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Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the lockdown period till May 3, in order to further control the spread of coronavirus. He said that after April 20, there will be relaxation in lockdown in areas with no hotspots. All domestic and international commercial passenger flights will remain suspended.

Earlier, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi thanked the govt officials including doctors, scavengers, police for their services during the COVID-19 crisis, in her video message. The total number of cases in India surges over 10,500 and the death toll is more than 350. Meanwhile, globally, as many 1334 died in the US because of coronavirus and 24,895 new cases were reported, on Tuesday. 

8:10 PM | MUMBAI

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, in his latest address, thanked the Prime Minister for extending the duration of the lockdown.

“I had already informed you about extending it till April 30. PM Modi has done it till May 3. Maharashtra has conducted the highest number of tests, around 20,000 to 22,000 in Mumbai alone. Over 2,200 have tested positive, of which 10% have gone back home after recovering while 32 are serious,” he said.

Stating that a special team of experts had been constituted for framing guidelines, Mr. Thackeray said special precaution was being taken in Mumbai and Pune, like door-to-door tests and setting up of special containment zones. He also added that all essential commodities were being supplied to these zones.

8:00 PM | LUCKNOW

Total cases in Uttar Pradesh has now risen to 660, with 102 fresh cases in 24 hours, as per the Uttar Pradesh Directorate of Health Services. They have been 8 deaths so far and 50 recoveries, leaving 602 active cases. Deaths have so far taken place in Basti, Meerut, Varanasi, Agra (3),  Bulandshahr and Moradabad.

The number of samples tested in the State, which has reported cases from 44 out of 75 districts, have also increased to 15,914.

8:00 PM | AHMEDABAD

67 new cases have been recorded in Gujarat, with two persons dying and 11 being discharged after recovery. So far, a total of 650 cases and 28 deaths have occurred in the State, according to a release from the Health Department.

7:55 PM | KOZHIKODE

Three more test positive in Kozhikode

Three more persons, all contacts of people earlier tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, were reported to have the infection in Kozhikode district on Tuesday. 

According to a release from the Health Department, one of them is a man from Azhiyoor. He had interacted with a person who died of COVID-19 at Mahe recently. The 42-year-old is undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital and his condition is said to be stable. Body fluid samples of his family members and contacts have been sent for lab tests. They are under observation at care centres. 

The other two are the family members of a senior citizen who had tested positive for the virus on April 11. One of them is his 35-year-old son who had come from Dubai on March 18. The other is a 19-year-old girl.

7:50 PM | INDIA

IMF projects 1.9% growth for India in 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a “severe” effect on the world economy and is expected to cause a -3% change (i.e., a contraction) in global output in 2020, “much worse” than the 2008-09 financial crises, as per the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook (WEO). India’s growth is expected to dip to 1.9% in 2020 and rebound to 7.4% in 2021, as per the WEO, which was released by the Fund on Tuesday.Read more7:45 PM | NEW DELHI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and expressed concern over the Bandra gathering. He said such events weakened India’s fight against COVID-19 and the administration needs to stay vigilant to avoid such incidents. He also offered his full support to the Maharashtra government.

7:45 PM | SURAT

More than 500 migrant workers gathered in Surat’s Varachha area demanding that they be allowed to return to their homes. They are migrants employed in textiles embroidery units in Surat.

7:15 PM | MYSURU

Two more patients recover in Mysuru

Two more patients who tested positive for the coronavirus, both linked to the pharmaceutical company in Nanjangud, were discharged from the hospital on Tuesday.

Patient Number 87 and Patient Number 105 would continue to be in quarantine in their homes for two weeks as per the doctors’ advice. With this, the number of active cases in the district has dropped to 36, according to Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G. Sankar.

-Shankar Bennur7:10 PM | NEW DELHI

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued an order under Disaster Management Act directing Chairman, National Executive Committee that existing lockdown measures be continued to be implemented in all parts of the country till May 3. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla is the chairman of the committee.

7:05 PM | NEW DELHI

India Inc. stands by lockdown extension; seeks stimulus package to rebuild economy

India Inc. on April 14 said the nationwide lockdown extension was necessary to avert a humanitarian crisis, but insisted on the need for a stimulus package to rebuild the economy hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the current lockdown will be extended till May 3, saying it is necessary to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.

6:50 PM | MANGALURU

Another patient recovers in Karnataka

Another COVID-19 patient, a 49-year-old resident of Puttur, was discharged from the Government Wenlock Hospital following treatment on Tuesday. With this, a total nine of the 12 persons have recovered.

The 49-year-old man landed at Bengaluru International Airport from Dubai and came to Puttur on March 21. After being tested postive on April 1, he was moved to the Government Wenlock Hospital. His throat swabs were tested negative on April 12 and 13, according to the health bulletin by Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Sindhu Rupesh.

6:30 PM | AHMEDABAD

The Gujarat government has decided to impose curfews in walled city areas of Ahmedabad, since majority of COVID-19 infections are from these hotspots. Only women would be allowed to go out for a few hours to procure essential supplies like grocery, milk etc.

6:25 PM | CHENNAI

31 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday in Taml Nadu. So far, 81 persons had been discharged and 12 deaths had been recorded, the State’s Health Secretary Beela Rajesh announced in the daily update. According to her statement, the total tally in the State was 1,204.

.5.40 PM | NEW DELHI

People try to create rift between Hindus and Muslims, says Arvind Kejriwal

In a daily briefing to press, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said “It is very saddening that some people are trying to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims at this time when we are all going through a pandemic. Nature will never forgive such people who are trying to spread hatred.”

Mr. Kejriwal said “Coronavirus cases in Delhi have increased every day over the last few days. This is worrying not just for me but for all of us.”

The Chief Minister said “Delhi also had to bear the brunt of another burden; being the Capital, a lot of people travelled from other places to the city.”

Mr. Kejriwal finally said “Today the PM has increased the lockdown period to May 3; this was necessary; if this hadn’t been done, coronavirus cases would have increased.”

5.35 PM | KARNATAKA

Second COVID-19 patient discharged in Udupi

The second COVID-19 patient of Udupi district was discharged from the Dr. T.M.A. Pai Hospital, the designated hospital, here on Tuesday and has been advised strict home quarantine for 14 days.

Sudhir Chandra Sooda, District Health and Family Welfare Officer (DHO), said here on Tuesday that the patient was discharged at around 5 p.m. on Tuesday and had been advised that he should be in strict home quarantine for the next two weeks.

This patient, a 35-year-old man, had come from Dubai to Udupi on March 17, 2020. He was admitted with the symptoms of COVID-19 to the District Government Hospital on March 27. He tested positive for COVID-19 and was since been under treatment.

5.30 PM | MUMBAI

We will begin flight operations for domestic first, says IndiGo CEO

“Complimenting the government’s efforts against Covid-19, we will restart flight operations on vital corridors of air traffic from May 4, 2020. We will begin operations for domestic only and then gradually ramp it up further, to commence operations on some international routes as well. Our singular focus will be on ensuring the health of our customers and our employees. We are working closely with the government and the airports to take our aircraft and our airports to a significantly higher level of cleanliness while ensuring social distancing. The airline industry has always done a tremendous job in ensuring the safety of its customers and I am confident we will rise to this latest challenge as well,” IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta.

5.25 PM | PATNA

Do we have alternate plan or the will to course correct, asks Prashant Kishor

Poll strategist and former JD(U) leader Prashant Kishor on Tuesday questioned the central government’s decision of extension of lockdown for another 19-days asking, “if we don’t get the desired result even by staying the course on our chosen path till 3rd May? Do we have an alternate plan or the will to course correct?”

Mr Kishor is currently working to associate youths of Bihar to help them elected as mukhias (village heads).

“It’s pointless to endlessly debate the rationale & modalities of the #lockdown2.

The REAL question however is what happens if we don’t get the desired result even by staying the course on our chosen path till 3rd May? Do we have an alternate plan or the will to course correct?” tweeted Mr Kishor on Tuesday hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to extend the lockdown for another 19 days, till May 3.

Earlier on April 8, he also had tweeted, “It is simply incomprehensible to see a police-led generalized lockdown pushed as PANACEA to get over a public health and economic crisis like #CoronaPandemic”.

Meanwhile, the government officials in the State said that the extension of the lockdown till May 3 has put a big question mark on the completion of dozens of projects related to annual flood control measures ahead of the monsoon in Bihar.

“Since projects for embankment repair and maintenance are “labour-intensive” we’ve to run against time to complete our projects once the lockdown will be over”, said an official of state Water Resources department.

5.15 PM | NEW DELHI

Employers get extension for filing ECI contribution 

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has extended the deadline for employers to file ESI contributions for February and March to May 15, the Union Labour and Employment Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The country is dealing with a very challenging situation due to COVID-19 pandemic. Many establishments are temporarily closed and workers are unable to work,” the Ministry said.

As a relief measure for employers, ESIC would give the extension and not charge any penalty or interest for the period, it said. Earlier, an extension till April 15 and May 15 for February and March contributions respectively had been given. Now, the deadline for both months’ contributions had been shifted to May 15.

This move would benefit the 3.49 crore workers insured under ESI and 12,11,174 employers, the Ministry said.

Meanwhile, for the welfare of workers hit by the lockdown imposed to curb COVID-19, the Ministry said in another statement that it had set up 20 control rooms that workers could call for help with “wage-related grievances”.

5.10 PM | MAHARASHTRA

68-year-old man second COVID-19 victim from Aurangabad

A 68-year-old man on Tuesday became the second COVID-19 fatality from Aurangabad in Marathwada region of Maharashtra, officials said.

The swab sample of the deceased was initially tested negative for novel coronavirus when he was admitted in the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on April 8, he said.

“His another swab sample was sent for testing on April 11 while he was under treatment, which tested positive. The patient was on a ventilator support. He breathed his last at 1:30 pm,” said GMCH Dean Dr. Kanan Yelikar.

The man was apparently infected by his son, who was found positive for COVID-19 after returning from Pune, Dr Yelikar said.

Earlier, a 58-year-old man died of COVID-19 in the first week of April.

— PTI

5.05 PM | UNITED KINGDOM

Coronavirus could see UK GDP fall 13% in 2020: watchdog

Britain’s economy could shrink by 13 per cent in 2020 in the case of a three-month coronavirus lockdown, according to a scenario published Tuesday by fiscal watchdog the Office for Budget Responsibility.

“The resulting 13 per cent fall in annual GDP in 2020 would comfortably exceed any of the annual falls around the end of each world war or in the financial crisis,” the OBR said.

5.05 PM | SHILLONG

Fall kills man in Shillong hospital where doctor tested positive

A 26-year-old man undergoing rehabilitation from drug addiction fell to his death from a Meghalaya hospital that was sealed on Monday night after a doctor there tested positive for COVID-19.

Police in Meghalaya capital Shillong said the man died on the spot after falling from a considerable height from the window of Bethany Hospital early Tuesday morning. He was from Mawkyrwat in South West Khasi Hills district.

“We are yet to find out how or why he died. He might have tried to escape the detoxification regimen or panicked after the hospital was sealed,” an officer of the local Laitumkhrah police station said.

On Tuesday night, the State’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Alexander L. Hek said officials have been instructed not to let any patient undergoing treatment exit the hospital premises. The entire hospital was turned into a quarantine camp with the senior doctor who tested positive being isolated.

Soon after the doctor tested positive, a 48-hour curfew was clamped across East Khasi Hills district and the adjoining Ri-Bhoi district. Shillong is in East Khasi Hills district. 

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the State government has so far tested 90 samples of people who came into contact with the said doctor. “About 200 people had come into direct contact with him while another 1,800 secondary contacts have been identified so far,” he said. 

5.05 PM | GLOBAL TALLY

Global death toll tally crosses 120,000

The novel coronavirus has killed more than 120,000 people worldwide, nearly 70 percent of them in Europe, according to a tally compiled by AFP on Tuesday from official sources.

A total of 120,013 deaths have now been recorded since the epidemic first emerged in China in December, 81,474 of them in Europe.

The figures were collated using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO). 

5.00 PM | ODISHA

Coronavirus statistics going down in Odisha: Patnaik

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed happiness on Tuesday over coronavirus statistics going down in the state.

Reviewing the COVID-19 situation in the state at a high level meeting through video-conferencing, Mr. Patnaik asked police to ensure that movement of agriculture products do not stop and those indulging in domestic violence during lockdown are punished.

“I am pleased to see coronavirus statistics are leveling in the state and going down. It is a good sign,” Mr. Patnaik said.

According to the latest count, Odisha has 56 confirmed cases of COVID-19, out of whom 18 have recovered. One person has died in the state due to the deadly virus.

4.45 PM | NEW DELHI

All pending MGNREGA payments cleared: Tomar

All pending payments of beneficiaries under MGNREGA have been cleared, Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar tells PTI.

Besides pensions additional cash is being transferred in accounts of more than 2 crore widows, senior citizens and specially-abled.

Plans for MGNREGA approved to kick-start work after lockdown, he adds.

4.40 PM | NEW DELHI

Increasing sampling zone

Testing is being done on the basis of our sampling criteria, otherwise we cannot ensure proper use of the testing kits, says Health Ministry spokesperson.

We are increasing our sampling zone and are also introducing rapid tests, he adds.

4.30 PM | NEW DELHI

Why 40 day lockdown?

Indian Postal Service is delivering medical supplies to individuals, hospitals and care centres, says a government spokesperson.

Health Ministry says 602 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals having 1,06,719 isolation beds and 12,024 ICU beds have been readied in country.

218 lifeline UDAN flights with 377.50 tonne essential medical cargo were sent to different parts of the country, particularly in north-east region, hilly States and Island territories.

If no cases are reported for 28 days at a stretch, it is believed that there will be no more cases in that particular area: Health Ministry spokesperson, to a query on the rationale behind 40-day lockdown.

4.10 PM | NEW DELHI

Sufficient kits available for testing

ICMR spokesperson says over 2.31 lakh tests done so far and yesterday alone 21,635 tests were held.

Sufficient RTPCR kits are available and orders have been placed for 33 lakh kits and 37 lakh rapid test kits, he adds.

1036 people have been cured so far,  79 people were cured yesterday, says Health Ministry spokesperson.

4.00 PM | NEW DELHI

Labour Ministry has set up 20 helplines for addressing grievances of workers, says Home Ministry spokesperson in the daily briefing.

About 32 crore poor people received financial assistance to the tune of Rs.29,352 crore so far as part of the Rs. 1.70-lakh crore PM Grib Kalyan package, says the Finance Ministry spokesperson.4.00 PM | UTTAR PRADESH

COVID-19 Death toll in UP is now eight, said Amit Mohan Prasad, UP health department principal secretary. Total positive cases are now 657.

3.30 PM | GUJARAT

Ahmedabad readies country’s largest COVID-19 care facility

With Ahmedabad alone accounting for 346 of the total 617 coronavirus positive cases in Gujarat, the city civic body has readied the country’s largest COVID-19 Care Centre with a capacity to accommodate 2000 patients who are not suffering from any underlying health issues.

The facility, created in a hostel complex near the Gujarat University Complex, will ease the load of COVID-19 patients on government hospitals.

The care centre is also equipped with a library, and a Yoga and indoor game facility for patients.

“We can accommodate 2,000 patients in this facility, which is the first and the largest COVID Care Centre in the country,” said Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra. – PTI

3.00 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Seven new COVID-19 cases detected in Nagpur

Seven new patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in Nagpur in Maharashtra, an official release said on Tuesday.

With detection of the new cases since Monday, the tally of the people infected by coronavirus has gone up to 54. All the seven patients were admitted in a government hospital in Nagpur.

2.40 PM

WHO lauds India’s “tough and timely” anti-corona actions

The World Health Organization on Tuesday lauded “India’s tough and timely actions” against the coronavirus spread as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of current lockdown till May 3.

“It may be early to talk about results in numbers, but a six-week nationwide lockdown to facilitate effective physical distancing, coupled with the expansion of core public health measures such as detection, isolation and tracing contact of coronavirus positive people, would go a long way in arresting the virus spread,” said WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Director, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh.

1.40 PM | KARNATAKA

Another death in Karnataka

The latest to succumb to the disease in the State is a 69-year-old male from Vijayapura.

Eleven more positive cases have been reported taking the total number to 258, according to the department”s midday bulletin.

The new cases include  three each from Kalaburgi and Bagalkote, one each from Chikkaballapur, Belagavi and two from Bengaluru Urban.

A 26-year-old person from Hindupur, who travelled by a two-wheeler from Hindupur to Bengaluru on April 7 has now tested positive.

1.00 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Maharashtra forms task force for patient management protocol at dedicated hospitals

The Maharashtra government has set up a task force of specialist doctors to recommend a patient management protocol for serious and critically ill COVID-19 patients in dedicated critical care hospitals.

The nine-member task force will be under the chairmanship of Dr. Sanjay Oak.

 12.50 PM | ANDHRA PRADESH

2 deaths, 34 fresh cases in AP

Two deaths due to coronavirus and 34 new positive cases of the disease were confirmed in Andhra Pradesh, a state government bulletin said on Tuesday.

With this, the overall toll has now increased to nine and the number of affected in the state to 473.

12.40 PM | TAMIL NADU

Oldest patient to die

A 95-year-old man from Begumbur in Dindigul district, who had tested positive for COVID-19, died at the Government Karur Medical College Hospital on Tuesday. He is the oldest COVID-19 positive patient to die in Tamil Nadu.

12.20 PM | MAHARASHTRA

121 new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra; State tally surges to 2,455

The number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra rose to 2,455 after 121 more people tested positive for the disease on Tuesday, a health official said.

Among the new cases, 92 were reported from Mumbai, 13 from Navi Mumbaai, 10 from Thane city, five from Vasai-Virar (in Palghar district) and one from Raigad, he said.

Maharashtra has so far reported 160 deaths due to coronavirus. – PTI12.10 PM | NEW DELHI

All domestic and international scheduled Airlines operations shall remain suspended till 11.59 pm of 3rd May 2020, says the Union Civil Aviation Ministry

12.05 PM | NEW DELHI

Help the poor, appeals Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah has requested the privileged to come forward and help the poor living in their vicinity. He tweeted that as Home Minister of the country he wanted to assure there is no shortage of essential supplies in the country.

He said the way State governments were working in close coordination with the Centre was praiseworthy. “The coordination has to be deepened so that all citizens follow the lockdown and no suffers from any shortage of essential supply, ” Mr. Shah tweeted. 

He said the contribution of doctors, health workers, sanitation workers and security personnel was touching and their contribution in these difficult times inspires every Indian. Every one should follow the guidelines and cooperate, he said.

11.45 AM | DELHI

Delhi will fully implement PM’s lockdown measures, tweeted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal soon after the Prime Minister ended his speech.

11.45 AM

Passenger trains not to ply till May 3

All passenger train services on Indian Railways including Premium trains, Mail/Express trains, Passenger trains, Suburban Trains, Kolkata Metro Rail, and Konkan Railway will continue to remain cancel till the 2400hrs of May 3, 2020.

To ensure the essential supplies in various parts of the country, movement of goods and Parcel trains will remain continue, Indian Railways has said.

 11.40 AM | PUDUCHERRY

Ruling party MLA booked again for lockdown violation

After the lockdown was imposed in the country with an attempt to stem the spread of COVID-19, the territorial police have registered a case against ruling Congress legislator A. John Kumar for the second time for violating prohibitory orders, on Monday evening.

Police acted against the legislator for distributing rice to a large gathering of people near his house.

11.30 AM | JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Coronavirus cases surpass 200 mark in J&K

The corona-led lockdown in Kashmir entered 27th day on Tuesday with the infected cases crossing the 200-mark.

The total number of positive cases in the union territory has risen to 270 — out of which 222 were in Kashmir and 48 in Jammu. Four patients have died in Jammu and Kashmir and 16 have recovered.11.25 AM | MADHYA PRADESH

Indore recorded 56 new COVID-19 cases on Monday night, taking the city count to 362. With this, 647 cases have been detected in Madhya Pradesh so far: Pravin Jadia, Indore Chief Medical and Health Officer.

As many as 49 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Indore, taking the city count to 411. While 35 patients have died of the disease, 37 have recovered from it in the city: Pravin Jadia, Indore Chief Medical and Health Officer.

11.20 AM | MAHARASHTRA

6 new COVID-19 cases, including 2 deaths in Dharavi

Six new coronavirus cases, including two deaths, were reported from Dharavi on Tuesday, taking the total number of people affected by the disease in Mumbai’s slum area to 55.

New cases were found in Muslim Nagar, Kalyanwadi, Janata Society andRajiv Nagar localities of Dharavi. – PTI

11.15 AM | GUJARAT

45 new COVID-19 cases in Gujarat

The number of coronavirus cases in Gujarat rose to 617 as 45 more people tested positive for the disease.

Among the new cases, 31 were reported from Ahmedabad, nine from Surat, two from Mehsana, and one each from Bhavnagar, Dahod and Gandhinagar, according to the State Health Department bullettin. – PTI

11.10 AM | NEW DELHI

SAI extends suspension of camps till May 3

All training camps at Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres across the country will remain suspended till May 3 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an extension of the ongoing national lockdown to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The athletes who are there in SAI Bengaluru and Patiala will continue to remain there,” PTI has reported.10.50 AM | NEW DELHI

CIC, ICs take pay cut

Chief Information Commissioner R.K. Mathur. File  

Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners at the Central Information Commission have decided to voluntarily take a pay cut of 30% for one year in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Press Information Bureau has tweeted the resolution of CIC in this regard.

10.30 AM | UTTAR PRADESH

Coronavirus infection cases rise to 657 in Uttar Pradesh

As many as 657 people have tested positive so far for coronavirus, which has claimed five lives in Uttar Pradesh till now.

Joint Director-cum-State Surveillance Officer Vikasendu Agrawal of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) on Tuesday said, “A total of 657 corona-positive cases have been reported from the state. Till now, the state has reported five deaths — one each in Basti, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Varnasi and Agra.”

10.30 AM | ASSAM

One more tests positive for COVID-19 in Assam, count 31

One more person, who had come in contact with those who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi, tested positive for novel coronavirus in Assam on Tuesday, taking the state’s tally to 31, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The 31 cases include one person who had died due to the virus.

10.00 AM

Lockdown extended till May 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended the lockdown till May 3 as coronavirus cases in the country surpassed 10,000. Mr. Modi said the lockdown will be implemented even more stricter and some relaxations may be considered after April 20.

Mr. Modi also urged the people to follow the saptapadi (seven sacred vows):

1. Take care of the elderly

2. Strictly follow guidelines of lockdown

3. Increase immunity, follow Ayush ministry guidelines

4. Download Arogya Setu App

5. Help poor families

6. Don’t take away jobs of your employees

7. Respect Corona warriors

9.00 AM | CHINA

China’s imported coronavirus cases climb to 1,464

China continued to grapple with imported cases of coronavirus after stamping out the disease from its epicentre Wuhan as it reported 89 infections on Monday and the rise in asymptomatic patients posed serious concern for authorities, health officials said on Tuesday.

8.00 AM

India will emerge victorious in the fight, says Sonia Gandhi in video message

Hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the nation on the completion of the three week lockdown, the Congress party released a video in which party president Sonia Gandhi lauded the citizens for showing patience and restraint in staying inside their houses.

6.30 AM

IMF approves debt relief for 25 countries

The International Monetary Fund on Monday announced immediate debt relief for 25 poor countries to help them free up funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Airlines prepare for take-off in post-coronavirus world

Airlines have started conducting mock drills to educate and prepare staff for the new social distancing normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which will promote a safe flying experience as and when commercial flights take to the skies again.

09.15PM

Covid19 casess in India crossed 9500

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation tomorrow, April 14, at 10 am. Puducherry, Arunachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are the latest to extend the lockdown till April 30. Meanwhile, India’s March retail inflation has eased 5.91% year-on-year. The MHA also extended visas for foreign travellers stranded in the country till April 30. India’s tally of positive cases is above 9500, and the death toll is at 325, as the country gears for an extension of the 21-day lockdown. Nagaland reports its first coronavirus case. Globally, the death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 114,539 and over 1,853,300 declared cases have been registered in 193 countries and territories.

8:50 PM | LUCKNOW

Positive cases in Uttar Pradesh jumped to 558 with 75 fresh cases, including 35 from Agra and 11 from Saharanpur, as per the State Directorate of Health Services. The State has now reported cases from 43 districts.

8:45 PM | NEW DELHI

Visa of foreigners extended till April 30: Home Ministry

The government on April 13 extended on gratis basis the regular visa and e-visa of foreign nationals who are stranded in India due to COVID-19 till April 30, the Home Ministry said.

In a statement, the Ministry said all those foreigners whose regular visa, e-visa or stay stipulation expired or would be expiring during February 1 (midnight) to April 30 (midnight), would be “extended till April 30 (midnight) on gratis basis, after making an online application by the foreigners”.

The decision to extend the visa exemption till April 30 was apparently taken in view of the near certain extension of the onging lockdown till April 30.

It is also an indication that international flights, cancelled since March 25, will not resume before April 30.

-PTI

8:40 PM | MUMBAI

Thane Municipal Corporation officials said that a total of 14 people from Thane, who came into close contact with Maharashtra Minister for Housing Jitendra Awhad have tested positive on Monday. Officials said these include members of his personal staff, a local journalist and five police personnel with the Thane Police Commissionerate who were assigned to him as bodyguards.

8:20 PM | SHIMLA

Screening on in 10 containment zones: Himachal Pradesh government

The Himachal Pradesh government has started screening people for coronavirus in 10 containment zones created in four of the total 12 districts in the State, heath officials said.

Every individual in these zones is being screened, they said, adding that even if someone is showing mild symptoms, they are being tested to check the spread of the virus.

The areas which have been sealed include Missarwala in Sirmaur district, Jharmari in Solan district, Sahon and Glad panchayats in Chamba district, and Nakroh mosque in Gagret block, Kuthera Kherla in Amb block and Chowki Manyar in Bangana block of Una district.

-PTI

8:15 PM | NEW DELHI

One more nurse working at LNJP (Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan) Hospital in Delhi tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, according to hospital officials. 

This is the second nurse at hospital who has tested positive for the virus. LNJP Hospital, which is run by the Delhi government, is treating the highest number of COVID-19 patients in the city.

8:00 PM | INDIA

Delivery of Medicines through Speed Post must be given highest priority: Minister of Communications

Minister of Communications, Law & IT Sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad, has instructed Secretary-Posts to ensure that delivery of medicines through Speed Post is given the highest priority during lockdown.

He further directed that all employees of Department of Posts be sensitised so that none should face difficulty in receiving or sending medicines during lockdown. The entire postal network across the country has been galvanised for the purpose.

Intra-State and interstate mail arrangements have been made for the purpose.7:50 PM | MUMBAI

Dharavi reported two new cases on Monday evening, bringing the total to 49. One is a 51-year-old resident of Murugan chawl while another is a 21-year-old man residing in Kalyanwadi, who is a wardboy at Breach Candy hospital.

7:20 PM | MANGALURU

One more patient discharged in Mangaluru

One more COVID-19 patient was discharged from the hospital in Mangaluru on Monday.

The 34-year-old male, discharged from the Government Wenlock Hospital in the city, had arrived at Mangaluru International Airport on March 18 and had proceeded to to his native Ajjavara, near Sullia. He was admitted to the hospital on March 28 and tested positive on March 31.

After treatment he was found negative during tests conducted on April 11 and 12, Sindhu B. Rupesh, Deputy Commissioner, said in a release on Monday.

7:20 PM | NEW DELHI

A nurse working at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the city tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, taking the total number of hospital staff infected by the virus to three, according to the hospital.

On April 4, 108 staff of the hospital were quarantined after they came in contact with two people admitted in the hospital, who later tested positive for COVID-19.

7:15 PM | NEW DELHI

Information commissioners to take 30% cut in basic salary for one year: CIC resolution

All Information Commissioners will take a voluntary 30% cut in their basic salary for one year to contribute to the government move to pool all resources to face the unprecedented damage to the economy because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a CIC resolution said on April 13.

7:10 PM | ITANAGAR

Arunachal Pradesh extends lockdown from till April 30

The Arunachal Pradesh government on Monday extended the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of novel coronavirus from April 14 to 30, a senior official said.

The lockdown has been extended till April 30, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar said.

Only State-run buses will be allowed to ply on the roads. Construction work will be allowed to resume after contractors seek permission from authorities concerned, but migrant labourers cannot be employed, he told reporters here.

Intensive care units will be set up in hospitals at Tawang, Tezu, Aalo, Pasighat, Ziro and Khonsa this month, the official added.

-PTI

6:55 PM | NEW DELHI

Government starts call centre to coordinate inter-State transportation of agri commodities

The Centre on April 13 said it has started an all-India level call centre for addressing the transportation problems being faced in inter-state movement of both perishable and non-perishable agricultural commodities.

The All India Agri Transport Call Centre is accessible from numbers: 18001804200 and 14488. These numbers can be called from any mobile or landline phones, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.

“Truck drivers, traders, retailers, transporters or any other stakeholders who are facing problems in inter-state movement of above commodities, may seek help by calling at the Call Centre,” it said.

The Ministry said call centre executives will forward the vehicle and consignment details along-with the help needed to concerned State government officials for resolution of the issues, it added.

6:50 PM |  NEW DELHI

Army issues movement instructions for personnel held up due to lockdown

In view of the 21-day nationwide lockdown to contain COVID-19 ending on April 14 midnight and the possibility of it being lifted partially, the Army has issued instructions on the movement of personnel who were on leave or sick leave and retirees held back at regimental centres due to the lockdown.

“Personnel whose sanctioned leave expired during the lockdown period will report to the nearest station headquarters, ad hoc station headquarters or Units on April 15. They will be housed in quarantine hubs created under arrangements of Command headquarters and retained for 14 days. Thereafter, they would be despatched under arrangements to OL directorate to their respective formations or units,” the Army said in a letter dated April 7.

6:45 PM | NEW DELHI

Extend free rations to those without cards: Sonia Gandhi

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking the government to offer increased rations to people who are identified as beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) as well as vulnerable sections who may not enlisted under the NFSA.

The Congress president said that in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, “we must ensure that no one faces hunger”.

“I welcome your decision to provide free of cost 5 kg grain/person in addition to the entitlements under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) from April-June, 2020,” Ms Gandhi said in her letter. “However, given the adverse impact of the lockdown and its prolonged impact of people’s livelihoods, I write to you to consider a few suggestions. Firstly, the provision of 10 kg grains/person to NFSA beneficiaries must be extended for an additional period of 3 months i.e. till September, 2020. Given the chronic economic distress faced by these beneficiaries, the food entitlements may be provided free of cost,” she added.

6:35 PM | CHENNAI

98 more persons have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Beela Rajesh. According to this tally, the total number of cases in the State now stands at 1,173 with 11 deaths and 58 recoveries.

M.6:10 PM | INDIA

Total cases in India has risen to 9,352 with 324 reported deaths as on  Monday evening. This includes 905 new cases and 51 deaths in past the 24 hours.

5:50 PM | PARIS

Global toll crosses 110,000

The worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 114,539 on Monday, according to a tally compiled at 1100 GMT from official sources.

More than 1,853,300 declared cases have been registered in 193 countries and territories since the epidemic first emerged in China in December. Of these cases, at least 395,000 are now considered recovered.Read more5:45 PM | SRINAGAR

25 more people including 12 non-locals tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the Kashmir on Monday. The total stands at 270 — 49 in Jammu and 222 in Kashmir, according to a release from the Jammu and Kashmir government.

5:15 PM | BHUBANESWAR

One more COVID-19 positive case detected in Bhubaneswar on Monday, taking Odisha’s total to 55. Active cases now stand at 41 as 13 have recovered and one has died.

4:45 PM | NEW DELHI

Doctor, nurse, staffer at Max Hospital test positive

A doctor, a nurse and a non-medical staff at a leading private hospital here have tested positive for COVID-19, hospital authorities said on April 13.

“So far, three hospital staffers have tested positive — a doctor, a nurse and one non-medical staff. All of them are recovering,” the hospital said in a statement.

“Thirty-nine healthcare workers, who were contact traced, have been quarantined within a separate and isolated wing at Max Hospital, Saket,” it said.

“There are 154 employees deployed in shifts in the COVID ward of Max Hospital, Saket. None of these employees has had any exposure to the virus. They are working in shifts and are staying on the hospital premises to reduce any risk of infection to their families and neighbours. None of them has been quarantined,” the statement said.

-PTI

4.40 PM | NEW DELHI

On remdesivir anti-viral drug

ICMR spokesperson on remdesivir anti-viral drug: “It was used during the Ebola outbreak. The study in different parts of the world is observational, indicating that two out of three patients, who would have required ventillator support or oxygen support, did not require them after its use.”

This drug is not available with us, he says and adds the World Health Organisation is doing trials. “When the result comes, we will make further plans accordingly, he adds.4.25 PM | NEW DELHI

About Rs.28,256 crore spent so far on welfare activities, including cash transfers to women JanDhan account holders, widows, senior citizens and the differently-abled, a government spokesperson says.

About 30 crore people have benefited under the PM Garib Kalyan Yojna till April 10, he says.

NCC cadets, Civil Defence  and over 50,000 volunteers have come forward to help the administration.

A health ministry official says core group has been formed in ICMR to focus on digital/molecular surveillance, rapid and economical dignostics, new drugs and repurposing of drugs, apart from associated production facilities, in close co-ordination with the public and private sector and relevant ministries.4.20 PM | NEW DELHI

The ICMR spokesperson says over two lakh tests done so far.

 The stock is available for testing in the coming six more weeks, he adds.

15 districts have not reported any deaths in the past 15 days. Testing kits from China to arrive on April 15, he adds.

4.10 PM | TAMIL NADU

Tamil Nadu extends lockdown till April 30

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday evening announced extension of the COVID-19 lockdown till April 30. The ongoing lockdown was scheduled to end at 6 am on April 15.

The CM also announced that the ration entitlements for the month of May would be issued free of cost to ‘rice card holders’. This include 1 kg of sugar, 1 kg of tur dhal, 1 kg of cooking oil, besides the usual allotment of rice. – Dennis S. Jesudasan

4.00 PM | NEW DELHI

Inter- and intra-State goods movements allowed

Home Ministry spokesperson says inter- or intra-State movement of carriers of essential and non-essential goods are allowed with a driver and an additional person.

Local authorities have to facilitate the mobility of the drivers and the helpers, and others involved in the entire chain of supplies, the spokesperson says in the daily press briefing.

Warehouses and coldstorages should be allowed, irrespective of the category of goods,except those in the hotspots and containment areas, he adds.3.15 PM | NEW DELHI

Foreigners whose visas have expired as they are stuck here due to COVID-19 lockdown extended till April 30 on Gratis (free) basis.

Foreigners asked to apply online to avail the visa extension facility, says MHA.

3.00 PM | HARYANA

Haryana COVID positive cases rise to 182

Coronavirus cases in Haryana rose to 182 on Monday, with a fresh case reported from Sirsa district.

Out of the total positive cases, the number of active cases in the state is 146, the state health department’s daily bulletin said, adding 34 patients have been discharged.

The state has recorded two COVID-19 related deaths.

– PTI

2.25 PM | NEW DELHI

PM Modi to address the nation on April 14 at 10 am

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on Tuesday at 10 am, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

The 21-day nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus ends on Tuesday and the prime minister is likely to talk about its possible extension.

2.00 PM | BIHAR

With one more COVID-19 positive case detected in Begusarai district

the total number of COVID-19 pandemic positive cases in Bihar has gone up to 65, said state health minister Mangal Pandey.

Mr Pandey also said that the government has decided to start door to door screening in hotspots of three kms radius in each of four districts of Siwan, Begusarai, Nawada and Nalanda from where number of  pandemic disease have regularly been coming.

1.45 PM | DELHI

Max Hospital Saket doctor among three to test positive

Three staff members, including one doctor, of Max Hospital Saket have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two days, a spokesperson for the hospital said.

On Thursday, two people admitted at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital Saket had tested positive for the virus.

1.15 PM | MAHARASHTRA

 Maharashtra extends lockdown till April 30

Maharashtra has joined Punjab and Odisha in extending the lockdown. “The State Government hereby directs the lock-down orders issued vide notification dated 25th March 2020 shall now be extended upto and inclusive of 30th April 2020,” the CMO handle has tweeted.

1.10 PM | KARNATAKA

15 new cases in Karnataka

Fifteen new positive cases have been detected since Sunday evening in Karnataka taking the total cases to 247.

The new cases include three each from Mandya and Belagavi, four from Hubballi- Dharwad, two from Bidar and one each from Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural and Bangalore.

Except for one case of a 62-year-old male from Bengaluru Urban, all other cases have contact history.

12.40 PM | ODISHA

13 COVID-19 patients recover so far in Odisha

One more person, who was afflicted with COVID-19 in Odisha, has recovered on Monday, taking the total number of patients cured of the disease to 13 in the state, health department officials said.

Odisha has so far reported 54 coronavirus cases while a 72-year-old patient from the state capital died of the disease.

– PTI

12.10 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Fifth death from Dharavi

Dharavi reported four new cases, including a death on Monday.

A 60 year-old man living in Nehru chawl was declared dead at Sion Hospital, making him the fifth fatality from Asia’s biggest slum.

Besides, three other new cases were reported, one each from Indira Nagar, Janata society and Gulmohur chawl.

The patient from Gulmohur chawl is a 34 year-old nurse from Sushrusha Hospital that has been sealed after eight of their staff tested positive.

Janata society has seen five cases so far. This brings the total cases from Dharavi to 47 including five deaths.

The State has reported 2064 cases so far, including 82 fresh ones.

12.00 NOON | TAMIL NADU

19 items for Rs. 500 in Tamil Nadu

Provisions for the ration card holders getting packed at a TUCS outlet in Chennai.  

Tamil Nadu government is selling grocery kits for Rs. 500 through its ration shops. The kit comprises of 19 items including tur dal, urad dal (half kg each), 250 each grams of bengal gram and garlic, 100 grams of pepper, cumin, mustard, fenugreek, turmeric powder, and chilli powder. State-owned branded tea powder is also being provided along with one kg salt. In addition to this, 200 grams of sunflower oil, 50 grams fennel seeds and 10 grams of cinnamon is also provided.

11.50 AM | ANDHRA PRADESH

12 new coronavirus cases reported in AP

The COVID-19 cases continued their upward trend in Andhra Pradesh, adding 12 since Sunday night and taking the overall tally to 432.

Guntur district has now taken the top spot in the state with 90 cases, with the addition of eight since Sunday night, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Health Department on Monday. – PTI11.40 AM | NAGALAND

First case reported from Nagaland

The first case of COVID-19 in Nagaland came to light around midnight on April 12.

Assam Health Minister Himanta Bishwa Sarma confirmed that one person from Nagaland was found with symptoms of COVID-19. He was referred to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital. He has been tested “positive and is undergoing treatment”.

 11.30 AM | USA

New York City now has more COVID19 cases than China, UK

New York City, the epicenter of the COVID19 pandemic in the U.S., now alone has over 1,00,000 novel coronavirus cases, more than the confirmed cases in China and the UK, according to the official data.

According to the data from the New York City government, an increase of at least 5,695 cases on Sunday put New York City’s total number of coronavirus infections at over 1,04,410 as of April 12 and 27,676 hospitalisations. The city’s death toll is 6,898.

According to estimates by Johns Hopkins University, there are 85,208 coronavirus cases in the UK, 83,135 in China and 71,686 in Iran.11 AM | GUJARAT

Gujarat records 26 new cases

One person died in Gujarat due to COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 26. The State recorded 26 new cases of coronavirus infection.

This brings the total number of cases in the State to 538, according ti the State Health department. So far, 47 patients have recovered from the infection, it added.10.40 AM | INDIA

According to the latest Health Ministry update, the number of COVID-19 cases in India have gone up to to 9,152. As many as 308 people have died due to the infection, the Ministry said.

The number of people have who have recovered is 856. India currently has 7987 active cases, the Ministry update added.

However, data from the State authorities puts the total number of cases at 9,205 and the number of active cases at 7,880. The death toll is 332, according to State data.10.20 AM | INDIA

Pharma units in limbo amid confusion over hydroxychloroquine exports

A week after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that it would “license” the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and supply it to various countries on a “government to government basis”, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) maintains that the drug is still prohibited for export, causing some confusion in industry circles.

On Sunday, the government said it had cleared the release of HCQ for 13 countries.

  9.50 AM | ITALY

Italy reports lowest COVID-19 death toll in over three weeks

Italy on Sunday reported its lowest coronavirus death toll in more than three weeks, confirming trends showing that the COVID-19 outbreak in Europe’s worst-hit nation had peaked.

The 431 new deaths reported by the civil protection service were the lowest since March 19. Italy’s death total now stands at 19,899, officially second behind the United States.

9.30 AM | SINGAPORE

59 Indians among 233 new cases in Singapore

Fifty-nine Indians working in Singapore are among the 233 new coronavirus cases reported on Sunday, taking the total number of COVID-19 patients in the city-state to 2,532.

Of the new cases, 51 are linked to known clusters while 15 to earlier cases. The remaining 167 have no links to earlier cases, pending contact tracing, the Health Ministry said in its daily update.

9 AM | DELHI

In a single day, Delhi records 5 deaths, 85 new COVID-19 cases

The Capital on Sunday recorded five deaths and 85 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of deaths to 24 and the cumulative cases to 1,154, the government said.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the rise in the number of cases here over the past few days was a worrying trend and the government would be launching a “massive” sanitation drive from April 13 across the city’s red and orange zones. The government has declared containment zones as red zones and the high-risk zones as orange zones.

8.30 AM | CHINA

China’s new cases rise to near 6-week high

China reported the highest number of new daily coronavirus cases in nearly six weeks, driven by a rise in infected travellers arriving from overseas and underscoring challenges Beijing faces in preventing a second wave of COVID-19.

A total of 108 new coronavirus cases were reported on Sunday, up from 99 a day earlier and marking the highest number of cases since 143 cases were reported in March 6.

The total number of confirmed cases in mainland China now stands at 82,160, while the death toll rose by two to 3,341.

Covid19 cases in India crossed 8800

The death toll due to the novel coronavirus rose to over 250 and the number of cases crossed 8,800 in the country on Sunday. With the rise in number of positive cases and death toll, many states have already announced lockdown extension till April 30. The lockdown has been extended in states like Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana. However, many people in certain parts of the country flout the lockdown norms by gathering to buy food items. Meanwhile, PM may soon announce extension of the lockdown across the country with some relaxations in certain parts. In India, Maharashtra has been the worst-affected state with over 1,800 cases and more than 100 deaths.

8.00 PM | NEW DELHI

COVID-19 containment zones in Delhi rises to 43

The number of coronavirus containment zones in the national capital rose to 43 on Sunday, with southeast Delhi having the most such zones at 12.

There were 33 COVID-19 hotspots in the city on Monday. With the announcement of 10 more containment zones, the respective district authorities have started to seal those areas to stop the spread of the virus

7.40 PM | UNITED KINGDOM

U.K. death toll tops 10,000 from coronavirus

Health officials say 657 more people in England have died from the new coronavirus, raising the total U.K. deaths over 10,000.

The 657 deaths come on top of the 9,875 deaths of people with COVID-19 in British hospitals announced Saturday.

7.30 PM | TAMIL NADU

COVID-19 woman gives birth to ‘healthy’ baby boy in TN

A coronavirus positive woman has given birth to a ‘healthy’ baby boy at a government medical college hospital near here, where she has been undergoing treatment, officials said on Sunday.

A team of doctors carried out the cesarean delivery at the Perundurai IRT Government Medical College Hospital, designated facility for COVID-19 cases, on Saturday night, they said.

She is among 14 women undergoing treatment at the hospital for coronavirus.

The new born was ‘healthy’, officials said.

7.20 PM | ASSAM

Assam to support Centres decision on extension of lockdown

The Assam government on Sunday decided to go with any decision to be taken by the Centre on extension of the 21-day lockdown, imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Following meeting of the Council of Ministers during which the decision was taken, Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said there was no shortage of food items and enough stock was available in the state.

7.00 PM | NEW DELHI

MHA asks states/UTs to take welfare measures for migrant workers

The Centre has asked all states and Union Territories to take welfare measures, including food, shelter, medicine, mobile and video call facilities, for migrant labourers living in various relief camps across the country.

In a communication to the state governments and Union Territory (UT) administrations, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) highlighted the Supreme Court directions regarding welfare of migrant labourers housed at relief shelters and camps in different parts of the country.

6.40 PM | TAMIL NADU

106 fresh COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu reported 106 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of those infected to 1,075 on Sunday, the state government said.

Health Secretary Beela Rajesh said of the 106, as many as 16 had “inter-state travel” history and the remaining were their contacts.

So far 16 government labs and 9 private labs have been identified for COVID-19 testing in the State.

The governemnt labs are Kings Institute Guindy, MMC, Theni, Tirunelveli, Tiruvarur, Salem, Coimbatore, Villupuram, Madurai, Tiruchi, Perundurai, Stanley, Dharmapuri and esic coimbatore.

The private labs are CMC vellore, Apollo, Erlich, SRIMC, YRG care, Hi tech, Miot, MMM clinical lab services.

JIPMER pondicherry laboratory is the mentor lab.

Also, the government will pay for the test of samples if done in priavate laboratories, as per the Chief Minister’s announcement, adds Mr. Rajesh.

6.25 PM | KARNATAKA

17 new cases reported in Karnatka

The total number of positive cases reported in Karnataka on Sunday is 17, taking the tally to 232. This the highest number of cases reported in a day.

6.15 PM | UNITED KINGDOM

Boris Johnson ‘discharged from hospital’: Downing Street

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was discharged from hospital on Sunday, a Downing Street spokesman said, a week after being admitted for treatment for coronavirus and spending three days in intensive care.

“The PM has been discharged from hospital to continue his recovery, at Chequers,” the spokesman said, referring to the prime minister’s country estate outside London.

“On the advice of his medical team, the PM will not be immediately returning to work.”

6.00 PM | JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Jammu and Kashmir sees 21 new cases

Jammu and Kashmir government spokesman Rohit Kansal confirmed 21 new cases of Covid-19 in Jammu and Kashmir. “17 from Kashmir and 4 from Jammu. Total number of positive cases now stand at 245,” he said.

5.55 PM | MADHYA PRADESH

Madhya Pradesh reports 16 new cases

Madhya Pradesh recorded 16 new cases of COVID-19 until Sunday evening, taking the tally to 562. The count in Indore has crossed the 300 mark, with 311 persons testing positive in the city so far. There have been 41 deaths owing to the illness, and as many recoveries.

5.45 PM | DELHI

Operation SHIELD to be implemented in Delhi containment zones: Kejriwal

Operation SHIELD was very successful in Dilshad Garden containment zone and the same strategy will be followed in other containment zones, said Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

People in these containment areas called red zones are facing problems because of the lack of movement, but they must realise that we are doing this for their own health and safety, he added.

“We will start a huge sanitation drive in these areas as well which will be done by high tech machines from Japan.

“Experts will identify high risk areas and classify them as orange zones and the sanitation drive will be conducted there as well,” Mr. Kejriwal said.

Cases have been rising in Delhi over the past few days and we are all worried we are hopeful that Operation SHIELD will be a success and bring down the numbers.

 Autodrivers who have a valid driving license and a valid badge will be eligible for ₹5,000 relief. They will have to visit the Delhi transport website and update their bank account number to be eligible for the money

5.40 PM | HIMACHAL PRADESH

Himachal Pradesh to be divided into 6 zones for lockdown exit plan: CM

Himachal Pradesh will be divided into six zones as part of the strategy to end COVID-19 lockdown measures, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Sunday.

At a meeting with senior officers, the Chief Minister said: “As per the threat of COVID-19 and cases found in Himachal Pradesh, the state will be divided into six zones including a red zone, four orange zones and a green zone for drafting exit plan from COVID-19 lockdown.”

Mr. Thakur said the exit plan would be initiated only when there is initial flattening of coronavirus curve followed by tapering of the curve with the tendency to reach a ‘stage zero’ infection.

5.20 PM | DELHI

Delhi govt identifies one more COVID-19 hotspot; total now 34

The Delhi government on Sunday identified Mahavir Enclave area in southwest Delhi as COVID-19 hotspot and ordered its sealing, taking the total number of such zones in the city to 34, an official said.

He said an order has been issued and the Delhi government’s ‘Operation SHIELD’ will come into force.

“An order has been issued to seal street number 5 and 5A, H-2 Block, Bengali Colony in Mahavir Enclave,” the official said.

5.00 PM | ANDHRA PRADESH

AP govt. to distribute over 16 crore masks to citizens

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Andhra Pradesh government will soon distribute over 16 crore facial masks to all citizens in the State for protecting themselves from coronavirus.

Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, who chaired a high-level review meeting at his residence on Sunday directed officials to complete the mask distribution quickly.

4.45 PM | SPAIN

Spain’s overnight coronavirus death toll rises, total at 16,972

Spain’s overnight death toll from the coronavirus rose to 619 on Sunday from a nearly three-week low of 510 on Saturday, the Health Ministry said, breaking a three-day streak of daily declines.

The country’s total death toll from the virus climbed to 16,972 from 16,353, the ministry said in a statement. Overall cases rose to 166,019 from 161,852.

4.30 PM | INDIA

Daily COVID-19 press briefing

State governments are trying to provide door-to-door essential goods in the hotspots in coordination with the civil society, an MHA spokesperson said.

“The Centre has again clarified to the State governments that there is no bar on inter-State or intra-State transportation of goods, godowns also can store the goods, as they are also exempted. Staff of manufacturing units of essential goods have to be given passes for smooth work,” she added.

The Home Ministry has been providing information on potential cybercrimes to people through twiitter handle, CyberDost, she said.

She asked people to use the cybercrime portal for getting information and reporting cases.

An ICMR spokesperson said that currently there are 219 testing facilities, including 151 government labs in government sector. A total of 1,86,906 samples have been tested till 2.30 pm.

“Government and private medical colleges are being roped in for testing, 14 such institutes have been identified.

“All Covid-19 cases have been analysed; about 80% mild and asymptomatic cases have been treated in care centres.

“Moderate cases are being treated at health centres and severe ones are being treated at dedicated hospitals. 20% of the cases would require moderate or critical care treatment,” a Health Ministry spokesperson said.

The Health Ministry shared data to show that more than adequate arrangements were and have been in place for treating the patients. In 601 hospitals, over 1 lakh beds are available

“We have been increasing the hospitals and number of available isolation beds,” the spokesperson said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, in addition to their work, has joined hands with other government agencies to provide food to the needy and poor including migrant labourers/workers, said a CBI spokesperson.

CBI officials of certain branches including at Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, in addition to their work have also extended support voluntarily and distributed food/ration to these homeless migrant labourers/workers staying in temporary shelters, the spokesperson added.

“Ordnance factories are also being roped in to provide isolation beds and other medical facilities to reach out to people even in the remote areas,” the Health Ministry said.

The Finance Ministry has extended the deadline by three months, till June, on minimum mandatory deposits in PPF and Sukanya accounts.

On March 25, the government decided to give three LPGs free to 9 crore people under Ujjwala scheme for three months, so far 85 lakh people have been covered, the Petroleum Ministry said.

The GoM had cleared the first batch of HCQ export to 13 countries, after taking into account domestic requirements and buffer stock, the MEA said.

“In China, Japan and South Korea there has been a resurgence of the virus, so we are taking more precautions,” the Health Ministry said.

3.50 PM | INDIA

SC to hear PIL against setting up of PM CARES Fund on Monday

The Supreme Court would hear a PIL seeking quashing of the Centre’s decision to set up the PM CARES Fund to deal with the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, where citizens can donate money, on Monday.

3.40 PM | MEGHALAYA

Wine shops to open in Meghalaya for five days from tomorrow

Almost a fortnight after withdrawing its order allowing home delivery of alcoholic beverages on health grounds, the Meghalaya government has allowed wine shops and bonded warehouses in the State to sell liquor for seven hours a day from April 13 to 17.

3.30 PM | TAMIL NADU

Death toll in Tamil Nadu climbs to 11

A 45-year-old woman with COVID-19 infection died at the Omandurar Government Multi Superspeciality Hospital yesterday.

The woman, hailing from Chennai was admitted to the hospital at 11 a.m. on April 5.

According to a health department bulletin she had developed breathlessness on Saturday and died at 7.30 p.m., despite medical attention.

3.00 PM | KARNATAKA

11 new cases; State tally at 226

A total of 11 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Karnataka on Sunday. With this, the total number of cases stands at 226.

A mid day bulletin by the Department of Health and Family Welfare states that of the 11 cases, four are from Belagavi, three from Bengaluru, two from Kalaburagi, one each from Vijayapura and Mysuru. Three of these patients have a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses, one has a travel history to Indonesia, while all the remaining cases are contacts of patients tested positive.

Among the 226 cases, 47 of the patients have been discharged and six other patients have passed away.

2.50 PM | TAMIL NADU

SC to hear on Monday T.N. woman’s plea for evacuation of her husband, other fishermen stranded in Iran

A Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde is scheduled to urgently hear on Monday a plea by Nagapattinam resident Santha Muthulingam, whose husband is stranded along with 860 other Indian fishermen and labourers in Iran on account of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Ms. Muthulingam’s plea, which is listed on the top of the list of cases before the Chief Justice, highlights the distress of men living in their fishing boats and tin sheds, uncertain of what the future holds for them.

2.20 PM | INDIA

HCQ consignment from India reaches US

A consignment of hydroxychloroquine from India has reached the US, the global COVID-19 hotspot, days after New Delhi lifted a ban on the export of the anti-malarial drug to America and some other countries.

1.40 PM | MADHYA PRADESH

IAS officer from Madhya Pradesh Health Department tests positive

An IAS officer on special duty with the Madhya Pradesh unit of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) tested positive for COVID-19 in Bhopal on April 11. He is the third bureaucrat, all from the Health Department, to have contracted the disease in the State.

 1.20 PM | GUJARAT

Wearing masks made mandatory in Ahmedabad

Wearing a mask has been made mandatory in Ahmedabad city by the civic body. Not wearing it will attract a fine of Rs 1000 for first-time violation and Rs 5000 for subsequent violations and failing to pay the penalty will attract jail term of upto 3 years.

1.10 PM | MADHYA PRADESH

MP death toll rises to 41

An 80-year-old man who had died earlier tested positive for COVID-19 in Bhopal on Sunday, taking the toll owing to the illness to two in the city, said Prabhakar Tiwari, Bhopal Chief Medical and Health Officer. The toll in the State climbs to 41.

1.00 PM | UTTAR PRADESH

Doctors in Aligarh buy PPE after raising funds

Junior doctors at the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital in Aligarh city of Uttar Pradesh has purchased protective gear worth Rs 1 lakh after an acute shortage of vital protective gear for healthcare workers.

“The Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital is one of the frontline medical centres for testing and treating COVID-19 patients in Uttar Pradesh,” Shah Nawaz Iqbali, vice president of the resident doctors’ association, told reporters. “The concern of the medical fraternity here should not be ignored.”

“Keeping in view this looming threat, the resident doctors’ association has raised its own fund through donations for purchasing critical protective gear like surgical masks and sanitisers,” Mr. Iqbali said.

12.30 PM | MAHARASHTRA

134 new positive cases recorded in Maharashtra as tally rises to 1895

Maharashtra recorded 134 new Covid-19 positive cases, with 113 of these being from Mumbai city alone, as the cumulative tally in the State soared to 1895 positive cases on Sunday, said health officials.

14 other cases were reported from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (excluding Mumbai city) including seven from Mira-Bhayander, two each from Thane, Navi Mumbai and Vasai-Virar, and one from Bhiwandi.

Pune district recorded five new cases taking the tally to 262.

12 PM | JHARKHAND

60-year-old man dies due to COVID-19 in Jharkhand

A 60-year-old man died due to COVID-19 in Ranchi on April 12, the second death due to the virus in the State, a senior official said in Ranchi.

The man from Hindpiri had come in contact with another COVID-19 patient in the area.

“He was admitted to a hospital two days ago after he exhibited symptoms of the disease. The 60-year-old’s condition deteriorated, following which he was put on ventilator. He died this morning,” Principal Secretary (Health) Nitin Madan Kulkarni said.11.45 AM | MADHYA PRADESH

As many as 49 residents of Indore tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday night, taking the city count to 298. Madhya Pradesh has so far recorded 546 cases, according to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore.

11.20 AM | RAJASTHAN

Fifty-one new cases

Fifty-one new cases of COVID-19 infection detected in Rajasthan today, taking the total number of positive cases in the State to 751.

Among the new cases, 15 each are from Jaipur and Banswara, 8 each from Jodhpur and Bikaner, 2 from Hanumangarh and 1 each from Churu, Jaisalmer and Sikar.

Medical & Health Department said 116 patients have been cured, having tested COVID-19 negative, and 58 of them have been discharged from isolation facilities.11.00 AM | GUJARAT

According to the State health department update on Sunday, 25 new cases of COVID-19 were detected in Gujarat while one patient succumbed to the infection.

So far, 493 cases and 23 deaths have been reported in the State while 44 have recovered and discharged.10.30 AM | BIHAR

With three more positive cases from Begusarai and Nawada districts, the number of COVID-19 positive cases in Bihar rose to 64, the state principal health secretary Sanjay Kumar said on Sunday morning.

10.20 AM | ODISHA

Four more test positive for COVID-19 in Odisha, total count 54

Four more persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Odisha, taking the total number of such cases in the State to 54, a health department official said.

The department, however, was yet to share more information about the new patients, who were found to have contracted the disease late on Saturday.

Of the 54 cases in the State, one has succumbed to the disease and 12 have recovered.

Shalini Pandit, the director of state National Health Mission, had said on Saturday that about 80% of the total number of patients in the state were asymptomatic.

10.00 AM | CHINA

China reports nearly 100 new cases in one day, highest in recent weeks

China has reported 99 new coronavirus cases, the highest in a single day in recent weeks, and 63 fresh asymptomatic infections, taking the total number of patients in the country to 82,052, health officials said here on Saturday, amid concerns about a second wave of the pandemic.