Mathematical modeling studies suggest containment of COVID-19 might be possible but success of containment operations "cannot be guaranteed" since there is efficient human to human transmission, the Union health ministry said on Saturday. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS | Success of containment operations 'cannot be guaranteed': Health Ministry
The cluster containment strategy aims to contain COVID-19 within a defined geographic area by early detection of cases, breaking the chain of transmission and thus preventing its spread.
Published: 14th May 2020 08:21 AM | Last Updated: 17th May 2020 07:36 AM | A+A A-

Health workers wearing protective gear stand near an ambulance carrying the dead body of a victim who died from the COVID-19 before the last rites at Nigam Bodh Gath in New Delhi on Saturday. (Photo | Shekhar Yadav/EPS)
Coronavirus cases in Tamil Nadu rose to 10858 on Saturday after 477 persons, mostly secondary contacts, tested positive. In the same day, a record 939 persons who had recovered from COVID-19 infection were discharged.
In a significant development after trading barbs of words, Congress leader met the migrant workers walking towards home from Delhi and arranged vehicle for them. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the state government will bear the entire cost of migrant workers returning to the state on special trains.
Recording over 85,000 cases, India overtook China’s coronavirus cases tally that stands at 84,031 according to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Tracker. India now ranks 11th in the world in terms of coronavirus cases with 85,784 with 2,753 deaths.
Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 2,752 and the number of cases climbed to 85,940 on Saturday, registering an increase of 103 deaths.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the fourth tranche of Centre's Rs 20 lakh crore fiscal stimulus, which focussed on airspace and civil aviation sector.
Success of COVID-19 containment operations 'cannot be guaranteed': Health Ministry
Two from Guwahati test COVID-19 positive
Two persons from Guwahati test COVID-19 positive. Total positive cases rise to 94 in the state: Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Special train from Delhi reaches Assam
Assam: A special train carrying passengers from New Delhi Railway Station reached Guwahati Railway Station yesterday. The train is enroute to Dibrugarh. All passengers were screened on their arrival at the railway station, as per guidelines by the govt. pic.twitter.com/kv0fxeEh7L
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Snapshot of migrant tragedy: Citizen Rampukar back in Bihar, waiting to meet his family
"We labourers have no life, we are just a cog in the wheel, spinning continuously until we run out of life," said the man, his name unknown but his face by now familiar to many thousands of people across the nation. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Indian pilgrims from Ladakh depart from Iran
A group of 310 Indian pilgrims, hailing from Ladakh, departed Tehran for New Delhi by Mahan Air tonight (16th May). Thereafter, they'll go home to Leh by special flights: Embassy of India in Iran #VandeBharatMission pic.twitter.com/E54hPHeZd8
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
700 'super spreaders' found coronavirus positive in a week in Ahmedabad
At least 700 "super spreaders" were found coronavirus positive in Ahmedabad in a massive screening of vegetable sellers and shopkeepers conducted in a week after officials had ordered closure of shops, except those selling milk and medicines, between May 7 and 14, a senior bureaucrat said on Saturday. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Assam tally nears 100
One person from Sonitpur district has tested #COVID19 positive. Total positive cases rise to 92 in Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma, State Minister pic.twitter.com/Yep3mT1yMH
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Indore tally nears 2500
92 persons have tested positive for #COVID19 in Indore district today; taking the total number of positive cases to 2470. Death toll increased to 100 after one death was reported today: Praveen Jadia, Indore Chief Medical Health Officer #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/imavhPp0sE
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Rajasthan latest coronavirus numbers
Madhya Pradesh coronavirus latest tally
- Total Positive cases: 4790.
- Active: 2232.
- Deaths: 243.
- Negative/Discharged: 2315.
- 195 new cases, four more deaths and 32 patients were discharged on Saturday.
33 more positive cases in Bihar
33 more COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Bihar, taking the total number of cases to 1178: Sanjay Kumar, State Principal Health Secretary.
Security forces resort to lathi-charge, rubber pallets to disperse crowd in Ranchi's containment zone
Notably, CRPF has been deployed at Hindpiri, largest containment zone in Jharkhand, to implement the lockdown strictly. People reportedly were pelting stones on CRPF personnel from the dark after switching off the lights in their houses. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Teen rickshaw-puller heads to native village with homeless nonagenarian he met in Delhi
Sitting on the pavement near the Jangpura Metro Station, Jagdeesh Yadav stares blankly into space, occasionally sipping water from a plastic bottle. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
COVID-19 'preventive medicine' recipe from Tik Tok lands Andhra family of four in hospital
The four-member family fell ill after they consumed the juice made of toxic seeds of Datura (Ummetta plant in local parlance) and their condition is stable now. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Allahabad-bound man dies on Shramik train in Madhya Pradesh
Identified as Javed Ahmad Siddiqui, the middle aged man was returning to native Allahabad with wife, daughter and two nephews on the Bandra-Varanasi Shramik Special train. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Kolkata Airport gears up as first repatriation flight from Bangladesh to arrive on Monday
The flight under 'Vande Bharat' mission will arrive at Kolkata International Airport here from Dhaka on May 18. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
51 people escape mandatory screening on Assam-Bengal border, detained 80 km away by police
Every individual who enters Assam is subjected to mandatory medical screening vis-à-vis COVID-19 at the inter-state check post. However, these people managed to escape the glare of the cops and health officials deployed there by hiding in the vehicle. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Madhya Pradesh CM writes to seven states seeking prior information on migrants movement
In the letter written to CMs of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, Chouhan has mentioned that the practical difficulty in movement of labourers is that Madhya Pradesh doesn’t get timely information on how many labourers from other states are coming to the MP border and at what time. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Two Delhi Police officers test COVID-19 positive
- An assistant commissioner of police and a station house officer have tested positive for coronavirus in southeast Delhi, officials said on Saturday.
- Seventeen policemen who were in contact with the ACP and the SHO have been quarantined, a senior police officer said, adding that further contact tracing is underway.
- Nearly 180 Delhi Police personnel have tested positive for coronavirus so far, of them 78 have recovered.
In Pune virus hotspot, man dies waiting for ambulance
- The kin and neighbours of a 54- year-old man have alleged that he died waiting for an ambulance in Nana Peth area, one of the coronavirus hotspots in Pune.
- The incident took place in the early hours of Friday, they added. Pune Municipal Corporation commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad on Saturday said he had issued notice to the 108 ambulance service as well as the zonal and ward officers of the area over the incident.
- "At around 12:30am on Friday, my father collapsed in the washroom. As he is obese, we made him sit on a chair and called the 108 ambulance service several times but nobody turned up. He was conscious till 1:30am. We rushed him to Sassoon Hospital in a tempo but he was declared dead on admission at around 3:30am," his son said.
- "We were told he died of a heart attack. If the ambulance had arrived in time, my father could have been saved," he added.
COVID-19: CAPF companies replace Maharashtra cops in Mumbai, other cities in lockdown duty
Earlier on Saturday, the Union Home Ministry ordered the withdrawal of 10 CAPF companies from Jammu and Kashmir and sent nine such units to Maharashtra, which has been the worst affected state by the pandemic. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
News from Karnataka
The Deputy Commissioner stated that the order will not apply to essential services. It restricts religious programs, mass gatherings and people who roam around in the district. https://t.co/K1sfVY3otj
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Latest coronavirus tally from Uttar Pradesh
- Total cases: 4258.
- Active cases : 1713.
- Fresh cases: 203.
- Recovered : 2441.
- Deaths : 104.
- Districts in grip: 75.
COVID-19: Punjab extends lockdown till May 31, but curfew restrictions to go
CM Amarinder Singh further indicated the resumption of limited public transport services and the 'maximum possible relaxation' in the non-containment zones from May 18. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Odisha government to increase VAT on fuel
Govt decides to increase VAT rate on petrol from 26 % to 32 % and on diesel from 26 % to 28 % to make up for the loss of revenue because of nationwide lockdown. The price of petrol & diesel will go up by Rs 3.11 and Rs 1.03 per litre #Odisha @NewIndianXpress
— Bijay Chaki (@bijay_TNIE) May 16, 2020
Chhattisgarh CM hits out at Piyush Goyal on 'Shramik Special' trains
Consent has to be sought from both states-one sending the train & one receiving it. UP,J&K,Karnataka haven't given us their consent yet. Whose govt is in all these states? It's neither the time to do politics nor give challenge. It's time to fight Corona together: Chhattisgarh CM https://t.co/qzCvh70OTa
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
INTERVIEW | We offered to fly migrants and the offer still stands, says SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh
As soon as the problem of migrant labourers walking back home arose, SpiceJet and other airlines had offered to the government to fly them instead - but received no response, according to Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of SpiceJet. (READ FULL STORIES HERE)
Five test positive on Saturday, Goa COVID-19 count reaches 13
- The number of COVID-19 cases in Goa reached 13 after five people tested positive for novel coronavirus on Saturday, a health official said.
- The five included a man who was part of a group of 1,000 workers brought to the state by the Goa State Industries Association to resume economic activities here after easing of lockdown restrictions, he added.
- "They were quarantined in a hotel in north Goa. All the workers were tested and the report of one returned positive. He has been hospitalised," the official said.
195 new cases in Madhya Pradesh
195 new positive cases reported in Madhya Pradesh today, taking the state tally to 4790. Death toll stands at 243: State Health Department.
Latest Raajasthan tally
213 new #COVID19 cases & 1 death reported in state today, taking total number of cases to 4960. There are 1890 active cases now. Death toll stands at 126: Rajasthan Health Department pic.twitter.com/dazGWPzs7J
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Uttarakhand coronavirus tally
Total number of positive COVID-19 cases reaches 91 in Uttarakhand: State Health Department.
Update on 'Shramik Special' trains
Western Railway has operated 463 'Shramik Special Trains' from 2nd May till 16th May which have carried approximately 6,40,000 passengers to their desired destinations: Western Railway
J&K coronavirus tally
- 108 new cases today.
- 1 death also.
- Total cases rise to 1121.
- Total deaths 12.
- Total recoveries 542.
- Active cases 567.
Northeast coronavirus numbers
- Total cases 273.
- Active cases 201.
- Deaths 3.
Bengal Coronavirus numbers
- Total positive case till date: 2576.
- Positive at present: 1452.
- Death: 160.
- Comorbidity death: 72.
- Discharged: 892.
- Total tests: 77,288.
- Note: 115 new infections in past 24 hours.
65 new positive cases in Odisha
In last 24 hours, 65 new COVID-19 positive cases have been detected in the state. The total number of positive cases stands at 737, of which 538 are active cases and 196 persons have already recovered/discharged. Death toll is at three: Information & Public Relations Department, Odisha Government.
Howrah Bridge illuminates to pay tribute to COVID Warriors
West Bengal: Rabindra Setu, also known as Howrah Bridge, illuminated today by Kolkata Port Trust on the occasion of International Day of Light, to pay tribute to #COVID19 frontline workers for their contribution in the fight against the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/7Ble5KvVVp
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
11 deaths in Pune
11 deaths reported in Pune today. Death toll in the district now reaches to 197: Health Officials, Pune.
Lockdown 3.0: Centre launches online dashboard for monitoring movement of migrant workers
In a communication to all states and union territories, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said the central government has already allowed the movement of migrant workers by buses and Shramik Special trains to enable them to travel to their native places. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
No repeat of Dharavi, identify cases in urban slums: Centre asks states to start surveillance for COVID-19
The development comes as the total coronavirus cases in the country reached 85,940 with 2,752 deaths. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Uddhav government turns blind eye to migrants leaving sans permission as exodus from Maharashtra continues
As per Maharashtra government records, more than 10 lakh migrants were stranded in various parts of the state. However, the number of migrant workers leaving Mumbai has been unofficially pegged as high as 25-30 lakh. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Latest Maharashtra tally
1606 new #COVID19 cases & 67 deaths reported today, taking total number of cases to 30706, of which 22479 are active cases. Death toll stands at 1135. Total 524 people recovered & discharged today, total 7088 patients have been discharged till date: Maharashtra Health Department pic.twitter.com/bbFyjUHB8t
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Positive cases in Manipur reach seven
A 22-year-old woman has tested positive for COVID-19 in Manipur after returning from Chennai, taking the total number of cases to seven including five active cases: Manipur Health Department.
WATCH | COVID-19 resurgence? China reports 21 new cases, Wuhan steps up mass testing for infections
Flight carrying Indians from Dubai lands at Kochi
An Air India Express repatriation flight, carrying 181 passengers from Dubai, has landed at Cochin International Airport.
Bihar coronavirus tally nears 1200
Number of COVID-19 cases reaches 1145 in Bihar: State Principal Health Secretary Sanjay Kumar.
348 new positive cases reported in Gujarat
In last 24 hours, 348 new positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Gujarat. The state tally rises to 10,989 including 4308 cured/discharged cases and 625 deaths till date: Gujarat Health Department.
Break-up of key COVID-19 stats in Haryana
A total of 887 positive cases have been found in the state till date, including 514 recovered/discharged and 13 deaths: Health Department, Government of Haryana #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/3f32HvQdo5
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
PM announces ex-gratia for the families of Auraiya accident victims
An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to the unfortunate accident in #Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh has been approved from the PM's National Relief Fund. Rs 50,000 each for the injured has also been approved pic.twitter.com/ScBth85n7P
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Another Delhi Colony comes out of the dreaded 'Contamination Zone' tag
Delhi: One more area - H. No. 34/156 to H. No. 34/189 (Resettlement Colony) Block 34, Trilok Puri has been de-contained. No new addition in containment zones as on today. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/ixa9Nd0rI8
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Haven't told Manipuri health workers working in other states to come back: CM
There is no such advisory from state govt. We're not asking anybody to come back - be it nurses or doctors. We feel proud that they are working in Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Maharashtra - serving the patients. State govt has already said we'll compensate & reward them: Manipur CM
Update from Hyderabad
25 persons from a residential apartment tested positive for COVID-19 in Madannapet area of Hyderabad’s old city. All shifted to hospital for treatment&their contacts being identified: Ashok Samrat, Zonal Commissionerate, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
Migrant labourers on meeting Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi came and met us half an hour back. He booked the vehicle for us and said he will drop us to our homes. He gave us food, water and mask: Devendra, a migrant labourer https://t.co/qPyYQ3JswH pic.twitter.com/kX7OTDmuP4
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Those who have no urgency and have a job outside, should remain there: Manipur government
There's no such circular. It's only on request of people who want to come back that we issued permits to different people&vehicles. State govt isn't appealing to anybody to come back. Those who've no urgency&have a job outside,should remain there: J Suresh Babu,Manipur Chief Secy https://t.co/PZNJTv2QpN pic.twitter.com/SqAllqIZuN
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Latest Punjab coronavirus tally
A total number of 1946 people have tested positive for #COVID19 till date, including 1257 patients cured and 32 deaths: Department of Information & Public Relations, Government of Punjab pic.twitter.com/zgp1XXly3r
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Disturbing news from Haryana
A man has been arrested on a complaint lodged by his wife for allegedly threatening to kill her in Patel Nagar area of Hisar, Haryana. The woman wanted the man to get tested for #COVID19 after his return from Bathinda: Hisar Civil Lines SHO Jaswant Singh pic.twitter.com/GgZPvKMeVi
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Update from Uttar Pradesh
All district magistrates have been instructed to arrange buses for migrant workers, who are found walking on foot, to send them to their homes: Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) PV Ramasastry pic.twitter.com/I6NKe6MebF
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 16, 2020
Latest Jharkhand tally
Two persons from Garhwa and Ranchi have been tested positive for COVID-19 today: DK Singh, Director Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences. With this, number of COVID-19 cases has risen to 217 in Jharkhand.
Maharashtra Home Minister meets family of cop who succumbed to COVID-19
Mumbai: Maharashtra Home minister Anil Deshmukh visited Shahu Nagar Police Station in Dharavi today and met the Police personnel there. He also paid tribute to API Amol Kulkarni, who was posted at this police station and died due to #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/Q4vSiZsv61
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Union Minister hits out at Rahul Gandhi
#WATCH Union Min RK Singh reacts on Rahul Gandhi meeting migrant labourers in Delhi. Says "Did he remember migrant labourers only after 50 days? Our govt,at centre&in states, has been arranging food,trains for them...He met them just for photo-op.There should be some sensitivity" pic.twitter.com/9iqgRuIRez
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Madhya Pradesh government won't hold remaining tenth standard exams
Private schools are allowed to charge only tuition fee from students for the period between March 19 & the date when #lockdown ends: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan https://t.co/stQdKJHZkp
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Hyderabad Airport gears up for post-lockdown operations
Passengers would be advised to wear masks and maintain social distancing at all times in all areas of the airport. Staggered seating arrangement with different markers have been positioned on alternate chairs to maintain gap, among other features that have been introduced. https://t.co/3HHsdJDcXQ pic.twitter.com/JOn2D3TWlF
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Railway Minister on Piyush Goyal on running Shramil Special trains
To provide relief to migrant labourers, Railways is ready to run 'Shramik Special' trains from any district in the country. District Collectors should prepare lists of stranded labourers and destination & apply to Railways through State nodal officer. Along with this, the District Collectors should give a list and destination to the state nodal officer of Railways.
Mumbai continues to see coronavirus spike
884 new COVID-19 positive cases reported in Mumbai today, taking the total number of cases to 18396. 238 patients recovered and discharged today, while 4806 patients have discharged till date. Death toll stands at 696: Municipal Corporation Greater Mumbai.
Odisha government urges Centre to suspend Shramik Special trains due to upcoming storm
Odisha government urges Centre to suspend Shramik Special trains passing through its coastal areas for 3-4 days due to impending cyclone: Official
Students from Bihar waiting to board train
Students from Bihar waiting to board the train to go back to their homes from Puducherry by Shramik special train.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 16, 2020
Express Photo | G Pattabi Raman. @xpresstn #COVID19 #lockdown pic.twitter.com/bfQfcDz6RH
Rahul Gandhi interacts with migrant labourers who were walking near Sukhdev Vihar flyover
Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi interacted with migrant labourers who were walking near Sukhdev Vihar flyover to return to their home states. Party volunteers later arranged vehicles to take them to their homes. A labourer, Monu says "Coming from Haryana,have to go to Jhansi" pic.twitter.com/SMbnejiZpK
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
WATCH | COVID-19 resurgence? China reports 21 new cases
Coronavirus cases in Tamil Nadu now at 10585
With 477 fresh positives, total nuimber of COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu stands at 10585. A record 939 persons have recovered and discharged in 24 hours.
Kerala records 11 new cases
Kerala-137 days of #Covid_19india
— Raam Das (@PRamdas_TNIE) May 16, 2020
New cases-11
Thrissur-4
Kozhikode-3
Palakkad-2
Malappuram-2
Negative-4
Active cases-87
Total recovered-497
Total Quarantine-56981
Home Quarantine-56362
Hospital Quarantine-619
Hospitalised today-182@NewIndianXpress @xpresskerala
Muzaffarnagar entry points seals to prevent migrants from entering
All entry points to Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district have been sealed and extra police deployment made to prevent incoming migrant workers from travelling on foot following a series of accidents that have led to many deaths: Official
West Bengal tally at 2576
COVID-19 cases in West Bengal rise to 2576 as 115 test positive in 24 hours. The death toll climbed to 160 with 7 more fatalities.
Former Foreign Secretary calls for impartial inquiry into origins of COVID-19 pandemic
She said this year India and China, two great ancient civilisations, are commemorating 70 years of their diplomatic relationship but it has been marred by 'news from the Himalayan borders'. The former diplomat said, "Our relationship is based on balance. The issues that will determine our future should be based on peace, not conflict. We must serve the cause of our people and build our trade and investment relationships.” (READ MORE)
UK begins trial to see if dogs can 'sniff out' COVID-19
The trials will establish whether these dogs could be used as a potential new non-invasive, early warning measure to detect coronavirus in the future. (READ MORE)
CBSE to now announce date of class 10, 12 board exams on May 18
#CBSE is taking into consideration some additional technical aspects before finalizing the datesheets of the board exams of classses 10th and 12th, due to which, the datesheets will now be released by Monday i.e. 18-05-2020. Inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted.
— Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) May 16, 2020
Bengal CPM thanks CM Mamata for expediting process of migrants' return
We convey our thanks to the CM,WB and request her to expedite the process. @MamataOfficial
— Surjya Kanta Mishra (@mishra_surjya) May 16, 2020
We congratulate CITU and numerous other movements for the victory of their relentless struggle on this issue. NO to any complacency."The best of saying is doing."https://t.co/TM864ITVDV pic.twitter.com/k1aGeauVtL
FM Sitharaman announces fourth tranche of economic package
Today's announcement to be focussed on structural reforms in the sectors that are going to be the new horizon for growth, more investment can be drawn, more production can be clearly marked, and certainly more employment opportunities can be generated in these sectors: FM (READ MORE HERE)
15 inmates, staffer test positive for COVID-19 at Delhi's Rohini jail
The Delhi Prison Department had tested 19 inmates from the barrack of the prisoner whose reports came back positive for the infection on Wednesday, they said. (READ MORE)
Six migrant workers, travelling from Maharashtra, killed after truck overturns in Madhya Pradesh
Six migrant workers, including four women and two men, died after the truck they were travelling in overturned near Banda town in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, police said on Saturday. According to the police, 16 others were injured in the incident and are undergoing treatment.
Fish lovers in Bihar rejoice! Govt launches app for home delivery
Residents of Bihar can now get to savour fresh fish without stepping out of their homes amid the lockdown. The fishery directorate of the Bihar government has developed and launched an app through which orders can be placed for the fish of one's choice which will be delivered at doorsteps across the state. (READ MORE)
Tipplers rejoice as TASMAC outlets reopen in Tamil Nadu
Umbrellas - check, helmets - check, masks - check, patience - check! People are seen waiting in queues for long hours outside a #TASMAC outlet in Coimbatore to buy #liquor.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 16, 2020
Express Photos | U Rakesh Kumar@xpresstn pic.twitter.com/24O9AYMOIl
Lockdown 4.0: UP govt ‘extra cautious’ over easing curbs due to heavy migrant influx
Though the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to stick to the Central government guidelines in connection with lockdown 4.0 beyond May 17, CM Yogi Adityanath believes that a huge influx of migrants is a big challenge and too much relaxation in curbs could be risky. (READ MORE)
Mamata writes to railways, says we will bear the entire cost of 'Shramik Special Trains' to Bengal
WATCH| Trump unveils 'Operation Warp Speed', predicts COVID-19 vaccine by 2020 end
Seven BSF men among 11 test COVID-19 positive in Tripura after gap of 48 hours
According to Tripura's health officials, of the 159 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel of two battalions (86th and 138th) and family members who tested positive so far, 40 including two kids have recovered and been discharged from the hospital. (READ MORE)
The nightmare that the migrant's long march has become
Around 30 #MigrantLabourers injured, some of them grievously, after a lorry overturned in Neelaipet of #Nirmal district in #Telangana. The lorry was carrying the labourers back to their native state #UttarPradesh. pic.twitter.com/gekZEQg1YJ
— TNIE Telangana (@XpressHyderabad) May 16, 2020
Edappadi appeals to migrant workers to not walk back home
"The Tamil Nadu government is bearing all travel expenses including the railway fare of the migrant workers who are willing to go their native states. As such, I appeal to them not to leave for their home states on their own either by walk or vehicles," he said in a statement here. (READ MORE)
Railways operated 1,034 Shramik trains since May 1, claims Piyush Goyal
According to railways, till Friday Uttar Pradesh operated over 474 Shramik Special trains while 52 more are in pipeline. Similarly, Bihar operated 248 Shramik Special trains and 21 are in pipeline. (READ MORE)
'IN-US friendship': PM Modi thanks Trump for donating ventilators
Thank you @POTUS @realDonaldTrump.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 16, 2020
This pandemic is being fought collectively by all of us. In such times, it’s always important for nations to work together and do as much as possible to make our world healthier and free from COVID-19.
More power to 🇮🇳 - 🇺🇸 friendship! https://t.co/GRrgWFhYzR
Pregnant nurses stranded abroad approach Delhi HC seeking to go home
A group of 56 pregnant nurses stranded abroad approached Delhi High Court on Saturday seeking directions to the ministries and authorities concerned for facilitation of their return claiming they are in serious distress and need medical and psycho-socio support. (READ MORE)
23 fresh cases in Karnataka, mostly secondary contacts
23 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Karnataka till Saturday afternoon. Many new patients are secondary contacts.
State's tally at 1079.
Deaths- 36(+1)
Recoveries- 494
Active cases- 548
Police lathi-charge migrants who tried to cross inter-distrct borders in Andhra Pradesh
Delhi COVID-19 cases now at 9333
438 more COVID-19 positive cases and six deaths were reported in Delhi in last 24 hours. Total number of cases in the national capital is now at 9333, including 5278 active cases, the health department confirmed.
Drug trial: AIIMS Bhopal claims positive results
The trials of the drug Mycobacterium W (Mw) were conducted on COVID-19 patients at AIIMS Bhopal for the last few days, the official said. The trials were being run for the last few days and the results were good, as out of four patients enrolled for the trial, three had fully recovered and discharged, he said.
3 more CISF personnel test positive
Among the new cases, one was reported from Mumbai Airport, one from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and one from the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSEL), Kolkata.
Tamil Nadu round-up
TN tally of #COVID19 cases crosses the 10,000 mark, #TASMAC stores open across the state, govt brings back six-day work week for its staff and other major updates from Tamil Nadu, @SushmithaRam reports.@xpresstn pic.twitter.com/6e8rXegfzt
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 16, 2020
WATCH | Chennai migrant labourers accuse police of phycsical assault
Migrant workers from Bihar stranded on NH16 on the outskirts of Chennai, alleging that police beaten them at Nallur tollgate yesterday night, while they were walking back home towards Andhra Pradesh#MigrantLivesMatter #MigrantsOnTheRoad @NewIndianXpress @xpresstn pic.twitter.com/EFx5WZWIJm
— Debadatta Mallick (@ddmallick) May 16, 2020
Fake pass racket busted in Gujarat
Based on credible information, we started to look out for people who are issuing fake passes. Following this, we have arrested 17 persons and recovered fake passes from their possession. They used to charge Rs 300 for a pass: J H Sarvaiya ACP, Rajkot #Gujarat #COVIDLockdown pic.twitter.com/uEhylNHMIR
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Bombay High Court asks BMC for details on maternity homes
The court directed the civic body to file an affidavit furnishing details of maternity homes and clinics here that were attending to pregnant women amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The matter was posted for further hearing on May 22.
Rajasthan sees 91 fresh cases
Rajasthan reported 91 fresh cases of coronavirus on Saturday, taking the infection tally in the state to 4,838, officials said. Out of the 91 fresh cases, 48 are from the district jail of Jaipur, they said.
Truck with migrants overturn in Telangana
A lorry carrying #migrants from Medchal #Hyderabad to #UttarPradesh overturned on NH44 at Nirmal of Telangana, leaving them injured.@rajareddy_TNIE pic.twitter.com/paU1r9X9X9
— TNIE Telangana (@XpressHyderabad) May 16, 2020
Around the globe
- China fears resurgence of COVID-19 cases as 21 new infections were reported today, Wuhan plans to ramp up testing
- Pakistan will resume its domestic flight services today despite recording a continued surge in cases with its tally nearing 39,000
- Five regions in New York (Central New York, the North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley Regions) can begin 'phased reopening' from May 16, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo, however remaining regions will observe shutdown till May 28
- South Korean officials far confirmed 162 new coronavirus cases linked to club goers in the densely populated capital, Soeul, taking the total tally to 11,037
- UNSC reform process, negotiations postponed 'until further notice' due to COVID-19 outbreak, UNGA exploring its options
Andhra Pradesh update
31 of the 48 #COVIDー19 patients came from #Koyambedu @NewIndianXpress #Chennai https://t.co/VBYAD6nlfX
— TNIE Andhra Pradesh (@xpressandhra) May 16, 2020
Special train from Mumbai reaches Delhi
A special train,carrying passengers from Mumbai arrived at New Delhi railway station today. All passengers were screened after they reached the railway station, as per guidelines by the government. pic.twitter.com/6e95ROBDOL
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
Northeast update
- Total cases: 271
- Active cases: 199
- Deaths: 3
Gram Panchayat elections to be postponed in Karnataka
The Panchayat elections in Karnataka will be postponed for six months due to COVID-19. However, administrative councils will be formed at every Gram Panchayat as the terms of most are ending by June-July, according to the Panchayat Raj Minister in the state.
One more policeman succumbs in Maharashtra
Mumbai Police regrets to inform about the unfortunate demise of ASID Madhukar Mane, 57. Being in the high-risk age-group, Shri Mane was on leave for the past 15 days.
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) May 15, 2020
May his soul rest in peace. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family.
Indore tally at 2,378
With 79 more people testing coronavirus positive in the last 24 hours, the number of patients in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh has grown to 2,378, a health official said on Saturday. The virus claimed one more life in the district during this period, which took the death toll to 99, the official said.
Odisha tally reaches 737
Sixty-five people tested positive for COVID-19 in Odisha, taking the total number of such cases in the state to 737, officials said on Saturday. Jajpur reported 31 fresh cases, Ganjam 13 and Cuttack six.
TASMAC scenes
Wearing mask and buying #liqour with a smile!
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 16, 2020
Scene: #TASMAC outlet in Tirunelveli.
Express Photos | V.Karthikalagu@xpresstn pic.twitter.com/cIz4chxMhq
Three people test positive in Goa
Three out of seven Vasco residents, who returned from Kolkata, have tested positive for COVID-19, taking the case count in Goa to 11, a state minister said on Saturday. At least three out of seven men, who had travelled to Gangapur in Kolkata to deliver barges and arrived in Goa on Friday, have contracted the infection, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said.
Madhya Pradesh declares nine districts COVID-19 free
The MP government has declared that nine districts in the state, which had earlier reported COVID-19 cases, were now coronavirus-free. Additional chief secretary (Health) Mohammed Suleman said that the nine districts- Barwani, Agar-Malwa, Shajapur, Sheopur, Alirajpur, Harda, Shahdol, Tikamgarh and Betul- were now free from the infection.
Odisha update
65 new #COVID19 cases in #Odisha
— Hemant Kumar Rout #StayHomeStaySafe (@TheHemantRout) May 16, 2020
31 in Jajpur, 13 in Ganjam, 6 in Cuttack, 4 each in Kendrapara & Puri, 3 in Khurda, 2 each in Mayurbhanj & Nayagarh
Jajpur crosses 100 mark
Ganjam - 277
Jajpur - 121
Balasore - 102
State total - 737
Active - 568#coronavirus@NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/xeYfHPhTfW
Death toll reaches 2,752: Health Ministry
The number of active cases stood at 53,035, while 30,152 people have recovered and one patient has migrated.
(READ FULL STORY HERE)
WATCH | Migrant workers wait to go home
The never-ending wait to go home! Thousands of migrant workers are waiting on the footpath in Hebbal road, Bengaluru.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 16, 2020
Express Video | @Bidar_yuva @XpressBengaluru pic.twitter.com/jvKycQOAl8
Lockdown hits maternal health services
A look at the Health Management Information System, maintained by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare suggests that in March 2020 - when the nationwide lockdown was enforced — institutional deliveries dropped by 43 per cent compared to March 2019. The number of childbirths registered in hospitals - public and private - across India stood at 17,17,500 in March last year while this year the number dropped to 9,71,782.
(READ FULL STORY HERE)
Kolkata returnee tests COVID-19 positive in Manipur
A 21-year-old woman who recently returned to Manipur from Kolkata has tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of cases in the state to four, authorities of a hospital where she is being treated said on Saturday. With this development, the number of active cases in the state has risen to two and both the patients are being treated at the JNIMS, they said.
148 discharged in Andhra
While the number of discharged increased to 1,252 with the addition of 60, no casualties were reported in the last 24 hours. Later in the day, another 88 patients were discharged, taking the total number of recoveries to 1,340.
WATCH | Trump sends ventilators to India
#WATCH "We are sending a lot of ventilators to India, I spoke to Prime Minister Modi. We are sending quite a few ventilators to India. We have a tremendous supply of ventilators" says US President Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/pnvx3C1D3r
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
HC asks Andhra govt to provide facilities for migrant workers
The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday directed the State government to open shelters and provide facilities to migrant workers. It directed the government to submit an action taken report on its directive on May 22.
(READ FULL STORY HERE)
Andhra shuts doors on migrants from TN
Unkind destiny was awaiting the travellers in the attire of Andhra Pradesh police who, despite the pleas from the tired workers, packed them into buses and sent them all the way back to Tamil Nadu border.
(READ FULL STORY HERE)
Special train from Bengaluru reaches Delhi
The 2nd special passenger train from Bengaluru, Karnataka to Delhi arrived at New Delhi railway station today morning. Anil Thakur a passenger says, "I faced no problems during the journey. I thank the government for running special trains for us". pic.twitter.com/AzAzCWurMq
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2020
3 patients cured of coronavirus in Chandigarh
The Union territory reported no fresh COVID-19 case for the second consecutive day and the number of cases stands at 191.
Regulate fees of pvt hospitals treating COVID-19 patients: Gujarat HC
The bench warned private hospitals against charging high amount for treatment of COVID-19 patients. The HC noted that some private hospitals authorised by the government to treat coronavirus patients in Ahmedabad are charging fees "running in lakhs of rupees and an ordinary man will never be able to afford to avail adequate treatment from a private hospital".
Quarantine not mandatory for people moving within Rajasthan
The Rajasthan government said on Friday quarantine is not mandatory for people moving from one district to another in the state, excluding those in COVID-19 hotspots and curfew areas. CM Ashok Gehlot held a high-level review meeting on Friday and said quarantine is for only those people who have symptoms of cold, cough or influenza-like-illness (ILI).
Kargil declared COVID-19 free
With the discharge of two patients including a two-year-old boy, Kargil district has been declared free of the novel coronavirus, officials said. Besides these two cured COVID-19 patients, six other suspected cases who tested negative were also discharged, they said.
Himachal reports fourth death
The number of cases climbed to 77 in the state after two persons tested positive for the infection, officials said.
Businessman shells Rs 50,000 daily on migrants
Chandrasekhar of Vizianagaram started arranging trucks to take migrants to the borders of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha. He spends between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000 on this every day. Over the last four days, he transported about 1,500 workers.
(READ FULL STORY HERE)
India surpasses China’s tally
India now ranks 11th in the world in terms of coronavirus cases with 85,784 with 2,753 deaths.
(READ FULL STORY HERE)
With recovery rate of over 57 per cent, Rajasthan keeps up the fight to tackle COVID-19
The recovery rate in Rajasthan is particularly impressive in comparison with all large states of the Hindi belt in north India - Madhya Pradesh with a recovery rate of 49%, Gujrat at 39%, Delhi at 36%, Punjab at 12% and Uttar Pradesh at 53%. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Working with India on COVID-19 vaccine development, says US President Trump
Addressing media, Trump said he is hopeful a COVID-19 vaccine would be available by the end of the year, and announced he was appointing a former pharmaceutical executive to spearhead the effort. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
FIRs against landlords in Delhi
10 FIRs have been registered against landlords for forcefully demanding rent from tenants amid lockdown: Delhi Police.
185 Manipuri nurses quit private hospital jobs in Kolkata, health worker kills self in Jalpaiguri
This will add to the prevailing shortage of nurses in the facilities here amid the ongoing the COVID-19 pandemic, said a senior official of a private hospital from which nine nurses have quit. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
COVID-19: Graveyard has dug dozen pits in advance to manage overcrowding in Bhopal
Out of the 900 positive cases of the deadly virus and 35 deaths have happened due to the killer infection so far in Bhopal out of which 225 cases and nine deaths pertain to residents of the densely populated Jahangirabad area. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Coronavirus has forced courts to rethink on how to function: CJI Bobde
The CJI, who was speaking during an online demo of the Supreme Court e-filing module, said the system is the first step in the entire process of e-courts and has brought Registry to the chambers of the advocates. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Policeman dies of COVID-19 in Mumbai; 10th cop to die in Maharashtra
- A 57-year-old police official died of COVID-19 in Mumbai on Friday, an official release said.
- The official, attached to the Motor Transport Department, had been sent on leave for the last 15 days in view of the raging pandemic as he was considered to be in the high-risk age group.
- So far, the coronavirus pandemic has claimed lives of 10 police personnel in Maharashtra -- seven in Mumbai and one each in Nashik, Pune and Solapur.
- Over 150 police personnel tested positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra since Thursday evening, taking the number of coronavirus cases in the police force to 1,153, officials had said earlier in the day.
- It included 127 officers and 1,026 constables. 174 police personnel have recovered from infection.
Update from Assam
3 persons tested #COVID19 positive in Kamrup Metro. One person is from Sarusajai Quarantine camp, 1 indoor patient of GMCH, & one has migrated to West Bengal. Total positive cases stand at 89: Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (15.5) pic.twitter.com/tnYToG4Ogs
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
COVID-19 positive siblings booked for threatening to spread virus in Madhya Pradesh
Importantly, after their parents tested positive for the COVID-19, the brother-sister duo too tested positive for the deadly infection on Wednesday. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Latest Telangana numbers
40 new #COVID19 positive cases have been reported in Telangana today; taking the total number of positive cases to 1454. Total active cases stand at 461: Telangana Health Department pic.twitter.com/RzRN36FARl
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
News from Karnataka
Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner has written to Divisional Railway Manager, Solapur Division requesting to arrange for a COVID-19 Special train on May 17 for movement of stranded migrant labourers belonging to Bihar state.
Second mishap within 36 hours kills three migrant workers in Madhya Pradesh, over 15 injured
The accident happened at around 5 pm on Friday, around half a km from the spot, where a truck boarded by over 60 migrant workers had collided head on with a bus in the wee hours on Thursday. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Shah meets MHA officials ahead of issuing lockdown 4.0 guidelines, states bat for relaxations
Shah, who was in his North Block office for nearly five hours on Friday, held meetings with top officials of the ministry, including Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Good news from Telangana
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has declared that except in four zones in Hyderabad, there are no #Coronavirus active cases in the State: Chief Minister's Office (file pic) pic.twitter.com/TwzocS3qJs
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Latest images from Kerala
Passengers who arrived at the Thampanoor Central Railway Station to board the train to New Delhi were screened and were seen wearing masks and strictly complying with all the #COVID19 guidelines. @xpresskerala pic.twitter.com/jtirjr5EII
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 15, 2020
With @OURVMC commissioner's quick response to @xpressandhra request, migrants from Odisha, who walked from Guntur, were shifted to a relief camp within 20 minutes in Vijayawada.@NewIndianXpress#MigrantsOnTheRoad#lockdown#Covid_19india pic.twitter.com/jplY8ToCTp
— Ritika_TNIE (@Ritika63965871) May 15, 2020
Special train from Delhi reaches Bhubaneshwar
Odisha: Special train carrying 670 passengers from Delhi reached Bhubaneswar railway station, today. Quarantine stamps with indelible ink were marked on the hands of the passengers. pic.twitter.com/hL0nHdwb8X
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Allow Delhi metro services for government staff, essential sectors: Kejriwal to Centre
In a letter to the prime minister, he also suggested that barbershops, cinema halls, salons and religious places should remain closed. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Government's latest advisory on health care workers
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an advisory for managing health care workers working in COVID and Non-COVID areas of the hospitals. pic.twitter.com/OO364fK7HE
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Latest Uttar Pradesh coronavirus tally
- Total cases: 4057.
- Active cases : 1797.
- Fresh cases: 159.
- Recovered : 2165.
- Deaths : 95.
- Districts in grip: 75.
Kolkata Metro mulls 'drastic' cut in passengers count, mandatory thermal screening, use of masks
"We plan to drastically reduce the number of passengers to avoid crowding and discourage non-essential travel," Kolkata metro railway spokesperson Indrani Banerjee told PTI. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
SC postpones summer vacation by five-weeks, decides to function till June 19
As per the October 14 notification, the summer vacation would have started from May 18 and concluded on July 5 (both days inclusive) in the apex court. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
COVID-19 impact: India's exports plunge to record low of 60.28 per cent in April
Imports too plunged by 58.65 per cent to USD 17.12 billion in April, leaving a trade deficit of USD 6.76 billion as against USD 15.33 billion in April 2019, according to the data by the commerce and industry ministry. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Kejriwal writes to PM Modi
There should not be any relaxation in containment zones but economic activities should be resumed in other parts. This may lead to increase in #COVID19 cases, we have all arrangements in place to deal with it: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in his letter to PM Modi over the lockdown pic.twitter.com/mgVt6Fn7cR
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Four more areas in Delhi removed from the containment zones list
Delhi: Four more areas (serial number 22,23,24&25) have been removed from containment zones; the total number of containment zones in the national capital now stands at 77. No new addition to the list today. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/VjcLztMhML
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Lockdown miracle: 'Guardian angel' clears Rs 10 lakh loans of four strangers in Mizoram
The man offered help on the strict condition that his identity must not be revealed. He did not seek any publicity for his act of benevolence. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Union Home Secretary asks states stop migrants from travelling via roads, railway tracks
MHA writes a letter to all states, telling them that they need to stop migrants from walking on roads and railway tracks. MHA's communication comes hours after the Supreme Court said that it is upto states to decide on migrants on roads. @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/vBzTqWYeH8
— Sana Shakil (@sanashakil_TNIE) May 15, 2020
Coronavirus stats from J&K, Chhatisgarh, Rajasthan, Bengal and Madhya Pradesh
- J&K:
- New cases 30.
- Total cases rise to 1013.
- Deaths so far 11.
- Total recoveries 513.
- Chhattisgarh:
- Total positive: 65.
- Cured/discharged: 55.
- Fresh cases today: 6.
- Active Cases: 10.
- No Deaths.
- Rajasthan:
- Total positive 4688.
- Recovered 2677.
- Deaths 125.
- Bengal:
- Total positive case till date: 2361.
- Positive at present: 1407.
- Death: 153.
- Comorbidity death: 72.
- Discharged: 829.
- Total tests: 69,543.
- Note: 84 new infections in past 24 hours.
- Madhya Pradesh:
- Total Positive cases: 4595.
- Active: 2073.
- Deaths: 239.
- Recovered/Discharged: 2283.
- 169 new cases, two more deaths and 112 patients discharged over last 24 hours.
Punjab and Haryana coronavirus tally
- Total number of COVID-19 positive cases in Haryana stands at 854, including 377 active cases, 464 recovered/discharged patients and 13 deaths: Health Department, Government of Haryana.
- The total number of COVID-19 cases reaches 1932 in Punjab, with 13 more people testing positive today. Number of active cases and fatalities due to the infection stands at 1595 & 32, respectively: Punjab Health Department.
Former Karnataka Minister booked for conducting a meeting at a convention hall
Former Karnataka Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil and 22 others have been charged under section 188 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) for violating section 144 of CrPC by conducting a meeting at a convention hall in Sulpeth town on 13th May.
Welcome willingness of West Bengal Government to accept returnees from abroad: MEA Spokesperson
Welcome willingness of West Bengal Government to accept returnees from abroad, who are from the state. Request early confirmation of modalities to be followed upon arrival of passengers at Kolkata Airport: Anurag Srivastava, Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs pic.twitter.com/pVeNYA0Yq6
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Update from Mizoram
Churches in Mizoram accept State Government's request to use church halls as quarantine facilities. Some churches even to provide food for the whole institutional quarantine period from their own funds: Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Mizoram.
Mumbai civic body wants to covert Wankhede Stadium as quarantine facility
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has written to Mumbai Cricket Association to temporarily hand over the possession of Wankhede Stadium to BMC, for use by emergency staff of BMC and to quarantine COVID-19 positive but asymptomatic patients.
AAI asks air passengers to mandatorily download Aarogya Setu app, carry hand sanitiser
The government run-AAI, which manages more than 100 airports across the country, said air travellers must maintain a distance of four feet from co-passengers, wear a mask and other protective gear, wash or sanitise their hands frequently and carry a 350 ml bottle of sanitiser all the time. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Migrant mother pulling a suitcase with her child sleeping half hung: NHRC issues notices to Punjab, Uttar Pradesh governments and Agra District Magistrate
National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a migrant mother pulling a suitcase with her child sleeping half hung thereon on Agra Highway. Notices issued to Chief Secretaries of Punjab & Uttar Pradesh and Agra District Magistrate: NHRC pic.twitter.com/1KgM1UrL0r
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Chennai now has 50% of Tamil Nadu's total coronavirus cases
Of the 10,108 cases, Chennai alone has 5946; the active Corona cases till date is 7435 while the number of death is 71 @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress
— T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) May 15, 2020
Maharashtra tally continues to grow
Maharashtra has got highest 29,100 #COVIDー19 positive patients while 1068 deaths. Today, more 1576 positive patients,.49 deaths and 505 discharge reported across the state @NewIndianXpress
— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) May 15, 2020
News from Odisha
Odisha Government has promoted all students studying in state government school from Class 1-9 and class 11 to next class. Similarly Class-Xl students studying in the schools affiliated to Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) promoted to Class Xll.
Delhi Metro gears up for post-lockdown operations
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is taking steps to ensure social distancing among the passengers when the metro services resume. The date of opening of the metro has still not been finalized. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/4YYkNllQn7
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Protests in Punjab against lockdown
Punjab: Shopkeepers in Ludhiana today staged a protest demanding the opening of shops amid #COVID19 lockdown. pic.twitter.com/WrDRBqlfYA
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Kargil becomes COVID-19 free
Kargil is COVID-19 free: Rigzin Samphel, Commissioner/Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Union Territory of Ladakh.
Jewellery shops reopen in Karnataka's Hubli
Karnataka: Jewellery shops in Hubli open today amid #COVID lockdown. An owner says, "Prices have soared up. We are finding it difficult to purchase gold as exporters are not exporting amid lockdown. Already we have fewer customers, they too refuse to buy after we tell them price" pic.twitter.com/yFA9yyP18K
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Uttarakhand tally nears 100
Total number of positive COVID-19 cases reaches 82 in Uttarakhand, of which 30 are active cases: State Health Department.
Drivers and conductors wear PPE while operating buses in Bengal
West Bengal: Drivers and conductors wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) while operating buses in the state. State Transport buses are plying with a capacity of 20 passengers amid #COVID19 lockdown. pic.twitter.com/YRqcH1sAWZ
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
COVID-19 spike contnues in Mumbai
Mumbai #COVIDー19 update
— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) May 15, 2020
Today's report
Total positive patients -- 933, deaths 34 and 334 cured and discharged.
The cumulative positive cases -- 17,512 , deaths 655 and total discharge 4568. @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/4AGk784jNh
340 new positive cases in Gujarat
In last 24 hours, 340 new positive cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Gujarat. Total number of positive cases rise to 9,932 including 4,035 cured/discharged and 606 deaths: Gujarat Health Department pic.twitter.com/l2AvNxqRkZ
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Latest Jharkhand COVID-19 tally
Six new positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Jharkhand today. Total number of positive cases rise to 211 in the state: Health Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni.
84 new cases in Bengal
84 new #COVID19 positive cases confirmed in West Bengal today. The total number of cases in the state is now at 2461, including 153 deaths. 72 deaths also occurred due to comorbidity: West Bengal Health Department pic.twitter.com/vSckhuriu4
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
#Liquor sales till stocks last! Micro Breweries in Bengaluru are allowed to sell up to 5 litres per person. Scenes from the city where people are seen queueing up to stock up for the weekend.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 15, 2020
Express Photos | @MeghanaSastry @XpressBengaluru pic.twitter.com/GDZ0RCHuh7
Tamil Nadu becomes second worst-affected state in India
434 more #COVID19 positive cases in Tamil Nadu today. In this, 6 people returned from Maldives, 40 from Maharashtra, 2 from Gujarat and 1 from Karnataka. @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress
— Omjasvin M D (@omjasvinMD) May 15, 2020
Key COVID-19 statistics from Tamil Nadu
District wise number of Corona positive persons in Tamil Nadu till today and other statistics @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/SkosDPPnhr
— T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) May 15, 2020
Coronavirus cases in Dharavi crosses 1100
84 new COVID19 positive cases reported in Mumbai's Dharavi taking the total number of cases in the area to 1145. No new death recorded today; death toll stands at 53 in Dharavi: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
#BREAKING: Following Supreme Court order, #TASMAC to be opened from tomorrow (May 16). To function from 10 am to 5 pm. Daily 500 tokens to be issued. TASMAC outlets in containment zones, shopping complexes and malls will not be opened.
— S Mannar Mannan (@mannar_mannan) May 15, 2020
Tumakuru Univ holds online viva voce to help Ph.D scholars complete degrees within deadline
As many as 36 scholars including fifteen in arts, eleven in commerce and ten in science streams completed their viva during an interactive session with the experts' panel. Meanwhile, May 17 has been set as the deadline to submit the soft copies of their thesis.
Kerala lays down specific plans to tackle South West Monsoon amid COVID-19 lockdown
SDMA has identified and begun the process of taking over buildings other than the 27,000 for COVID-19 patients, as those affected by an emergency cannot be housed along with them, a point stressed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. SDMA has identified four types of buildings in case an evacuation is required due to floods.
#COVID19Updates: #Salem becomes #COVID19 infection free district. Last two patients discharged on Friday. @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress
— S Mannar Mannan (@mannar_mannan) May 15, 2020
INS Jalashwa departs Male part of #OperationSamudraSetu Phase 2.
— Mayank (@scribesoldier) May 15, 2020
Embarkation initially was effected by inclement weather.
Finally, INS Jalashwa has left #Madives for Kochi with 588 (incl 6 expectant mothers) citizens onboard.@indiannavy@NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard pic.twitter.com/eAj8E9tKtn
51% corona patients cured in UP, state's recovery rate highest among most-infected provinces
Lucknow has the highest recovery rate in the state with 211 of 271 patients having gone home after recovery. Currently, only 59 active cases exist in Lucknow. The mortality rate is comparatively lower in the state capital with just one death so far. On the contrary, in Kanpur, 170 of 312 positive cases have been discharged after recovery while the district has registered a total of six deaths.
Greater relaxations in lockdown 4.0; States, UTs to be empowered to take decisions on curbs
There will be lots of relaxations and flexibility in the lockdown 4.0 with complete reopening of the green zones, very limited curb in orange zones and strict restrictions only in the containment areas of red zones, said an official privy to the deliberations in the central government. However, the final guidelines will be issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs only after going through the suggestions of state governments.
#IndiaFightsCOVID19
— Sovi Vidyadharan (@sovividyadharan) May 15, 2020
Non AC special trains are being arranged to bring back students stranded in Delhi. The fare will have to be borne by the students. Details of more such trains from Delhi will be announced shortly, says CM @vijayanpinarayi.@xpresskerala @NewIndianXpress
Hundreds of #MigrantLabourers are out on the roads after sent out from Central Railway station since their seat reservation for trains to reach their native places were not confirmed in Chennai.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 15, 2020
Express Video | P Jawahar@xpresstn pic.twitter.com/eg8Uwllwzj
Sixth special train from Vellore leaves for Jharkhand with 1464 migrant workers, patients
The passengers included stranded labourers working in Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupathur, Ranipet and Villupuram, besides patients visiting CMC Hospital, said a senior official. The stranded labourers from the neighbouring districts were brought to Katpadi junction through special buses and were subjected to tests.
Reluctant to visit TN red zones, teachers seek HSC, SSLC valuation centre in Puducherry
Stating that the Directorate of Government Exams of the Tamil Nadu government is planning to conduct HSC paper valuation from May 27, the Puducherry Government Teachers Association Coordination Committee (PGTACC) has shot off a memorandum to the TN Education Minister urging the government to establish a HSC and SSLC valuation centre in Puducherry as was done earlier except in the last two years.
The geniuses at Niti Aayog have done it again.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 15, 2020
I’d like to remind you of their graph predicting the Govt's national lockdown strategy would ensure no fresh Covid cases from tomorrow, May the 16th. pic.twitter.com/zFDJtI9IXP
WATCH | Robots now at the service of COVID-19 patients at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai
Centre doesn't have any mechanism to send migrant workers home: Jharkhand CM Soren
Slamming the Centre for not having any mechanism to help the migrant labourers who are forced to walk to their homes, Soren said, "Lakhs of migrant workers are walking on foot but the Central government doesn't have any mechanism to send them to their homes. The Central government is just playing politics over the issue."
Hall tickets for class X exam after May 18, says Tamil Nadu minister K A Sengottaiyan
The school education department is now busy preparing the halls for the 10th standard board examination for which the hall tickets would be issued to the candidates after May 18, Tamil Nadu Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan said on Friday. Speaking to reporters in Nambiyur village near Gobichettipalayam where he distributed food and vegetables to families hit by the COVID-19 lockdown, the Minister said social distance would be maintained in the examination halls and the candidates should wear masks.
Assam migrants will be skill-trained, employed in state firms: Sonowal
The number of people from the state stranded outside is estimated to be 6.5 lakh, including patients. Sonowal said the actual number of the migrant workers could be assessed only after the arrival of all these people. “We are helping people as much as we can. We haven’t discriminated against anyone. This is for the first time that we are facing such a challenge. We will overcome,” the CM said.
2000 migrant workers returning home by foot stuck at TN-AP border as Jagan govt bars way
After pressure from Andhra Pradesh officials not to let labourers enter their state, the Tamil Nadu police have set up a checkpost a few kilometres from the border to halt the movement of workers.
Karnataka sees new single day high in number of reported #COVID19 cases.
— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) May 15, 2020
69 cases till Friday evening.
State's tally of cases - 1056
Another death takes toll to 36(+1)
Recoveries - 480
Active cases - 539 (11 in ICUs)@XpressBengaluru @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/CtPvxZczY1
Lockdown cleans up Narmada river as water quality improves in MP
A study of river water samples collected from five ghats of Hoshangabad district - Collectorate, Circuit House, Post Office, Sethani, and Kori ghats - has established a sea change in the Narmada water quality, which is good for humans and survival of aquatic plants and animal species.
Family of five from Karnataka including pregnant woman stuck in Abu Dhabi, send SOS
Mechanical engineer Mohan Raj, his pregnant wife and two-year-old son from Sampige in Turuvekere taluk hoped that their ordeal would end soon as relief flights from Dubai have begun operating to various destinations in India. They had applied to the Indian embassy to board a flight home but received no response at all. Mohan Raj's aged in-laws who had gone there to take care of their pregnant daughter also got stranded.
#COVID19 #Kerala
— Sovi Vidyadharan (@sovividyadharan) May 15, 2020
New cases- 16
Wayanad - 5
Malappuram - 4
Alappuzha - 2
Kozhikode -2
Kollam - 1
Palakkad - 1
Kasarogod -1
Active cases- 80
Total Quarantine- 48825
Home Quarantine-48287
Hospital Quarantine- 538@xpresskerala @NewIndianXpress
Stranded in Andamans, 16 scuba divers from Kerala awaiting repatriation
This is the ordeal faced by 16 Malayalis, including a woman, who work in Havelock Island in the Andamans as scuba diving instructors. Faced by insurmountable difficulties, they are now pleading to the authorities to facilitate their return to Kerala.
PM Modi, Bill Gates interact via video call; discuss ways to combat COVID-19, vaccine future
The Prime Minister underlined the conscious approach that India has adopted in its fight against the health crisis - an approach based on ensuring public engagement through appropriate messaging, a PMO release said. He explained how this people-centric bottom-up approach has helped win acceptability for physical distancing, respect for frontline workers, wearing of masks, maintaining proper hygiene, and respecting lockdown provisions.
Delhi govt to release Tablighi Jamaat members with no COVID-19 symptoms from quarantine: HC told
The submission was made at the outset of the hearing on a petition seeking release of nearly 3300 Tablighi Jamaat members, who have been put under various quarantine centers for nearly 40 days and not released despite negative reports of COVID-19. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar, which conducted the hearing through video conferencing, was told by the counsel for the petitioner that they wish to withdraw the petition as the Delhi government has already directed for release of Tablighi Jamaat members who do not show any symptoms of COVID-19.
Delhi Metro may resume services
The decision to resume Metro rail services in Delhi NCR will be taken by the Government after which the detailed protocol to be followed by passengers for travelling in the Metro will be shared with the media and public: Anuj Dayal, Executive Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
Active cases of #Covid_19 in @BSF_India see a drop for the second consecutive day.However,11 more personnel have tested +ve for the disease.Since yesterday,13 troopers have recovered from the disease, bringing down the total number of infections to 290 from 292. @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/GApDOgVNrr
— Sana Shakil (@sanashakil_TNIE) May 15, 2020
SC during summer vacation
Supreme Court decides that five benches, ordinarily comprising 3 judges, will take up all kinds of pending and fresh matters, including urgent ones, through video conferencing starting from May 18 till June 19 - continuing its work during summer vacation.
Migrant workers who had registered with Seva Sindhu app queue up outside Ashok Nagar police station in Bengaluru, to register for the trains leaving to their hometown.#lockdown #COVID19
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 15, 2020
Express Video | @MeghanaSastry @XpressBengaluru pic.twitter.com/UqrU7nJIGD
TN govt brings back six day work week from May 18; also govt offices can function with 50 per cent staff @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/ISNeFU4xqZ
— T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) May 15, 2020
A CISF personnel has recovered from #Covid_19 but 14 others, including 8 personnel deployed at Mumbai airport, have tested positive for the infection. Total number of infections in @CISFHQrs is now 119. @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/56CU2aBtOP
— Sana Shakil (@sanashakil_TNIE) May 15, 2020
1st flight from US post lockdown lands in Bengaluru, man with COVID-19 symptoms rushed to hospital
A total of 109 passengers, including three children, from San Francisco landed at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru at 9.22 am on Friday after a 21-hour journey including a stopover in New Delhi. A flurry of activity and some tension was witnessed as soon as passenger checks got underway inside the arrival zone of the airport as one flyer showed COVID-19 symptoms when temperature readings were taken for all.
When will we get to go home? Migrant workers at the Delhi-UP border on Friday. #lockdown #COVID
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 15, 2020
Express video | @anilpjournalist @TheMornStandard pic.twitter.com/YHyP6WyNcP
Udupi no longer green zone as five who arrived from Dubai test positive for COVID-19
The Udupi district administration, which was preparing for the new normal by relaxing the lockdown restrictions as it was labelled a green zone on April 27, woke up to a rude shock on Friday with five of the 49 in institutional quarantine after returning from Dubai on May 12 testing positive.
A train has been converted into a quarantine centre in Tirupati.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 15, 2020
Express photo | Madhav K.@xpressandhra pic.twitter.com/FviSDqsXRV
Chennai has 683 #COVID19 containment zones. Here’s the full list: @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/mj7GIJyovb
— Omjasvin M D (@omjasvinMD) May 15, 2020
COVID-19 cases in Puducherry rise to 12 as three more including minor girl test positive
All the three are close contacts of the factory worker from Arumparthapuram who tested positive a couple of days back. They comprise his wife, daughter and a friend working in the same factory. Incidentally, the friend is the son of the COVID-19 patient from Panruti who has been admitted to JIPMER, said Director of Health and Family Welfare Dr S Mohan Kumar.
Karnataka govt announces cash incentives for COVID-19 warriors holding door-to-door surveys
In order to recognise and appreciate ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers -- who have been working 24/7 to conduct door-to-door fever surveys across the state -- the Karnataka government announced Rs 3000 incentive to each of them.
All the 90 covid19 positive pts from Mysore District Hospital have been discharged without single mortality@XpressBengaluru @NewIndianXpress @DHFWKA
— Ranjani (@ranjanikanth_) May 15, 2020
All the 90 covid19 positive pts from Mysore District Hospital have been discharged without single mortality@XpressBengaluru @NewIndianXpress @DHFWKA
— Ranjani (@ranjanikanth_) May 15, 2020
Village fair conducted amidst lockdown in Karnataka, Panchayat Development Officer suspended
Karnataka: People gathered in large numbers y'day in Kolagondanahalli village of Ramanagara for a village fair.They had taken permission for gathering from Panchayat Development Officer NC Kalmatt.He has been suspended by Ramanagara Dy Commissioner following a report by Tehsildar pic.twitter.com/lOGspyW1KR
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
SC asks Centre to apprise it about accommodation to quarantine doctors near hospitals
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to apprise it about steps taken for quarantining doctors and medical staff engaged in fight against coronavirus in accommodations near the hospitals itself. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)
WATCH | Migrant workers at the Delhi-UP border
When will we get to go home? Migrant workers at the Delhi-UP border on Friday. #lockdown #COVID
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 15, 2020
Express video | @anilpjournalist @TheMornStandard pic.twitter.com/YHyP6WyNcP
Centre rejects Kerala's request for 7-day quarantine for expats
The Centre has rejected Kerala's request for 7-day quarantine of expats and made it clear in the High Court that 14-day quarantine period is mandatory @xpresskerala @PRamdas_TNIE @NewIndianXpress @COVID19centre #Covid_19india
— Ganesh Neelakantan (@minutepoint) May 15, 2020
45 new cases in Karnataka as cases cross 1000-mark in the state
Number of #COVID19 cases cross 1000 in Karmataka. 45 new. Cases of #COVID19 reported till Friday afternoon.
— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) May 15, 2020
State's tally of cases at 1032
Deaths - 35(+1)
Active cases - 520@XpressBengaluru @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/XbYwMtzpC2
SC stays Madras HC order directing closure of TASMAC liquor shops
Supreme Court stays Madras HC order directing for all government run TASMAC liquor shops to be closed @NewIndianXpress
— kanusarda (@sardakanu_TNIE) May 15, 2020
Uttarakhand using 'ghost' villages in Pauri district as COVID-19 quarantine centres
Abandoned houses in Pauri district's 'ghost' villages, called so as they have become empty after their residents left them, are proving useful for the administration which is converting them into quarantine centres for migrants returning in droves to Uttarakhand. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)
Union Group of Ministers meeting to discuss COVID-19 underway
Delhi: Union Group of Ministers (GoM) meeting on #COVID19, underway at the Health Ministry. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat also present. pic.twitter.com/LiCJ7QuKcT
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Yellow taxis of Kolkata to ply from Monday with 30 per cent fare hike amid COVID-19 lockdown
The BTA secretary said that as per the government's guidelines, a maximum two passengers would be allowed to board the metered taxis and that both would have to sit in the back seat. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)
Colleges in TN will reopen only after COVID-19 cases subside: State Higher Education Minister
Universities and colleges will be reopened only after COVID-19 cases subsides, as many colleges were converted into isolation centres. Semesters exams will be conducted only after reopening: Higher Education Minister KP Anbalagan at Dharmapuri.
Cabin crew attire to have face shield, gown and mask after flights resume
Cabin crew members of Indian airlines will have personal protective equipment (PPE) like face shields, gowns and masks as part of their attire on commercial passenger flights when they resume operations, industry sources said. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)
World Bank announces USD 1 bn social protection package for India
World Bank announces USD 1 billion social protection package for India linked to Govt of India programmes.
20 people who returned to Mangaluru in repatriation flight from Dubai test positive for COVID-19
Before boarding the flight on Wednesday, the 168 passengers were subjected to rapid test in which all had turned negative. Rapid test which is anti-body based test is not reliable. They tested positive in the RTPCR test which was done after their arrival in city. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)
Special train from Delhi reached Thiruvananthapuram early on Friday
The New Delhi - Rajadhani Superfast special reached Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station by 5:15 am; Nearly 350 passengers who came home in the train were screened.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 15, 2020
Express Photos.@xpresskerala pic.twitter.com/UViUiHsCuY
48 new cases in Odisha, total cases 672
#Odisha reports 48 new #COVID19 positive cases, total cases in the state 672. @NewIndianXpress @XpressOdisha #CoronavirusOutbreak #OdishaFightsCoronavirus pic.twitter.com/ZpmMdrb5ba
— Tanmay Das (@tanmay__das) May 15, 2020
Flight from San Fransico in US reaches Bengaluru airport with 109 flyers on board
1st psgr flight frm US to touch base at Bangaluru since #lockdown reached @ 9.22am with 109 flyers on brd. @airindiain frm San Francisco had a stopover at Delhi where some psgs alighted b4 reaching KIA. Sch time, 9am @airindiain @sandeeprrao1991 @XpressBengaluru @NewIndianXpress
— Lalitha (@Lolita_TNIE) May 15, 2020
3967 new cases, 100 deaths in last 24 hours; India's confirmed cases cross 80,000
Auto drivers in Maharashtra head towards their native states due to lack of work
Chhattisgarh:Auto drivers from Maharashtra who left the state due lack of work amid lockdown are heading towards their states. An auto driver says,"I'm without work for last 2.5 months. It's difficult to sustain without money. So, I'm returning to Ranchi,Jharkhand with my family" pic.twitter.com/hMUhsGaoUp
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
WATCH | Train from Delhi arrives at Chennai
Passengers who arrived at Central railway station on the Rajdhani Express from New Delhi come out to get quarantined in Chennai.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 14, 2020
Express Video | P Jawahar @xpresstn pic.twitter.com/JldR944UBK
Migrant workers from Bihar leave Tamil Nadu in special train
#MigrantWorkers from Bihar were sent back to their native state through a special train from the Coimbatore Railway station.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 14, 2020
Express Photos | A Raja Chidambaram@xpresstn pic.twitter.com/y1qTIJkmDb
Special flight to Dubai lands at Bhubaneswar
Odisha: Air India special flight carrying 149 passengers from Dubai landed at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar at about 9:15 PM on May 14. #VandeBharatMission pic.twitter.com/Np8VGpfZN8
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2020
SC judge, his family go into self-quarantine after cook tests COVID-19 positive
- A Supreme Court judge on Thursday self-quarantined himself along with his family after their cook tested COVID-19 positive, sources said. According to the sources, the cook who was on leave since May 7 and tested positive on Thursday.
- Sources said that the cook might have got infected with the coronavirus during the leave period but as a precautionary measure, the judge and his family quarantined themselves.
News from Kochi Airport
Last flight to Kerala in the phase 1 of #VandeBharatMission landed at Cochin International Airport from Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). The Air India flight carried 152 passengers which includes 3 infants&31 people with medical emergencies: Ernakulam District Administration #Kerala pic.twitter.com/7HJWGYsSCh
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2020
194 new positive cases in Pune
Six deaths and 194 new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Pune district today. Total positive cases stand at 3426 in the district and death toll is at 181: Dr Bhagawan Pawar, District Health Officer.
Latest Jharkhand coronavirus tally
Six more cases of COVID-19 reported in Hazaribagh. All of them had returned from various states. eight cases have been reported from Hazaribagh today: Dr Krishna Kumar, Civil Surgeon Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. Total positive cases in Jharkhand stand at 203.
Railways' statement on the fiasco in Bengaluru's KSR Station
- Delhi-KSR Bengaluru train that arrived in Bengaluru this morning had 543 passengers, as confirmed from BBMP. Out of 543 persons, 20 were on transit to other states and left by road to Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- A section of passengers ranging about 140, were reluctant for institutionalised quarantine and were protesting against the same. After persuasion and discussion by senior officers of state government, police and railways ,majority of them have proceeded to said quarantine.
- 19 of them preferred to go back to Delhi which was facilitated by Railways at very short notice, by attaching extra coach in today's train to Delhi.
Madhya Pradesh latest coronavirus tally
- Total Positive: 4426.
- Active: 2018.
- Deaths: 237.
- Negative/Discharged: 2171.
- 253 new cases, five more deaths and 167 patients discharged.
PM interacts with Bill Gates. Here is what he said
- Prime Minister Modi today interacted with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Co-chair, Bill Gates via video conference. The dignitaries discussed global response to COVID-19 and importance of global coordination on scientific innovation & R&D to combat pandemic.
- PM underlined the conscious approach that India has adopted in its fight against the health crisis-an approach based on ensuring public engagement through appropriate messaging.
- PM appreciated health related work being done by Gates Foundation not only in India but also in many other parts of world, including for coordinating global response to COVID-19.
Chhattisgarh positive cases reach four
One more person tested positive for COVID-19 in Balod today. Presently, there are four active cases in the state: AIIMS Raipur.
Here is what Piyush Goyal thinks about the return of migrants in Bengal
- There is a need for 105 'Shramik Special' trains a day to take stranded migrants hailing from West Bengal back home but it is "sad" that the state is accepting 105 trains over 30 days, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.
- His remarks were in response to a tweet by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that she has arranged for 105 additional special trains to bring back migrants stranded across the country due to the COVID-19-induced lockdown.
- "I feel sad that while there is a need for 105 trains/day to bring back migrants to West Bengal, the state is accepting only 105 trains over 30 days. I once again hope for the sake of Bengali brothers and sisters in different parts of the country, that West Bengal will accept them back with open arms," Goyal tweeted.
- Many migrants want to return to West Bengal and if the state "does not accept them, then we may find more cases of migrants and even children walking for hundreds of kilometres and resorting to other dangerous means", he said.
- West Bengal should speed up setting up of adequate arrangements to receive their migrants, Goyal tweeted.
Latest Uttar Pradesh Coronavirus stats
- Total cases: 3902.
- Active cases : 1742.
- Fresh cases: 147.
- Recovered : 2072.
- Deaths : 92.
- Districts in grip: 75.
Please allow us to to run 105 trains every day for migrant workers wanting to return Bengal: Goyal to Mamata
I once again appeal to West Bengal Government, instead of allowing 105 trains in 30 days, please give permission for 105 trains every day. We will send back all the migrant labourers of West Bengal who want to go back home: Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal.
Passengers relieved as first special train from Delhi reaches Mumbai amid lockdown
Some passengers, however, also complained that after alighting from the train, they were forced to stand in a queue for a couple of hours for thermal screening and sanitisation of their baggage. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Blamegame continues between Centre and Mamata government over the migrants' travel issues
West Bengal first gave permission for only 2 trains,but after Union Home Minister wrote to state CM then announcement was made that 8 more trains will be allowed. But until today afternoon, only 5 out of those 8 trains were allowed by WB Govt: Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal https://t.co/FkibdVvrST
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2020
Silver lining for CAPFs as COVID-19 recoveries more than new cases
As many as 36 personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours, officials said on Thursday. They, however, added that 25 more personnel have tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of active cases in the central paramilitary forces to 824. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
COVID-19 lockdown effect: Circus industry readies for final curtain call
With wild animals being banned in 1998, demonetisation in 2016 and the steady inroad of movies and TV shows through satellite television and online platforms, the death knells have been coming for a while. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
News from Punjab
The schools which are imparting online education will be allowed to charge only tuition fee for lockdown period and admission fees, uniform or any other charges in any form will not be charged from the students in Punjab: State Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla.
COVID-19 relief package: Agriculture credit support fails to impress farmers' unions
Under the scheme, the national agri-financing agency NABARD will extend an additional Rs 30,000 crore of refinance support for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and Rural Cooperative Banks, which are the main source of credit for small and marginal farmers. "This will be on top of the Rs 90,000 crore to be provided by NABARD through the normal refinance route this year," Sitharaman said in the presentation. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
The sound of silence: An Indian muses on life in a New York ravaged by COVID-19
It seems like ages since my family and I confined ourselves to our small Manhattan apartment. On March 8th, we received an email from our elder child’s school informing us of a school closure, as one of the teachers had tested positive for COVID-19. The school was shut two weeks before the rest of the city shut down or paused as they called it, giving us the time to gather our thoughts and basic essentials before the panic set in. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
News from Haryana
Haryana government will ply buses to felicitate return of the people who are stranded in Delhi, from May 18: Haryana Transport Minister Moolchand Sharma
Centre's latest guideline on migrants' transportation
Centre allows hiring of special buses by States/UTs to ferry passengers arriving at railway stations, in view of restrictions of public/private transport during lockdown: Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs pic.twitter.com/7wbFXo6WKT
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2020
Latest Rajasthan coronavirus tally
With 206 new positive cases of #COVID19 and 4 deaths reported in Rajasthan today, the total number of positive cases and deaths rise to 4534 and 125 respectively. The number of recovered cases stand at 2638 while 1771 active cases remain in state: State Health Department pic.twitter.com/lViv4pXVRu
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2020
Commerce and Industry Ministry's statement on G20 summit
- India has called upon the G-20 nations to ensure access to essential medicines, treatments and vaccines at affordable prices: Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- In interventions during second G20 Virtual Trade and Investment Ministers Meeting, held through video-conferencing, Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal asked G20 members to focus on immediate and concrete actions that can ease distress being faced by people.
Notheast and Uttar Pradesh coronavirus tallies
- In Northeast, Total positive cases stands at 257, active cases at 185, while three deaths have been registered so far. One case in Manipur. The person had travelled home from Mumbai.
- In Bengal, Total positive cases till date: 2377. Positive at present: 1394. Death: 151. Comorbidity death: 72. Discharged: 767. 87 new infections were recorded in past 24 hours.
Two more test positive in Jharkhand
Two more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Jharkhand, taking the total number of cases to 192: Jharkhand Health Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni.
Another distressing news of migrants' plight amid the lockdown
Madhya Pradesh: A man wheeled his daughter & pregnant wife for most part of the journey from Hyderabad to Balaghat district on a makeshift wooden cart. His wife says, "We reached Hyderabad on March 17. When we ran out of money & food, my husband made the cart & we left the city". pic.twitter.com/mrlDsxZenn
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2020
11 more contract infection, COVID cases 1935 in Punjab now
- Eleven more persons contracted coronavirus infection on Thursday in Punjab, taking the total COVID-19 tally to 1935 in the state. Seven cases were reported in Jalandhar, followed by three in Ludhiana and one in Patiala, as per the state's medical bulletin.
- Twenty-three coronavirus patients - eight from Patiala, three each from Pathankot and Mansa and nine from Jalandhar - were discharged from hospitals, taking the count of cured patients to 223 in the state, as per the bulletin.
- Amritsar continued to top the COVID-19 tally in the state with 297 coronavirus cases, followed by 205 in Jalandhar, 158 in Tarn Taran, 151 in Ludhiana, 122 in Gurdaspur, 103 in SBS Nagar, 102 in Mohali, 100 in Patiala, 92 in Hoshiarpur, 88 in Sangrur, 65 in Muktsar, 59 in Moga, 58 in Rupnagar, 55 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 46 in Faridkot, 44 in Ferozepur, 41 in Fazilka, 40 in Bathinda, 32 in Mansa, 29 in Pathankot, 27 in Kapurthala and 21 in Barnala, the bulletin revealed.
- Of the total cases, 32 have died, as per the bulletin. One patient is critical and is on ventilator support, the bulletin said.
- A total of 47,408 samples have been taken so far in the state, of which, 42,425 samples were negative and reports of 3,048 samples are still awaited.
- There are 1,680 active cases in the state, as per the bulletin.
Delhi Medical Association writes to Modi government over non-payment of salaries of medical staff
- The Association is deeply concerned on the issue of non-payment of the salaries of doctors of North Delhi Municipal Corporation who have been working tirelessly in this highly stressful times of COVID-19 pandemic for last three months.
- We have sent a representation to the PM, Home Minister, Health Minister and Delhi CM and request them to look into the matter.
Big news from Pune
Scientists at ICMR-NIV,Pune have developed&validated the completely indigenous IgG ELISA test for antibody detection for SARS-CoV-2. On external validation, IgG test kit has been found to have sensitivity&specificity of 98.7%&100%, respectively: Indian Council of Medical Research pic.twitter.com/yxC6Po5n2T
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2020
Mumbai COVID-19 Update
Mumbai #COVIDー19 update
— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) May 14, 2020
Positive patients -- 998, deaths -- 25 and 443 discharge today. @NewIndianXpress @Sunday_Standard pic.twitter.com/lEGaPCUACg
Latest Maharashtra coronavirus tally
Maharashtra crosses 1000 death mark today. The total #COVIDー19 positive patients are 27, 524 while 1019 deaths and 6059 cured and discharged in Maharashtra. While today, 1602 patients, 44 deaths and 512 discharge reported. @NewIndianXpress
— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) May 14, 2020
38 in Howrah slum tested positive for COVID-19: Official
- A slum in West Bengal's Howrah district has accounted for at least 38 COVID-19 cases so far, a district official said on Thursday. According to sources, the slum, one of the largest in the district, houses more than 3,000 people. "Around 150 people from the slum work for the Howrah municipal corporation. That is a matter of concern," he said.
- The first case of infection from the area was reported on May 3, the official said.
- "So far samples of nearly 130 people have been collected for examination from the slum, of which 38 tested positive. The slum has been sealed. More tests are being done in the vicinity," the official added.
New positive case emerges in Manipur
A man, who returned from Mumbai yesterday, has been tested positive for COVID-19 in Imphal: Manipur Government.
Uttrakhand coronavirus numbers
Total number of positive #COVID19 cases reaches 78 in Uttarakhand: State Health Department pic.twitter.com/Z9vKo3i4A0
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2020
No community spread in Goa: CM
After a span of more than a month, Goa reported eight new cases of COVID-19, all of whom arrived in the state from outside. There's no community transmission in the state through these 8 positive cases: Goa CM Chief Minister Pramod Sawant
Delhi L-G holds meeting with Kejriwal
Chaired meeting of Delhi Disaster Management Authority with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Health Minister Satyendar Jain & other members today: Anil Baijal, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi pic.twitter.com/ZSPywPEFAM
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2020