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COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS | India records highest single-day jump as cases cross 950

A 69-year-old patient who was undergoing treatment at Kalamassery medical college in Kochi died on Saturday morning and became India's 20th victim.
The total number of COVID-19 affected people in India have crossed 950. (Photo | PTI)
The total number of COVID-19 affected people in India have crossed 950. (Photo | PTI)
Online Desk

As the COVID-19 cases crossed 900-mark, the state of Telangana reported it’s first death after a 74-year-old Khairatabad resident passed away on Saturday.

Sixty days after Kerala reported the first COVID-19 case when a Thrissur native was diagnosed with the deadly disease, Kerala reported the first casualty of the outbreak on Saturday morning. The 69-year-old patient, a native of Chullikkal in Ernakulam district had returned from Dubai on March 16.

However, he did not show any symptoms when he arrived. He was admitted to the isolation ward of Ernakulam Medical College at Kalamassery on March 22 with symptoms of acute pneumonia.

Meanwhile, the health disaster has led to a humanitarian crisis as thousands of migrant labourers try to return to their villages on foot due to lack of public transport amid the lockdown.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday set up a public assistance fund to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, the Tatas have pledged Rs 1,500 crore to fight the health crisis.

COVID-19: CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR STATE HERE

Delhi opens food delivery system

Paytm looks to contribute Rs 500 cr to PM CARES Fund

For every contribution or any other payment made on Paytm using the wallet, UPI and Paytm Bank debit card, the company will contribute an extra up to Rs 10, Paytm said in a statement.
(READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Ambala reports first case

Total cases in Karnataka now 81 as five test positive in Karnataka

Four residents of Nanjangud town and one resident of Yaraganahalli in Mysuru city, who was employed at a Pharmaceutical industry in Nanjangud tested positive on Saturday.

Cases in Andhra rises to 19

Chhattisgarh asks PM to help students stuck in Kyrgyzstan

In a letter to the PM, Food and Culture Minister Amarjeet Bhagat asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help bring back 500 medical students from the state stranded in the Central Asian country.

BCCI donates Rs 51 crore to PM's Relief Fund

"The outbreak of the Coronavirus is first and foremost a public health emergency and the BCCI has a firm resolve that the nation gets all possible help to cope with the testing times," a release by the sport body stated.
(READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Kerala's first COVID-19 victim buried as per protocol

The body of a 69-year-old man who died due to novel coronavirus infection was buried here on Saturday in a simple ceremony attended by only five relatives and monitored by officials after it was brought wrapped in leak-proof bag as per the Union Health Ministry guidelines.
(READ FULL REPORT HERE)

India gets its first indigenous test kit for coronavirus

Virologist Meenal Dhakale Bhosale of Pune-based Mylab Discovery Solution has developed a cost-effective Indian made COVID-19 testing kit. The kit will soon be available for commercial use.
(READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Kerala opens helpline for dental patients

The state unit of Indian Dental Association has started a helpline facility for the public. The facility is to help people who suffer from dental ailments and are unable to visit hospitals in the wake of the Covid-19 spread. "The helpline will give advise to the public. People who need urgent care will be referred to a centre which is open. The treatment will be as per the advisories issued," said IDA state secretary Deebu Mathew.

WATCH | Hundreds of migrant labourers walk back home from Delhi NRC

Telangana reports first COVID-19 death

As the COVID-19 cases crossed 900-mark, the state of Telangana reported it’s first death after a 74-year-old Khairatabad resident passed away on Saturday.

Vellore priest back from the UK tests positive for COVID-19, collector says he's cured

A 49-year-old priest who had recently visited the UK has tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing treatment at the CMC hospital in Vellore. His wife who accompanied him on the trip, however, tested negative. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

WATCH| Stranded in Chennai, migrant worker from Jharkhand seeks help

Uttar Pradesh to release 11,000 prisoners lodged in 71 jails

The decision comes after the Supreme Court earlier this week directed all states and union territories to constitute high-level committees to consider releasing on parole or interim bail prisoners and undertrials for offences entailing up to 7-year jail term to decongest prisons in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.(READ FULL REPORT HERE)

In other news, Rishi Kapoor says govt should open liquor stores in evenings

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor on Saturday said the state and central governments should let the licensed liquor shops operate in the evening during the 21-day lockdown period. In a Twitter post, the actor said liquor is a major source of revenue for the government and is already being sold illegally everywhere in the country. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

TikTok fever gets hospital staff suspended in Tamil Nadu

Three sanitation workers at the Ariyalur Government Hospital were suspended on Saturday for helping a coromavirus patient shoot a TikTok video. The three have been quarantined as they held the woman’s cellphone. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

PM Modi should resign for failing to handle COVID-19 pandemic: Chandrashekhar Azad

Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad on Saturday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pushed crores of people working in the unorganised sector into destitution and demanded that he resign immediately. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

No house rent from migrant labourers for 1 month, Noida admin issues order

The Noida administration passed an order, asking landlords to collect rent from their worker-tenants only after a month, amid scores of migrants undertaking the journey to reach their native places on foot during the 21-day nationwide lockdown.

BIZARRE! 32-year-old man home-quarantined in Tamil Nadu bites, kills woman

In a bizarre case in Theni district in Tamil Nadu, a 32-year-old Sri Lanka-returned youth who was home quarantined killed an old woman two street away by biting her on Friday, police said. According to police, the woman who was admitted to a hospital on Friday died on Saturday. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

India's 'super spreader' home-quarantines 26,000 people in 24 Punjab villages

The reason: out of the total of 38 positive cases so far in Punjab, 28 are directly linked to one super spreader - 70-year-old Baldev Singh, the only patient to die of COVID-19 in the state. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

PM Modi sets up public assistance fund. Here's how you can donate

Tata trusts pledges Rs 500 crore to fight against COVID-19

UP govt deploys 1000 UPSRTC buses to ferry migrants to respective districts

With a huge trail of migrants walking along Delhi-Noida highway to reach their native districts across Uttar pradesh, Yogi Adityanath government has deployed 1000 buses of UP Surface Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) to ferry the labourers and other migrants to ferry to their destinations. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

WATCH | Youngest case in India: Infant of seven months from Kashmir

Seven more people test positive for COVID-19 in Kashmir

Of the total 27 cases, 21 have been reported in the Kashmir Valley, while six in Jammu region. (READ FULLREPORT HERE)

MHA directs States/UTs to provide accommodation, food, medical care to homeless

Number of coronavirus cases worldwide crosses 600,000-mark

(Photo| AP)

Hyderabad tippler kills self upset at not getting liquor during lockdown

Police quoted family members as saying that he had been behaving oddly ever since the lockdown began and could not get alcohol, They said the withdrawal symptoms of liquor might have driven him to take the extreme step. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Netizens tear into Javadekar for watching 'Ramayan' as migrant labourers continue their journey on foot

Netizens on Twitter were not amused by Javadekar's tweet for ignoring migrant labourer's plight who have been walking hundreds of kilometres on foot to reach their villages. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Karnataka records 10 new coronavirus cases

10 fresh cases of coronavirus were detected on Saturday, taking Karnataka's tally to 74.

Masks trafficking to online fraud:'Corona criminals' prey on Europe's COVID-19 fears

From trafficking dodgy surgical masks to peddling counterfeit medicines and running internet scams, criminals are finding ways to profit from the coronavirus crisis, European police warn. With billions of people under lockdown in their homes and borders shut, police chiefs say criminals are finding it hard to make money out of "traditional" activities like burglary and drug smuggling. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Corona helmets: Chennai cops' unique way to dissuade lockdown defiers

In a bid to spread awareness about the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, a local artist in collaboration with a police official here has made a unique 'Corona' helmet to dissuade commuters from coming out on the streets during the nationwide lockdown. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Stones pelted at cops in Assam

Another tale of migrant labourers' plights across nation

Uttar Pradesh CM visits hospital dedicated for COVID-19 patients

Here is what AAP government has to say about massive exodus of migrant workers from Delhi

"We have also provided some DTC buses to transport them. I urge people to stay put where they are. We have started converting schools here (Ghazipur) into nigh shelters to accommodate these people. I request people to not leave their homes or shanties. Homeless people can stay at night shelters. We have the capacity to feed the people of entire Delhi," said Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia after visiting Ghazipur near Delhi-UP where people have gathered in huge number to board special buses for their homes in Uttar Pradesh.

Good News SRKians!!!!!! 1989 TV show 'Circus' to be aired on Doordarshan again from March 28

The public broadcaster announced that the show will start airing on DD National from 8 pm. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Some more lockdown updates from Punjab

PM interacts with AYUSH professionals

Dubai is top source of imported COVID-19 cases in India: Study

India now has 873 confirmed cases and the trend analysis is based on nearly 720 patients who have tested positive for novel coronavirus. Of these nearly 100 came from Dubai—from where a large number of migrant Indians come home. It is also a major transit point for Indian or NRI travellers from Europe and US headed to the country. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Kerala registers first COVID-19 death

69-year-old patient who was undergoing treatment at Kalamassery medical college in Kochi passed away on Saturday.

Ola to come up with ‘Drive the Driver’ fund

"Millions of drivers and their families find themselves without an income today. To support them, we're launching the ‘Drive the Driver’ fund. I'm contributing my next year salary and Ola along with employees will contribute Rs 20 crore to the fund," said Bhavish Aggarwal, co-founder and CEO, Ola.

Chennai Corporation puts quarantine sticker in Kamal Hasan’s residence

Two more positive cases in Tamil Nadu

Curfew relaxed in Chandigarh

UP government takes steps to take migrant workers to their respective natives

Arrangement of 1000 buses have been done to take the migrant workers to their respective hometowns amid Coronavirus lockdown. Transportation Officers, bus drivers and conductors were called by the CM last night to make all the arrangements: Government of Uttar Pradesh

Religious leaders in Kerala issue statement

Religious leaders, including that of the Christian community, issue a joint press statement stating "to curb the spread of the virus, we enforced certain restrictions on entry to pilgrim centers. We're fighting this menace, by highlighting the concern for the others. As everybody knows, a lockdown has been clamped all over the country. All are requested to co-operate with such restrictions and to make use of the situation in a highly creative way."

Isolation coaches prepared by the Railways

Kerala CM writes to PM Modi

To stay afloat, game-less Indian tennis players fall back on savings

Sidharth Rawat is itching to get back to a tennis court. He has been confined to shadow-practising at home. Considering the increasing spread of COVID-19, Rawat knows that it will be a while before he can get back on Tour. But considering that he’s already dipped into his savings account, the World No 438 hopes that the situation clears sooner than later. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

WATCH | Huge gathering near Delhi-UP Border

Lack of training may cause health problems, says Sports Authority of India

For highly-trained athletes used to training two times per day, these times are more frustrating for them than it is for the common man. In a chat with this daily, Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) high performance director Volker Herrmann speaks on their fitness, mental health and how the pandemic is impacting athletes in the country at the moment. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Visuals from J&K amid lockdown

Rajasthan tally reaches 52

Two coronavirus positive cases found in the state today, a 23-year-old man in Ajmer, who travelled to Punjab and a 21-year-old woman in Bhilwara. Total number of positive cases in the state now rises to 52: Rajasthan Health Department

Curfew relaxed in Punjab

Foreign returnees asked to share travel history in Maharashtra

  • Those who returned from foreign countries will have to share the details of their travel to the district collectorate or the local civic body, the directive issued recently said.

  • "A resident in Marathwada, who has been to a foreign country and has returned to the region on or after March 1 should come forward and inform the district collector office or municipal corporation about their travel details," a statement issued by the divisional commissioner's office said.

  • Marathwada region comprises eight districts- Aurangabad, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Hingoli, Osmanabad and Latur. So far only person from Aurangabad has tested positive for coronavirus in this region, officials said.

    • Will respond to Industry’s inputs to tackle the situation: Nirmala Sitharaman

    Secretary, Corporate Affairs has held discussions with Confederation of Indian Industry, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, and PHD Chamber to hear & address their concerns. Ministry of Finance will continuously remain & respond to Industry’s inputs: Finance Minister

    Gujarat tally crosses 50

    Six more people have been tested COVID-19 positive, taking total number of cases to 53 in Gujarat: Jayanti Ravi, Principal Secretary, Health and family welfare Department.

    WATCH | People flouting lockdown norms at Karnataka

    National tally reaches 873: Government

    Group of people helping the migrant labourers walking back to their native places in UP

    More than 2,500 people placed under home quarantine in Nagaland

  • Out of the 17 samples that were sent for testing, results for 13 were negative and the remaining reports are awaited, government spokesperson and minister for planning & coordination Neiba Kronu said.

  • A total of 2,719 people, including students, who recently came back to the state, reported to the respective district surveillance teams and were subsequently placed under home quarantine for the stipulated period, he said on Friday evening.

  • Kronu said all efforts are being made to expedite delivery of essential medical equipment and accessories amid the ongoing nationwide lockdown, and that there is enough stock of essential commodities across the state.

  • He also said a round-the-clock COVID-19 control room is monitoring the situation in Nagaland.

    • What Punjab vegetable traders have to say about lockdown in state

    Government's latest directive on coronavirus treatment

    Paris men's fashion week, haute couture cancelled in face of pandemic

    "Strong decisions are required to ensure the safety and health of (fashion) houses, their employees and everyone working in our industry," the Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) said in a statement. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    N-99 masks, bodysuit: DRDO's plan to combat coronavirus in India

    The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has been tracking the spread of COVID-19 since the world media started reporting its devastating impact in China's Wuhan, officials said. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Woman arrested in Kolkata for spreading misinformation

    A 29-year-old woman has been booked and arrested for allegedly spreading misinformation on social media about a doctor being infected with COVID-19 in Beleghata area of Kolkata.

    Air India plans nine flights to Frankfurt to ferry expats from Mumbai

    While five flights may be operated on March 31, two services are planned for April 2. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Septuagenarian from Tamil Nadu extends his helping hand

    Masks scarce, cover faces with 'gamchha': Tripura CM's 'advice' to people

    "There is enough stock of masks for people working in hospitals but at the same time it is not possible for the government to distribute the same to the state's forty lakh people. So, I would request everyone to use 'Jal Gamchha' as masks as a precautionary measure," Deb said in a video message. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    ‘Quarantined’ by society, migrant workers in Tamil Nadu find timely help

    One such group of 30 people, who arrived at Tiruchuli around five months back, are stranded in the no man’s land. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Delhi Police turns back migrant workers going back to their states