COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS | Five die in Telangana as India death toll reaches 42, cases touch 1300

Over 400 people have died from the coronavirus in France's hospitals over the past 24 hours, with the death toll exceeding 3,000, Jerome Salomon, the head of the national public health service, said on Monday.

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US and European stock markets moved higher despite the prospect of much of the world remaining in confinement for weeks to come. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Delhi: People boarding buses in the Nizammudin area, to be taken to different hospitals for a checkup. A religious gathering was held in Markaz, that violated lockdown conditions and several #COVID19 positive cases have been found among those who attended the gathering. pic.twitter.com/BjCsxVkXEr

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

Eight doctors and four paramedics of Nagpur's Government Medical College and Hospital were quarantined after they came in contact with a person who hid the fact that his younger brother was a COVID-19 patient and then went on to test positive himself for novel coronavirus, health officials said on Monday. The man, who tested positive for the virus on Sunday, was examined by the 12 medical staff at GMCH last week, an official said. Besides, a private hospital has also been sealed till further orders where this man, who suffers from paralysis, was admitted before being shifted to the government-run hospital. Two people who tested positive on Monday here were also close contacts of this man, officials said.

• The Centre on Monday extended till June 30 the validity of documents like driving licenses, permits and registration that expired since February 1, in a move to ensure hassle-free transportation of cargo amid the lockdown over the novel coronavirus pandemic. In an advisory to all states and Union territories, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has asked them to treat such documents as valid till June 30.
• The decision was taken to facilitate the citizens facing difficulties in renewing the validity of various documents related to the Motor Vehicles Act and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules due to nationwide lockdown in the country and closure of government transport offices, according to the advisory.
• It requested all states to "treat documents under MV Act & Rules, whose extension of validity could not or not likely be processed due to lock-down and which have expired since 1st of February, 2020 or would expire by 30th of June 2020, as valid till 30th of June 2020."
• The documents include fitness, permit (all types), driving licence, registration or any other concerned document under the Motor Vehicles Act.

There will be 60% salary cut for IAS, IPS, IFS and other such central services officers. For all other categories of employees, there will be a 50% salary cut. For Class-IV, outsourcing & contract employees, there will be a 10% salary cut: Telangana Chief Minister's Office (CMO) https://t.co/ZpXrepopdo

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

There is fake news circulating in some sections of media that the financial year has been extended. A notification issued by the Government of India on 30th March 2020 with respect to some other amendments done in the Indian Stamp Act is being misquoted: Ministry of Finance pic.twitter.com/tErIsLr9v1

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

Orders issued for utilizing the building of Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium complex, as a #COVID19 quarantine facility: Harleen Kaur, Chairperson, DDMA (South-East) pic.twitter.com/CvZJqA1KT5

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

Airtel will also credit an additional Rs 10 of talk time in the pre-paid accounts of all these 80 million customers to enable them to make calls or send SMS&therefore stay connected with their loved ones. These benefits will be available to users in the next 48 hours: Airtel https://t.co/yvrHLUcxVo

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

• The police set up the 24-hour helpline number -- 011-23469526 -- to resolve issues related to the lockdown through direct intervention as fast as possible and 6,088 calls have been received on this number till date. Between 2 pm on Sunday and 2 pm on Monday, a total of 1,187 calls have been received, police said.
• Out of 1,187 calls, 278 calls were related to matters outside Delhi, which have been referred to respective state helpline numbers, according to data shared by the police.
• Seventy-six calls received were related to people having no food and money and these were forwarded to NGOs for direct relief at their addresses.
• Eighteen calls received were regarding medical issues and have been resolved through proper guidance to proceed in case of such emergencies.
• As many as 592 calls were related to movement passes during the lockdown and they are advised to apply online on the Delhi Police website.

• Guha has sought to know why a new fund has been creatied when a Prime Ministers National Relief Fund already exists. Retweeting a thread of tweets of Advocate Manoj, Guha wrote "This is a very important thread. Why a new fund when a Prime Ministers National Relief Fund already exists? And why the self-aggrandizing name, PM- CARES? Must a colossal national tragedy also be (mis)used to enhance the cult of personality?" The advocate in his series of tweets has posed 11 questions.
• The announcement about the Trust was made two days ago.

The samples of 1920 passengers are processed of which 1853 samples are negative, 67 samples are positive for COVID-19 infection and 120 samples are under process. Currently, 79 asymptomatic passengers from highly affected countries are being quarantined in quarantine facilities near airport and 364 are under hospital isolation. Till date 2,09,284 passengers have been screened at airports of Chennai, Trichy, Madurai & Coimbatore. As on date, including passenger from abroad, 74,533 passengers are under home quarantine for 28 days: Directorate of Public Health Department, Tamil Nadu.

Odisha: State Govt has approved Rs 54 lakhs from Chief Minister's Relief Fund for feeding stray animals in 5 Municipal Corporations and all 48 Municipalities of the state during #CoronavirusLockdown period. pic.twitter.com/Dermc7nbCK

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

According to data shared by the police, 145 FIRs were registered under Section 188 (for disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code till 5 pm. As many as 3,750 people have been detained under Section 65 (persons bound to comply with reasonable directions of police officers) of the IPC and 557 vehicles have been impounded under Section 66 of the Delhi Police Act, the data said. Police said 2,143 movement passes were issued on Monday.

• A division bench headed by Chief Justice Gita Mittal passed these directions after hearing amicus curiae Monika Kholi in a public interest litigation. In a first for the high court, the chief justice and Justice Sindhu Sharma heard the PIL from their respective residences and Kohli and two more lawyers gave their observations through video-conferencing, an intiative taken in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
• In the 11-page order issued after the hearing, the judges took note of Kohli who had submitted that because of the sudden lockdown about 400 pilgrims from Bihar are stranded at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra. Kohli also submitted that these pilgrims are being asked to vacate their current lodgings and that immediate steps need to be taken in view of current lockdown in the Union Territory.
• The order said that a direction is issued to the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and the Deputy Commissioner, Reasi to ensure that these pilgrims are not asked to vacate their current lodgings and their needs are fully provided for till such time as the lockdown persists.
• "All notifications/directions issued by the Central Government and the Government of the UT of JK to ensure that there is no dislodging of people from their habitations and also provisions or facilities, are strictly complied with," the order said.

• The Information and Broadcasting Ministry said action against cable operator could be taken under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. The ministry has notified 25 DD and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV channels that are to be mandatorily carried by the multiple system operators (MSOs) and cable operators on their networks.
• "All MSOs and cable operators are accordingly directed to mandatorily carry these channels. Any violation shall invite such action as provided in the Cable TV Act and the Rules framed there under as well as the terms and conditions stipulated in the MSO permission, as the case may be," the advisory said.
• If viewers are unable to watch the desired DD channel they can complain to the station head of the nearest Doordarshan Kendra, the ministry said.

• "Invoking prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC, Disaster Management Act and The Epidemic Disease Act, District Magistrate Shopian said that there would be no inward and outward movement of any person from the villages declared red zones and the people would stay in their homes to ensure complete lockdown," an official spokesperson said.
• The two villages are Ramnagri and Sedow while adjoining villages of these tehsils have been declared as buffer zones for the of safety and well being of general public, the official said. He said there would be no vehicular movement on these roads.
• "The area has become more vulnerable as far as further transmission of the COVID-19 virus is concerned. It is necessary to break further transmission of the disease in the area and it becomes imperative to take stringent precautionary measures like declaring concerned villages as red zones and other villages," he added.

Religious gatherings that go on from days to months, keep happening here (Markaz, Nizamuddin). Foreign nationals also come here and stay for the same: Senior Delhi Police official https://t.co/xN4Tejo39q

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

• The move comes in the wake of mass movement of migrant workers in big cities, including Delhi, to their home states after they were rendered jobless due to the lockdown that was imposed countrywide for checking the spread of coronavirus. In addition to the existing 238 night shelters in the city, the Delhi government converted 11 schools into night shelters to help migrant workers.
• "We have started night shelter facilities at two of our Delhi government schools near Ghazipur and Anand Vihar. We have made arrangements for food and accommodation for all those in need," he said on Twitter.
• Sisodia appealed to the poor and migrant workers to utilise food and accommodation facilities provided by the Delhi government.
• The classrooms of Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Ghazipur and Sarvodaya Co-ed Senior Secondary School, IP Extension have now been converted into sleeping rooms, said a Delhi government statement. Rugs and blankets have been laid out on the floors of each room and provisions for food are also available, it said.

Giving an area wise break up of those discharged from outside the metropolis, a health officer said nine were from Pimpri Chinchwad, seven from Pune, four from Nagpur, three from Yavatmal and one each from Ahmednagar and Aurangabad. "All the 39 who have been discharged will have to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine period from here on as a precaution," he added.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Harinarayanchari Mishra also said those fleeing quarantine would be booked under sections 188 (refusing to obey order of any government official) and 269 (negligent step that leads to the spread of life-threatening infection) of the Indian Penal Code. "We have intensified security and installed CCTV cameras in the hospitals where coronavirus affected patients are admitted," he said. Two people, including a COVID-19 patient, had escaped isolation from a hospital on Saturday night, though they were nabbed soon and re-quarantined. "One of them had escaped from hospital on two occasions," an official said.

Tamil Nadu: All shops at a fish market in Coimbatore shut, after strict instructions by Police & Corporation officials as people were violating social distancing norms while buying food items at the market. #CoronavirusLockdown pic.twitter.com/mOM3RzAwvS

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

154 prisoners have been released today on parole as preventive measure against spread of #Coronavirus. They are being released after proper health screening: Digvijay Singh Rana, Deputy SP, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/TRk5ekTKQ9

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

Prime Minister Modi noted that extraordinary times require extraordinary solutions, which was why even in this globalized era, most of the world had quarantined itself. This was an unavoidable step taken to fight this pandemic, but it was also hugely consequential: MEA #COVID19 https://t.co/e4wtwPU9Qi

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

• The administration has also decided to turn three upscale hotels in Sahibabad area as quarantine facilities for coronavirus patients and has asked its managers not to grant leave of absence to any of their staffers, whose services would be needed to run the quarantine centre, Ghaziabad District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey told PTI.
• The four persons who are suspected to be infected are the ones who came in contact of some persons, who, in turn, had come in contact of a corona-positive patients, said Pandey.
• The persons, who were suspected corona-positive respectively belong to Shalimar Garden, Kaushambi and Vaishali area, said Pandey.
• "The residents of the societies would be quarantined in their houses. Societies would be sanitized. Vehicles would be permitted out of the society only in exceptional cases," said the district magistrate.
• "All these houses and societies have been sealed as a precaution against the spread of the COVID-19 infection in the area," he said, adding the action has been taken under Epidemic Diseases act 1897 invoked by the Uttar Pradesh government.
• "The violators would be booked under the appropriate sections of IPC," he said. The three upscale hotels, which the adminstration has decided to turn into a quarantine facility, are Radisson, Country Inn and Citrus.
• The hotel owners have been asked not to grant leave to their staff and keep full arrangement of food, because hotels would be occupied for quarantined patients, he said.

SSP Abhishekh Yadav said the police have registered 135 cases against 727 people and 4,182 vehicle owners were fined. As many as 612 vehicle were seized since their documents were unavailable, he said.

Delhi Police team evacuated people from Nizamuddin area and shifted them to hospital after there were reports that some people, who had attended a religious gathering at Markaz, have tested positive for #COVID19.
Express photos by @anilpjournalist.
LIVE: https://t.co/PYgAn38i8K pic.twitter.com/kKt9ammJhO

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 30, 2020

Coronavirus-positive Ludhiana woman dies at Patiala hospital; third death related to COVID-19 in Punjab

Bodies of all those who died of COVID-19 will be cremated irrespective of their religion: Mumbai corporation chief 

 41-year-old man from Indore who tested positive on March 26 died today taking the total number of deaths in Madhya Pradesh to four.

 There have been at least 715,204 cases including 33,568 fatalities in 183 countries and territories. These are notably in the United States which has reported 143,025 cases and 2,514 deaths and Italy with 97,689 cases and the world's highest death toll of 10,779, according to the AFP tally.

READ FULL REPORT

As King Georges’ Medical University, SGPGIMS and Ram Manohar Lohia are the three epicentres for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, Lucknow district administration has converted the five-star hotels of the state capital into quarantine facilities for doctors and nurses engaged in treatment of Corona patients.

READ FULL REPORT HERE 

Britain's Prince Charles came out of self-isolation on Monday, seven days after it was confirmed that he had tested positive for coronavirus, a royal spokesperson said. The 71-year-old heir to the British throne had been self-isolating on the Queen's Balmoral estate in Scotland after he had been tested by the National Health Service (NHS) in Aberdeenshire last week. 

Delhi Police team, including Joint CP DC Srivastava, reaches Nizamuddin area after there were reports that some people, who had attended a religious gathering at Markaz in Nizamuddin, have tested positive for COVID19. Batches of people being taken to hospital in buses for checkup.  

Till 8 AM on Monday, Karnataka recorded 5 new cases of #covid19 of which 4 are contacts of P52 & workers of a pharmaceutical company in Mysuru.
In all, 10 cases from this company alone.

Tally of cases at 88. @NewIndianXpress @XpressBengaluru @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/j7Xnlilia9

— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) March 30, 2020

In a joint digital press conference with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia said the students of government schools will be promoted under the 'no detention policy'. Sisodia, who is also the education minister, said exams of up to class 8 could not be held due to the recent violence in northeast Delhi which was followed by the coronavirus pandemic. The government has also decided to start online classes for the students of class 12, he said.

READ FULL REPORT HERE 

#coronavirusindia
32 people test positive for #CoVID19 in #Kerala says CM @vijayanpinarayi. 17 from abroad, 15 through contact. Total patients - 213@xpresskerala @NewIndianXpress

— Sovi Vidyadharan (@vidyadharansovi) March 30, 2020

HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has advised Director General of National Testing Agency (NTA) to postpone the last date of acceptance of applications of different entrance exams, including ICAR Exam, JNU Entrance Exam, UGC NET, CSIR NET and others by 1 month.  

An 80-year-old person who tested positive for Coronavirus passed away at a private hospital in Mumbai. Total number of positive cases is 216 in the state, of which 39 people have been discharged. Ten people have died due to COVID-19 till now in Maharashtra. 

Five more COVID19 cases confirmed in Chandigarh taking the total positive cases in the Union Territory to 13. Two of the five new cases, a couple, has history of travel to Canada. Another case is the mother of a person who had tested positive earlier. 

COVID 19 cases rise to 88 including 14 cured in Uttar Pradesh. Maximum 36 cases have been reported in Gautam Budh Nagar following by Meerut (13). Thus, 50 per cent cases reported in two clusters where containment exercise is underway: UP Principal Health Secretary AM Prasad 

⚡️ #Covid_19 India tally inches close to 1200 even as Health Ministry has reiterated that there has been no community transmission so far.
Here's all you need to know! #Coronavirusindia LIVE: https://t.co/PYgAn38i8Khttps://t.co/m5pT34VG9o

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 30, 2020

 The volume of containers both coming in and going out of the port has fallen by more than 50 per cent. "Usually we get an inflow of 1600 containers and an outflow of 1800 containers. Now this has come down to 600 incoming containers and 700 to 900 outgoing containers," a port official said.

READ FULL REPORT HERE

The 25-year-old elder son of the man from Anna Nagar who died of COVID-19 tested positive here on Monday. This increases the number of active COVID-19 cases at the Government Rajaji Hospital to four. The other three include the wife (44) and the younger son (22) of the deceased who  tested positive on March 27 and a 60-year-old man from Rajapalayam in Virudhunagar who tested positive on March 28. While the family members of the deceased man are asymptomatic, the Rajapalayam man has comorbid conditions of hypertension and diabetes with symptoms of high grade fever. 

READ FULL REPORT HERE

We all should maintain social distancing; even one person's carelessness may lead to spread of coronavirus pandemic. Technically, COVID-19 in India is still in local transmission stage, there has been no community transmission so far: Health Ministry 

Bareilly District Magistrate has clarified that some employees took an overzealous step due to ignorance. Required action has been taken against those employees: Health Ministry

Home Secretary yesterday directed States/UTs to direct District Magistrates & Superintendents of Police to ensure food & shelter for stranded workers & full wages by employers. They were also directed to ensure that landlords don't ask for rent from labourers: MHA 

• While Bharat Electronics Ltd is going to manufacture ventilators, all drug companies have assured govt that there will not be any shortage of drugs during this crisis and even auto manufacturers are working to develop & produce ventilators

• Automobile manufacturers like Maruti, TATA, Mahindra & Mahindra, etc are being involved in the production of ventilators. They are in talks with the Health Ministry and have held meetings over the same.

• Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region has given its nod to run exclusive cargo flights to supply medical equipment & emergency goods in Northeast region of the country 

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare releases Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for transporting likely/confirmed cases of COVID19. Release states, "This SOP is applicable to the current phase of COVID19 pandemic in India - local transmission & limited community transmission". 

Follow @XpressBengaluru
Medicines booked online being delivered to apartment security officials on mysuru road#KarnatakaFightsCorona @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/YWoJPKteqV

— vinodkumart (@vinodkumart5) March 30, 2020

A Kam Air flight from Kabul, Afghanistan landed at Delhi airport at around 2:40 pm today with 35 Indians onboard. They will be kept in quarantine for 14 days at Indo-Tibetan Border Police camp.  

Train bogies being converted into hospital wards in Chennai's Perambur carriage workshop as railways decided to convert the bogies to accommodate the patients in case of emergency requirement.
Express photos by P Jawahar.@xpresstn #Covid_19 LIVE: https://t.co/CNgf1CK666 pic.twitter.com/tZ2dCNmBaq

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 30, 2020

Management and IT managers will subsequently need to reassess the risk to their data, and proactively evaluate their data loss prevention processes, as this can impact their reputation going forward, experts said.

READ HERE 

10 persons who were under home quarantine in Bengaluru & escaped to their native places, were arrested & a case has been registered against them at Gurmitkal Police Station: BH Anil Kumar, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) Commissioner.  

Three more test positive for Coronavirus in Rajasthan- 1 in Bhilwara and 2 in Jaipur. Jaipur patients are mother&son of a person who earlier tested positive and patient in Bhilwara was being operated upon in Bangar hospital whose doctors tested positive. 62 cases so far in the state  

The man, resident of Amber Colony in Ujjain, died on March 27 night. He was admitted to Madhav Nagar Hospital in a critical condition and died after an hour of undergoing treatment.

READ FULL REPORT HERE 

A 52-year-old man who had tested positive for Coronavirus has passed away around noon today. He suffered from diabetes and hypertension. He was admitted at Deenanath Mangeshkar hospital. There are total 32 Coronavirus cases in Pune: Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol

READ FULL REPORT HERE

#TNIEupdatesOnCovid19 five more cases in Karnataka. Four in Mysuru (all contacts of Nanjangud pt) and one 13 year old boy, in Tumkur, son of the Sira victim. Takes the total positivecases to 88. Bulletin yet to come @XpressBengaluru @santwana99 @DHFWKA @DOHgovph @NammaBengaluroo

— Chetana Belagere (@chetanabelagere) March 30, 2020

"The department of public instruction has issued a circular that the admission process and collection of fee for the year 2020-21 for students continuing in the same school shall be postponed till the next order in view of the COVID-19 crisis," said Karnataka education minister Suresh Kumar.

READ FULL REPORT

Fake and malicious messages are circulating on social media about likely declaration of emergency in mid April and employment of #IndianArmy, #Veterans, NCC and NSS to assist the civil administration.

It is clarified that this is absolutely FAKE. pic.twitter.com/YnbLnBZGY0

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) March 30, 2020

HCL Tech said it had invoked 'Business Continuity Plan' and `Risk Management Framework' quite early to minimise the impact on its employees and clients, and added that its exposure to the more-impacted verticals is "not significant".

READ FULL REPORT HERE

The Bihar health department has made an appeal to private doctors and their paramedical staff to join hands with the state government to fight COVID-19. In its appeal, the health department requested physicians, MBBS doctors in clinical practice and specialists in anesthesia, cardiology, critical care, emergency medicine, pulmonary medicine (respiratory medicine) and community medicine to come forward with their paramedical staff to render services to the people of the state. 

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a status report from the Centre by Tuesday on the measures taken in view of the large-scale migration of labourers from cities to their native villages amid the coronavirus outbreak and the consequent lockdown across the country. The top court observed that the migration of labourers out of panic and fear is becoming a bigger problem than the coronavirus. 

In Mumbai, Charkop police have arrested two persons for hoarding around 10,000 bottles of hand sanitizers for black marketing. Both accused have been arrested under multiple sections of the Essential Commodities Act. 

#WATCH A team of Pune Police's Dattawadi police station sing a song to create awareness about #Coronavirus; Total number of Coronavirus cases in Pune is 32 and total number of cases in #Maharashtra is 215. pic.twitter.com/1GJTZtHfo5

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

A PIL has been moved in Delhi HC seeking direction to Centre to Provide medical benefit & LIC facility of at least Rs 50 Lakh each to every journalist, reporter & other media personnel. Court says, "No urgency in this, we'll hear the petition when the lockdown period gets relaxed" Social activist and lawyer Arpit Bhargava, through this plea, seeks direction for providing safety and security to media personnel as well.  

Kerala HC grants interim bail to the trial prisoners and remand accused, in the light of Coronavirus Outbreak. The interim bail has been currently granted till April 30. After getting bail the accused should report to local police station immediately, after reaching their residence. Those released on bail must strictly follow the lockdown instructions. After bail period, accused should appear in the respective trial courts. 

• Agva Healthcare, Noida has been given an order to manufacture 10,000 ventilators within a month. Their supplies are expected to commence in the 2nd week of April

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will begin manufacturing 20,000 N-99 masks per day within the next week.

• 3.34 lakh PPE coveralls are available with hospitals in the country. Another 3 lakh donated coveralls being received from abroad by 4th April. 11 domestic producers of PPE coveralls have qualified so far and orders for 21 lakh have been placed on them

• They are supplying 6-7,000 pieces per day and are expected to go up to 15,000 per day by mid-April. One more domestic manufacturer has qualified today and is being given orders for 5 lakh PPE coveralls

• Orders for 10 lakh PPE kits have been placed through MEA on a Singapore based platform and supplies are to commence soon. 10,000 PPE coveralls donated by Red Cross have been received and are being distributed today

• 2 domestic manufacturers are producing 50,000 N95 masks per day. It's expected to go up to 1 lakh per day within next week. Hospitals in India have 11.95 lakh N95 masks in stock. Addl 5 lakhs were distributed during last 2 days & 1.40 lakhs being distributed today 

Ministry of Health has asked Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BHEL) to manufacture 30,000 ventilators in the next two months in collaboration with local manufacturers. Automobile manufacturers have been asked to manufacture ventilators and are working towards this end. 

Puducherry: AIADMK and BJP MLAs created ruckus in the legislative assembly today, staged a walk-out and are now sitting on protest inside the House against the govt of Puducherry, alleging that it refuses to allow relief and recovery work in the union territory. pic.twitter.com/OHTXUtYHMP

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

60 COVID19 cases have been reported in Rajasthan, with Bhilwara reporting maximum 25 cases: Raghu Sharma, State Health Minister 

Congress MP from Kerala's Kasaragod, Rajmohan Unnithan approaches Supreme Court seeking directions to Karnataka govt to open Karnataka-Kerala border to allow movement of ambulances and other emergency vehicles and for the transport of essential and non-essential items to Kerala. 

It may be recalled that the region witnessed two deaths after Karnataka sealed its borders and did not allow any patients from Kerala. The MP also seeks direction for Karnataka govt to register an FIR & constitute an SIT under the supervision of SC to enquire against the concerned authorities 'whose action led to the death of a woman who was denied entry into Karnataka for an urgent medical treatment'. 

TN CM EPS says : 17 new cases tested positive for COVID-19 in TN: Erode-10, Chennai-4, Madurai-1 and Tiruvarur-1 @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress

— T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) March 30, 2020

READ FULL REPORT HERE

A 49-year-old man from Kakinada city and a 72 year-old man from Rajahmundry city have tested positive for Coronavirus. Their travel history is being traced; Total number of Coronavirus cases in the state rises to 23: Director Health and Family Welfare, Andhra Pradesh

Tamil Nadu: Due to lack of access to sanitisers, people spray a mixture of turmeric, neem leaves & water on streets of Peraiyur village near Muthukulathur in Ramanathapuram district as a preventive measure against #COVID19. They also used bleaching powder to sanitise the area. pic.twitter.com/WvnSV2A8Tu

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

First they have to send a letter of undertaking to the mail id specialpasscovid19.gcp@gmail.com and then apply online at https://covid19.chennaipolicecitizenservices.com. This webpage will ask for details including name of the person, mobile number and name of the organisation etc.

 (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

#Update: Chennai Metro Rail announces that its services will be closed till April 14 due to the lockdown. @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress @cmrlofficial #COVID19

— Omjasvin M D (@omjasvinMD) March 30, 2020

Anushka and I are pledging our support towards PM-CARES Fund & the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (Maharashtra). Our hearts are breaking looking at the suffering of so many & we hope our contribution, in some way, helps easing the pain of our fellow citizens #IndiaFightsCorona

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 30, 2020

The Trauma Centre currently has 242 beds and 18 more are being added to it. Of the total number of beds, there are about 50 ICU beds and around 30-40 beds in the high-dependency unit. It has around 70 ventilators. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

A 45-year-old woman, who earlier tested positive for coronavirus, died at a hospital in Bhavnagar late Sunday night, principal secretary (health) Jayanti Ravi said. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Kerala: With suicide cases being reported from various parts of the state after liquor sales were stopped here following #CoronavirusLockdown, CM Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the Excise Department to provide liquor to those with a prescription from doctors. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/piGPwc6Ol6

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

National oil marketing companies have come out on Sunday allaying the fears of consumers about product shortages, saying there is absolutely no shortage of any fuel, especially cooking gas, which is being supplied to customers at their doorsteps. (READ MORE)

For representational purpose (Photo | Sampath Kumar D)

• Eight fresh COVID-19 positive cases reported in Madhya Pradesh today.
• The total count so far has reached 47 in the state.
• Out of the eight new cases, seven were reported from Indore and one from Ujjain.
• The district wise count so far: Indore 27, Jabalpur 8, Ujjain 5, Bhopal 3, Shivpuri 2, Gwalior 2

I’m surprised to see such reports, there is no such plan of extending the lockdown: Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on reports of extending #CoronavirusLockdown (file pic) pic.twitter.com/xYuoZkgM5e

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

Tally in Tamil Nadu rose on Sunday. So far one person died and five have been discharged after recovery. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

#IndiaFightsCorona

Take protective measures to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Because, together we can fight #COVID19. #CoronaOutbreak #SwasthaBharat #HealthForAll pic.twitter.com/VdOiPjn4of

— Ministry of Health 🇮🇳 #StayHome #StaySafe (@MoHFW_INDIA) March 30, 2020

About 85 people, possibly infected with #COVID19, got admitted at Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi last night. As of now, the hospital has registered a total of 106 people possibly infected with COVID-19 (ANI)

12 new #Coronavirus positive cases in #Maharashtra- 5-Pune ,3-Mumbai, 2-Nagpur, 1-Kolhapur,1-Nashik; Total number of Coronavirus cases in the state rises to 215: Maharashtra Health Department

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

Another coronavirus patient dies in West Bengal; COVID-19 deaths in state go up to two: Officials

Life under lockdown has been even harder to bear for students and working people from the Northeast, so much so that some have second thoughts about setting foot outside their homes to buy groceries fearing racial slurs or attacks. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

8 new Coronavirus positive cases- 7 in Indore and 1 in Ujjain; Total number of positive cases in Indore is 32: Dean, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

The document, however, is dynamic and may be modified as per the progression of the disease in India and when more data was available regarding epidemiology, transmission, and treatment. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Delhi: Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in Ghazipur has been converted to a temporary shelter home by govt to accommodate homeless&migrant workers amid #CoronavirusLockdown. Shailendra K Nirala,Delhi Civil Defence says, "there are around 400 people here. They are from UP,Bihar&Haryana." pic.twitter.com/TsB8ZkGJlh

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2020

In the war against Covid-19, personal hygiene and frequent handwashing have become the main weapons. As water availability for domestic use gets scarce by the day, how the common Indian is going to stick to those basic safety measures is anyone’s guess.
(READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Life in locked-down Britain may not return to normal for six months or longer as it battles the coronavirus outbreak. Deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries said it would take two or three weeks to assess the impact of the current rules for people to stay at home wherever possible to limit the spread of COVID-19. (READ MORE)

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, made the dire prediction of fatalities, adding that millions in the U.S. could become infected.(READ MORE)

The number of coronavirus cases around the world has crossed the 7,00,000 mark with US comprising for over one seventh of it. And the death toll crossed over 33,500 mark, with Italy and Spain accounting for over half of them.

A trolley carrying 6 people in Hyderabad without masks, during lockdown amidst #Covid_19 outbreak.
Express Photo | RVK Rao@XpressHyderabad pic.twitter.com/LUf07p8Nh2

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 29, 2020

• The man had been staying at Shastri Nagar of Meerut where he had approached for treatment after developing symptoms of coronavirus infection, said Chief Medical Officer, Dr Raj Kumar, of Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Medical College and Hospital.
• The man, dealing in pottery business at Amravati in Maharashtra, had come to his in-laws residing in Shastri Nagar of Meerut with his wife on March 19.
• He complained of breathing problems on March 26 and was taken to the Govt Medical College at Meerut where he was declared corona-positive on Sunday along with his wife and three relatives.
• All have been kept in the hospital isolation wards and are undergoing treatment.

The female employee of the Air India Air Transport Services Ltd (AIATSL) has been admitted to the BMC hospital in the western suburb of Jogeshwari, according to the sources. AIATSL is the ground-handling arm of national carrier Air India. AIATSL chief A K Sharma could not be contacted despite several attempts. Sources said the female employee had handled the last arriving flight of Air India before all domestic air passenger flights were temporarily suspended by the government from last Wednesday.

• They are all residents of Kudalwadi area, police said. "Around 35 people had gathered for prayers on the terrace of a building on March 27. After we received information about it, we launched an inquiry," a senior official said.
• "After the investigation, we arrested 13 people, but released them on bail," he said.
• Along with these 13 people, an offence was registered against around 22 others under IPC sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and also under the Disaster Management Act, and the Epidemic Diseases Act at Chikhali Police Station

• Nine close contacts of these two positive patients have been sent for institutional quarantine and their samples have been dispatched for testing, police said. Police and district administration are looking for the remaining people, who had come in their contact.
• "A group of 14, including the two patients, had come to India from Mauritius recently. They first stayed in Delhi and then travelled to Mumbai, Chennai. They again went back to Delhi," a district official said.
• "On March 14, all of them came to Ahmednagar by train and stayed at a religious institution in the city," he said. On March 26, they came to Jamkhed in the district, he added.
• "The district administration received information about their presence at a religious institution for offering prayer. All the 14 people were taken to the hospital and their samples were sent for testing. The results of five samples were received today and two were found to be positive," the official said.
• "While one of them is a French national, another one is from Ivory Coast," he added.

These officers failed to ensure public health and safety during the lockdown restrictions to combat #COVID19. Due to the serious lapse in performance of their duties, the competent authority has initiated disciplinary proceedings against these officers: Ministry of Home Affairs https://t.co/37bgPgrygS

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

One of the three trainees of Indian Forest Services (IFS), who had tested negative for COVID-19 on 27th March, has tested positive today.

Chandigarh Administration, in order to ensure availability of essential goods to all, are using Chandigarh Transport Union (CTU) buses to move from one area to another and provide vegetables to locals across the city; Visuals from Sector-23. pic.twitter.com/RtH7G937QJ

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

Tribal hamlets in Mulugu district, Telangana have taken proactive steps to ensure the safety of the people during #COVID2019india outbreak.
Photo | @gadekal2020 pic.twitter.com/4KnJhJfobQ

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 29, 2020

It is our responsibility to take care of migrants who have come to work in Telangana, we will take care of them like our family. Rs 500 along with 12 kg ration will be provided to each person, there is no need to panic: K. Chandrashekar Rao, Telangana CM #CoronaLockdown pic.twitter.com/IqZz4vcLxk

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

Foodgrains, salt, sugar, coal, fertilisers and petroleum products are being unloaded at several sidings, NFR spokesperson Subhanan Chanda said. Railway employees are providing essential services at goods sheds and stations while control offices are operational 24/7 to ensure smooth movement of freight trains, he said. The workers are being thermal screen before the commencement of their duties, they are working with masks on, practicing social distancing and regularly washing their hands, Chanda said. He said that railway locomotives, coaches and residential colonies are being sanitised.

Jharkhand: Chief Minister Hemant Soren inspected isolation wards set up at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi, today. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/FSG3SnfhiR

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

• City police chief Gaurav Grover said Sub-Inspector Mohit Kumar, the in-charge of Kotaban Police outpost, was found absent from the barrier duty during an inspection. 
• "Instead of performing duty to restrain people from violating the lockdown, he went to other state for an investigation," Grover said. As per reports from SP (Rural) Srish Chand, SI Kumar had gone outside Uttar Pradesh for a raid in a case during the lockdown duty, the SSP said.
• "At present, the police force is seriously ensuring success of the lockdown. However, a few police personnel are not taking it seriously," Grover stated.
• He said that on the basis of information received from the SP (Rural) that SI Mohit Kumar was not performing his lockdown duty, but was in a non-urgent task, he has been suspended.
• The way police are taking action against the lockdown violators, similarly action has been taken against sub inspector for not performing lockdown duty seriously, he added.
• "The lockdown is gradually turning more effective. More force has been deployed in towns to check the violators moving in the street. It would become more effective in future," the district police chief said.

• The directions came after reports from several districts emerged in which many people complained of not getting essential commodities.
• The additional chief secretary (Home) issued detailed guidelines to all the administrative secretaries, heads of departments, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and police officers to ensure strict compliance of these orders, a government release said.
• The guidelines clarify that to ensure sufficient and continuous supply of essential commodities and services, the establishments, including retail, wholesale, must be kept open only for home delivery.
• The supply of food and beverages, including fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs and meat, would be ensured to the people in a seamless manner. As per the guidelines, establishments of retail, wholesale, warehousing, manufacturing, etc. of medicines shall also remain open. Besides, poultry feed, veterinary medicines, veterinary hospitals, etc. would remain functional.
• Apart from these, banks, ATMs, cash vans, cash delivery, payment of wages by employers to workers shall not be interrupted, and supply of packaging, packing material, plastic bags, etc. would also continue, the guidelines added.
• The supply of petroleum products would be made available and petrol pumps would also remain open.

• This will go a long way in reassuring the people of the North-East region that even in this hour of trial, they are receiving as much attention as any other part of the country, the Union Minister said. The contact details and roadmap for the cargo operation will be provided soon, said Singh, the minister of state for the development of the northeastern region (DoNER). The directors of the airports in the region have been asked to inform about their requirements via Twitter, he said.
• Singh noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always placed the welfare of the northeastern region highest on his priority list. "It was primarily because of his personal outreach that Northeast has undergone revolutionary transformation over the last six years," the minister said.
• The decision to operate cargo flights for Northeast is only a reiteration of the fact that the concern for northeast is close to the prime minister's heart even at this crucial time, said Singh.

The police has set up a 24-hour helpline number, 011-23469526, to resolve issues related to the ongoing lockdown through direct intervention as fast as possible, they said. Out of the 1,105 calls received, 213 were from outside Delhi, while 156 related to complaints of no food and money, which were also forwarded to NGOs for direct relief at their addresses. Fourteen calls were received regarding medical issues, while 536 about movement passes.

Army informed that both had a history of travel within the country in "first /second week when they had travelled to Delhi.” (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Follow @XpressBengaluru to get #TNIEupdatesOnCovid19

Number of COVID 19 cases stand at 83 in Karnataka & govt is stepping up quarantine measures. Here's how you get an e-pass from cops. @ranjanikanth_ & @anusharavi10 will give you more details@NewIndianXpress @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/4uibqHipwq

— TNIE Karnataka (@XpressBengaluru) March 29, 2020

120 vehicles seized in Kalaburagi today on charges of roaming unnecessarily on roads and violating the #CoronavirusLockdown orders. All those who are coming out for essential or emergency work are not being stopped: DCP Kalaburagi, Karnataka pic.twitter.com/jYlhgs5svn

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

Supreme Court will tomorrow hear the petition filed by Advocate, Advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava, seeking food, water, shelter & urgent indulgence to the plight of migrant workers & their families, who are walking on foot to their villages, amid #CoronavirusLockdown pic.twitter.com/VpZ2lOaat2

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

• "Police have arrested 2,041 people either for defying the government's notifications regarding lockdown or for not following the home quarantine protocol," DGP Shivanand Jha told reporters.
• "As many as 680 FIRs were registered on Saturday under various sections of the IPC, Disaster Management Act, and Epidemic Diseases Act for flouting the lockdown order," he said. Police have also booked 418 persons for failing to observe home quarantine, he said.
• Around 75,000 police personnel and State Reserve Police (SRP) jawans have been roped in to enforce lockdown and home quarantine rules across the state, Jha said, adding that 80 to 90 per cent of the police force is being utilised for the purpose. Fourteen FIRs were registered on the basis of footage of drone and CCTV cameras, he said.
• According to him, 46 FIRs were also lodged for spreading misinformation regarding coronavirus on social media platforms.

Maharashtra: workers distribute food packets & grocery items to the needy in Nagpur, amid countrywide lockdown in wake of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/ObWsTOpx1N

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

Kerala: Around 200 workers from West Bengal are stranded in Kottayam. A worker says, “We do not have money, our employers have refused to pay us wages during #CoronavirusLockdown. We want the govt to help us reach our home town in West Bengal.” pic.twitter.com/KZRsU6gLCz

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

Indian Army sources: A Colonel-rank doctor has tested positive for #COVID19 at Army Command Hospital in Kolkata. The officer was in New Delhi recently. The officer has been put under quarantine and all precautions are being taken for his colleagues as well. pic.twitter.com/G9iO5yKDnZ

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

Death toll due to COVID19 rises to 8, after 2 deaths today. A 40-yr-old woman died yeesterday at KEM Hospital due to severe breathlessness. Her COVID-19 positive status confirmed today. She was hypertensive too. A 45-yr-old man also died in Buldhana, he was diabetic. 

Union Home Secretary, Ajay Bhalla has written to Chief Secretaries of all States & Union Territories (UTs) to clarify recent steps taken by the Central Government. #CoronaLockdown pic.twitter.com/KO3weeLZqP

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

Maharashtra: Total no. of positive #COVID19 cases rises to 203, after 22 new cases today (10 from Mumbai, 5 from Pune, 3 from Nagpur, 2 from Ahmednagar & 1 each from Sangli, Buldhana & Jalgaon). 35 patients recovered & discharged till date. 

The relaxation that was announced in state for 13 hours on 31st March from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, for movement of buses within the state, has been withdrawn. #CoronavirusLockdown will remain imposed in the state on 31st March as well: Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/37RpZqvIUo

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

Two more Coronavirus positive cases reported in Goa; one person has travel history to Bahamas, another person was in contact with one of the three positive patients. Both from Goa & already under quarantine. Total 5 positive cases in Goa now: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant 

Residents of Corona, a village in Sitapur say they have been facing discrimination, ever since the outbreak of #coronavirus. Rajan, a villager says, "When we tell people we are from Corona, they avoid us. They don't understand that it's a village, not someone infected with virus" pic.twitter.com/gxz6oIx8UP

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 29, 2020

In the ministerial group meeting, held at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's residence, ministers reviewed all issues related to COVID19, including maintaining supply chain of essential commodities like food, medicine, energy products etc. It was decided that migrants will be provided temporary shelters to stay. Feedback from various ministries and departments was also shared during the meeting: Government sources 

A petition has been filed before SC seeking direction to Govt and others to make medical facilities,food and shelter available to all citizens, irrespective of their financial or regional status as it's not only poor but entire nation including middle-class taxpayer who's affected. 

20 new positive cases in state on Sunday, say reports @xpresskerala #CoronaUpdate

— Ganesh Neelakantan (@minutepoint) March 29, 2020

#update: 2 Pts US return admitted at #RGGH for #Covid_19 +ve, from Porur is discharged from hospital today.They have recovered from d illness & tested negative twice.They will be home quarantined for next 14 days. I appreciate the Dean & team who took care of d Pts. @MoHFW_INDIA

— Dr C Vijayabaskar (@Vijayabaskarofl) March 29, 2020

As part of its containment plan, the Chennai Corporation has advised people, who are living in the areas where positive COVID19 cases were recorded, to always wear a mask even when they are inside their houses. The areas of the 15 patients tested positive in the city are Arumbakkam, Purasawalkam, Virugambakkam, Saidapet, West Mambalam, Santhome, Alandur, Porur, Kotturpuram. 

READ FULL REPORT HERE 

Tough cops with a soft heart: After the announcement of Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan directing officials to look after the needs of stray dogs, police officers in Kozhikode were seen offering food to street dogs.
Express photos | @sooraj_TNIE.@xpresskerala #CoronaLockdown pic.twitter.com/5G5fc0gkq6

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 29, 2020

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh asks all industrial units & brick kilns to commence operations with migrants workers if they have adequate provisions to accommodate them safely within the premises. Punjab govt is in discussion with Radha Soami Satsang Beas, which has already offered its buildings as quarantine facilities, to allow migrant labourers to stay there as these people would be needed for wheat harvesting in the fields in two weeks’ time.  

Current count of #COVID19 positive cases in Maharashtra is 196 - Mumbai & Thane Region 107,Pune 37,Nagpur 13, Ahmednagar 03, Ratnagiri 01, Aurangabad 01, Yavatmal 03, Miraj 25, Satara 02,Sindhudurg 01, Kolhapur 01, Jalgaon 01,Buldhana 01: Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra Health Minister https://t.co/5A2gDiw2op

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

• Till now there have been 979 COVID-19 confirmed cases in the country, including 25 deaths. In the last 24 hours, 106 new positive cases & 6 deaths have been reported.

• Till Sunday, ICMR has conducted 34,931 tests. Capacity utilization in the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) network is around 30%. We have increased some labs, 113 have been made functional & 47 private labs have been given approval 

• Under Indian Railways, 1.25 lakh wagons transporting essential commodities, such as food grains, sugar, salt, coal, petroleum, etc, have been operated in last 5 days

The Bihar Health department has said that the number of COVID19 positive cases in the state has risen to 11 (5 in Patna, 3 in Munger, and 1 each in Nalanda, Siwan & Lakhisarai). Two of the 5 infected people in Patna have now tested negative for the virus. Another test will be conducted after 24 hrs, they will be considered to have recovered from the virus if they test negative again. 

2000-odd migrant workers took to streets after being deprived of essentials in Kottayam.#CoronavirusLockdown #21daylockdown @xpresskerala
READ:https://t.co/xsaP2zAAkQ pic.twitter.com/obeBm3INi2

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 29, 2020

READ FULL REPORT HERE

Kerala: Some pharmacies in Trivandrum have stopped selling masks after govt fixed its price&brought it under Essential Commodities Act. A shop keeper says, "We can't sell masks at prescribed prices as suppliers are not giving us at that rate. However, we are selling sanitizers". pic.twitter.com/VkJB5CEG2y

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

Govt officials in UP's Gorakhpur are recording temperature and stamping people coming from Delhi before allowing them to board buses for their destination in the district. Naib Tehsildar Radheshyam Gupta says, "The stamp shows that the person's temperature has been recorded." 

Four more people have tested positive for Coronavirus in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. A total of 31 people have tested positive in the district till now: Rakesh Chauhan, District Information Office

The Pujara family is spending some quality time home 
Some household chores & fun time with the little one 
Stay Home 
Stay Safe  pic.twitter.com/FOW0qVv3sO

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 29, 2020

The ministry said that the notification permitted non-refundable withdrawal not exceeding the basic wages and dearness allowance for three months or up to 75 per cent of the amount standing to the credit of their EPF account, which ever is less.

READ FULL REPORT HERE 

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering suggestions on #COVID19. Gandhi says 'we stand together with the government in fighting and overcoming this tremendous challenge' pic.twitter.com/nIUz2koIzy

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

A First Officer with SpiceJet has tested positive for COVID-19. Test report came on March 28. He did not operate any international flight in March 2020. Last domestic flight he operated was on March 21 from Chennai to Delhi&since then he had quarantined himself at home. As a precautionary measure, all crew and staff who had been in direct contact with him have been asked to self-quarantine by staying at home for the next 14 days. All measures are being taken to provide appropriate medical care to him: SpiceJet 

Rajasthan: A 21-year-old man has been tested positive for #COVID19 in Jhunjhunu. He returned from Philippines on March 18 & developed symptoms of the disease on March 26. With this, total number of cases rises to 56 in the state. https://t.co/w3yx1K6RLv

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

Center directs States to ensure no movement of people across cities. All arrangements are being made for migrant labourers at their place of work including timely payment of wages. Action should be taken against those asking students and labourers to vacate: Government of India 

Around 45 to 50 poor people from Odisha and Bengal who came to JIPMER, Puducherry for treatment remain stranded after lockdown with no money. 

GALLERY: Thousands of stranded migrants walk back home as India under 21-day COVID-19 lockdown

Delhi: Food distribution to the needy continues in different parts of the city, visuals from near New Delhi railway station where Railway Police is distributing food. #CoronavirusLockdown pic.twitter.com/0923Eg9cxv

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

National Conference president and MP Farooq Abdullah released an additional amount of Rs 1.5 crore to Srinagar based hospitals. The amount is to be equally distributed among three hospitals. 

A number of Delhi government schools are being converted into temporary shelter homes to accommodate the homeless and migrant workers amid nationwide Coronavirus lockdown.  

Dear @BjpBiplab ji,

We will definitely take care of them. I have informed my team to provide the necessary resources. Together let's fight #COVID19. Thank you! https://t.co/GOOEgObNp1

— Edappadi K Palaniswami (@CMOTamilNadu) March 29, 2020

Yokai Johny Konyak and Ali Meren, students from Nagaland who are pursuing a degree at a college in Mysuru went to a supermarket at JLB road to purchase grocery on Sunday. They stood in the queue for about 25 minutes and when their turn came, they were denied entry inside the store by the staff and security, alleging that they were not Indians. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Bowring and Lady Curzon Government Hospital in Bengaluru has closed down its out patient departments (OPDs), casualty ward and will not be accepting any patient except COVID-19 cases read a circular dared March 26.

A 40-year old #Coronavirus patient has passed away in Mumbai, she was admitted yesterday following severe respiratory complications and was also a hypertension patient. This is the seventh corona virus-related death in Maharashtra

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

5 more people test positive in Kashmir- 2 from Srinagar, 2 from Budgam and 1 from Baramulla: Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary(Planning), J&K Govt #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/LzumWqyEuG

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

Home quarantine cases in Chennai rn ⁦@NewIndianXpress⁩ ⁦@xpresstn⁩ ⁦@ranjim⁩ pic.twitter.com/qy0WlzNIRO

— Nirupama Viswanathan (@NirupamaViswa) March 29, 2020

"The last domestic flight that he operated was on March 21 from Chennai to Delhi and since then he had quarantined himself at home," the airline spokesperson added. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor has tested positive for Coronavirus for the fourth consecutive time, causing considerable concern to her family. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Spanish Princess Maria Teresa of Bourbon-Parma has become the first royal to pass away due to coronavirus complications. The 86-year-old was a cousin of Spain's King Felipe VI. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

According to sources, a 34-week pregnant woman, who had returned from Dubai on March 20 was admitted in the medical college hospital on Saturday following symptoms of COVID-19. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on the second consecutive day made an appeal to migrant workers leaving the national capital to stay back, stating that his government is working tirelessly to provide them all basic facilities for living in the lockdown imposed to curb COVID-19 spread. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra has gone up to 193 with 12 more people testing positive for coronavirus, a health official said on Sunday. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

• Andhra Pradesh: 08645246600, 08645- 247185
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Low prices, fewer customers: The #CoronavirusOutbreak has crippled the fisheries business at Kasimedu harbour, more so post the #lockdown. The state Police is nevertheless keeping a check on people and is seen announcing safety instructions.@shibasahu2012 @xpresstn pic.twitter.com/1U1ou6Pv8p

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 29, 2020

A loss of smell and taste may be the early symptom of COVID-19 infection. Currently, there have been reports of taste and smell disorders related to COVID-19 from multiple countries around the world as well as within the US. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

(Photo| MK Ashok Kumar)

His death has turned the spotlight on the plight of distressed migrant labourers, many of whom decided to leg it home after the nationwide lockdown came into effect. Short of food and water, and with public transport off the streets, they were left with no recourse but to head home on foot. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Right in the middle of this crisis month of March, the first citizen of India, President Ram Nath Kovind, was busy with breakfast programmes for members of Parliament. One day, South Indian MPs were given the Rashtrapati Bhavan mega breakfast. Another day, MPs from UP and Rajasthan had the privilege. By Rashtrapati Bhavan’s usual banquet style, a breakfast means 90 men and women getting together and interacting with one another at close quarters. It is the opposite of social distancing. (READ THE FULL OPINION HERE)

The unfortunate demise of a #Coronavirus patient has been reported from Srinagar this morning: Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary(Planning), J&K Govt (file pic)

Two people have died in Jammu and Kashmir till now due to #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/TqTaSuoZAA

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has identified several non-air-conditioned hotels which will be converted into quarantine centres. The state government will pay the room and food rent for the patients in quarantine. (FIND THE LIST OF HOTELS HERE)

A 45-year-old COVID19 patient died today in Ahmedabad. He was suffering from diabetes. A total of five deaths have been reported from Gujarat (cumulative figures till today): Health & Family Welfare Department, Gujarat Government

It has been five days since the State government announced to provide Rs 1,500 to white ration cardholders to purchase essential commodities, in addition to the 12 kg free rice. Daily wage workers, however, are waiting for the promised amount as the State Civil Supplies Department is still working to gather the bank account details of over 87.59 lakh cardholders. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Trudeau's office announced on March 12 that she had tested positive for the coronavirus after she fell ill upon returning from a trip to London. The prime minister and his family have been in self isolation at home since then. He and their three children didn't show symptoms. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

(Photo| Anil Shakya)

• 5 more persons have tested positive for COVID19 in Madhya Pradesh; 4 are from Indore & 1 from Ujjain. The cases from Indore are men of ages 40 years, 48 years, 21 years and 38 years. The case from Ujjain is of a 17-year-old female.
• A person who had come back from Maharashtra's Amravati and four other members of his family have tested positive in Meerut.

A 57-year-old female shrimp seller in China's Wuhan city, the originating point of the coronavirus pandemic, has been identified as one of the first victims of COVID-19, which has claimed nearly 28,000 lives around the world so far, according to media reports. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Europe is now the most affected continent with 20,059 deaths from a total of 337,632 cases. The COVID-19 disease has killed 10,000 in Italy and 5,690 in Spain -- the two hardest-hit countries in the world, accounting for three-quarters of all deaths in Europe.

Punjab Chief Minister's Office: CM Captain Amarinder Singh has sought urgent intervention by Union Finance Minister including immediate release of GST compensation arrears of Rs. 2088 crores, specific only to Punjab as on 31/3/2020. #COVID19 (File pic) pic.twitter.com/OpiUhAoPrV

— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2020

In a statement, Bengaluru-based Practo said the company has partnered with Thyrocare to conduct the detection tests, which has been authorised by the Government of India and the ICMR.
(READ FULL REPORT HERE)

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)

• Maharashtra is now the Indian state with most cases as count crosses 180, Kerala second with 176 cases
• 85-year-old Maharashtra doctor, who died yesterday, confirmed to have contracted the virus 
• Telangana reports first death  Total tally in Karnataka rises to 76 
• Teleconsultation centre for doctors to share COVID-19 expertise inaugurated at AIIMS
• Delhi govt converts schools into night shelters to accommodate stranded migrant labourers
• Madhya Pradesh count reaches 33 after BSF officer tests positive
• FIR against Noida firm whose staff, including a foreigner, is suspected to have infected 13 people

Two women, aged 76 and 56 years, are residents of Egra in south Bengal's East Midnapore district while the third, a 54-year-old, is from Kalimpong in Darjeeling district of north Bengal. The state now has a total of 18 positive cases.

According to The Wall Street Journal, she was selling shrimps at the Huanan Seafood Market on December 10 when she developed a cold.
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The toll in Italy, which has suffered more deaths than any other country, now stands at 10,023. The country's civil protection service reported 889 new deaths on Saturday.