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

With Punjab, Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra reporting fresh deaths due to the deadly coronavirus on Monday, the death toll has gone up to 37.
People seen at the blocked Madhura Nagar amid coronavirus outbreak in Hyderabad. (Photo | Sathya Keerthi/EPS)
People seen at the blocked Madhura Nagar amid coronavirus outbreak in Hyderabad. (Photo | Sathya Keerthi/EPS)
Online Desk

Fresh confirmed cases of coronavirus infections are being reported from different parts of the country as the tally crossed 1200 amidst a nationwide lockdown.

With Punjab, Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra reporting fresh deaths due to the deadly coronavirus on Monday, the toll too has gone up to 37, including the Filipino who died in Mumbai.

This on a day when the government insisted again that the country has not entered the community transmission stage and the Cabinet secretary rubbished media reports that the 21-day lockdown may be extended to check the coronavirus menace.

The Centre on Sunday had ordered the sealing of all state and district borders to check community transmission of the deadly virus by migrant workers and asked those who had already left to be quarantined for 14 days.

Two senior Delhi government officers were suspended and while two others were served showcause notices for "serious lapses" in duty during the ongoing lockdown.

COVID-19: CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR STATE HERE

Coronavirus death toll exceeds 3000 in France

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.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Oil prices slide on shattered demand, just over USD 20 per barrel as stocks rise

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)

Five more COVID-19 deaths in Telangana, total toll at six

This includes the first death that was reported in the state on March 28, at a private hospital. However, no clarity has been provided if the five new deaths occured in a day, or over a period of days.

India tally crosses 1300

20 fresh coronavirus cases, including 10 in Jaipur, reported in Rajasthan; total rises to 79. Karnataka cases go up at 91.

Two discharged from isolation ward in Kerala

Two coronavirus patients discharged from isolation ward of government medical college in Kottayam. They were aged 91 and 88. It is a testimony to the dedication and expertise of the medical staff as well as strength of Kerala public health system. We shall overcome: Kerala Government

Latest visuals from Delhi's Nizamuddin

Nagpur man hides COVID-19 contact details, doctors quarantined

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.

Government extends validity of vehicle permits till June-end

  • 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.

    • Telangana announces salary cuts for ministers, MLAs and government officials

    Protective equipment being provided to the flight crew has been failing with an alarming frequency: Air India staff

    "During our recent rescue flights, the protective equipment being provided to the flight crew has been failing with an alarming frequency or has been plagued with other issues. Our pilots and cabin crew are given substandard ill-fitting PPE that tear easily on rescue flights. Sanitizers aren't given in sufficient quantities&disinfection processes are short of industry best practices," pilots to government.

    Financial Year has not been extended: Centre busts fake news

    Six new cases in Telangana today

    Six COVID-19 cases confirmed in Telangana today, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 61. 13 people were also discharged today.

    Announcement from Airtel

    Lockdown helpline of Delhi Police receives 1,187 calls in 24 hours

  • 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.

    • PM-CARES fund raising initiative 'self-aggrandising

  • 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.

    • More update from Tamil Nadu

    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.

    A happy development from Odisha

    More updates on the Nizamuddin situation

    Delhi Government to ask police to register FIR against Maulana of Markaz, Nizamuddin. Around 300-400 people had attended a religious gathering at Markaz & 163 people from Nizamuddin, likely to be infected with COVID-19, have been admitted to Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi.

    Karnataka tally rises upto 91

    Three positive cases confirmed in one family in Bellari. They are being treated at an isolated location. Total number of positive COVID-19 cases have increased to 91 in the state now: Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu.

    Over 140 FIRs registered, 3,750 detained for violating lockdown norms in Delhi

    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.

    HC directs J&K authorities to ensure proper shelter to 400 pilgrims stranded at Vaishno Devi shrine

  • 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.

    • Mandatory for cable operators to carry 25 DD, RS and LS TV channels: I&B Ministry

  • 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.

    • Two villages in Shopian district declared red zones to prevent spread of COVID-19

  • "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.

    • Hero Group pledges Rs 100 crores to fight coronavirus

    The Hero Group has pledged Rs 100 crores as aid for the ongoing COVID-19 relief-efforts in India. Half of this sum, Rs 50 crores, will be contributed to the PM-Cares Fund and the remaining Rs 50 crore will be spent in other relief efforts.

    Delhi police on Nizamuddin building situation

    Update from Delhi's Lokmanya Tilak Hospital

    We have 500 beds at Lok Nayak Hospital at present, adding 500 more beds now. We've about 64 ventilators at Lok Nayak Hospital and 80 ventilators at GB Pant Hospital. As of now, all COVID-19 patients do not require ICU & ventilator facility: Senior Official, Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi

    Delhi government converts 11 schools into night shelters for migrant workers

  • 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.

    • 39 discharged so far in Maharashtra; Mumbai leads with 14

    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.

    Madhya Pradesh hospitals get CCTVs to stop quarantine violations

    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.

    Infosys Foundation to donate Rs 100 crore to PMCARES Fund

    Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic & corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Infosys, today announced that it is committing Rs 100 crore to support efforts towards fighting COVID-19 in India. Foundation contributed half of this commitment (Rs 50 crore) to PMCARES Fund: Infosys

    25 new cases in Delhi

    25 new coronavirus cases reported In Delhi today, taking the number of positive cases in the national capital to 97: Delhi Health Department

    Fish market in Coimbatore shut

    Three more tested positive in J&K

    Three more COVID-19 cases tested positive in Kashmir, taking the total cases to 48 now. 11,644 persons are currently under observation & 722 samples have been tested so far: Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary-Planning, Jammu & Kashmir

    Gujarat releases more than 100 prisoners

    MEA statement on Modi's meeting with Indian diplomatic staff

    Karnataka government's new directive to those under home quarantine

    All persons under home quarantine shall send their selfie to government (on a mobile application) every 1 hour. Failing to do so, teams will reach such defaulters & they will be liable to be shifted to quarantine centers made by the government: Dr. K Sudhakar, Karnataka Minister.

    Four suspected of corona infected in Ghaziabad, three hotels turned into quarantine centre: DM

  • 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.

    • Over 700 booked in UP's Muzaffarnagar for violating COVID-19 lockdown

    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.

    HRD Ministry asks NTA to postpone last date of applications for exams

    "To enable students to fill up their application forms during these testing times, I have advised @DG_NTA to postpone the last date of acceptance of applications of ICAR Exam, JNU Entrance Exam, UGC NET, CSIR NET, NCHM JEE, IGNOU PhD and Management Entrance Exams by 1 month," Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' tweeted.

    Punjab reports a third death due to COVID19

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

    COVID19 deceased to be cremated

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

    Madhya Pradesh reports 4th death

     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.

    More than 700,000 COVID-19 cases reported around the globe; 33,500 deaths

     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

    Posh Lucknow hotels converted into quarantine facilities

    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

    Prince Charles 'recovers' from COVID-19, out of self-isolation

    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. 

    Many hospitalised after event in Delhi's Nizamuddin

    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.  

    Number of confirmed cases of COVID19 in Karnataka increased to 88

    Delhi govt to promote students till class 8 sans exams, start online classes for class 12

    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

    Kerala reports 32 fresh cases

    NTA advised to postpone the last date of application of different entrance exams

    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.  

    Maharashtra reports 10th death from coronavirus

    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 test positive for COVID 19 in Chandigarh

    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. 

    WATCH | Southern Railway develops prototype of COVID-19 isolation wards made from train coaches

    Coronavirus positive cases in UP rise to 88

    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 

    Cargo piles up at Chennai Port amid COVID-19 lockdown

     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

    25-year-old son of Madurai man who died of COVID-19 tests positive

    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

    COVID-19 in India is still in local transmission stage: Centre

    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 

    Health Ministry clarifies on 'chemical bath' of migrants in UP

    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

    MHA directed states and UTs to ensure food and shelter for stranded workers

    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 

    Highlights from Health Ministry briefing

  • 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

    • Health ministry releases SOP for transporting COVID-19 cases

    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". 

    35 Indians brought from Kabul to be kept in quarrantine facility at ITBP camp

    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.  

    Working from home during lockdown? Make sure you don't fall prey to cybercrime!

    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 

    Quarantine escapees booked in Bengaluru

    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.  

    Positive cases in Rajasthan rise to 62

    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  

    Dead man's sample tests positive for COVID-19; Madhya Pradesh toll reaches 3

    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

    Maharashtra reports another death, India death toll reaches 34

    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

    Karnataka positive cases increase to 88

    Karnataka schools demanding fees for 2020-21 may face criminal cases, warns minister

    "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

    Don't see major impact on March quarter business due to coronavirus: HCL Tech

    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

    Bihar government sends SOS to private doctors and their staff

    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. 

    SC seeks status report from Centre on steps taken to prevent reverse migration of workers

    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. 

    Two arrested in Mumbai for hoarding 10k bottles of hand sanitizers

    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. 

    PIL seeking protection for media personnel moved in Delhi HC

    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.  

    Trial prisoners in Kerala granted bail till April 30

    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. 

    Ministry of Health briefing

  • 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

    • BHEL, auto makers asked to manufacture ventilators

    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. 

    Number of positive cases in Rajasthan rises to 60

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

    Kerala-Karnataka border row reaches SC

    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'. 

    17 new cases test positive in Tamil Nadu, state tally at 67

    READ FULL REPORT HERE

    Two new cases confirmed in Andhra Pradesh as India tally near 1150

    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

    Mixture of turmeric, neem leaves, water used as disinfectant in Ramanathapuram

    Chennai police to issue QR coded passes for those involved in essential services 

    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)

    Chennai: Metro services to be suspended till April 14

    Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma pledge support towards 'PM CARES' to fight COVID-19

    To fight coronavirus, AIIMS Delhi converts main trauma centre into hospital

    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)

    45-year-old woman dies from coronavirus in Gujarat; death toll reaches six in state

    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)

    Provide liquor to those with doctors' prescription: Kerala CM

    'No LPG shortage at all, delivering at least 40 per cent more fuel now'

    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)

    Madhya Pradesh: Positive coronavirus cases reach 47 in state

  • 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

    • JUST IN: Cabinet Secy denies reports of extending 21 day nationwide lockdown

    10-month-old baby among eight new COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu

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

    Amid growing discrimination against Northeast Indians, Health Ministry's call for unity

    Sensex openes 1,000 points lower; Nifty at 8,389 level amid coronavirus crisis

    85 suspected COVID-19 cases admitted in Delhi's Lok Nayak hospital on Sunday night

    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 fresh positive cases in Maharashtra, state tally rises to 215

    West Bengal records 2nd coronavirus death, India toll 29

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

    Asked to vacate hostels, racial slurs: Northeast Indians in Delhi deal with daily COVID-19 'hatred'

    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 cases in Madhya Pradesh

    'COVID-19 Preparedness Document': AIIMS issues safety norms for staff, hostel residents

    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)

    Ghazipur: School converted to temporary shelter for stranded migrants

    EDITORIAL | Coronavirus: Prepare for water scarcity now

    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)

    United Kingdom warned to expect months of coronavirus measures

    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)

    Up to 2,00,000 United States deaths foreseen as more cities hit by coronavirus

    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)

    Peak US death rate likely to hit in two weeks: Trump

    President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the peak death rate in the United States from the coronavirus pandemic was likely to hit in two weeks.
    Trump, during a briefing at the White House, also said that he was extending the government's "social distancing" guidelines until April 30. (AFP)

    Covid-19 cases cross 700,000 mark globally, death toll over 33,500

    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.

    Rajasthan numbers reach 59

    Three family members of a 23-year-old man from Ajmer (who was tested positive for coronavirus on March 28) have been tested positive for the disease. Total positive cases in Rajasthan rise to 59: Rohit Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Rajasthan Health Department.

    Coronavirus transmission looms over Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, Delhi

    Around six doctors and four nurses from RML Hospital have been sent to quarantine after they were exposed to a COVID-19 positive patient. The sources said one of the nurses developed fever since Sunday evening, so the entire team has been asked to go quarantine themselves at their homes. "This team of six doctors and nurses and other staff from RML were exposed to COVID-19 patients and as one of the nurses developed fever since evening today the entire team has been sent for home quarantine. Their samples have been taken (for testing)," one of the sources said.

    Total positive cases reach 70 in Telangana

    Total coronavirus positive cases in Telangana stand at 70 including one discharged and one death: Telangana Health Department.

    More details from Tamil Nadu

    Four out of eight new patients have been isolated at Perundurai IRT hospital in Erode. District’s total count rises to 10. Health officials said that the patients had travelled to Delhi and were in contact with the Thai natives.

    No regard for lockdown rules in Hyderabad

    Five Khurja natives tested corona-positive in Meerut

  • 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.

    • Employee of Air India subsidiary tests positive in Mumbai

    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.

    Bengal tally now stands at 21

    A 59-year-old resident of Hooghly has been tested positive for coronavirus. He is currently admitted to the ICU of a hospital. Total number of positive cases in West Bengal rise to 21.

    13 held, 22 booked in Pune for gathering for prayers

  • 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

    • Second death in Punjab

    A 62-year-old coronavirus patient, undergoing treatment for the fatal infection at the Government Medical College here, died on Sunday evening, said an official, putting the total count of COVID-19 casualty in the state at two. The death of the second coronavirus patient was confirmed by the Amritsar GMC principal Dr Sujata Sharma. She said the sexagenarian man had contracted infection from a 70-year-old Nawanshahr resident who had tested positive earlier. The septuagenarian had died of cardiac arrest on March 18 at Nawanshahr. Sharma said the second coronavirus virus victim in the state was admitted to hospital on March 23. She further said he was also a chronic diabetic patient.

    Two COVID-19 patients in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar are foreign nationals

  • 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.

    • More details about the Delhi officials supended by Centre

    One IFS trainee tests positive

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

    Government suspends two senior Delhi officers, showcauses two others

    Centre suspends two senior Delhi government officers, showcauses two others for dereliction of duty during coronavirus outbreak: Officials

    Chandigarh Administration using CTU buses to provide essential goods to all

    Tribals in Telangana use leaves as masks

    Will take care of migrant workers like family members: Telangana CM

    Freight trains regularly supplying essential commodities amid lockdown: Northeast Frontier Railway

    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 CM inspects isolation wards set up at Ranchi hospital

    Mathura SI suspended for skipping lockdown duty

  • 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.

    • Ensure uninterrupted supply of essential items to public: Punjab CM to state departments

  • 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.

    • Cargo flights will be used to transport medical equipment, essential goods to N-E: Jitendra Singh

  • 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.

    • Delhi Police receives over 1,100 calls on helpline number in 24 hours

    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.

    LISTEN | No need to panic, COVID-19 is something we can easily conquer: Padma Bhushan Dr. D Nageshwar Reddy

    Army doctor, Junior Commissioned Officer found COVID-19 positive

    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)

    WATCH | TNIE discusses Karnataka COVID-19 situation

    Two more test positive in Andhra

    Two more test positive for Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh, taking total number of cases to 21. Both are contacts of Patient number seven who returned from the UK on March 17.

    120 vehicles seized in Karnataka's Kalaburagi

    Latest update on coronavirus situation in J&K

    "6465 travellers & persons in contact with suspected #COVID19 cases have been put under surveillance and, so far, 38 cases (34 active positive, 02 recovered and 02 deaths) have tested positive in J&K. 3260 persons have been kept under home quarantine while 307 are in hospital quarantine. 2163 persons are under home surveillance, 735 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period. 588 samples sent for testing of which 542 tested negative, 8 reports awaited," said the state government.

    Central Government set up 11 empowered groups to handle the COVID-19 situation

    Central Government today set up 11 empowered groups for ensuring a comprehensive and integrated response to COVID-19. These groups have been set up under Disaster Management Act. Each group has senior representative from PMO & Cabinet Secretariat to ensure seamless coordination: Sources

    SC to hear plea on the plight of migrant workers on Monday

    Over 2,000 held for defying lockdown, quarantine orders in Gujarat

  • "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.

    • Delhi reports 23 more cases

    23 new coronavirus cases reported today. Total number of positive cases in Delhi rises to 72.

    People extend helping hand to the needy in Nagpur

    Army reports its third COVID-19 case

    Third COVID-19 case of Indian Army reported from Srinagar where a Territorial Army Naik has tested positive. The Naik had returned from leave recently and undergone tests few days ago. His colleagues have been isolated as per procedures: Army Sources

    Bengal tally reaches 20

    Two more persons tested positive for COVID-19 today; Total number of positive cases in the state rises to 20.

    Migrant labourers from Bengal stuck in Kerala, cry out for help

    Army officer tested positive in Kolkata

    Five more new cases in Gujarat

    "Five more people test positive for coronavirus in Gujarat. Total 63 people have tested positive till now in the state. Two COVID-19 patients are on ventilator, while one patient has been discharged from Ahmedabad's SVP Hospital," said Jayanti Ravi, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Gujarat.

    Maharshtra reports 8th COVID-19 death

    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 writes to states, UTs on steps taken by the government

    Total number of positive cases in Maharashtra reach 203

    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. 

    Uttarakhand cancels 13 hours lockdown relaxation on 31st March

    Bihar number rises to 15

    Four new positive COVID-19 cases reported at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital in Bhagalpur today. Total number of positive cases in the state rises to 15.

    Death toll rises to eight in Maharashtra

    Death toll due to COVID-19 rises to eight in Maharashtra, after two deaths on Sunday. A 40-year-old woman died on Saturday at KEM Hospital due to severe breathlessness. Her COVID-19 positive status confirmed today. She was hypertensive too. A 45-year-old man also died in Buldhana, he was diabetic.

    Goa reports 2 more positive cases

    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 

    Namesake woes

    High-level meeting at Rajnath Singh's residence

    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 

    Petition in SC for food, medical facilities and shelter

    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. 

    Eight more test positive in Tamil Nadu

    Eight more test positive in Tamil Nadu

     

    Kerala reports 20 more positive cases

    WATCH | An Indian COVID-19 survivor's experience

    Two US-returned patients discharged

    Wear masks even inside your homes: Chennai Corporation

    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

    Punjab CM asks all industrial units to accommodate migrant workers safely

    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.  

    COVID-19 positive cases in Maharashtra rise to 196

    Highlights from Health Ministry briefing

  • 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

    • Number of COVID+ cases in Bihar rise to 11

    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. 

    READ FULL REPORT HERE

    Migrants entering Gorakhpur undergo temperature check

    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 test positive for COVID-19 in Gautam Budh Nagar district of UP

    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

    Contribution to PM-CARES Fund to qualify as CSR spending: Govt

    READ FULL REPORT HERE

    BCCI advises all to follow Pujara family's quarantine schedule

    Labour Ministry allows provident fund withdrawal amid coronavirus lockdown

    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

    Spicejet pilot tests positive for COVID-19

    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 

    Number of COVID-19 positive cases in Rajasthan rise to 56

    Centre directs States to place migrants in govt-run quarantine for 14 days

    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 

    Migrants from Odisha and Bengal stranded in Puducherry

    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

    Farooq Abdullah releases Rs 1.5 crore to Srinagar-based hospitals

    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. 

    Delhi government schools turn into shelter homes for migrants

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

    In yet another case of racial abuse, students from Nagaland denied entry at Mysuru supermarket

    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 hospital closes OPD, dedicated for COVID-19

    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.

    Maharashtra records 7th coronavirus-related death

    Gujarat tally rises to 58 with 3 fresh cases

    3 more people test positive for Coronavirus in Ahmedabad, a total of 58 people have tested positive till now in the state: Gujarat Health Department

    5 fresh positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir

    19120 persons under home quarantine in Chennai

    SpiceJet pilot who last flew on March 21 tests positive for COVID-19

    "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)

    Kanika Kapoor tests coronavirus positive for fourth time

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

    Princess Maria Teresa of Spain becomes first royal to die from COVID-19

    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)

    TN woman admitted with symptoms, gives birth to baby girl in COVID-19 ward

    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)

    Kejriwal urges migrant workers to stay back in Delhi, says all arrangements made

    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)

    COVID-19 cases in India cross 1000-mark as 12 more test positive in Maha

    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)

    Coronavirus helpline numbers across states, UTs

  • Andhra Pradesh: 08645246600, 08645- 247185

  • Arunachal Pradesh: 08257891310, 8974987127, 9436074396, 0360-2005160/59

  • Assam: 03612237219, 94014044617

  • Bihar: 0612-2217781, 0612-2233806

  • Chhattisgarh: 0771-282113

  • Goa: 08322419550

  • Gujarat: 079-23251900, 23251908, 23251914

  • Haryana: 0172-2545938

  • Himachal Pradesh: 0177-2628940 , 2629439, 26296288

  • Srinagar: 0194-2477261, 2486567, 2452295

  • Jammu: 0191-2549100, 2562646, 2560596, 2544581

  • Jharkhand: 06512446923

  • Karnataka: 08022340676

  • Kerala: 04712364424

  • Madhya Pradesh: 0755-2441419, 0755-4926892

  • Maharashtra: 022-22027990

  • Manipur: 0385-2443441

  • Meghalaya: 0364-2502098

  • Mizoram: 0389-2345943

  • Nagaland: 03702291122

  • Odisha: 06742534177

  • Punjab: 01722747798

  • Rajasthan: 0141-2227296, 2225264, 2385777, 2385776

  • Sikkim: 03592-201145

  • Tamil Nadu: 044-28414513 / 28593990

  • Telangana: 040-23454088

  • Tripura: 0381-2416045

  • Uttar Pradesh: 0522-2237515

  • Uttarakhand: 0135-2710334

  • West Bengal: 033-22143526

  • Andaman and Nicobar: 03192234287, 09474280024

  • Chandigarh: 0172-2704048

  • Dadra & Nagar Haveli: 0260-2642106, 0260-2630304

  • Daman and Diu: 0260-2230093

  • Delhi: 011-23831077

  • Lakshadweep: 04896263742

  • Puducherry: 04132253407

    • Low prices, fewer customers: How COVID-19 has crippled fisheries industry

    Loss of smell, taste early symptom of COVID-19

    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)

    Coronavirus control room numbers across States and Union Territories

    Andhra Pradesh: 08645246600, 08645- 247185 Arunachal Pradesh: 08257891310, 08974987127, 9436074396, 0360-2005160 59,0360-2292774 Assam: 03612237219, 94014044617 Bihar: 0612-2217781, 0612-2233806 , 8544402232 Chhattisgarh: 0771-282113 Goa: 08322419550 Gujarat: 079-23251900, 23251908, 23251914 Haryana: 0172-2545938 Himachal Pradesh: 0177-2628940 , 2629439, 26296288 Srinagar: 0194-2477261, 2486567, 2452295 Jammu: 0191-2549100, 2562646, 2560596, 2544581 Jharkhand: 06512446923 Karnataka: 08022340676 Kerala: 04712364424 Madhya Pradesh: 0755-2441419, 0755-4926892 Maharashtra: 022-22027990 Manipur: 0385-2443441 Meghalaya: 0364-2502098 Mizoram: 0389-2345943 Nagaland: 03702291122 Odisha: 06742534177 Punjab: 01722747798 Rajasthan: 0141-2227296, 2225264, 2385777, 2385776 Sikkim: 03592-201145 Tamil Nadu: 044-28414513 / 28593990 Telangana: 040-23454088 Tripura: 0381-2416045 Uttar Pradesh: 0522-2237515 Uttarakhand: 0135-2710334 West Bengal: 033-22143526 Andaman and Nicobar: 03192234287, 09474280024 Chandigarh: 0172-2704048 Dadra & Nagar Haveli: 0260-2642106, 0260-2630304 Daman and Diu: 0260-2230093 Delhi: 011-23831077 Lakshadweep: 04896263742 Puducherry: 04132253407

    Anti-CAA protesters in TN have found a new way of voicing their opinion

    (Photo| MK Ashok Kumar)

    Migrant dies after walking 200 kms, India's first COVID-19 lockdown victim

    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)

    TJS George column| When leaders set bad examples

    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)

    Jammu and Kashmir reports 2nd coronavirus death, India death tally 23

    Karnataka govt readies hotels to be used as quarantine facilities in Bengaluru

    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)

    Coronavirus claims life in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, India death tally rises to 22

    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

    No job, no pay: Daily wagers wait for Rs 1,500 promised by KCR

    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)

    Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's wife Sophie has recovered from COVID-19

    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)

    Lockdown Day 5: Migrants continue their home-bound journey on foot

    (Photo| Anil Shakya)

    Fresh cases confirmed in Madhya Pradesh, UP

  • 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.

    • Identified! Female shrimp seller of Wuhan's Huanan market is 'Patient Zero'

    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 death toll surges past 20,000

    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 CM seeks urgent intervention by Union Finance Minister

    COVID-19 tests now available on 'Practo'

    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)

    India gets its first indigenous test kit

    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)

    Day in highlights

  • 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

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

    Three more test positive in West Bengal

    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.

    'Patient Zero' identified

    According to The Wall Street Journal, she was selling shrimps at the Huanan Seafood Market on December 10 when she developed a cold.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Italy toll tops 10,000

    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.

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