Category: India

09.45PM

A fortnight after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of the 21-day lockdown, India still struggles to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Maharashtra reports its higheest number of casualties, infections. Indore reported at least 2 deaths, including a doctor who was treating COVID-19 patients. Odisha announced that the lockdown would be extended till April 30, becoming the first state to do so. The country’s tally is at 6499 and the death toll is at 221. Meanwhile, coronavirus cases top 1.5 million globally.

9.20 PM | ODISHA

COVID-19 not a cricket match, don’t seek ball-by-ball account, says Odisha govt.

The Odisha government on Thursday said that it is not mandatory to share all information regarding COVID-19 patients with the media and asked reporters not to seek a ball-by-ball account of all the positive cases.

The government’s COVID-19 spokesperson Subroto Bagchi said this while addressing the daily media briefing here.

“COVID-19 is not a cricket match that one will seek a ball-by-ball account. It is a very serious matter dealing with the lives of human beings,” Bagchi said.

Bagchis reaction came in the backdrop of some television channels raising questions on the exact number of COVID-19 patients in Bomikhal in the State capital. Till Tuesday the Health Department claimed that there were 18 COVID-19 positive cases in Bomikhal, but it suddenly reduced the number to 14 on Wednesday.

9.15 PM | NEW DELHI

ITI, DRDO to sign pact for producing portable ventilators

Electronics manufacturing company ITI Limited and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are set to sign an agreement for the manufacturing of portable ventilators, a top official of the public sector firm said.

The company expects to start production in about two-and-a-half months from the date of signing of the MoU and technology transfer of the ventilator technology to it from the DRDO.

“We will get 80-90 per cent components locally and the rest will have to be imported,” ITI Chairman and Managing Director R.M. Agarwal told PTI.

He said that the cost of ventilators will depend on the size of the order that the PSU will get. 

India might need anywhere between 1,10,000-2,20,000 ventilators by May 15 in the worst-case scenario if coronavirus infection continues to spread. The number of ventilators available in the country is a maximum of 57,000 at present and come with a cost of  ₹5-15 lakh, according to a Brookings report.

9.10 PM | LAKSHADWEEP

Navy undertakes medical evacuation trials on Lakshadweep

The Navy has undertaken medical evacuation trials, including the exercise of airlifting patients on Lakshadweep islands in the aftermath of novel coronavirus scare, a defence spokesman said here on Thursday.

Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal said some 3,000 people were home quarantined on the islands but not a single COVID- 19 case has been reported so far.

9.10 PM | NEW DELHI

IOC ties up additional LPG imports to ensure supply

State-owned Indian Oil Corp (IOC) on Thursday said it has tied up additional LPG imports in April and May to ensure uninterrupted supplies of cooking gas during the nationwide lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, IOC said it has tied up additional import “to the tune of about 50 per cent over normal imports to ensure uninterrupted availability.”

9.00 PM | PUNJAB

A village in Punjab has become a new hotspot with 22 confirmed cases

With 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases, Jawaharpur village of Dera Bassi in Punjab’s Mohali district has become a new coronavirus hotspot in the State, officials said on Thursday.

Overall, Mohali district has topped the COVID-19 tally in Punjab with 37 cases.

9.00 PM | LONDON

98-year-old Indian-origin woman beats COVID-19 to return to UK

A 98-year-old Indian-origin woman has pleasantly surprised her doctors and family after beating Covid-19 to return to her home in Scotland within days of her hospital admission.

Daphne Shah, who turns 99 in July, was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee with a high temperature, persistent cough and breathing difficulties on April 2. She was later diagnosed with COVID-19 but recovered speedily and was back home by April 13.

“My son is looking after me now. I’m feeling reasonably well now, but I don’t want to say too well. Having a celebratory party in July sounds like a great idea,” Kochi-born Ms. Shah told her local ‘Dundee Courier’ newspaper.

9.00 PM | NEW DELHI

Delhi Minorities Commissions tells Health Dept. to drop Nizamuddin Markaz reference from bulletins

The Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) has asked the city’s health department to stop mentioning Nizamuddin Markaz in its daily bulletins on coronavirus cases.

In a letter to the secretary, Delhi Health department, chairman of the Commission Zafarul Islam Khan asked the department to drop any mention of “religious undertones” in its daily bulletins.

8.30 PM | MADHYA PRADESH

Wearing masks now mandatory while stepping out in Madhya Pradesh

In a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Madhya Pradesh, the State government on Thursday issued an order making the use of masks mandatory for citizens while stepping out of their houses.

Violation of this will attract legal action, the order by the State Public Health Department said.

“The department has made it mandatory to wear face- masks while stepping out. Action will be taken against the violators under various laws, including the Madhya Pradesh Epidemic Disease COVID-19 Regulation-2020,” it said.

8.30 PM | MUMBAI

Mumbai reports highest single-day jump, total cases now 876

With 162 new cases and 9 more deaths, Mumbai reported the highest single-day jump on Thursday.

The total number of cases in the city now stands at 876, while the death toll has touched 54.

8.20 PM | NEW DELHI

Total number of cases in Delhi touches 720

Three deaths and 51 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Delhi on Thursday, taking the total number of deaths to 12 and cases to 720, according to a daily health bulletin of the Delhi government.

Out of the total 720 cases reported so far, 25 people have been discharged from hospitals and 682 are still undergoing treatment.

8.10 PM | MUMBAI

CAPA slams Centre’s decision to allow airlines bookings from April 14

The government’s decision to allow airlines to accept bookings from April 14, 2020 without any clarity on over the end of the lockdown on that day, has evoked sharp criticism.

CAPA Advisory, a leading aviation consulting firm, has asked the government to immediately review the decision, or else consumers would lose a lot of money as happened in the past with Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways.

Also read | DGCA issues guidelines for aircraft storage and their return to service

“The decision to allow opening of advance bookings from April 14, without a decision on the lifting of the lockdown and the likely structure of the transition period post the lockdown needs to be immediately reviewed as it is unfair to consumers,” Kapil Kaul, CEO and Director, CAPA Advisory said.

7.55 PM | TAMIL NADU

Madras HC issues notice to Centre on plea to bring back stranded Indians from Malaysia

The Madras High Court has sent a notice to the Centre on a plea to bring about 350 stranded Indians back from Malaysia due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

A special division bench of Justice N. Kirubakaran and Justice R. Hemalatha issued the notice to the Union External Affairs Ministry on the PIL moved by advocate M. Gnanasekar and posted the matter for further hearing after a week.

7.50 PM | GUJARAT

Gujarat reports 21 new cases

As many as 21 new COVID-19 cases were detected in Gujarat on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 262 in the State. So far, 26 patients have recovered and have been discharged, while 17 have died.

7.40 PM | PUNJAB

Death toll in Punjab touches 10

The death toll due to COVID-19 touched 10 in Punjab on Thursday, after two more patients died in the State, according to an official statement.

The State health department said the two patients who were tested positive for COVID-19 died on April 9. While one hailed from Barnala, the other was from Ropar.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said the State intends to launch a rapid testing drive aiming to screen one million people.

7.20 PM | NEW DELHI

DGCA issues guidelines for aircraft storage and return to service

As almost all commercial passenger aircraft in India have been grounded due to COVID-19 lockdown, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on April 9 issued guidelines for their storage and subsequent return to service.

“Some aircraft manufacturers have recommended storage programs. An operator may use these recommendations while developing their own specific storage programme,” the DGCA circular noted, adding that each company’s storage programme must be approved by the regulator.

7.15 PM | MUMBAI

Number of containment zones in Mumbai rises by 235 in a week

Despite the lockdown in Mumbai, the number of containment zones – where one or more coronavirus patients or suspected cases are found – increased from 146 last week to 381 on Thursday.

This shows a rapid rise in containment zones by 235 in just eight days.

These containment zones include various buildings, housing societies, slum pockets and hospitals.

7.10 PM | LADAKH

One more person tests positive in Ladakh, total cases now 4

One more person has tested positive for COVID-19 in Ladakh, taking the total number of active cases in the Union Territory to four, a senior government official said on Thursday.

Commissioner Secretary (Health) Rigzin Samphel said the patient is from Choshot Yokma area of Leh, which has now been notified as a ‘containment area’ by the district administration.

Of the nine results which came today, one is positive, Mr. Samphel said, adding that Leh and Kargil districts have two positive cases each.

The woman had gone on a pilgrimage to Iran. She had returned to India on March 21 and reached Leh on March 27. All those who came in her contact are being tracked.

7.00 PM | RAJASTHAN

Rajasthan makes wearing masks mandatory in urban areas, mandis

The Rajasthan government has made wearing masks mandatory in urban areas and agriculture mandis (wholesale markets).

Through video conferencing, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot directed officials to ensure compliance of the state government decision which will be applicable in all 196 urban local bodies of the state and in agriculture mandis (wholesale markets).

6.50 PM | MUMBAI

Three new cases have been reported in Mumbai’s Dharavi, bringing the total number of cases in the area to 17, including three deaths.

6.45 PM | ROME

100 doctors have died of coronavirus in Italy, says health association

One hundred Italian doctors have died of the novel coronavirus since the pandemic reached the Mediterranean country in February, Italy’s health association, FNOMCeO, said on Thursday.

“The number of doctors who have died because of COVID-19 is 100 — perhaps even 101 at the moment, unfortunately,” said an FNOMCeO spokesman.

6.30 PM | NEW DELHI

‘Home Ministry’s control room resolved 300 cases in a day’

The control room set up the Union Home Ministry to help people stranded due to the lockdown has been able to resolve 300 cases on a single day, an official said on Thursday. Addressing a press conference, Home Ministry Joint Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said State governments are adopting various methods to solve problems of people stranded during lockdown.

“The Home Ministry’s control room solved 300 problems on Wednesday. The helpline for northeastern region is also providing services smoothly,” she said.

6.20 PM | UTTAR PRADESH

Three people test positive in Noida

Two more COVID-19 positive patients were detected in Noida and one in Greater Noida on Thursday, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in Gautam Buddh Nagar to 63, according to officials.

“The new cases are from Sector 50 and Eldico Utopia in Sector 93A of Noida and Silver City in Sector P12 of Greater Noida,” the Health Department here stated.

6.15 PM | TAMIL NADU

96 test positive in Tamil Nadu, total cases surge past 800

At least 96 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu. With this, the total number of cases in the State has touched 834, said Health Secretary Beela Rajesh.

6.00 PM | TAMIL NADU

Tamil Nadu at local transmission stage currently, but may progress into Stage-III, says CM

Tamil Nadu is in Stage – II of COVID-19(local transmission of the virus) and there is a possibility of the State progressing into Stage -III (community transmission), but the government has been taking proactive steps to control this, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said on Thursday.

“The government has been taking efforts to contain it within Stage-II,” he told journalists after chairing a review meeting with members of 12 coordination teams at the Secretariat.

9.05 PM| NEW DELHI

Courier services may be operational soon, say sources

In a relief to businesses, the government may soon allow operations of courier and parcel services in the country so that companies are able to send and receive documents, sources said.

They said there must be a huge pile up of business related documents and other things which need to be shipped to different parts of the country.

“A decision on operations of courier and parcels will be taken soon. Document exchange is important for industry. An empowered group has already recommended for the same to the Home Ministry,” sources said.

5.45 PM | WASHINGTON

World faces worst economic fallout since the Great Depression, says IMF Chief

The global coronavirus pandemic is causing an economic crisis unlike any in the past century and will require a massive response to ensure recovery, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday.

She warned that “global growth will turn sharply negative in 2020,” with 170 of the International Monetary Fund’s 180 members experiencing a decline in per capita income.

“In fact, we anticipate the worst economic fallout since the Great Depression,” Georgieva said in a speech previewing next week’s spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank.

Even in the best case the IMF expects only a “partial recovery” next year, assuming the virus fades later this year, allowing normal business to resume as the lockdowns imposed to contain its spread are lifted.

5.45 PM | NEW DELHI

In a bid to support pulses and oilseeds farmers, Agriculture Ministry hikes daily procurement limit from 25 to 40 quintals per farmer for the rabi season of 2020 under its Price Support Scheme. The procurement window, which was due to end on April 30, has also been extended to 90 days from the date of commencement for all States.

5.40 PM | NEW DELHI

Masks now mandatory for everyone in New Delhi

Following the experience of other cities around the world, masks have been made mandatory for everyone stepping out of their house, said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Even if masks are not available, wearing a cloth or taking any similar measure will also do, but covering your mouth and nose is required, he said.

There are 21 areas in Delhi where containment is underway. This is mainly a measure to shield those areas, said the CM, adding: “Shield has six letters. S is for seal. No one will go in or out. H is for home quarantine. I is for isolation and tracing of those found with coronavirus infection. E is for essential supply: door to door delivery of essential items is being undertaken. L is for local sanitisation and disinfection of the area. D is for door to door checking: every door will be knocked to make enquiries about the health of its members regarding coronavirus symptoms … we seek citizens’ cooperation. You have to save yourself to save your family and save the country from coronavirus.”

5.30 PM | CHHATTISGARH

7 test positive in Chhattisgarh, State tally reaches 18

Seven persons test positive for COVID-19 in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district. The total number of cases in the State has risen to 18, said officials.

5.20 PM | WEST BENGAL

Tea gardens to reopen in West Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says tea gardens will reopen in the State and that the Central government has already approved the decision.

She said 15% of the labour force would be allowed to work at a time in the tea gardens. The decision was taken because the lockdown has coincided with production of the first flush in Darjeeling, which is the best quality tea, she said, adding that the produce will be wasted if it is not plucked in time.

5.00 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Salaries of Maharashtra MLAs and MLCs to be slashed by 30%

The Maharashtra Cabinet on Thursday decided to cut salaries of MLAs and MLCs by 30% starting this month, till March next year, in view of the State’s economy bearing the brunt of the coronavirus crisis.

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, also decided to set up two committees to recommend steps for the economic revival of the State.

4.55 PM | WEST BENGAL

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said twelve new positive cases have been registered in the last 24 hours. The active cases in the State have gone up to 80.

Three people have been cured.

Representatives of different industry chambers and bodies were present at the meeting. Exemptions for certain industries functioning with lesser staff would be looked into by the Chief Secretary.

4.40 PM | J&K

Twenty-four more positive cases reported in Kashmir, taking the total number of cases to 184.

As many as 32 in Jammu, 152 are in Kashmir, says J&K spokesman Rohit Kansal.

4.30 PM | NEW DELHI

COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package

Indian Railway has so far produced over 6 lakh reusable masks and 40,000 litres of hand sanitisers, says PIB spokesperson.

Central government has sanctioned ₹15,000 crore for the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package for State governments, which is completely Centrally funded.

The fund can be used for strengthening the health infrastructure, procurement of equipment, upgradation of labs, ambulances, community surveillance and other allied works. The Central government informed the States about the package today.

4.20 PM | NEW DELHI

Waiting for DCGI nod for clinical trial on plasma therapy: ICMR

Research protocol for clinical trial on plasma therapy is in final stage, says ICMR spokesperson. We will have to get clearance from Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). In limited clinical trial for severe cases in other countries, it has been found to be successful, he adds.

13,143 samples were tested yesterday, he says.

4.20 PM | UTTAR PRADESH

221 cases in UP linked to Nizamuddin event

Uttar Pradesh COVID-19 cases now stands at 410. This includes 221 linked to Tablighi Jamaat, says UP health principal secretary Amit Mohan Prasad.

Positive cases found in 40 out of the 75 districts. – Omar Rashid4.20 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Dharavi reports third death, a 70 year-old woman from Kalyanwadi. Total cases are now 14.

4.15 PM | NEW DELHI

Railway has mobilised 2,500 doctors to fight COVID-19

Railway has mobilised 2,500 doctors and 35,000 paramadics, says Health Ministry spokesperson Luv Agarwal. It is also preparing 80,000 isolation beds in railway coaches, he says.

GoM meeting discussed measures to fight COVID-19. They had a detailed discussion on dedicated hospitals and availability of essential items like PPEs and masks, Mr. Agarwal says

20 domestic manufacturers are to supply 1.7 crore PPEs. Orders also placed for 49,000 ventilators, he says.

Discussion also took place on how to increase lab samples in cluster areas, Mr. Agarwal says.

PPEs are not required for everyone, irrespective of the availability, it should be used wherever required at the field level, keeping in view the risk profile, he says.

4.00 PM | RAJASTHAN

A 76-year-old man, symptomatic and identified during house-to-house survey in Jodhpur, dies. This is the seventh coronavirus-related death in Rajasthan.

3.50 PM | MAHARASHTRA

After Mumbai, masks mandatory in Maharashtra cities

Wearing masks has been made compulsory in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur, where coronavirus has spread on a big scale, Maharashtra minister Anil Deshmukh said on Thursday.

The Home Minister made the appeal in a video message, which his party NCP posted on its Twitter handle.

“Wearing masks has been made compulsory in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, where coronavirus has spread on a big scale. So nobody should step out of their homes in these cities without wearing masks,” he said. –

3.15 PM | ODISHA

Two fresh COVID-19 cases in Odisha

Two more COVID-19 cases were reported in Odisha, taking the total number of people afflicted with dreaded virus to 44 in the state.

A 51-year-old woman from Dhenkanal town tested positive for COVID-19 while an elderly man from West Bengal’s Medinipur district was also diagnosed with the infection here, a senior official said.

2.50 PM | DELHI

Two people admitted for cardiac problems in Max Hospital Saket test positive for COVID-19

Two unrelated people who were admitted in Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital in Saket for cardiac problems tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday morning.

They were initially admitted at Max Hospital Saket, East Block, which was later turned into a COVID-19 treatment facility. They were then moved to Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital in Saket.

“We are still looking into how they contracted the virus. But there is no chance that they would have contracted it from COVID-19 positive patients at the East Block, as the COVID-19 patients were in isolation wards, when these two patients were admitted there,” a spokesperson of the hospital told The Hindu.

2.40 PM | TELANGANA

8 new cases in Nizamabad

Eight patients tested positive for COVID-19 in Nizamabad district taking the total number of positive cases to 47 today.

Dstrict Collector C. Narayana Reddy appealed to the people not to be frightened about the situation. “However, you should cooperate with the administration by remaining indoors,” he said.  – Ram Mohan2.30 PM | MADHYA PRADESH

A 62-year-old doctor from Indore died of COVID-19 on Thursday morning while undergoing treatment at a hospital, taking the toll owing to the illness to 22 in the city.

2.10 PM | KARNATAKA

Karnataka to cut 30% pay of legislators, Ministers for one year

The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday decided to slash 30% monthly salaries and allowances of MLAs, MLCs and Ministers, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker for one year.

The cut in salary would save the state exchequer Rs 15.36 crore for one year.

2.00 PM | MAHARASHTRA

NSCI stadium now a quarantine facility

A 500-bed quarantine facility at NSCI stadium at Worli in Mumbai.  

The Mumbai civic body converted the NSCI stadium in Worli as an observation facility for people who may have come in contact with coronavirus patients.

The Sardar Vallabhai Patel stadium at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) complex is close to Worli Koliwada, one of the coronavirus hotspots in the city.

“We have converted the venue into a special observation zone,” said Mazhar Nadiadwala, Managing Director of Dome Entertainment which runs the stadium.

The company has set up 300 beds with standardised facilities, in line with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) guidelines, and also offered adjacent rooms to the civic body.

1.45 PM | KARNATAKA

10 new cases in Karnataka

Ten new COVID-19 cases were reported in Karnataka on Thursday. With this, the total number of positive cases in the state stands at 191.

This includes six deaths and 28 patients who are discharged.

A bulletin by the Department of Health and Family Welfare states that three cases are reported in Bagalkote, two each from Bengaluru and Mysuru, one each from Chikkaballapur, Mandya and Belagavi. While eight of them were in contact with COVID-19 patients, two of the patients had travelled to New Delhi.

1.20 PM | TAMIL NADU

Anna University reschedules exams

Anna University’s end of semester exams which were scheduled to be held during April or May 2020 has been rescheduled due to the national lockdown, the Controller of Examinations said in a statement.

The revised dates and timetable will be published after the lockdown, it added.

12.45 PM | ANDHRA PRADESH

No fresh cases reported from AP

The blood samples of over 200 people have tested negative for coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh overnight as the total cases remained at 348, a health department bulletin said on Thursday.

No new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 12 hours since 9 pm on Wednesday till 9 AM on Thursday, it said.

The total number of COVID-19 positive cases in the state stood at 348, with 335 active cases.

12.30 PM | ODISHA

Odisha extends lockdown till April 30

Odisha government has decided to extend the lockdown until April 30.

Educational institutions in Odisha will also remain closed till June 17.

The State has requested the Centre to do the same and not to resume airline and railway services till April end. – Prafulla Das12.20 PM | JHARKHAND

With 8 fresh COVID-19 cases having reported in the last 24 hours, the overall count in the state rose to 13 – five in Bokaro, including the deceased, seven in Ranchi and one in Hazaribag.

12.10 PM | BIHAR

Siwan reports 20 cases

With new COVID-19 cases detected in different districts of Bihar, the State’s tally has gone up to 51.

Siwan district has become a hotspot in the State with 20 positive cases being detected. 

11.40 AM | RAJASTHAN

Seven people who returned from Indore test positive in Rajasthan

The number of COVID-19 positive cases in Rajasthan has increased to 413 with the detection of 30 more cases today.

Seven each were detected in Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu and Tonk districts, according to Rajasthan government’s Medical & Health Department..

The Jhalawar patients have a travel history of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, while two of the positive cases in Jhunjhunu returned from Qatar and Dubai.

The seven cases in Tonk are contacts of infected Tablighi Jamaat workers.

Five cases were found in Jaisalmer district’s Pokhran town, two in Banswara and one each in Jodhpur and Barmer.

11.30 AM | MAHARASHTRA

162 new coronavirus cases in Maharashtra

Maharashtra reported 162 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the highest rise in a single day. The State’s tally is 1,297.

“Out of the 162 new cases, 143 have been reported from Mumbai,” an health official said.

The other cities where people have tested positive are: Kalyan-Dombivli-four, Pune and Aurangabad-three each, Pimpri Chinchwad and Navi Mumbai-two each, and Yavatmal, Thane city, Mira Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar and Sindhudurg- one each.

11.15 AM | MADHYA PRADESH

Eight of family in Khargone test positive for COVID-19

Seven family members of a man in Khargone district who had returned from South Africa tested positive on Wednesday, taking the city tally 12 cases.  The man is already undergoing treatment for the virus.

Rajni Davar, district Chief Medical and Health Officer, said the man had returned from South Africa via New Delhi on March 22, and was admitted to a hospital on March 31, and later tested positive for the disease.

The infected members, one girl and the rest men, are aged between 13 and 75.  They have been shifted to the Khargone district hospital.

Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday recorded 69 fresh cases of COVID-19, taking the tally to 380. Indore alone recorded 40 new cases on the day, whereas Bhopal recorded nine. So far, 29 patients have succumbed to the illness in the State, with 21 of them being residents of Indore.

11.10 AM | NEW DELHI

‘India will do everything possible to help humanity’s fight against COVID-19’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India will do everything possible to help the humanity’s fight against COVID-19, responding to US President Donald Trump who thanked India for the decision to allow the export of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine.

“Fully agree with you President @realDonaldTrump. Times like these bring friends closer,” Modi tweeted.

The India-US partnership is stronger than ever, he said.

“India shall do everything possible to help humanity’s fight against COVID-19,” the prime minister said.

11.00 AM | GUJARAT

55 fresh cases reported from Gujarat

Gujarat has reported 55 new COVID-19 cases, of which 50 are from Ahmedabad. One patient has succumbed to the virus in Ahmedabad.

The State has reported 241 cases so far, including 17 deaths. As many as 26 patients have recovered.

10.15 AM | JHARKHAND

First COVID-19 death in Jharkhand

A 72-year-old man died of coronavirus in Bokaro district, the first COVID-19 death reported in Jharkhand.

The patient died on Wednesday night, Bokaro District Chief Medical Officer Ashok Kumar Pathak said.

9.50 AM | CHHATTISGARH

Man tests positive for coronavirus in Chhattisgarh

A 52-year-old man tested positive for coronavirus in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 11.

The man had come in contact with 16 Tablighi Jamaat members who were staying at a mosque in Purani Basti area of Katghora town.

The Katghora town has been put under complete lockdown and its border has been sealed as a precautionary measure. This is the third case reported from Katghora.

9.15 AM | USA

11 Indians die of coronavirus in U.S.

At least 11 Indians have died of COVID-19 in the United States with another 16 testing positive for the infection which has claimed more than 14,000 lives and afflicted more than four lakh people in the US.

All Indian citizens who have succumbed to the deadly infection in the U.S. are male, with ten of them from New York and New Jersey area. Four of the victims are said to be taxi drivers in New York City.

 9.00 AM | PUNJAB

One more death reported from Ropar district in Punjab

Another COVID-19 death has been reported in Punjab, taking the toll in the State to nine, according to a senior official.

Confirming the death, Punjab Special Chief Secretary K.B.S Sidhu said the patient who was tested positive was a 55-year-old man hailing from Chatamli village in Ropar district. “The protocol for handling the body under COVID-19 is being followed,” he said.

 8.30 AM | KARNATAKA

An eighty-year-old woman from Gadag who had tested positive for  COVID-19 has passed away.

According to official sources she passed away on Wednesday midnight reportedly due to cardiac arrest. Further details are awaited.7.50 AM | BIHAR

With one more positive case of a 38 year old man from Nawada district, the total number of COVID-19 positive persons in Bihar goes up to 39.

7.20 AM | USA

U.S. coronavirus death toll passes 14,600

U.S. deaths due to coronavirus topped 14,600 on Wednesday, the second-highest reported number in the world behind Italy, according to a Reuters tally. New York has accounted for nearly half of them.

Officials have warned Americans to expect alarming numbers of coronavirus deaths this week, even as an influential university model on Wednesday scaled back its projected U.S. pandemic death toll by 26% to 60,000.

7.00 AM|DELHI

Face masks compulsory while stepping out

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that people stepping out of their houses will have to compulsorily wear a face mask.

“Wearing of facial masks can reduce the spread of coronavirus substantially. Therefore, it has been decided that facial masks will be compulsory for anyone stepping out of their house. Cloth mask shall be eligible too [sic.],” he said in a tweet.

6.30 AM | MAHARASHTRA

CM calls for more hands to join war

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday appealed to ex-servicemen with experience in medical corps to return to hospitals to join the State in its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. He also urged retired ward boys, nurses, and individuals, who have completed course in nursing to come forward.

09.45PM

covid19 cases in India crossed 5500

As India crosses the 5,500-mark in the total number of coronavirus positive cases, states such as Karnataka and Maharashtra hint at an extension of the 21-day lockdown imposed by the Centre. The death toll touches 170, with one more death in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi. Meanwhile, the United States reports nearly 2,000 coronavirus deaths in last 24 hours. Brazil also requests India to export Hydroxychloroquine, by invoking Lord Hanuman.

9.30 PM | ANDHRA PRADESH

19 cases reported on single day in Andhra Pradesh

Coronavirus cases continued their upward surge in Andhra Pradesh with 19 more reported on Wednesday, taking the total to 348, state government said.

9.15 PM | NEW DELHI

Twenty hotspots of coronavirus sealed in Delhi: Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

“Total there are 20 areas in Delhi now, which have been sealed. People are not allowed to enter or exit from these colonies, streets, or apartments,” Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told media.

“Government is distributing essentials in these areas,” he said.

8.55 PM | NEW DELHI

 NGOs and charitable organisations can buy food items at open market rates: Food Ministry

In order to facilitate privately-run relief camps during the COVID-19 crisis, Food Ministry has now allowed NGOs and charitable organisations to directly buy wheat and rice from the Food Corporation of India at Open Market Sale Scheme rates without going through e-auction process. So far, only State governments and registered bulk users like roller flour mills were allowed to do so.

8.45 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Ensure basic necessities to migrant workers: High Court to Maharashtra government

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday asked the Maharashtra government and district legal services authorities to check if basic necessities were provided to migrant workers and daily wagers amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

8.30 PM | NEW DELHI

It’s mandatory to wear masks in Delhi

“Wearing of facial masks can reduce the spread of corona virus substantially. Therefore, it has been decided that facial masks will be compulsory for anyone stepping out of their house. Cloth mask shall be eligible too,” said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

8.10 PM | GUJARAT

Gujarat reports 186 cases

Gujarat’s total cases are 186 while 16 patients have died of COVID-19. As on Wednesday, 145 patients are stable and two are on ventilator support. So far, 25 patients have fully recovered and discharged from their hospitals, says the Health department.

8.05 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Dharavi reports two new cases

Two new cases have been reported at Dharavi on Wednesday. Also, a 64 year-old resident of Dharavi, who was tested positive for COVID-19  had died at KEM Hospital on Wednesday.

8.00 PM | NEW DELHI

SC directs approved government, private labs to conduct free of cost COVID-19 tests

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed that COVID-19 tests in approved government labs or private laboratories should be conducted free of cost and the Centre should immediately issue directions in this regard. The top court said the private hospitals including laboratories have an important role to play in containing the scale of the pandemic by extending philanthropic services in the hour of national crisis.

7.45 PM | BIHAR

Many quarantined Bihar villagers missing from centres at night

Many of Bihar’s migrant workers who have been quarantined in village schools and panchayat buildings after returning from elsewhere in the country are found missing from these centres at night with most of them likely heading home to join their families before coming back to the quarantine facilities in the morning, according to local village heads.

7.30 PM | PUNJAB

Seven more test positive in Punjab; total cases rise to 106

The number of coronavirus cases breached the 100-mark in Punjab on Wednesday with seven more people testing positive for the infection, pushing the count to 106 in the State.

7.20 PM | JAMMU AND KASHMIR

33 new cases in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir witnesses largest single day rise in COVID-19 positive cases as 33 new cases were detected, said officials.

7.10 PM| NEW DELHI

Never disclose on social media name or address of those affected by COVID-19 or under quarantine: Govt. advisory

Never spread names or identity of those affected or under quarantine or their locality on the social media, says Central government advisory on addressing social stigma relating to COVID-19 cases.

Cases have been reported of people affected with COVID-19 as well as healthcare workers, sanitary workers and police, who are in the frontline for management of the outbreak, facing discrimination on account of heightened fear and misinformation about infection. Even those who have recovered from COVID-19 face such discrimination. Further, certain communities and areas are being labeled purely based on false reports floating in social media and elsewhere.There is an urgent need to counter such prejudices and to rise as acommunity that is empowered with health literacy and responds appropriately in the face of this adversity, the Central Government advisory said.

7.05 PM| WEST BENGAL

Two more test positive in Bengal; total cases rise to 92

Two more persons from West Bengal tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of cases in the state to 92, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday.

Out of these cases, 61 are from 11 families and it proves that they did not maintain social distancing norms, she said.

6.55 PM| KERALA

Kerala records 9 new COVID-19 cases, total rises to 345

At least 345 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Kerala so far, with nine fresh cases being reported on Wednesday.

Of the new cases, four had come from abroad, two had attended the Tablighi Jammat meet in Delhi last month and the remaining three contracted the virus through contacts, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here

6.45 PM| LONDON

Boris Johnson clinically stable, responding to treatment in ICU

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains clinically stable and is responding to treatment after spending his second night in intensive care at a London hospital with COVID-19, Downing Street said in its latest health update on Wednesday.

The statement reiterated that the U.K. Prime Minister remains in good spirits as it was indicated that while he is not actively working, he remains in contact with his ministers and officials.

6.35 PM | BEIJING

India, China can cooperate in developing COVID-19 vaccine: Indian envoy

India and China should pool in their scientific and technological resources to develop a vaccine to contain the deadly novel coronavirus, Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri has said.

“We could cooperate on the development of vaccine for this virus…It will be of great value for the world at large at the end of day, we do have a very large scientific and technological manpower in our two countries,” Mr. Misri said in an interview to state-run CGTN here.

He said there should be global cooperation to contain the COVID-19.

“The enemy is not an individual, a country or a group of countries. It is a virus that doesn’t discriminate. It is not only important for the countries to put aside their differences but also rise above those differences. We have to realise that we are all in this together,” he said.

6.30 PM | MAHARASHTRA

COVID-19 deaths rise to 72 in Maharashtra

The number of Covid-19-related deaths continued to surge at an alarming rate in Pune as eight deaths were reported from the city on Wednesday, taking the district’s death toll to 16 even as Maharashtra’s death toll soared to 72.

6.15 PM | TAMIL NADU

Tamil Nadu reports 48 new cases

As many as 48 persons test positive for COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu. Total tally in the State is now at 738, says Health Secretary Beela Rajesh.

6.00 PM | PARIS

Coronavirus cases recorded in Europe pass 750,000

More than 750,000 coronavirus cases have been recorded across Europe, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources.

With at least 750,276 cases and 58,627 recorded, Europe Europe remains the continent hit hardest by the pandemic.

5.55 PM | TAMIL NADU

Over 1,300 foreigners flown to home country by special flight

A total of 1,304 foreign nationals left for their home through special flights operated from the airport here during the ongoing 21-day national lockdown to check spread of coronavirus, Customs officials said.

Eight special relief flights were operated till Monday to Malaysia, France, Frankfurt and Muscat and the Customs department faciliated the journey of the overseas passegners, they said.

5.50 PM | NEW DELHI

30 doctors, nurses in AIIMS Delhi advised quarantine after coming in contact with COVID-19 patient

Around 30 healthcare workers including doctors, nurses and technicians at the Cardio-Neuro Centre in AIIMS here have been advised to undergo quarantine after a 72-year-old man who visited the facility with neurological problem tested positive for COVID-19, sources said on Wednesday.

5.40 PM | JAMMU AND KASHMIR

14 new cases in Jammu and Kashmir

“14 news cases detected on Wednesday, 11 in Kashmir, 3 in Jammu. A total of 139 cases in all J&K”,says Jammu and Kashmir government spokesman Rohit Kansal.

5.30 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Six coronavirus patients die in Pune

Eight coronavirus patients died in Pune since Tuesday night, taking the COVID-19 death toll in the district to 16, a senior official said here on Wednesday.

5.15 PM | RAJASTHAN

15 new cases in Rajasthan; State COVID-19 tally rises to 363

“With 15 more persons found infected with novel coronavirus, the number of COVID-19 positive cases in Rajasthan increases to 363 on Wednesday afternoon. Of the total 20 cases detected today, 12 are from Jaipur, 6 from Bikaner and 1 each from Jodhpur and Banswara. Thirty-six of the 363 positive cases are those of evacuees from Iran staying in Army’s facilities in Rajasthan,” says the Medical & Health Department.

5.00 PM | WEST BENGAL

West Bengal reports two new cases

Total number of active cases in West Bengal stands at 71, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a press meet in Kolkata adding that two fresh cases have been reported today, she added.

177 people participated in the Nizamuddin event have been identified, she said. Of them, 108 are foreigners. All of them have been quarantined.

4.25 PM | NEW DELHI

HCQ available sufficiently: Health Ministry

On HCQ availability, Luv Agarwal says the whole situation is being monitored, there would be no shortage of the medicine. It will be used only on doctor’s prescription. It is sufficiently available right now, and also for the days to come.

We have been implementing a two-pronged approach – lockdown and containment measures. We will have to see its impact.  “When we are dealing with infectious disease, it is an every day battle,” he says adding that major focus is now on hospitals and temporary structures for treatment.4.20 PM | NEW DELHI

Community leaders being involved for spreading awareness, says Home Ministry spokesperson. Availability of essential commodities satisfactory… to prevent hoarding of essential goods, States have been asked to take action under Essential Commodities Act, he says.

4.15 PM | NEW DELHI

‘About 80% cases related to mild or very mild symptoms’

The Health Ministry has classified COVID-19 centres for treatments. “About 80% cases related to mild or very mild symptoms,” says Luv Agarwal.

Under the containment plan, at the district level initiatives are taken to manage the situation. Pune region, for instance is conducting door-to-door survey.Persons with co-morbidity are being checked. Similar exercise is being carried out in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta too, he says.

4.10 PM | NEW DELHI

Breaking the chain of transmission

Ministry of HRD has launched training module on Covid-19 for capacity building of frontline health care personnel, including volunteers.

Health Ministry has issued training modules prepared by AIIMS on COVID-19 infected pregnant women. The details were given by ministry official Luv Agarwal.

Central and State governments taking measures to break the chain of transmission, Mr. Agarwal said in his daily briefing.

3.50 PM| NEW DELHI

Lockdown unlikely to be lifted post April 14, PM tells political parties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with parliamentary floor leaders of both Houses on April 8 said it didn’t seem possible that the countrywide lockdown can be lifted as per the original schedule of April 14, but added that he will consult the Chief Ministers before deciding the exit strategy.

Speaking to The Hindu, senior Biju Janata Dal Pinaki Misra, “PM told us that it doesn’t seem likely to lift the lock down for now. He didn’t give a deadline, but said that he will be consulting the Chief Ministers.” 

The meeting went on for nearly three and a half hours. The Prime Minister heard out every one’s concerns, and at the end, speaking about the ongoing lockdown said that as per the advice and information that he has been receiving, it looks difficult to end it on April 14.  –

3.45 PM | MAHARASHTRA

It’s mandatory to wear masks in Mumbai

Citing studies that show that wearing masks can reduce the spread of Coronavirus substantially, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has made it mandatory for everyone, including officers on COVID-19 duty, to wear a mask in public places.

Municipal commissioner Praveen Pardeshi issued these orders on Wednesday.

3.10 PM | UTTAR PRADESH

Hotspots to be sealed in UP

Uttar Pradesh government has decided to seal COVID-19 hotspots in 15 districts till the end of the lockdown period.

A government spokesperson said these districts have reported more than six positive cases.

Number of hotspots to be sealed in 15 UP districts are as follows:

Agra 22, Ghaziabad 13, Noida 12, Kanpur 12, Shamli 3, Meerut 7 including some rural areas, Varanasi 4, Bareilly 1,  Bulandshahr 3, Basti 3, Firozabad 3, Saharanpur 4, Maharajganj 4, Lucknow 12 including 8 major ones and Sitapur 1. – Omar Rashid3.00 PM | NEW DELHI

India will remove its suspension of domestic and international commercial passenger flights once it is confident that the spread of coronavirus has come under control, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said.

2.50 PM | MAHARASHTRA

‘Four stage special structure’ in Maharashtra to treat COVID-19

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has announced a ‘four stage special structure’ to treat COVID-19.

“There will be three types of hospitals to treat these patients. Those with no coronavirus symptoms, those with mild symptoms and those with severe stage and facing other health issues,” he said adding that coronavirus affected patients will be treated only in specialised hospitals to reduce the risk to other patients.

All citizens with fever, cough and cold will now have to approach special ‘fever clinics’ for the treatment.

Mr. Thackeray appealed to former medical professionals, including ex-servemen to come forward to join the fight against the pandemic.

2.40 PM | MADHYA PRADESH

COVID-19 deaths rise to 16 in Indore

The number of deaths due to coronavirus infection has risen to 16 in Indore in Madhya Pradesh with a 49-year-old man becoming the latest fatality.

The man, who was tested positive for COVID-19 on March 24, succumbed to the infection while undergoing treatment at a private hospital on Tuesday evening, an official said. Indore, the commercial capital of Madhya Prdesh, has so far reported 173 COVID-19 cases.

Six people, including a television journalist have tested positive for coronavirus in Bhopal.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed the officials concerned to completely seal the borders of Bhopal and Indore. 

2.30 PM | ODISHA

Police bans all religious gatherings in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack

The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate of Police has banned all religious gatherings in the twin cities in view of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Religious leaders have also come forward and appealed to people against any gathering in mosques and kabarstan in connection with Sab-e-Barat on April 9.

Meanwhile, the state government has banned large gathering in crematorium in the event of death of any person belonging to any religion. Maximum 20 people are allowed to attend the funeral and they should maintain social distancing, an official said.

1.45 PM | NEW DELHI

PM interacts with floor leaders of political parties on coronavirus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with floor leaders of various parties, including opposition, in Parliament to discuss the situation arising out of the spread of coronavirus.

The interaction was held through video conferencing and those participated, included Ghulam Nabi Azad, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, and Nationalist Congress Party head Sharad Pawar.

Mr. Modi interacted with leaders of those parties whose combined strength of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adds up to five.

1.40 PM | KARNATAKA

Karnataka records fifth death

Karnataka recorded its fifth COVID-19 death on Wednesday, with a 65-year-old resident of Kalaburagi succumbing to the infection.

In addition to this, there have been five more COVID 19 positive cases recorded in the State on Wednesday. This takes the total number of positive cases to 181. 12.55 PM | UTTARAKHAND

One more tests positive for COVID-19 in Uttarakhand

One more person tested positive for COVID-19 in Uttarakhand on Wednesday.

A Health Department spokesman said the latest case has been reported from Haridwar and it takes the number of coronavirus patients in the state to 32.

Five people suffering from COVID-19 have been cured and discharged in the state so far.

12.45 PM | MAHARASHTRA

Aggressive testing attributed to more number of cases

Mumbai’s G South municipal ward now has 133 confirmed cases of COVID-19. This ward includes COVID-19 hotspots such as Worli Koliwada, Janata Colony, Adarsh Nagar, and Jijamata Nagar.

This is highest in the city and is being attributed to aggressive testing.

Meanwhile, two fresh cases have been reported in Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum.

12.30 PM | ANDHRA PRADESH

15 new cases in AP

Fifteen new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Andhra Pradesh since last night. The State’s tally is now 329.

Of the 15 cases, six each from SPS Nellore and Krishna districts while three were reported in Chittoor district.

In all, six patients had recovered from the disease and been discharged from hospitals while four have died so far, according to the latest bullettin.

The Health Department stated that 48% of the total Covid-19 patients are of the 21-40 years age group and 36% of them are of 41-60 age group while 8% each are those above 60 years and below 20 years. 

12.20 PM | NEW DELHI

About 400 million workers in India may sink into poverty: UN report

Migrant labourers and their families at Kasan village in Haryana.  

The International Labour Organization (ILO) in its report titled ‘ILO Monitor 2nd edition: COVID-19 and the world of work’, says about 400 million people working in the informal economy in India are at risk of falling deeper into poverty due to the coronavirus crisis which is having “catastrophic consequences”, and is expected to wipe out 195 million full-time jobs or 6.7% of working hours globally in the second quarter of this year.

12.00PM | NEW DELHI

Ensure availability of essential goods: Home Ministry to States

Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has written to all State Chief Secretaries to take urgent steps to ensure availability of essential goods, by invoking provisions of the Essential Commodities (EC) Act 1955.

There are reports of loss of production due to various factors, it may lead to hoarding, black marketing, profiteering.  Invoke provisions of EC Act, fix stock limits, cap prices, and enhance production of essential commodities, the letter states.

11.40 AM | TAMIL NADU

Police personnel made people visiting vegetable markets without masks to garland each other with ‘curry leaves mala’ and present a ‘cauliflower bouquet’, in Chennai’s Broadway bus stand on Wednesday.  

11.30 AM | DELHI

Kejriwal to hold meeting with Delhi MPs on coronavirus

A vendor offers tea to police personnel at Ghazipur Mandi in East Delhi on Wednesday.   | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a meeting with all Delhi MPs on the issue of coronavirus via video conference on Wednesday.

The chief minister will discuss the measures with the Members of Parliament (MPs) to deal with COVID-19 in the national capital, an official said.

11.25 AM | MAHARASHTRA

60 new cases in Maharashtra; State COVID-19 tally jumps to 1,078

Sixty new coronavirus cases were reported in Maharashtra on Wednesday, taking the toll number of such cases in the state to 1,078.

Among the new cases, 44 have been found in Mumbai, nine in Pune, four in Nagpur, and one each in Ahmednagar, Akola and Buldhana.

11.00 AM | UTTAR PRADESH

Delhi nurse tests positive in Noida

A Delhi nurse working with a private hospital in Noida’s Sector 62 tested positive on Tuesday evening. The 20-year-old woman worked with a lab technician, who was tested positive for COVID-19 in Delhi, officials said.

A health department official said the woman was staying at a paying guest facility in Noida’s Sector 62 after the lockdown.

The premises of the rented accommodation and the area around it has been sealed and was sanitised. Also, the wing of the hospital where she worked has been sealed and sanitisation of the hospital premises was carried out.

10.40 AM | RAJASTHAN

Five more cases in Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s total COVID-19 positive cases increases to 348 with five more cases detected today.

Three of them are from Jaipur and one each from Bikaner and Banswara. All of them came in contact with the persons previously identified as positive, Medical & Health Department bulletin said.

The figure includes 36 evacuees from Iran staying in Army’s facilities in the State. – Mohammed Iqbal10.30 AM | GUJARAT

Gujarat’s total COVID-19 positive cases jump to 179 with four more cases reported from the State on Wednesday morning.

10.20 AM | MAHARASHTRA

Two more deaths in Pune as district’s toll rises to 10

Two more COVID-19-related deaths were reported from Pune district on Wednesday morning as the district’s death toll rose to 10 while Maharashtra’s death toll soared to 66.

A 44-year-old man who was kept on a ventilator in the city’s Naidu Hospital, and another patient at the Sassoon Hospital passed away.

The district has recorded 157 Covid-19 positive cases so far, with 136 of these being from urban and rural Pune and the remaining 21 being from Pimpri-Chinchwad.

8.30 AM | U.S.

Acting U.S. Navy secretary resigns

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned on Tuesday after he faced mounting backlash for firing and ridiculing the commander of a U.S. aircraft carrier who pleaded for help stemming a Coronavirus outbreak onboard. Mr. Modly’s resignation highlighted the U.S. military’s struggle to meet increasingly competing priorities: maintaining readiness for conflict and safeguarding service members as the virus spreads globally.

8.00 AM | U.S.

New York deaths exceeds 4,000

New York City’s death toll from the coronavirus rose past 4,000 on Tuesday, eclipsing the number killed at the terrorist attack on World Trade Center on 9/11. In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson lay in intensive care, believed to be the first major world leader hospitalised with the virus.

7.45 AM | ASSAM

Another positive case, count rises to 28

A new COVID-19 case related to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation was reported in Assam on Tuesday, taking the number to 28, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The 65-year old man, who has a travel history to Saudi Arabia, tested positive, the minister tweeted on Tuesday night. The patient, from Hailakandi, is also linked to the Tablighi Jamaat event in Nizamuddin’s Nizamuddin area, he tweeted.

7.30 AM | U.S.

Trump accuses WHO of being China-centric, threatens to cut funding

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would put a hold on America’s funding to the World Health Organization, accusing it of becoming China-centric during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re going to put a hold on money spent to the WHO. We’re going to put a very powerful hold on it and we’re going to see. It’s a great thing if it works. But when they call every shot wrong, that’s no good,” Mr. Trump told reporters at his daily White House news conference.

4.00 AM | PUNJAB

Punjab registers a death, eight new cases

Another Covid -19 death was reported in Punjab on Tuesday, taking the death toll in the State to eight, according to an official statement.

According to the health department, a patient from Amritsar died on April 7, while eight fresh cases of Covid-19 were reported, taking the tally of confirmed Covid-19 cases to 99, it added.

Government mulls lockdown extension amid requests from the States

The Union government on Tuesday indicated that it was actively considering an extension of the 21-day nationwide lockdown that began on March 25 and due to end on April 14 as many States have openly appealed for its continuation in the face of rise in COVID-19 cases. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said he would request the Centre to extend the lockdown.

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.