus an epidemic and shut all cinema halls, schools and colleges, except those where exams are on, till March 31. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also issued an order, saying, "All educational institutions -- schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, universities and private coaching and tuition centres -- will remain closed till March 31, except for holding examinations."

    This is how the markets are doing right now

    Sun Pharma, biggest gainer in 30-pack Sensex, up 7 per cent while Nestle is biggest loser, down over 6 per cent  Click on the image to enlarge

    Here is all you need to know about India's first coronavirus death

  • Karnataka's Health Minister, B Sriramulu, confirmed the 76-year-old man had died of coronavirus on his way back to Kalaburagi. He was admitted to a private hospital in Kalaburagi a few days ago after he complained of breathing problems and cough.

  • His throat swabs were collected three days ago and sent to the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute for testing. Meanwhile, the patient's relatives took him to Care Hospital at Hyderabad against medical advice.

  • The Hyderabad hospital discharged him on Tuesday and asked his family to get him treated at Kalaburagi only. According to health officials, he was brought dead to the Gulbarga Institute of Medical College Hospital at 11.00 pm.

    • Plea in Delhi HC for judicial intervention to deal with coronavirus outbreak

    The petition was mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar that allowed it to be listed on March 16."We seek intervention of the courts regarding coronavirus outbreak," the lawyer, who mentioned the plea, said to the bench.

    Selloff erodes nearly Rs 12 lakh crore investor wealth

    Investor wealth worth nearly Rs 12 lakh crore was wiped off in less than 15 minutes of trade opening on Friday, with benchmarks crashing over 10 per cent on mounting fears over coronavirus pandemic. The 30-share BSE Sensex plummeted 3,380.59 points, or 10.31 per cent, to 29,397.55. It hit an intra-day low of 29,388.97, falling up to 3,389.17 points. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    CRPF postpones its events

    Conforming to precautionary advisory to break the spread of COVID-19, all CRPF programs in connection with CRPF Raising day & Passing out Parade of 51st batch of Directly Appointed Gazetted Officers (DAGO) have been postponed, CRPF said.

    Karnataka government calls emergency meeting

    Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has called an emergency meeting of State Ministers and senior officials over coronavirus.

    Sanity returns to Sensex after trading was halted, google employee becomes 80th in India

    Sensex has staged a smart recovery after trading was halted for the first time in 12 years following an early morning blood bath on Dalal Street. The number of confirmed cases reached 80 on Friday after one Google employee in Bengaluru was tested positive for the virus

    .

    All the IPL franchises invited for tomorrow's BCCI meeting

    Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited all Indian Premier League team franchises for IPL Governing Council meeting tomorrow

    Everest expeditions suspended

    Nepal suspends all Everest expeditions due to coronavirus: AFP

    After brief glitch, Sensex reopens

    Sensex reopens after 45 minutes halt due to lower circuit; plunges 3518.49 points, at 29206.20 currently.

    Australia's Kane Richardson quarantined, to miss first ODI against New Zealand

    The pacer informed the team's medical staff Thursday night of the complaint and has been tested for COVID-19, with the results still pending. With Kane missing the first ODI, pacer Sean Abbott has joined the squad as cover.

    Government may miss tax, disinvestment mop-up targets this fiscal

  • For an economy that has already slowed down to an 11-year low rate of growth, the outbreak of coronavirus has impacted sectors such as tourism and hospitality after the government placed visa restrictions. As the impact of coronavirus is widely expected to stay till June-end, officials expect mop-up from disinvestment and taxes to falter, even as oil price fall is likely to make up for the loss in revenue receipts for the current fiscal.

  • "While lower international oil prices will lead to lower current account deficit and inflation, reduced economic activity will dampen tax mop-up," an official said. However, the decline in oil prices could have a bearing on the strategic sale plans for BPCL which has seen erosion in market capitalisation over the last month.

  • The government had in the revised estimates (RE) in Budget pegged proceeds from disinvestment at Rs 65,000 crore. With the government so far raising about Rs 35,000 crore, the proceeds are likely to fall short by a huge margin of about Rs 15,000-20,000 crore in the current fiscal, officials said.

  • The only big ticket disinvestment lined up is NTPC acquiring government's entire stake in THDC and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO). The government has collected over Rs 7. 52 lakh crore as direct taxes till January 31 of the current fiscal.

  • As per revised estimates, direct tax collection target has been pegged at Rs 11. 70 lakh crore for the current fiscal ending March.

  • Officials said the government is not yet revising its 6-6. 5 per cent economic growth target fixed for the 2020-21 fiscal, up from an estimated 5 per cent in the current financial year.

  • Total number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 73 on Thursday.

    • Troubles at Sensex, Nifty continue

    Sensex plunged 3090.62 points, at 29,687.52 currently. Nifty also tanked 966.10 points, currently at 8,624.05. Trading in Nifty has been halted for 45 minutes due to lower circuit limit after the market fell over 10 per cent during initial trading. BSE Sensex also stops trading for 45 minutes due to lower circuit. Pre-opening to begin at 10.05 am again and BSE Market will open at 10.20 am.

    Bloddbath continues at market as Sensex, Nifty nosedive for second consecutive day

    Sensex at 30,305.59, down by 2472.55 points.

    Google employee in Bengaluru tests positive for coronavirus

    Kolkata shopping malls offer hand santisers to visitors

  • Major shopping malls in Kolkata are offering hand sanitisers to visitors to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. The cleaning workers of the shopping centres were on Thursday seen sanitising major points of human contact like handrails and lift switches at regular intervals. The move comes after the West Bengal government advised people to avoid large gatherings even though no specific guideline was issued to the shopping malls.

  • "Safety of our customers is our prime concern. We have kept hand sanitisers at the lobby and all the points that are touched by visitors, like lift switches and handrails, are being deep cleaned every four hours," Quest Mall Vice President Sanjeev Mehra told PTI. Security guards in South City Mall, another major shopping centre in south Kolkata, were seen offering hand sanitisers to visitors entering the premises.

  • The authorities of the shopping malls have also appealed to visitors to maintain hygiene.

    • All test reports so far negative in Madhya Pradesh

  • All 23 persons in Madhya Pradesh whose medical reports have been received so far have tested negative for the coronavirus, an official said on Thursday. As many as 9,387 persons with travel history to affected countries were screened at airports in the state. Of these, 690 persons were examined for suspected symptoms of the virus, additional director of the health department Dr Veena Sinha said. Samples of 27 persons were sent to the laboratory.

  • "Of these, reports of 23 persons have been received. All of them came out negative. Reports of four persons are still awaited," she said.

  • In Indore, the local administration urged those who are suffering from cough, fever or cold to stay away from `Ger', the traditional procession taken out on the occasion of Rangpanchami festival.

  • District Collector Lokesh Kumar Jatav said the administration has asked organisers of Ger to send out a message that those suffering from cold, cough and fever should stay away from this event.

    • Bhutan, Iran, Maldives, Italy requested for protective gears in wake of coronavirus outbreak: MEA

  • Addressing a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the requests from these countries are being processed. "We are processing such requests. We are processing request from Bhutan, Maldives, Iran and Italy. They are under different stages of processing," he said. He further said that in February, a consignment was sent to China with the protective gear.

  • The coronavirus outbreak, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday, has led to more than 4,000 deaths globally.

  • The government on Wednesday suspended all visas, barring a few categories like diplomatic and employment, in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus as cases across India rose to more than 70.

    • Corona positive cases in Rajasthan stay put at two: Health Secretary

  • The total number of coronavirus positive cases stayed put at two in the state, said Rajasthan health authorities, pegging the total number of suspected COVID-19-hit patients, kept in isolation in hospitals, at 25. An Italian couple and a man, who had recently returned from Dubai had been found Corona-positive, but the Italian man's wife, who was initially tested positive, had later turned negative following treatment, said Additional Chief Secretary (Medical & Health) Rohit Kumar Singh.

  • The 25 isolated patients include the Italian couple and the Indian, who had returned from Dubai, he added. Out of the remaining 22 isolated patients, 19 have been found negative while the results of three are awaited, he said, adding 15 patients have been kept in isolation in three hospitals of Jaipur, four in Kota, three in Jhunjhunu, two in Udaipur and one in Bharatpur. Besides those kept in isolation at various hospitals, 576 persons in the state have also been asked to stay in isolation at their homes, he said, adding that the state Health Department personnel have screened over 3. 08 lakh people tioll date, out of which the samples of 357 were collected.

  • Of them, whose samples were tested, including the 25 kept in isolation, three -- Italian couple and a state native -- were found positive, 351 negative, while the results of three samples are awaited. Meanwhile, a doctor who was on duty in coronavirus control room has been suspended for dereliction in duty.

  • "Dr Sanju Meena has been suspended for dereliction in duty," he said. On the other hand, the state government issued Rajasthan Epidemic Disease, COVID-19 regulations, 2020 and asked all the chief medical and health officers to follow the regulations.

  • The regulations are related with the arrangements for handling the situation related with the coronavirus.

    • Centre, 15 states and UTs set up helplines for coronavirus

    The government has set up a central helpline -- 011-23978046 -- related to coronavirus outbreak in the country, besides 15 states and union territories using either of '104', '108' and '102' as their state-level helpline number, the Union Home Ministry said on Thursday. Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Punjab, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep and Puducherry are using phone number 104 as helplines for tackling coronavirus outbreak, it said. Meghalaya is using 108 and Mizoram 102 as their respective helpline for the viral outbreak, they said. A central helpline -- 011-23978046 -- related to coronavirus outbreak in the country has also been set up, the ministry said. The Delhi government's help line is 011-22307145, it said.

    Railway staff in Mumbai asked to guide suspected patients to hospital

  • Local trains of the Central railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) ferry around 80 lakh commuters every day, which account for nearly half of the total number of passengers who travel by trains in the country daily. On average over 5,000 people travel by a local train in Mumbai during peak hour.

  • "Station masters have been trained to spot symptoms of the coronavirus. They have been instructed to approach the passengers showing coronavirus-like symptoms and assist them reach the nearest hospital," said Shivaji Sutar, chief public relations officer of the CR.

  • The staff at Emergency Medical Rooms at railway stations have been sensitized about the virus, he added. If the staff spot a suspected coronavirus patient at a station, they have been asked to inform the district collector. "Passengers too can approach the station master or call the railway helpline to report such suspected patients," Sutar added. Special helplines have been set up for this purpose, he stated.

  • The authorities are also trying to create awareness among commuters through posters about DOs & DON'Ts and audio and video messages.

  • The WR has set up a dedicated ward of 30 beds for suspected coronavirus cases at Jagjivan Ram Hospital at Mumbai Central, whereas the CR has set up isolation wards at its hospitals in Byculla and Kalyan.

  • "Isolation wards and high-contact surfaces are being sanitized regularly with disinfectants," said a WR release.

  • Health inspectors are conducting awareness drives in Railway colonies, offices and stations to prevent panic. Awareness campaigns about how to ensure hygiene for prevention of the virus infection are being carried out, said the release.

    • MEA launches helplines in US regarding queries for India travel

    Pune university asks teachers and other staff to use face-recognition method to register attendance

    The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) on Thursday advised teachers and other staff to use face-recognition method to register attendance instead of contact-based biometric system to prevent spread of the coronavirus. So far nine persons have tested positive for the coronavirus in the city. "The attendance system is equipped with bio-metric as well as face-recognition systems. In view of COVID-19 outbreak, faculty and non-teaching staff have been advised to use face-recognition instead of biometric system," said a varsity official.

    ICC to have its annual meeting via teleconference only

    Chelsea's Hudson-Odoi becomes first Premier League player with coronavirus, Arsenal manager tested positive too

    Chelsea's players and coaching staff were ordered into isolation as Callum Hudson-Odoi became the first Premier League player confirmed to have the new coronavirus late on Thursday.The news casts the viability of this weekend's games further into doubt after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive, also throwing their team into lockdown.

    Trump, Ireland PM do 'Namste' at each other

    Hamirpur administration gears up for Chaitra Fair in Himachal amid coronavirus scare

  • Special arrangements will be made amid the coronavirus scare for the month-long Chaitra Fair dedicated to Baba Balak Nath in Hamirpur's Deotsidh, a district official said on Thursday.

  • The annual fair is scheduled to start on Saturday where a large number of devotees are expected to turn up from Himachal Pradesh, neighbouring states and foreign countries. According to religious beliefs, Baba Balak Nath is considered the incarnation of Lord Kartikeya, the elder son of Lord Shiva.

  • As per beliefs, Baba Balak Nath had meditated in the Dhar Sidh area of Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts where the fair is held. At a meeting of district officials on Wednesday, Hamirpur Deputy Commissioner Harikesh Meena said a special attention will be paid to devotees from foreign countries during the fair.

  • After getting their complete information, including name and mobile number, they will be allowed to proceed further, he added.

  • The DC said arrangements will be made regarding cleanliness and a sufficient number of workers will be deployed for the purpose. Information will be continuously provided to people regarding the virus through audio-visual screens, he added.

    • Indian evacuated from Wuhan test negative, to start vacating ITBP facility from today

    Brief highlights of what happened in last 24 hours

  • Late Thursday night, Karnataka reported India's first coronavirus death. 76-year-old man from Kalburgi who passed away on Wednesday was confirmed to have died of COVID-19. He spent a month in Saudi Arabia and was said to have a history of hypertension and diabetes.

  • The necessary contact tracing, isolation and other measures as per protocol are being carried out. BCCI declared that the remaining two ODIs of the ongoing series between India and South Africa will be played behind closed doors. MEA they said will bring back those testing negative for COVID-19 first, Requests Indians abroad to stay put.

  • Canadian PM Justin Trudeau self-quarantined himself after his wife tested for Covid-19.

  • Death toll in Italy crosses 1000.

  • Markets across the world witnessed a pandemonic pandemonium on Black Thursday. Indian markets registered record-breaking single-day losses. Worse is expected.

    • Public libraries, gyms, swimming pools, water parks in urban areas and anganwadis to remain closed till March 31 in Chhattisgarh.

    BCCI suspends IPL 2020 till April 15

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend IPL 2020 till 15th April 2020, as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) situation.

     (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Indices record biggest intra-day recovery: BSE Sensex up 4.35 per cent, while NSE recorded 4.4 per cent in mid-day trading

    Click on the image to enlarge

    Nitish Kumar chairs meeting on coronavirus in Bihar

    Central Railway shuts down museum in Mumbai's CSMT

    Heritage Museum at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus will remain closed for public viewing for the month of March 2020.

    Kerala, Odisha supend Assemblies

    Kerala assembly adjourned sine die in the wake of the coronavirus. Assembly was scheduled to continue till April 8, 2020. Odisha Assembly too suspended till March 29th after Covid-19 declared a state disaster.

    Jamia Millia suspends classes till March 31

    The varsity has also decided to close all schools run by it till March 31 but the Board examinations will continue as per the schedule. Earlier in the day, the Jawaharlal Nehru University suspended all classes with immediate effect till March 31.

    BREAKING: Sensex up over 1700 points! Following are the market movers leading the rally

    Click on the image to enlarge

    Iran Air plane carrying Indians lands in Mumbai

    An official told PTI that the Iran Air flight landed at the Mumbai airport at around 12.08 pm. The passengers would be taken to Jaisalmer on an Air India aircraft, another official said. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    SEBI, stock exchanges prepared to take any action as required amid steep volatility in markets

    SEBI on Friday said the regulator and stock exchanges are prepared to "take any action" as required to deal with market volatility, hours after trading was halted for 45 minutes. 

    Jamia University bans gatherings till 31st March

    Face to face or group interaction or gathering of the students to be avoided till 31st March, 2020. Internal assessments to be given online and examinations to be conducted as per the schedule: Jamia Milia Islamia 

    MP CM Kamal Nath chairs meeting on COVID-19

    Road Safety World Series called off due to coronavirus

    With the government issuing a notification that public gatherings should be avoided, the organisers had initially thought of continuing the remainder of the tournament behind closed doors at the DY Patil Sports Complex in Navi Mumbai. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Delhi shutting doors on IPL means Lucknow gets to host tournament?

    Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday said that the national capital will not have any sporting events for a month to contain the spread of the deadly infection that has sent the world into turmoil with close to 5,000 deaths so far.The IPL is due to start on March 29 in Mumbai and Delhi's first game was to be on March 30. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    PM Modi calls on SAARC nations to fight coronavirus

    "I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus. We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy. Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet," tweets PM Modi. 

    South Asia should leave no stone unturned: PM Modi

    Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur calls for curtailing of Budget Session

    Naveen Patnaik addresses Odisha Assembly on coronavirus situation in state

  • The State Cabinet met this morning and declared COVID19 as a ‘disaster’ for the state under the provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005 to adequately empower our public officials to combat the spread of COVID-19. Non-essential official gatherings such as seminars, workshops, conferences are to be cancelled.

  • Social gatherings & assemblies like religious functions, marriage receptions, parties etc. are to be regulated by local authorities. The COVID-19 Odisha Regulations, 2020 have been approved.

  • An amount of Rs 200 crores has been earmarked to augment the Public Health Response Fund to combat the threat of the pandemic and for making required expenditure.

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