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09.30PM

Covid19 cases in India crossed 5000

India’s total tally of coronavirus cases breached the 4,600-mark and the death toll is now at 162 as Madhya Pradesh sees 4 more deaths. Rajasthan reported 24 new cases, Madhya Pradesh sees 4 and Maharashtra 35. In the three months since China first came across a new coronavirus, the world has been plunged into turmoil. China on Tuesday reported no new coronavirus deaths for the first time. The United States records 1,150 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours. Britsh PM Boris Johnson was moved to intensive care after his condition worsened.

9:20 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Total number of positive cases in Maharashtra crosses 1,000

One hundred and fifty persons tested positive for coronavirus infection in Maharashtra on Tuesday, taking the number of COVID-19 patients in the state to 1,018, a health official said here.Powered by wordads.coSeen ad many timesNot relevantOffensiveCovers contentBrokenREPORT THIS AD

Maharashtra thus became the first state in the country to report more than 1,000 coronavirus cases, he said.

Of the 150 patients detected on Tuesday, 116 were reported in Mumbai, he added.

Other new cases were reported from Pune (18), three each from Ahmednagar, Nagpur and Aurangabad, two each from Thane and Buldana, and one each from Satara, Ratnagiri and Sangli, said the official.

9.00 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Maharashtra reports 12 new deaths, toll hits 64

Maharashtra reported 12 fresh deaths due to COVID-19, taking the tally of the deceased so far to 64, a Health official said.

“As many as 12 people died today of COVID-19, taking the total tally so far to 64,” he said.

While six of the total 12 deceased are from Mumbai, three are from Pune, and one each is from Nagpur, Satara and Mira Bhayandar area near Mumbai, he said.

“Out of the 12 deceased, the person from Satara had a travel history to the USA whereas the rest had no travel history. But most of them were suffering from diabetes or hypertension,” he added.

8:25 PM | GUJARAT

52-year-old patient dies in Surat, Gujarat toll hits 13

A 52-year-old coronavirus positive patient died at a Surat hospital on Tuesday, taking the toll in Gujarat to 13, officials said.

The man contracted the disease through local transmission and was undergoing treatment at a city hospital where he died, the Health Department of the Surat Municipal Corporation said in a bulletin. The patient, who had pre-existing diseases, was declared coronavirus positive on Monday and was getting treated at SMIMER Hospital, an official said.

He was also suffering from hypertension, diabetes and depression, the official said.

7:50 PM | JAMMU AND KASHMIR

One more dead in Kashmir

One local died due to COVID-19 in Kashmir.

An official said an elderly resident from north Kashmir’s Bandipora died in a Srinagar hospital on Tuesday. “The man was admitted to the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital with complaints of cough, breathlessness, and pneumonia. The result of his sample showed COVID-19 positive,” the official said.

7:00 PM | JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Jammu and Kashmir spokesman Rohit Kansal  announced that 16 more have tested positive for the coronavirus in the Union Territories. With this, the total jumps to 125. Of the new cases, six are in the Jammu division while nine in Kashmir

6:30 PM | TAMIL NADU

Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Beela Rajesh announced that the State has recorded one more death due to coronavirus, rising the toll to seven. She also announced that 69 new cases have been detected, pushing the total cases in the State to 690.

In another development, a Korean inmate of a special camp in Tiruchi has approached the Madras High Court alleging that physical distancing is not being maintained at the camp and that some of the 80 inmates have been suffering from cold and fever.

6:25 PM | BIHAR

With sample reports of two women from Siwan found positive, the number of COVID-19 cases in Bihar rises to 34.

6:20 PM | INDIA

IRCTC has suspended bookings of Kashi Mahakal Express (Varanasi-Indore), Lucknow-New Delhi Tejas Express and the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Tejas Express, till April 30. Bookings were earlier suspended till April 14, the end of the 21-day lockdown.

5:15 PM | INDIA

Sitaram Yechury writes to President on compensation to employers

To halt the ongoing pay cuts and lay-offs in the private sector, the government must compensate employers and help them tide over the economic recession that has been exacerbated by the lockdown, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury wrote in a letter to President of India Ramnath Kovind.

Mr. Yechury wrote to Mr. Kovind after his earlier letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman did not draw any response.

“The economic consequences of this lockdown have further exacerbated the recession that had set in before the outbreak of the pandemic,” Mr. Yechury said. He said that the government has ordered that salaries should be maintained but in practice this is not happening since employers are saying that since their business has come to a standstill they cannot pay salaries.

5:40 PM | ROMANIA

Ten newborns contract virus at Romanian hospital

A Romanian maternity unit was being investigated on Tuesday after 10 newborns tested positive for the novel coronavirus, with the suspicion they contracted the virus from healthcare staff.

“The mothers tested negative, but the babies tested positive so we have to consider their contacts with medical staff,” Health Minister Nelu Tataru said in an interview with the Antena 3 TV station late on Monday.

The babies have no symptoms and all but one of them, together with their mothers, have gone into self-isolation at home. Mr. Tataru pointed to the “failures in the activities of both maternity officials and the local public health directorate (DSP)” and promised severe measures if necessary.

The local DSP chief has already been dismissed.

5.15 PM | KARNATAKA

First patient from Mysuru, lone patient from Kodagu recovers

The first COVID-19 positive case reported from Mysuru was on Tuesday discharged from the hospital upon his recovery.

With the patient’s discharge from COVID-19 Hospital here, Mysuru is now left with 34 active cases. This is the first recovery and discharge of COVID-19 patient from Mysuru.

In Kodagu, the lone COVID-19 patient is expected to be discharged on Tuesday evening. All necessary formalities are being completed for the discharge.

5.00 PM | INDIA

Three more deaths in Pune

Three more Covid-19 deaths were reported from Pune district on Tuesday taking the total number of deaths in the district to eight even as the number of positive cases in the district shot to 146, with four new cases reported today.

All three cases were of senior citizens who suffered from comorbidities, said Puen District Collector Naval Kishore Ram.

With this Pune urban and rural areas have collectively reported 126 cases while Pimpri-Chinchwad has reported 20 positive cases. All the eight deaths so far are from Pune city.  

4.45 PM | INDIA

Amit Shah urges for stern action against hoarding, black marketing: official

Home Minister Amit Shah has directed officials to take appropriate steps, coordinate with State governments to prevent hoarding and black marketing, an official said.

Mr. Shah asked authorities to take quick and stern action against individuals involved in hoarding and black marketing, he added.

–PTI4.30 PM | UTTAR PRADESH

Cases in U.P. now stand at 314 across 37 districts.

–4.15 PM | INDIA

ICMR study shows one patient not following lockdown can infect 406 in 30 days: Health Ministry

Quarantine facilities are to be upgraded to treat Covid-19 patients, hotels are also to be used for treatment facilities, apart from earmarked hospitals, the Health Ministry has said.

Dedicated fully-equipped hospitals are to be used to take in severe cases, the Ministry spokesperson said. 375 railway coaches are to be converted into isolation facilities. Over 1,200 railway coaches have been prepared to meet exigencies.

Availability of essential goods is by and large satisfactory, States and other authorities have been asked to prevent hoarding activities. Ministry of Consumer Affairs is also involved in this exercise, a Home Ministry spokesperson said.

Under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, by April 5, 152 flights have transported 200 tonne weight of goods, the spokesperson added. The Indian Railway has prepared 40,000 isolation beds in 2500 coaches, in one day 375 coaches are being converted into isolation beds in 133 locations across the country, the spokesperson added.

An ICMR study suggests that one COVID-19 patient can infect 406 people in 30 days if he/she doesn’t follow lockdown, social distancing, the Health Ministry said.

4.00 PM | TAMIL NADU

Madurai City police announces rewards for tip-off on hoarding of essential goods

The Madurai City Police have announced rewards for people who tip off the police about hoarding of essential goods in the city.

In a statement, the Commissioner of Police, S. Davidson Devasirvatham, said that those who give accurate information about hoarding of essential goods would be suitably rewarded.

3.30 PM | UTTAR PRADESH

Three more Tabligh members test positive in Shamli

Three more Tablighi Jamaat members have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Shamli, taking the total number of COVID-19 patients in the district to 11, officials said on Tuesday. All three whose test results returned positive on Monday evening are from Tripura, they said, adding they had gone to Shamli on March 17 after attending the Jamaat’s Delhi’s Nizamuddin Markaz.

District Magistrate Jasjit Kaur said the three have been admitted to the COVID-19 hospital at Jhinjhana, which now houses all 11 Jamaat members who have tested positive in Shamli.

3.20 PM | GOA

15 test negative for coronavirus in Goa; State tally at 7

The test reports of 15 potential cases in Goa have come out negative, State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Tuesday.

So far, 7 coronavirus cases have been reported from the coastal State and all the patients are undergoing treatment at a special hospital in South Goa district.

Mr. Rane said 15 new samples were tested at the virology lab of the Goa Medical College and Hospital on Monday night and all the reports came out negative.

3.15 PM | UTTAR PRADESH

42 arrested in U.P. for attacking police team for enforcing lockdown

An FIR was registered against 150 people for allegedly attacking a police team trying to enforce lockdown in Izatnagar area here, police said on Tuesday.

Forty-two people were arrested in this connection, out of whom three women were released on bail.

“An FIR was registered against 150 persons on Monday night under relevant sections of IPC for attacking policemen and trying to set ablaze police outpost,” Superintendent of Police, City, Ravindra Kumar said.

Among the accused, 42 were arrested, while three were released on bail, he said.

3.00 PM | INDIA

Centre mulling extension of lockdown

Sources in the government tell The Hindu that the Centre is considering the option to extend the lockdown.

“A lot of state governments as well as experts are requesting Central Government to extend the lockdown. Central Government is thinking in this direction,” said the sources.

The 21-day lockdown was originally planned to end on April 14. – Nistula Hebbar

2.55 PM | ODISHA

Odisha records first COVID-19 death

Odisha has recorded its first COVID-19 death: a 72-year-old man, who was admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar with complaint of respiratory distress. He passed away on Monday. He had tested positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing and containment is going on, according to the State Health & Family Welfare Department.

2.50 PM | RAJASTHAN

The lockdown cannot be withdrawn immediately; it has to be done in a phased manner, said Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Any decision on extending or withdrawing lockdown in Rajasthan would be undertaken only after recommendations of task force, he said.

Rajasthan will start rapid testing in state within a week; ordered 10 lakh testing kits from China. The Bhilwara model of containment of coronavirus is to be replicated in other parts of Rajasthan, he added.

2.45 PM | INDIA

BSF extends leave for all its personnel till April 21

The BSF has extended leave for all its personnel till April 21. These personnel were already on leave and were to join work in the coming few days.

Similar instructions were also issued for the training centers of the BSF where training programmes were already running and were due to terminate in coming days.

“No movement before 21st April. Stay wherever you are,” the BSF said in a statement.

2.40 PM | KARNATAKA, KERALA

Karnataka-Kerala border blockade: consensus reached, Centre tells SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday disposed of a bunch of petitions concerning the Kerala-Karnataka border sealing case after the Union government informed that a consensus had been worked out to allow patients requiring urgent medical treatment to cross the Talapadi border and access the hospitals in Mangaluru.

 2.30 PM | WORLD

Japan declares emergency

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency to fight coronavirus infections in major population centres and unveiled a stimulus package he described as among the world’s biggest to soften the economic blow.

Mr. Abe announced the state of emergency targeting the capital Tokyo and six other prefectures – accounting for about 44% of Japan’s population – for a period of about one month.

“We have decided to declare a state of emergency because we’ve judged that a fast spread of the coronavirus nationwide would have an enormous impact on lives and the economy,” he told parliament earlier.

His cabinet will also finalise the stimulus package worth 108 trillion yen ($990 billion) – equal to 20% of Japan’s economic output – to cushion the impact of the epidemic on the world’s third-largest economy.

2.20 PM | UK

Indian-origin cardiac surgeon dies in UK from COVID-19

An Indian-origin cardiac surgeon who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus has died at a hospital in Cardiff in the UK, where a number of medics have lost their lives on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2.10 PM | MADHYA PRADESH

Rs 50 lakh insurance cover for police, govt. staff in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced Rs 50 lakh insurance cover for police personnel and other State government employees engaged in the fight against coronavirus.

In a message on the official government Twitter handle, Mr. Chouhan said the Centre had announced Rs 50 lakh insurance cover to health workers, while the State government will provide the same to the police and officials of revenue, urban administration and other departments.

2.00 PM | INDIA

AIIMS to provide N95 masks to all healthcare workers

Taking measures to safeguard its workers against coronavirus, the AIIMS administration has decided to provide N95 masks to all its healthcare workers involved in direct patient care and has asked them to reuse the masks at least four times after disinfecting them.

The masks, it said, will suffice for 20 days after being disinfected.

1.30 PM | KARNATAKA

Twelve new cases reported; 25 discharged so far

Twelve new cases – including four who participated in the Tablighi Jamaat congregation and three other contacts of earlier COVID-19 positive patients who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat event  – have tested positive on Tuesday.

1.20 PM | INDIA

Sonia Gandhi writes to PM, suggests five ways to cut govt. expenditure

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering five suggestions to cut government expenditure  including scrapping Rs 20,000 crore project for the Central Vista project, ban government advertisement to media and put on hold all official foreign trips in the wake of Covid-19.

 1.15 PM | DELHI

Five-step plan prepared to control outbreak in Delhi, says Arvind Kejriwal

Learning from the experiences of others countries, we have prepared a five step plan to control a coronavirus outbreak in the city; it is a plan based on ‘five Ts’, said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

“Doctors and nurses are the most important part of this team; we have to take care of them as well as their families. They are the strongest link of this team,” he said

1.10 PM | J&K

Former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti shifted to residence

Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti was on Tuesday shifted from a Srinagar sub-jail to her official residence, now declared a sub-jail to put her under house detention.

 1.00 PM | INDIA

Whatsapp imposes limit on frequently forwarded message to prevent spread of misinformation

To slow the spread of misinformation via its platform, Whatsapp has announced a new stricter limit on forwarding messages. Now, frequently forwarded messages — those which have been previously forwarded five times or more, can only be forwarded to one chat at a time.

–Yuthika Bhargava

 12.55 PM | U.S.

Many COVID-19 cases in the Indian American community, several deaths reported

Scores of Indian Americans have tested positive with the novel coronavirus and several of them have died, according to multiple news reports from community organisations and diaspora leaders from across the US, currently the global epicentre of the deadly disease.

While there is no official or unofficial count of Indian-Americans infected with the coronavirus, information available on various private social media groups indicate that a significant number of them are in New York and New Jersey.

12.45 PM | DELHI

73-year-old recovers in Delhi

A 73-year-old patient has been discharged from the LNJP hospital after his recovery.

An LNJP spokesperson said that the patient recovered in spite of having many co-morbidities. Two tests have come out negative, he added.

12.25 PM | ODISHA

IB office in Bhubaneswar sealed, employees put under home quarantine

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sealed the office of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) here and put all its employees under home quarantine after it was found that one of the staff of the central agency had come in contact with a COVID-19 patient, an official said on Tuesday.

12.10 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Two more test positive in Dharavi

Two more have tested positive in Dharavi’s Baliga Nagar. One of them is the 80 year-old father and another, the 49 year-old brother of Dharavi’s second patient. They were tested soon after the 30-year-old woman had tested positive. BMC is holding another health camp at Baliga Nagar today. The area has been completely sealed

This brings the total cases in Dharavi to 7 so far.

12.05 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Maharashtra records 23 more cases as tally rises to 891

3 fresh Covid-19 cases were reported from Maharashtra on Tuesday, with the total tally jumping to 891 over a 12-hour span.

10 of these new cases are from Mumbai, four from Pune, three from Ahmednagar, two each from Nagpur and rural Buldhana, one each from Thane and Sangli.

With this Mumbai’s tally surges to 536 cases, while that in Pune district has now exceeded 150. Buldhana is fast emerging as a virus hotspot in the State’s rural hinterland, with a total seven cases while Ahmednagar’s tally has shot to 26.

In Ahmednagar, at least four foreign nationals including two who had attended the Delhi Tablighi Jamaat congregation have tested positive.

–12.00 PM | ANDHRA PRADESH

Andhra Pradesh has reported its fourth death and one more positive case.

The deceased, a 45-year-old man, got admitted to Kurnool Government General Hospital on April 1 and was tested positive for Covid-19 later. Having type 2 diabetes, the man succumbed two days later on April 3, the bulletin by the Health Department issued on Tuesday morning stated. The deceased has no history of travel which is an indication of community transmission of the virus in the district which reported the highest number of cases in the State.

11.55 AM | INDIA

36 booked for failing to inform authorities about participation in Nizamuddin congregation

Cases have been lodged against 36 persons in Chitrakoot range for negligence after they failed to inform authorities about their participation in a congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin, police said.

The 36 people have been quarantined.

11.35 AM | MADHYA PRADESH

More health officials contract COVID-19 in Bhopal

As many as 12 persons — five health officials and seven from the police and their family members — tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the tally to 74 patients in the city, said Sudhir Dehariya, Bhopal Chief Medical and Health Officer.

So far, 37 health officials have contracted the disease in Bhopal.

The total number of infected people in the State has gone up to 268.

11.20 AM | GUJARAT

Coronavirus cases in 17 districts in Gujarat

Nineteen more Coronavirus infection cases have been detected in Gujarat taking the total number to 165 in the State.

The infection has now spread to 17 out of 33 districts in the state, says Health department.

11.15 AM | NEW DELHI

GoM discussing lockdown

Group of Ministers led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are meeting to discuss lockdown implications and other issues.

The meeting started at 11 am at Mr. Singh’s residence. Home Minister Amit Shah and other Cabinet ministers are also attending. – Vijaita Singh11.10 AM | INDIA

India has confirmed it has lifted blanket ban on export of hydroxychloroquine HCQ.

The Ministry of External Affairs has said India would “licence paracetamol and HCQ in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries and some countries who have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic.”

11.00 AM | DELHI

Delhi govt to do random testing in COVID-19 hotspots

Delhi government has decided to do randon testing for coronavirus in the Union Territory, mainly on the hotspots. A Delhi government spokesperson confirmed this.

Delhi has reported 532 cases, including eight deaths till Monday.

10.45 | GUJARAT

Gujarat government ropes in private firms to manufacture PPE, N95 masks

The Gujarat government has roped in state-based private companies to manufacture personal protective equipment and N95 masks required by health staff who are at the forefront of the battle against coronavirus.

A private company from the state has already manufactured low cost ventilators and will be supplying them soon to government-run hospitals, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said a few days back.

As part of the initiative, the Rajkot-based Jyoti CNC has started production of ventilators after getting necessary approvals.

“Two other companies -Arvind Mills in Ahmedabad and Sure Safety in Vadodara – will soon start production of personal protective equipment (PPE),” chief minister’s secretary Ashwani Kumar said.

-PTI10.30 | WEST BENGAL

WB governorappeals to CM, ministers, MLAs to take a pay cut to fight COVID-19

Following the Centre’s decision to cut 30% salary of all MPs for one year to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday appealed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, state ministers and MLAs to take a similar approach for a year to aid the government’s efforts to tide over the crisis. 

 10.15 | RAJASTHAN

Rajasthan records 24 more cases of coronavirus

Twenty-four more cases of coronavirus in Rajasthan have been recorded, taking the total number of cases in the state to 325, an official said.

Of them, nine are from Jodhpur, seven in Jaisalmer’s Pokhran town, four in Banswara, three in Jaipur and one in Churu.

Total number of patients in Rajasthan is now 325, including 36 evacuees from Iran staying in Army’s facilities.

Twenty-five of the 36 recovered patients have been discharged from hospitals, said Medical & Health Department.

10.00 | HIMACHAL PRADESH

Four more test positive in Himachal Pradesh

Four Tablighi Jamaat members who attended a religious congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin have tested positive for coronavirus in Himachal Pradesh, a senior health official said. With this, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state rose to 19.

Additional Chief Secretary (Health) R D Dhiman said 83 samples were collected in the state on Monday and the report of 81 was out, of which four tested positive, two samples will be tested again and the rest of it has came out negative.

All the four who tested positive were from Tissa area of Chamba district and had attended the Jamaat event in the national capital, he said.

Eleven COVID-19 patients were being treated in the state and all of them had attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation. Two of the total cases have recovered, two died and four patients voluntarily shifted to a private hospital outside Himachal Pradesh, a health department official said.

 09.45 | TAMIL NADU

One death, 50 new cases in T.N.

Medical staff participates in a demo of the interactive robot ‘Zafi’ which will be deployed at COVID-19 isolation wards, at Stanley Medical college hospital in Chennai.  

Tamil Nadu reported its sixth COVID-19 death, and added 50 new cases to its tally on Monday. With this, the State now has 621 cases. The victim was a 57-year-old woman, who was admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital at 8 p.m. on Sunday with severe acute respiratory infection.

 09.30 | UTTAR PRADESH

Lockdown likely to be extended in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh may extend the ongoing lockdown beyond April 14, a senior government official said on Monday citing the rising number of COVID-19 positive cases in the State including those linked to the Tablighi Jamaat.

 9.15 AM

Trump warns India of retaliation

President Donald Trump has warned India that the US may retaliate if it did not export anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine despite his personal request, saying he would be surprised in case of a negative outcome as New Delhi has good relations with Washington.

Hydroxychloroquine, an old and inexpensive drug used to treat malaria, is seen as a viable therapeutic solution by President Trump to coronavirus that has so far killed more than 10,000 Americans and infected over 3.6 lakh within weeks.

Last week Mr. Trump said he has sought help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow the sale of Hydroxychloroquine tablets ordered by the US to treat the growing number of coronavirus patients in his country, hours after India banned the export of the anti-malarial drug.

 9.00 AM

Plea in HC for evacuating Indians stranded in U.S.

A plea was moved on Monday in the Delhi High Court for the safe and secure return of all Indian citizens employed in the United States of America (USA) and now stranded there without jobs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

 8.30 | TELANGANA

Telangana CM favours extension of national lockdown

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the 21-day national lockdown to check COVID-19 beyond April 14, saying it was essential to save lives.

 8.00 AM

47% of patients below 40, says govt.

Giving a break up of the data so far at the daily press briefing, Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said, 76% of the confirmed cases were male and 24% female; 47% were below 40 years of age, 34% between 40 to 60 years and 19% above 60 years.

09.10PM

Covid19 cases India Cases crossed to 4600

The Union Cabinet, on Monday, passed an ordinance to cut the salary of all MPs by 30% for one year. The total number of coronavirus cases in India has exceeded the 4600-mark, whereas the death toll has crossed 130. As per PM Narendra Modi’s announcement, India shut off all lights for 9 minutes and burnt candles and torches in solidarity with the fight against COVID-19 on April 5. Although Italy reported its lowest death toll in 2 weeks, the death toll across the globe crosses 65,000. United States coronavirus deaths top 1,200 in the last 24 hours.

8:55 PM | NEW DELHI

Affected districts increased from 62 to 257 in a span of 15 days

he total number of districts that reported COVID-19 positive cases across the country jumped from 62 to 257 in a span of 15 days, a presentation made by the Ministry of Health to the Cabinet Secretary said. In all, there are 718 districts in the country spread over 28 States and eight Union Territories.

The presentation made by Kuldeep Singh of the Health Ministry before Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Sunday showed that as on March 20, there was only one district in Maharashtra where more than 10 cases were reported. By April 4, the number of such districts spiked to 70. The cases also soared from 195 to 2,769 in the same period. From 62 districts on March 20, the number of affected districts almost doubled to 117 on March 25. The country was put under a 21-day lockdown on March 25 after a day-long ‘Janata Curfew’ of March 22. The rate of testing also increased during this period.

8.30 PM | BARCELONA

Pep Guardiola’s mother dies with coronavirus

The mother of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has died after contracting the coronavirus. The Premier League club says Dolors Sala Carriऩed near Barcelona in the city of Manresa. She was 82. City says “everyone associated with the club sends their most heartfelt sympathy at this most distressing time to Pep, his family and all their friends.” Guardiola has coached City since 2016. He previously coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

8:25 PM | MUMBAI

Maharashtra death toll rises to 52

The number of Covid-19 cases continued to skyrocket relentlessly in Maharashtra with the State registering its highest single-day surge of 120 new cases on Monday, taking the overall tally to a staggering 868 positive cases while seven deaths were reported as well, taking the death toll to 52.

Four of the seven deaths were reported from Mumbai city, while the others were from the Metropolitan Region, Thane and Vasai-Virar.

8:10 PM | BELAGAVI

Police arrest 22 in Belagavi for trying to attack persons in mosques

Belagavi District Police have arrested 22 persons on charges of trying to attack persons in mosques, complaining that they did not turn off lights on Sunday night as requested by the Prime Minister.

A group entered a mosque in Yamakamaradi and heckled the mosque muezzin who calls for prayers. He was cleaning the mosque by keeping the lights on between 9 p.m. and 9.09 pm, they alleged. The also tried to close the door of the building by throwing him out. A case has been filed and nine persons have been arrested.

8:10 PM | TEHRAN

Iran says virus infections show ‘gradual’ decline

The trajectory of coronavirus infections in Iran appears to have started a “gradual” downward trend, the government said on Monday, but it warned the disease is far from being under control.

The COVID-19 outbreak claimed 136 lives in the past 24 hours, bringing Iran’s overall death toll to 3,739, Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour told a televised news conference. Iran registered 2,274 new cases of infection over the same period, he said, putting the total number at 60,500 across the country.

The figure shows a drop in officially reported new cases of the novel coronavirus for the sixth consecutive day after a peak of 3,111 reached on March 31.

8:05 PM | MUMBAI

With 120 new cases, Maharashtra case count now 868

With 120 fresh cases, the COVID-19 tally in Maharashtra on Monday mounted to 868, a Health official said.

“Out of the 120 people, 68 have tested positive from Mumbai city alone and 41 from Pune,” he said.

“The remaining cases includes two each from Vasai-Virar area, Satara and Ahmednagar, three from Aurangabad and one each from Jalna and Nashik,” he added.

8:00 PM | PUNE

Doctors in Pimpri hospital placed in quarantine after patient tests positive 

More than 90 persons including 40 doctors and 50 staff members of a medical college and hospital in Pimpri have been quarantined after an autorickshaw driver, who was undergoing treatment at that hospital for accident injuries, tested positive for Covid-19, said authorities on Monday.

According to authorities, the autorickshaw driver who lives in Pune’s Khadki area had met with an accident a few days ago and was taken to the Pimpri hospital for treatment where he was kept under observation following surgery.

On April 4, he tested positive for Covid-19.

7:50 PM | NEW DELHI

40,000 isolation beds ready: Railways

The Railways on Monday said it has converted 2,500 of its coaches — part of its initial target of at least 5,000 — into isolation wards.

“In times of lockdown when manpower resources are limited and have to be rationalised and rotated, the zones have almost done an impossible task of so many conversions in such a small span of time,” the Railways said in a statement.

7:25 PM | GOA

The Goa government has announced that 7,000 surveyors will visit homes in the State between April 11 and 13 with a survey form seeking details of family history, travel history etc. People are expected to cooperate and fill questionnaire besides providing details of any flu-like signs. Landlords to provide details of their tenants. A separate exercise will be conducted for migrant industrial workers and labourers.

7:10 PM | NEW DELHI

Over 96,000 samples tested till today: ICMR

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has tested 96,264 samples for COVID-19 till 3.45 p.m. on Monday with a total of 136 government laboratories and 56 private laboratories currently functioning as test facilities.
Speaking a press conference on Monday, R. Gangakhedkar,  head, Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases-II, ICMR, said these laboratories have a testing capacity of 18,000 tests per day and in addition to this, two high throughput machine Cobass-6800 which can test 1400 samples at a time are being operated.

“ICMR has prepared a data portal for streamlining the data collection from all the laboratories on a real-time basis,” he said. He added that if labs start working in two shifts, the testing capacity would go up to 25,000.

ICMR added that it is now procuring 10 lakh Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) kits used for diagnosis and 7 depots have been established for uninterrupted supply of reagents across the nation for efficient distribution to government testing laboratories.

6:50 PM | KANPUR/GUWAHATI

Authorities mull NSA, attempt to murder charge against Tablighi participants who don’t show up for screening tests

As coronavirus cases in the country spike, authorities have warned invoking attempt to murder charge and the stringent National Security Act(NSA) against those participants of the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi who fail to report for screening tests.

According to the latest updates from the Union Health Ministry on Monday, at least 1,445 of the total 4,067 COVID-19 positive cases are related to last month’s Tablighi congregation in west Nizamuddin which has emerged as the epicentre of the virus outbreak.

More than 25,500 Tablighi members and their contacts have been quarantined in the country till now after the Centre and the State governments conducted a “mega operation” to identify them, Punya Salila Srivastava, a senior Union Home Ministry official, told reporters in Delhi.

6:20 PM | CHENNAI

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister non-committal on extension of lockdown

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday did not commit to the likelihood of the prohibitory orders and ongoing lockdown due to COVID-19 being extended beyond April 14.

When a journalist asked him if the lockdown would be extended after April 14, when it was due to expire, he did not provide a specific reply. Instead he said the pandemic was contagious and more cases were being reported. Underlining the seriousness of the issue, he appealed for public support to remain in-doors so that the spread of COVID-19 could be curbed.

6:15 PM | CHENNAI

50 more people test positive for COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu, Health Secretary Beela Rajesh said in an announcement. With this, the total number of cases in the State has reached 621.

M.6:10 PM | NEW DELHI

India to implement the “Large outbreaks amenable to containment” strategy 

With just over a week till the end of the Central government prescribed COVID-19 containment lockdown period, India has now stepped out of the local transmission phase and moved into the “large outbreaks amenable to containment phase” as per the protocol being followed by the Union Health Ministry, under its recently released document on “Containment plan for large outbreaks.’”

With a current case doubling rate of 96 hours and infection having spread to nearly 300 of the 736 district across the country India’s presently followed  protocol now includes “re-defining the area of operation, active surveillance for cases and contacts in the identified geographic zone, expanding laboratory capacity for testing all suspect cases, high risk contacts and SARI cases,  operationalize surge capacities created for isolation (COVID-19 hospitals/COVID-19 dedicated blocks) to hospitalize and manage all suspect / confirmed cases.”

The other measures under the protocol include implementation of social distancing measures with strict perimeter control, providing  chemoprophylaxis with hydroxy-chloroquine to asymptomatic healthcare workers and asymptomatic household contacts of laboratory confirmed cases and the further intensification of risk communication through audio, social and visual media.

6:05 PM | CHENNAI

Cash aids to be extended to more unorganised sectors in Tamil Nadu: govt.

Members of many welfare boards for unorganised sector workers will be eligible to receive the special cash assistance of ₹1,000 announced by the State government in view of the economic hardships posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.

Earlier, the government announced cash aid for members of the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers’ Welfare Board and Unorganised Drivers’ Welfare Board.

Addressing journalists on Monday, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said, the assistance would also be given to members of the Hair Dressers’ Welfare Board, Washermen Welfare Board, Palm Tree Workers’ Welfare Board, Handicraft Workers’ Welfare Board, Handloom and Handloom Silk Weaving Workers’ Welfare Board, Footwear and Leather Goods Manufacture and Tannery Workers’ Welfare Board, Artists’ Welfare Board, Goldsmiths’ Welfare Board, Pottery Workers’ Welfare Board, Domestic Workers’ Welfare Board, Power Loom Weaving Workers’ Welfare Board, and Tamil Nadu Cooking Food Workers’ Welfare Board.

6:00 PM | BHOPAL

Sample of a 54-year-old man from Indore, who had died on April 3, tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. He had no travel or contact history, but had co-morbidity of bronchial asthma and hypertension. Toll owing to the illness touches 10 in Indore, according to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore. The infection has caused 14 deaths in Madhya Pradesh so far.

5:40 PM | NEW DELHI

The total number of coronavirus cases in Delhi is now 523. The number has increased by 20 cases in the last 24 hours, one more death has also occurred, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in an announcement today.

“Of this number, 330 cases are related to the Nizamuddin centre.” he added.

5:35 PM | NEW DELHI

Prime Minister hints at calibrated exit from lockdown

As the nation entered the 13th day of a 21-day lockdown on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked his Council of Ministers on just how to do a calibrated exit from the confinement, especially since the cases related to the Tablighi Jamaat Centre and the country’s own tally of COVID-19 positive cases are ballooning.

Also read: Coronavirus | Number of cases doubled in 4.1 days due to Tablighi Jamaat event, says Health Ministry

At a meeting of the Council of Ministers, just before a first-ever Cabinet meeting over videoconferencing, Mr. Modi asked for suggestions, leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that any rollback of the lockdown on April 14 will only be partial and with many caveats. 

“Prime Minister Modi asked all of us for suggestions, including after speaking to district-level officials and stakeholders on how the rollback of the lockdown could be effected without a huge impact on positive cases. Actually, the calculations for our peak cases and its timing are now awry as they have to factor in the Tablighi Jamaat cases, which are still being followed up,” said a Minister who was at the meeting.

5:30 PM | CHENNAI

Tamil Nadu has sought approval for 21 additional testing labs: Chief Minister

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday said the State government has sought the Centre’s approval for establishing 21 more testing laboratories to test patients for COVID-19. The State now has 11 government and six private testing labs to test for the pandemic, he told journalists at the Secretariat.

Noting that the government has placed orders for procuring one lakh Rapid Test Kits to speed up the rate of testing samples for COVID-19, he said they are expected to arrive on April 9. The Rapid Test Kits could complete tests in about 30 minutes, he said.

Soon after the Rapid Test Kits arrive in the State from China, they would be sent to the respective districts to commence testing from April 10. The Chief Minister pointed out that even persons, who did not develop any symptoms, had tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 1,848 persons, who were suspected to have COVID-19, have been admitted in various hospitals.

5.00 PM | KERALA

Ernakulam District makes sample collection kiosk

Walk-in Sample Collection (WISC) kiosk, an innovative solution that would not require to wear a personal protective equipment to collect the sample of a person suspected of COVID-19, was launched in Ernakulam on Monday.

The kiosk involves the healthcare worker to utilise the protective shield of the kiosk while taking throat swabs. They were made indigenously on the advise of the team led by the doctors at the Government Medical College (MCH), Ernakulam, and the district medical officers.

4.30 PM | MANIPUR

23-year-old Manipuri student tests negative

A 23-year-old Manipuri girl student in London has tested negative for COVID-19. This was disclosed by T. Bhimo, director of the J.N. Institute of Medical sciences, Imphal. The director further said that the authority  will discharge her after fulfilling the conditions of the guideline.

She has been shifted from the isolation ward to the general ward.

She became the first person to have contracted the virus in the North Eastern region. Her family members and co-passengers were tested. However all of them were found to be covid-19 negative.

4.15 PM | INDIA

Study involving 30 patients being conducted to check efficacy of Hydroxycholoroquine: ICMR

“Council of Ministers had a meeting on the plan of action. The Health Ministry yesterday issued a guideline to States on quarantine facilities to be set up and steps to be taken for early segregation,” said Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agrawal.

16.94 tonne food grain has been distributed, he said. 1445 cases were linked to the Tablighi Jamaat cluster.

Giving a gender-wise breakup, Mr. Agrawal said 76% males and 24% females have tested positive; 73% males and 27% females died, while 86% were comorbidity-related deaths.

63% of deaths were in those above 60 years of age, 30% in those of 40 to 60 years of age and 7% in those below 40 years of age.

The Home Ministry spokesperson said that States have been told to ensure smooth supply of medical oxygen.

“25,500 local workers and their primary contacts have been traced and quarantined. Five villages in Haryana, where several foreigners linked to the Jamaat had stayed, have been sealed.

2083 foreigners linked to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation have been identified, and 1750 of them have been blacklisted so far,” the spokesperson added.

The ICMR spokesperson said that an order has been placed for five lakh testing kits; by Apri 8-9, 2.5 lakh of them are to be delivered.

Food Corporation of India has stock of 55.47 million metric tonne foodgrain, 1.3 lakh metric tonne wheat and 1.32 metric tonne rice has been transported to several States.

Mr. Agrawal said the government is taking measures to ensure that the spread of the disease does not reach the third stage.

Both Health Ministry and ICMR said that hydroxychloroquine is being given to health workers working closely with Covid-19 patients, albeit based on limited evidence. This should not lead to wrong perception about its usage, it should be taken on proper medical precription. A study is being conducted involving 30 patients to check its efficacy.

ICMR said that its current capacity for testing is at 25,000 per day.

4.00 PM | KARNATAKA

First patient from Dakshina Kannada discharged

The first person, a youth, who had tested positive for COVID-19 in Dakshina Kannada was discharged from the Government Wenlock Hospital.

The youth (aged 22) had arrived at Mangaluru International Airport from Dubai on March 19. After he showed symptoms during the screening at the airport he had directly been shifted from the airport to the hospital on the same day. He tested positive on March 22.

He will be kept separately at his home for some more days, doctors said.

3.50 PM | INDIA

Cabinet approves ordinance to reduce salaries PM, Ministers, MPs by 30% for a year

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said on April 6 that the Cabinet has approved an Ordinance to reduce salaries of all MPs, including Prime Minister and Cabinet, by 30% for one year.

President, Vice-President and all Governors have voluntarily decided to reduce salaries by 30% for one year, he said

 3.15 PM | INDIA

CAPFs asked to suspend non-essential movement of troops till April 15

Thal Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have suspended all non-essential movement of its troops and staffers as they have extended their leaves by another 10 days, till April 15, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, officials said on Monday.

The earlier orders were in the mid March asking jawans and officers of CAPFs to “be where they are” till April 5.

3.10 PM | INDIA

RSS cancels programmes between April and June

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has cancelled training modules and programmes scheduled between April and June in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak, its joint general secretary Manmohan Vaidya said.

These include over 90 ‘Sangh Shiksha Varg’ training camps, he added.

3.00 PM | JAPAN

Japan to declare state of emergency for about a month: Shinzo Abe

Japan is to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo and six other prefectures as early as Tuesday in a bid to stop the coronavirus, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, with the government preparing a stimulus package to soften the economic blow.

More than 3,500 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Japan and 85 have died. Tokyo has more than 1,000 cases, including 83 new ones on Monday.

Mr. Abe made the announcement on the state of emergency in remarks to media televised live.

An emergency, which Mr. Abe said would last about a month, will give governors authority to call on people to stay at home and businesses to close, but not to order the kind of lockdowns seen in other countries. In most cases, there are no penalties for ignoring requests, and enforcement will rely more on peer pressure and respect for authority.

2.50 PM | INDIA

Bacardi to produce 70,000 litres of hand sanitisers

Liquor maker Bacardi on Monday said it would produce 70,000 litres of hand sanitizers, which will be distributed primarily to district government hospitals, to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

 2.40 PM | GUJARAT

14-month-old boy with no travel history contracts COVID-19

A 14-month-old boy with no travel history has tested positive for COVID-19 in Gujarat’s Jamnagar district, sending health officials into an overdrive to find out from where the child contracted the deadly disease.

The child, whose test came out positive on Sunday, is on ventilator support and the locality where his labourer parents reside in Dared village has been put under complete lockdown to check the spread of the virus, officials said.

This is also the first case of coronavirus infection in Jamnagar district.

2.30 PM | INDIA

PM chairs meeting of council of ministers via video-conferencing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the council of ministers on Monday via video-conferencing amidst a nationwide lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

It will be followed by a meeting of the Cabinet, also to be held via video-conferencing.

2.20 PM | WORLD

UN chief urges governments to protect women against domestic violence

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged governments to include the protection of women in their response to the deadly novel coronavirus pandemic.

Reports of domestic violence have surged globally in the wake of massive lockdowns imposed to contain the spread of the disease.

2.10 PM | KARNATAKA

12 new cases in Karnataka

Twelve new positive cases have been reported from 5:00 p.m. yesterday to noon on Monday.

With this the total number of cases in the State has touched 163. This includes four deaths and 18 discharged persons, according to the midday bulletin.

Of the new cases, seven are from Mysuru and two from Bagalkot.

Five patients had a travel history to Delhi.

The wife and the brother of the 75-year-old person who succumbed to the infection in Bagalkot have also tested positive.

2.00 PM | INDIA

USAID announces $2.9 million to India to fight coronavirus

The U.S. government, through its aid agency USAID, has announced a grant of $2.9 million to India to help it fight the coronavirus pandemic.

U.S. Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster said the assistance will further support India’s response to COVID-19.

The U.S. government, through USAID, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other relevant agencies, is working closely with India to support the country’s response to the pandemic, he said.

1.20 PM | UTTAR PRADESH

16 new cases reported in U.P., total nears 300-mark

Sixteen people tested positive for coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, taking the total number of cases in the State to 294, officials said.

Six samples from Lucknow, eight from Sitapur and two samples sent from Agra have tested positive for the infection, an official KGMU statement said here.

1.10 PM | INDIA

All life insurance companies to process COVID-19 death claims: Industry body

All life insurance companies will process claims due to death by COVID-19, an industry body assured on Monday.

The industry’s umbrella body Life Insurance Council said the ‘force majeure’ clause will not apply in case of COVID-19 death claims and both private and state-run players will follow this.

 1.00 PM | INDIA

PM Modi likens fight against pandemic to war, says India’s efforts lauded worldwide

Addressing party workers on the 40th anniversary of the BJP’s foundation day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi likened the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic to a war and said that India’s efforts had been lauded around the world.

He lauded the people of the country for the “maturity and discipline” they had shown in maintaining the lockdown in such a vast and diverse population, terming it unprecedented.

“We got to see our collective strength on Sunday evening,” he said referring to the countrywide exercise to switch off lights and illuminate diyas for nine minutes.

12.50 PM | INDIA

UGC directs universities to set up mental health helplines for students

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all universities and colleges to set up mental health helplines to address psychosocial concerns of students during the lockdown imposed to combat coronavirus.

“During the period of national lockdown, it is equally important to address any kind of mental health and psychosocial concerns of student community during and after COVID-19 situation issue,” UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain said in a letter to vice chancellors.

12.40 PM | DELHI

Zoos asked to remain on high alert; collect samples for COVID-19 testing

The Central Zoo Authority asked all zoos across the country to remain on high alert and collect samples fortnightly in suspected cases after a tiger in a US zoo tested positive for coronavirus. In a letter to all States and Union territories, CZA Member Secretary SP Yadav said, “The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories has confirmed COVID-19 in a tiger in the Bronx Zoo, New York.

“Zoos in the country are, therefore, advised to remain on highest alertness, watch animals on 24X7 basis using CCTVs for any abnormal behaviour or symptoms,” it said.

The authority said mammals, especially cats, ferret and primates, need to be carefully monitored and fortnightly samples of suspected cases be sent to designated animal health institutes for COVID-19 testing.

12.35 PM | KERALA

25-member medical team sent to worst-affected Kasaragod

A 25-member team from Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College hospital is currently at Kasaragod to help the district health administration prepare the new Kasaragod Government Medical College as the dedicated COVID-19 care hospital for the district.

 12.30 PM | HARYANA

All students of classes I to VIII in Haryana to be promoted without final exams: Khattar

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on April 5 said students from classes 1 to 8 will be promoted to the next academic year without taking up annual examinations as the schools are closed due to the nationwide lockdown.

12.20 PM

Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor recovers from COVID-19, discharged from hospital

Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor who was suffering from COVID-19, was discharged from the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences here after her two test reports came negative, officials said.

She would, however, have to remain in isolation at her home for some days.

“Kanika Kapoor has been discharged on Monday after her two reports came negative. One of her reports came negative two days ago. On Sunday evening also her report was negative after which she was discharged,” SGPGI Director R K Dhiman told PTI.

12.10 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Maharashtra tally climbs to 781

The number of Covid-19 cases continued to surge in Maharashtra, with 33 new cases being reported in the State over a 12-hour span, taking the tally of positive cases to 781.

Pune witnessed a surge of 19 fresh cases while 11 more have been reported from Mumbai, and a fresh case each from Satara, Ahmednagar and Vasai. Till date, the State has reported 45 deaths, with 30 of these from Mumbai alone.

12.00 PM | MADHYA PRADESH

4 persons, including 2 health officials, test positive in Bhopal

Four persons, including two health officials, tested positive for COVID-19 in Bhopal, taking the tally to 50 in the city, said an official of the district administration.

So far, 21 health officials have contracted the disease in the city.

11.55 AM | ANDHRA PRADESH

14 new cases reported in A.P.

Fourteen new positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in the State overnight, taking the total count to 266.

Visakhapatnam has reported five positive cases while Anantapur and Kurnool reported three each, Guntur reported two and West Godavari reported one new case.  With 56 positive cases, Kurnool district has the highest number of cases among all the districts in the State. 

So far, three people have succumbed to the virus in State.

11.50 AM | DELHI

176 FIRs in Delhi for violating home quarantine guidelines

Delhi Police have registered 176 FIRs against people violating home quarantine guidelines and were not present at home during a physical verification, an officer said on Monday.

 11.45 AM | WEST BENGAL

Kolkata police arrest 98 for bursting crackers during ‘9 pm-9 minutes’

The Kolkata police have arrested 98 people from different parts of the city for bursting crackers on the night of April 5, during the ‘9 pm-9 minutes’ call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The arrests were made to enforce the lockdown, an official said. 

11.30 AM | GUJARAT

Another death in Gujarat

A 62-year-old COVID-19 infected female patient has died in Vadodara. She had a travel history to Sri Lanka and returned from there on March 14. A total of 12 persons have died in Gujarat while positive cases are at 144.

11.00 AM | GUJARAT

16 new cases in Gujarat

16 new cases of COVID-19 found in Gujarat, taking the total number of cases to 144 in the State, according to the Health Department.

So far 21 have recovered and been discharged from their respective hospitals. – Mahesh Langa

Ahmedabad, which has reported over 50 COVID-19 cases and 5 deaths, has been identified as one of the hotspots of the pandemic. It is fighting the virus through innovative means: use of technology, home quarantine and delivery of essential services at the doorstep in certain clusters.

10.40 AM| RAJASTHAN

Man succumbs to COVID-19 in Kota

A 60-year-old COVID-19 positive man has died in Kota, Rajasthan. He was admitted to M.B.S. Hospital in Kota on Sunday with the complaint of pneumonia, fever and cough. No contact and travel history was given by the deceased.

Meanwhile, seven more COVID-19 positive cases were detected in Rajasthan today, taking the State’s overall tally to 274. Thirty-six patients have recovered and 25 of them have been discharged, according to Medical & Health Department.

As many as 33 people are under treatment at Indian Army’s facilities in the State.

10.00 AM | JHARKHAND

Jharkhand reports fourth case

Jharkhand on Monday reported its fourth COVID-19 case from Hindpidhi area of Ranchi, the State capital.

A man has tested positive and has been admitted to the special COVID-19 ward at the government-run Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) hospital.

 9.00 AM | MADHYA PRADESH

COVID-19 patient dies in Bhopal; MP toll reaches 14

A 52-year-old man died of coronavirus in Bhopal, taking the toll in Madhya Pradesh to 14, an official said on Monday. This is the first death of a COVID-19 patient in the state capital, he said.

The man recently tested positive for coronavirus and died at a private hospital where he was undergoing treatment on Sunday night, Bhopal Collector Tarun Pithode said.

He worked as a watchman at a wholesale vegetable market and was suffering from asthma since long, Dr Rajesh Sharma from the private hospital said.

So far, 14 people have succumbed to the viral disease in the state, including nine in Indore, two in Ujjain and one each in Bhopal, Khargone and Chhindwara, an official said.U.S.A

This is going to be our 9/11 moment, says doctor

The United States on Sunday entered one of the most critical weeks so far in the coronavirus crisis, with government officials warning that the death toll in places such as New York, Michigan and Louisiana was a sign of trouble to come in other states.Read more

Trump extends best wishes to Boris Johnson

U.S. President Donald Trump has extended his well wishes to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was admitted to a hospital for further coronavirus tests after testing positive last month.

Mr. Johnson was admitted to a hospital on Sunday as a precautionary step and for some tests as he continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus.Read moreNEW YORK

Tiger at Bronx Zoo tests positive

A tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City has tested positive for the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the first known case of a human infecting an animal and making it sick, the zoo’s chief veterinarian said on Sunday.

MAHARASHTRA

Pune sees fifth death

Three COVID-19 deaths were reported from Pune district on Sunday, taking the total number of deaths in the district to five. The number of positive cases in the district crossed 100.

Maharashtra may not end lockdown on April 14

Maharashtra is unlikely to call off the lockdown on April 14, the 21st day of the countrywide measure announced by the Central government in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Sources in the State Health Department on Sunday told The Hindu that the increasing number of positive patients in Mumbai, especially in areas of dense population like Worli, remained a worrying factor.

Data | What is the effect of India’s coronavirus lockdown on people’s mobility

Due to restrictions, including the imposition of a lockdown in many countries, public mobility has declined sharply, a Google report finds. In India, retail and recreational places saw the steepest fall in the presence of people between February 16 and March 29 compared to the traffic between January 3 and February 6. Phone traffic from residences saw a considerable increase, indicating that more people were staying at home.

The charts use anonymised location data from phones to show how visits and length of stay at different places change compared to a baseline.