08.20PM
India Covid19 cases crossed 7000
As India hopes for the coronavirus outbreak graph to flatten, Centre says that a decision on lockdown extension will be made depending on the exit day scenario. Over 230 people have died and over 7,000 have tested positive for COVID-19 in India. .Assam reports its first death, and this is the first death recorded due to coronavirus in the Northeast. Practices such as social distancing and curfew may still be very much part of everyday social life, even after April 14, the government said.
8.10 PM | NEW DELHI
Centre should talk to U.S. to prevent job losses of Indians holding H-1B visa: Congress
The Congress on Friday urged the Modi government to talk to the Trump administration to prevent job losses of Indians holding H-1B visa in the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said after compromising the “India First” policy in the hydroxychloroquine drug climb-down, the government is again failing to secure the safety and livelihood of Indians in the U.S.
– PTI
8.00 PM | GUJARAT
Gujarat reports 70 new cases, State tally rises to 378
At least 70 new COVID-19 positive cases were recorded in Gujarat on Friday, taking the number of total cases to 378.
So far, 33 patients have recovered and have been discharged, while 19 have died.
7.45 PM | NEW DELHI
Indications of Punjab moving towards Stage 3, says CM
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Friday there were indications that Punjab was moving towards the community transmission stage of COVID-19 outbreak, but asserted that his government was gearing up for every challenge, and announced mass testing in COVID-19 hotspots from next week.
Speaking to the media through video conference, Mr. Singh quoted a PGIMER study to say that the virus infection is likely to touch its peak by mid-September and may likely affect 58% of the country’s population.
– PTI
7.30 PM | BHOPAL
Police books 64 foreigners who attended Nizamuddin event
Police have registered an offence against 64 foreigners, including some COVID-19 patients, and 10 others from different States, all of whom were found hiding in Bhopal after attending Delhi’s Tablighi Jamaat event held last month, an official said on Friday.
The police have also registered a case against 13 local residents, who provided shelter to them in different mosques, Additional Superintendent of Police (Zone-1) Rajat Saklecha told PTI on Friday.
7.20 PM | MAHARASHTRA
Total number of cases in Maharashtra touches 1,625
The total number of confirmed cases in Maharashtra rose to 1,625 on Friday. Of these, 1392 are active cases.
108 deaths have been reported so far in the State.
7.15 PM | MUMBAI
Retailers body urges people not to indulge in panic buying
The Retailers Association of India (RAI) has urged people not to indulge in panic buying of essential items. “There is enough stock of grains, pulses and other daily essentials for the lockdown period and beyond. There is no need for citizens to believe otherwise and engage in panic buying,” RAI said in a statement.
“RAI, along with its members, is working closely with various State Governments and with the Centre to resolve supply concerns with regards to essentials as they arise at the earliest,” it said.
7.05 PM | ARUNACHAL PRADESH
Salaries of Arunachal ministers, MLAs to be slashed by 30%
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet on Friday approved an ordinance to reduce salaries of all ministers and MLAs, including the chief minister, by 30% for a year with effect from April 1, 2020.
– PTI
7.00 PM | NEW DELHI
180 flights for transporting cargo operated so far, says Civil Aviation Ministry
A total of 180 flights have operated since the beginning of the 21-day lockdown under the ‘Lifeline Udan’ scheme, carrying 258.24 tonnes of cargo as on Thursday, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Friday.
The ‘Lifeline Udan’ scheme has been started by the ministry for transport of essential goods through aerial routes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
– PTI
6.55 PM | MUMBAI
As many as 218 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Mumbai on Friday, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
– PTI
6.45 PM | TAMIL NADU
Total cases in Tamil Nadu touch 911
As many as 77 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu on Friday, said Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam. While the total number of cases in the State has now touched 911, 44 people have recovered.
One more person died today, taking the State toll to nine.
.6.40 PM | UTTAR PRADESH
10-month-old girl dies at quarantine centre in U.P.
A 10-month-old girl died on Friday at a quarantine centre set up in a primary school in Uska Bazar area of neighbouring Siddharthnagar district, a senior official said. The toddler was rushed to the district hospital in an ambulance but doctors declared her brought dead, he said.
The baby’s parents had come from Mumbai and were at the quarantine centre since March 29.
– PTI
6.20 PM | GUWAHATI
Northeast Frontier Railway turns 315 coaches into isolation wards
The Northeast Frontier Railway has modified 315 coaches as isolation wards with 2,520 beds for various locations in Assam, Tripura and West Bengal in case of any contingency amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an official said on Friday.
Equipped with all basic facilities needed for isolation as per guidelines issued by the Railway Board, these coaches are also fitted with mosquito nets, charging points and space for paramedics, CPRO Subhanan Chanda said.
– PTI
6.20 PM | TELANGANA
Wearing masks in public now compulsory in Telangana
The Telangana government has made wearing a mask covering nose and mouth compulsory when going out and while interacting with others, a Government Memo said while stating that some people do not show COVID-19 symptoms despite being positive of the virus.
“The earlier advisory on “Masks only for the sick” is being updated with “Mask on while stepping outdoors, in enclosed spaces and while interacting with others.”
– PTI
6.15 PM | NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD
India set to ship hydroxychloroquine sought by Trump for coronavirus
India is set to begin shipping the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to the United States where President Donald Trump has touted it as a potential weapon against the coronavirus.
“The first shipments should start next week,” said Sudarshan Jain, secretary general of Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).
– PTI
6.10 PM | NEW DELHI
Centre tells States to not allow religious gatherings
In view of the festival season in April, the Central government on Friday asked the States and Union Territories to strictly adhere to the ongoing 21-day lockdown and not allow any social or religious gathering and procession.
In a communication, the Union Home Ministry also said that appropriate vigil on social media should be maintained against circulation of any objectionable content.
– PTI
5.55 PM | NEW DELHI
FCI announces insurance cover of up to Rs. 35 lakh for workers
Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Friday announced a life insurance cover of up to Rs. 35 lakh per person to over 1 lakh FCI officials and workers in case they succumb to COVID-19 after six months of performing duty from the day of lockdown on March 24.
Currently, there is a provision to provide compensation to family members of FCI officials in case of death due to terrorist attack, bomb blast, mob violence and natural disasters. However, regular and contractual labourers are not included.
– PTI
5.50 PM | PUNJAB
Village in Punjab’s Mohali sees 10 fresh cases, total now 32
Ten people tested positive for coronavirus in Jawaharpur village in Punjab’s Mohali district on Friday, taking the number of confirmed cases in the area to 32, officials said here.
The village located in Dera Bassi of Mohali has become a coronavirus hotspot in the State. The number of cases stood at 22 on Thursday.
–PTI
5.40 PM | INDIA
Rural areas to see relief from lockdown, cities to remain strictly shut
Stoppered supply lines with trucks waiting on highways, the ongoing harvest season and procurement of food grains in various parts of the country are some of the issues that will inform the kind of lockdown the country will continue to have post April 14.
5.30 PM | INDIA
The Delhi Police have registered a total of 137 cases against individuals for not wearing masks under section 188 IPC (disobeying an order issued by a public servant).
5.15 PM | INDIA
Punjab extends lockdown till May 1
The Punjab government on Friday announced to extend the curfew in the State till May 1, 2020.
The cabinet also approved the Punjab Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Ordinance 2020, to bring the state’s private hospitals under the umbrella of the COVID-19 battle.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of the Council of Ministers, chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, to check community spread of the pandemic and to prevent overcrowding at the ”Mandis” in the light of the ensuing wheat harvesting – procurement season.
Mr. Singh will convey the decision about curfew to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Saturday’s conference with the chief ministers, according to an official statement.
5.00 PM | INDIA
NHRC tells govt to address concerns of mentally ill during lockdown
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday asked the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to address the concerns of mentally ill people on the streets of the country during the coronavirus lockdown.
The NHRC took cognisance of a complaint about the alleged human rights violation and asked the MHA to inform it of the arrangements made for the mentally ill within two weeks.
“In the meantime necessary directions may be issued by them [MHA] to all the States and Union Territories to ensure that persons suffering from any kind of mental ailment under their jurisdiction are provided with proper counselling towards necessary precautions for their personal care and protection from the virus and not deprived of basic amenities like food, shelter and medical care etc.,” an NHRC statement said.
4.45 PM | INDIA
Over 200 Gujarat farmers give Rs. 2,000 each to PM-CARES fund
Over 200 farmers from Amreli and Bhavnagar districts in Gujarat have donated their Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi amount of Rs 2,000 to the PM CARES fund set up to fight the coronavirus outbreak, officials said.
As part of the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, farmers get Rs 6,000 as minimum income support in three equal installments, the last of which was disbursed recently, they said.
— PTI
4.40 PM | INDIA
The National Commission for Women launches Whatsapp number 07217735372 for survivors of domestic violence and women in distress due to the lockdown.
4.15 PM | INDIA
More than three times the requisite HCQ tablets available: Health Ministry
MHA
So far, 20,473 foreign nationals have been successfully evacuated on request of several countries, an MHA spokesperson said.
The government will decide on how to manage the return of Indian nationals, the spokesperson said, adding that “our ambassadors and High Commissioners are in regular touch with them, giving all support to them. MEA has also set up a COVID-19 control room, where helplines are active and a full team is taking calls and guiding them. The situation is under control.”
The issue of export of HCQ was reviewed over a period of time, keeping in view domestic priorities, and the restrictions were gradually relaxed. HCQ is in high demand globally; a lot of requests are already there from several countries. Taking into view domestic stock and requirement, keeping a sufficient buffer for our own requirement, decision was taken by a group of Ministers to release some in a staggered manner, the MHA said.
“The first batch of HCQ export has been released, the next batches are to follow,” the spokesperson said.
Urban local bodies have intensified measures in the hotspots. In view of the coming festivals, State governments have again been told to enforce lockdown. The Home Minister had a meeting with BSF through video-conferencing, giving instructions to intensify monitoring along the Indo-Pak border. Those living in the border areas are also being sensitised, it was added.
“As per details available on April 9, a total of 37,978 relief camps, catering to 14.30 lakh stranded migrant workers and the other needy, are being run across the country. Of them, over 34,000 are by State governments, and 3,900 by NGOs.
“Also, 26,225 food camps are feeding over 1 crore people. Of them, 14,999 are being run by State governments and 11,426 by NGOs. About 16.50 lakh people are being given shelter and good by their employers or the industry,” the spokesperson said.
PTI adds:
Amit Shah directs BSF to enhance vigil along Pakistan, Bangladesh borders
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the BSF to enhance vigil along the Indian borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, especially in the non-fenced areas.
“The Minister reviewed the security of the two borders on Thursday and also directed the BSF to ensure that no cross-border movement takes place at these two fronts,” Joint secretary in the Ministry, Punya Salila Srivastava told reporters.
Health Ministry
The Health Ministry said that about 1 crore tablets of HCQ will be required. 3.28 crore tablets are available with us. Therefore, compared to projected requirements, more than three times the tablets are with us already.
Arrangements for an additional 2-3 crore tablets have also been made. Through private sectors, two crore tablets have been sent in the fields, the Ministry added.
“We have today 146 labs in public sectors, and 68 private labs with 16,500 collection centres.
“Yesterday, we conducted over 16,000 tests, in which 0.2% were found to be positive.
“Rapid diagnostic kits have been sanctioned, orders have also been given. They will be available at the earliest.
“Earlier 9 lakh N95 masks were available; 20 lakh N95 masks have now been made available to the States,” the Ministry added.
The Ministry spokesperson expressed concern over the attacks on healthcare workers and appealed to the public to encourage the frontline workers.
“If there is any community transmission, we will ourselves inform you about it,” he added.
ICMR
The ICMR representative said that till 9 p.m. yesterday, 1.44 lakh samples tested, adding that “yesterday we expanded our testing strategy by including all symptomatic cases in hotspot areas”.
When asked about an ICMR study showing that about 40% instances of the surveyed patients did not have travel history, the spokesperson said that VRDL lab test results are from the areas where the cases were prevalent. “The findings about patients with no travel history have to be further inquired into”.
4.00 PM | INDIA
PMO reviews efforts to check coronavirus spread
The production of personal protective equipment (PPE) is being ramped up, a meeting held by the Prime Minister’s Office to review the efforts to tackle the spread of coronavirus was informed on Friday.
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P K Mishra chaired the meeting of the empowered groups of officers set up to tackle the challenges arising out of COVID-19.
The meeting reviewed and expressed satisfaction on the detailed testing protocol and procedure, under which 1,45,916 samples have been tested across the country till date.
–PTI
3.40 PM | DELHI
‘Operation SHIELD’ has stalled COVID-19 from spreading at Dilshad Garden, claims Delhi govt.
‘Operation SHIELD’, aimed at countering the community spread of the Novel Coronavirus, announced by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, has stalled COVID-19 from spreading at Dilshad Garden, the Delhi government claimed.
In the last 10 days, the government claimed in a statement, there had been no reported cases from the Dilshad Garden area, terming it the first instance of the “successful implementation” of the initiative.
3.35 PM | UTTAR PRADESH
The number of cases in U.P. now stands at 431, said Amit Mohan Prasad, State Principal Secretary, Health department.
3.25 PM | INDIA
ICMR approves use of diagnostic machine used for drug-resistant TB for COVID-19
As part of its efforts to ramp up the testing capacity, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved the use of diagnostic machines used for testing drug-resistant tuberculosis for conducting coronavirus tests.
The ICMR has validated ‘TruenatTM beta CoV test on TruelabTM workstation’ and has recommended it as a screening test, the apex health research body said on Friday.
Issuing a guidance on the use of Truenat beta CoV, the ICMR said throat/nasal swabs will be collected in the viral transport medium (VTM) with virus lysis buffer provided along with the kit.
–PTI
3.20 PM | SPAIN
Spain’s daily death toll eases again
The number of people dying of coronavirus in Spain each day fell again on Friday as the country registered 605 fatalities over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said.
The overall death toll rose to 15,843 on Friday from 15,238 the previous day, it said in a statement. The total number of coronavirus cases rose to 157,022 on Friday from 152,446 on Thursday.
3.15 PM | INDIA
SpiceJet operates 1st freighter service to Ho Chi Minh City, carries medical supplies
Budget carrier SpiceJet operated its first freighter service on Friday to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam from Hyderabad, carrying around 16 tonnes of medical supplies as part of the transportation of medical essentials, including medicines and other medical supplies, amid the coronavirus pandemic, the airline said.
Besides, one of its freighters flew with critical medical equipment from Singapore to Bangaluru, while a passenger aircraft transported medical supplies as in-cabin cargo to Guwahati from Kolkata, it said.
–PTI
3.00 PM | TRIPURA
Tripura invokes Essential Services Management Act
The Tripura government has invoked the Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) after a few nurses at a state-run hospital complained about shortage of masks and other protective equipment in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Tripura is the second State after Madhya Pradesh to have enforced the Act of 1986, which gives the police the right to arrest without a warrant anybody violating the ESMA’s provisions.
Under it, employees in a long list of “essential services” like post and telegraph, railway, airport and port operations are prohibited from going on strike.
–PTI
2.45 PM | KERALA
22 discharged in Kasaragod
In a huge relief for Kasaragod district, which has witnessed the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the State, 22 patients have been discharged from various hospitals.
In the second stage of coronavirus infection, a total of 138 patients from Kasaragod are receiving treatment in various hospitals.
2.40 PM | TAMIL NADU
TN COVID-19 expert panel recommends extension of lockdown by two weeks
The Expert Committee of medical experts constituted to track the spread of COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu on Friday recommended to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to extend the ongoing lockdown by two weeks beyond April 14.
“Despite all the efforts taken by the government, cases [of COVID-19] have been increasing so far…All the doctors [on the 19-member panel] feel that it would be good if the lockdown is extended for 14 more days. This is among the recommendations of the Committee,” a panel spokesperson told journalists at the Secretariat in Chennai in the afternoon.
2.30 PM | PUNJAB
Punjab in second stage of COVID-19: Amarinder Singh
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday said the State is in second stage of COVID-19. Ahead of State cabinet meeting, slated for today, Mr. Singh said he personally feels the lockdown should be extended.
He, however, added that the Cabinet would take a decision on the State’s lockdown extension.
Addressing a press conference through video conference, Mr. Singh said Punjab will allow district-wise relief from lockdown only to farmers to allow them for harvesting of Rabi crop.
He said the state was expecting a bumper crop of 185 lakh tonnes of wheat and is making arrangements for harvest of the crop.
He said predictions by health experts about the spread of the pandemic are “horrendous and frightening“.
“Prediction by experts about spread of the virus are horrendous and frightening,” he said, adding that the government is preparing itself and gearing up for such a situation.
2.20 PM | RAJASTHAN
Bhilwara model breaks virus transmission chain in district
The “ruthless containment” model adopted in Bhilwara, which emerged last month as the worst-affected district in Rajasthan, has succeeded in breaking the chain of novel coronavirus transmission. Among the 27 COVID-19 positive cases found earlier, 25 patients have been cured of the infection and 15 of them discharged from hospital.
Bhilwara Collector Rajendra Bhatt said on Friday that the remaining 10 persons, who were under observation, would be discharged in a couple of days. The two elderly patients who died after testing COVID-19 positive reportedly had co-morbidity and other medical complications, while one of them was also in a state of coma when he was tested.
2.15 PM | TAMIL NADU
Doctor in Nagapattinam tests positive for COVID-19, clinic sealed
The district administration has sealed a private hospital run by a doctor after he tested positive for COVID-19.
The doctor who had returned from USA about 20 days ago, is the 12th COVID-19 positive patient in the district. The doctor’s residence and clinic have been made containment zones.
2.00 PM | PUDUCHERRY
Two more test COVID-19 positive in Puducherry
Two more persons, who returned from the Tablighi Jamaat conference in New Delhi, tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, taking the total tally of active patients in the Union Territory to seven.
1.45 PM | KERALA
It doesn’t matter what’s the cost involved in flattening the curve: Kerala Finance Minister
Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac reveals in an interview with The Hindu, the State’s plans to use the COVID-19 fight as a window of opportunity to set up agriculture processing industries and pharma consortiums.
1.30 PM | MAHARASHTRA
Two nurses from Dadar hospital test positive
Sushrusha hospital in Dadar, where two nurses have tested positive, has been sealed off, April 10, 2020.
Two nurses from Dadar’s Sushrusha Hospital have tested positive. About 28 other nurses have been put in quarantine in the same hospital. Besides, the management has been ordered to stop new admissions and shift patients out in 48 hours.
Another senior citizen has tested positive from Dadar, bringing the total to six from the area.
1.20 PM | KARNATAKA
Ten new cases in Karnataka
Ten new cases have been detected in the State on Friday, taking the total number to 207.
The new cases include five from Mysuru and two from Bengaluru. All the patients from Bengaluru and Mysuru are contacts of patients who tested positive earlier.
A 55-year-old male from Kalaburagi, who is suffering from severe acute respiratory illness, is also a contact of another positive patient. Two from Bengaluru Rural have also tested positive.
With Friday’s additions, a total of 42 cases have been reported from Mysuru. This includes 31 from the Pharma company, three who returned from Dubai and the remaining who returned from Delhi.
1.10 PM | DELHI
Dwarka councillor violates quarantine, tests positive
A councillor in the Dwarka area, her husband and son have tested positive for Covid-19.
The Delhi Police has registered a case against them for violating home quarantine guidelines.
1.00 PM | MAHARASHTRA
Detailed inquiry to be undertaken into DHFL promoters’ lockdown violation: NCP
Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has spoken to CM Uddhav Thackeray regarding DHFL chairman Kapil Wadhawan and his family violating the lockdown by travelling, and a detailed inquiry will be done regarding the same, NCP chief spokesperson Nawab Malik said in a press note.
Pending inquiry, Amitabh Gupta, Principal Secretary (Special), Home Department, has been sent on a long leave, the note said.
“IPS and IAS officers come under the ambit of the PMO. If the Central Government wishes to take action against Amitabh Gupta, they are free to do so. We will welcome the same,” Mr. Malik added.
12.50 PM | BIHAR
The number of COVID-19 patients in Siwan district has gone up to 29. The total number of infected persons in Bihar goes up to 60.
12.40 PM | UTTAR PRADESH
Priyanka Gandhi writes to Adityanath, seeks increased testing for COVID-19 in U.P.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, urged the State government to considerably increase testing for COVID-19 and cited the example of Congress-ruled Rajasthan.
The letter, dated April 9, was released by the Congress on Friday.
