Government of India is taking all necessary steps to ensure that we are prepared well to face the challenge and threat posed by the growing pandemic of COVID 19 – the Corona Virus. With active support of the people of India, we have been able to contain the spread of the Virus in our country. The most important factor in preventing the spread of the Virus locally is to empower the citizens with the right information and taking precautions as per the advisories being issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Further, we are also getting inputs with regard to individuals and companies who have developed technologies and innovative solutions, Bioinformatics, datasets, Apps for diagnosis etc that can be leveraged for strengthening the fight against Corona.
In order to involve the community in the fight against the Virus, we would want you to share your solutions to help fight #Coronavirus. Submitted solutions will be evaluated for adoption and those selected will be suitable rewarded.
Be a part of the mission against Coronavirus!
TIMELINE
Challenge Launch
16th March 2020
Last Date of Participation
15th April 2020
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants who want to participate in COVID 19 Solution Challenge can be individuals or Startups that comply with the definition of startup as notified by DPIIT vide order no G.S.R. 127(E) dated 19th February 2019.
For the product to be developed as part of COVID 19 Solution Challenge, if any IPR/Patent is being used, contesting entity must possess the legitimate rights to use the IPR/Patents.
MyGov will have the right to chose all submitted solutions and consider it for deployment by scaling it up, if found feasible.
PRIZE MONEY
1st Prize
Rs 1,00,000
2nd Prize
Rs 50,000
3rd Prize
Rs 25,000
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Applicants must complete and submit the solution on the link provided by uploading either a PDF of the document (max 3 A4 size pages with Font Arial Size 12px) of the solution or a YouTube link of the solution (maximum 3 minutes duration).
https://innovate.mygov.in/covid19/
RESOURCES
Public Datasets for Research & Innovation on Coronavirus
COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19) – 29,000 articles on Coronavirus for text mining: https://lnkd.in/eF3EGrY
COVID-19 Epidemiological Data Repository by Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science & Engineering (JHU CCSE): https://lnkd.in/e6QqbKz
European Center for Disease Control & Prevention (ECDC) – COVID-19 Epidemiological Data: https://lnkd.in/eMcn9ZY
covid19 cases increased by 1500 and active cases crossed by 1360
On the seventh day of India’s 21-day lockdown, the number of positive cases crossed 1,500 and Active cases 1350 and the death toll touched 47.
#maharastra cases increased by 77(total 87 on 31-03-2020) and TamilNadu 50(57 total on 31-03-2020)
08:19PM
Mamata Banerjee donates Rs 10 lakh
Coronavirus: West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee donates Rs 10 lakh from personal savings to help combat COVID-19
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday donated Rs 5 lakh each to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and the state Emergency Relief Fund to help combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
08:12PM
Nizamuddin gathering amid coronavirus scare was ‘irresponsible’: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal expressed deep discontent at the religious gathering at a mosque in Nizamuddin area at a time when the country is facing coronavirus pandemic.
07:57PM
‘I feel nothing’: Coronavirus-stricken Wuhan buries its dead
As China’s coronavirus epicentre Wuhan awakens from its long nightmare, formerly locked-down citizens are beginning to reemerge, but for many, their first outdoor act in more than two months is grim: burying loved ones.
Wife of the doctor who treated Kalaburagi patient, India’s first COVID-19 death, tests positive Eight patients discharged so far, today two new patients were discharged, six were previously discharged Tablighi Jamaat of Delhi a source of COVID-19 spread, if you attended the congregation, please call 080-29711171 The congregation was held between March 8th to March 20th 78 people attended the congregation All have been quarantined All DCs given orders Hydroxychloquine prophylaxix to be given to all health workers in Karnataka Training done of health workers at fever clinics Through video conference, RGUHS has conducted training for community health workers, and taluk health workers
07:35 PM
Maharashtra’s COVID status
COVID-19 cases – 302 Discharges – 39 Total deaths so far -10 No deaths reported today Total samples tested -6323 cumulative Mumbai metropolitan region positive cases cross 150.
07:21 PM
Seven more COVID-19 positive cases detected in Kerala
government initiates action-plan for Kasargod Kerala governmenthas initiateda special action plan for Kasargod district in a bid to curb a community spread in the district.
07.20PM
covid19 cases in India crossed 1400 and active cases is 1241
On the seventh day of India’s 21-day lockdown, the number of positive cases crossed 1,400 and the death toll touched 47. Assam reported its first positive case, and Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh reported fresh deaths locally. Around the world, the coronavirus has infected over 8,00,000 people and killed nearly 40,000. Spain recorded yet another day of record deaths, with 849 fatalities and Russia’s top coronavirus doctor was diagnosed with the disease .
7.10 PM | BIHAR
Five new cases in Bihar
With five new cases of COVID-19 in Bihar – four from Siwan and one from Gaya – the total number in the State stands at 21.
7.10 PM | NEW DELHI
Case registered against Maulana Saad and others of Tableeqi Jamaat
Case registered against Maulana Saad and others of Tableeqi Jamaat under Section 3 of Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 read with Sections 269, 270, 271 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code for violation of government directions given to the management of Markaz of Basti Nizamuddin regarding restriction of social/political/religious gathering and for taking safety measures, including social distancing for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 viral infection.
Pakistan’s Cabinet approved a Rs. 1,200-billion relief package to deal with the growing coronavirus crisis in the country as COVID-19 cases rose sharply, claiming the lives of 25 people and infecting nearly 1,900.
The package was unveiled by Prime Minister Imran Khan last week and it was formalised on March 30 by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) in its meeting, chaired by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh.
Prime Minister Khan chaired the Cabinet meeting which granted approval to the relief package on March 31, his Advisor on Information Firdous Ashiq Aawan told the media. The Cabinet unanimously approved Rs. 1,200-billion coronavirus relief package with the commitment that it would help defeat the virus, said Awan.
6.45 PM | LUCKNOW
7 new cases detected in U.P.
Seven new cases of COVID-19 reported in Uttar Pradesh. Five in Bareilly and one each in Noida and Ghaziabad.
Total caases in the State now stand at 103.
6.15 PM | GUJARAT
A COVID-19 patient who died in Bhavnagar last week had attended the Tabligh Jamaat religious congregation. A total of six people had attended it, says Gujarat police.
6.10 PM | JAMMU
Army assists 36 stranded people in J&K’s Rajouri
The Army assisted 36 stranded people including students and labourers with food, water and other essential items in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, officials said.
Amid the ongoing lockdown, 21 casual labourers and two students, who were travelling from Srinagar to Thanamandi via Poshana on old Mughal road were stranded at Dogrian in the district, PRO, Defence said.
The Army provided them rations, water, soap, medicines and coronavirus protection kits comprising of masks, gloves and hand sanitisers.
6 PM | NEW DELHI
Letters issued to States to trace and quarantine those who visited India for Tabligh activities: MHA
Ministry of Home Affairs says around 2,100 foreigners visited India for Tabligh activities since January 1. As on 21 March, 824 dispersed to different parts of the country and as many as 216 of them were staying at Nizamuddin Markaz. Letters have been issued to all States to trace and quarantine them.
On March 28, the State police were advised to collect the names of the Indian Tabligh Jamaat workers from the local coordinators, locate them on the ground, get them medically screened and quarantine them. So far, about 2,137 such persons have been identified in different States.
5.50 PM | RAIPUR
Two COVID-19 patients discharged in Chhattisgarh
Two COVID-19 patients, including an elderly man, were discharged from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here in Chhattisgarh following their recovery, hospital authorities said.
A 68-year-old man from Raipur and a 33-year-old man from Bhilai in Durg district were discharged from the hospital a week after they tested positive, Dr Karan Peepre, Medical Superintendent, AIIMS, told PTI.
The two were admitted to the government-run hospital after they tested positive for the novel coronavirus on March 25, he said.
5.45 PM | CHENNAI
T.N. extends property tax, water cess deadlines
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami “requests” landlords to defer the collection of house rents from tenants for March and April to “after two months” in view of the prevailing circumstances.
The CM also said deadline for paying property tax and water cess stands extended for three months (until June 30, 2020).
5.40 PM | NEW DELHI
“Officers won’t be spared for any lapse”
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Nizamuddin congregation:
There is no community transmission of coronavirus yet in Delhi.
1,548 people, who attended the religious congregation at Nizamuddin markas (centre), have been evacuated. Of those who attended the gathering, 441 people have been admitted to hospitals while 1,107 have been quarantined.
If there is any lapse on part of any officer, he will not be spared.
It is wrong to organise large gatherings of people in wake of coronavirus outbreak. Delhi govt has written to L-G Anil Baijal for registering an FIR in connection with the Nizamuddin religious congregation.
I appeal to all religious leaders not to do this irrespective of their religion. I will not hesitate to take strict action in such cases where lives of people are put in danger.
At this time, we need testing kits, ventilators, personal protective gear. Anyone who wants to donate such equipment is welcome.
5.30 PM | JHARKHAND
Jharkhand reports first case of coronavirus after woman tests positive for COVID-19, says official.
5.15 PM | MAHARASHTRA
Now, Maharashtra govt says no pay cut, salary to be disbursed in two installments
Hours after announcing cut in salaries of all elected representatives, including the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister and all ministers, Maharashtra government has withdrawn it.
Instead, the government will be disbursing the March salary in two installments.Read more 5.10 PM | ODISHA
Their families have been advised home isolation. Efforts are on to trace some other people who also participated in the said event.
5.00 PM | INDIA
Govt. sanctions ₹10-crore special fund for CRPF for relief works
The Union Home Ministry has granted a special ₹10-crore fund to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), enabling it undertake relief works for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.
A Srinagar-based businessman who attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Nizamuddin travelled by air, train and road to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and back to Jammu and Kashmir before he died of COVID-19, raising fears he may have infected many others along the way, officials said.
4.50 PM | IRAN
Iran’s death toll from coronavirus climbs to 2,898: Health Ministry
Iran’s death toll from coronavirus has reached 2,898, with 141 deaths in the past 24 hours, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur told state TV on Tuesday, adding that the total number of infections has jumped to 44,606.
“In the past 24 hours, there have been 3,111 new cases of infected people. Unfortunately, 3,703 of the infected people are in a critical condition,” Mr. Jahanpur said.
4.40 PM | INDIA
Mass migration defeats preventive measures: MHA report in SC
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told the Supreme Court that the 21-day national lockdown was “inevitable” in the face of an “unprecedented global crisis” like COVID-19. The government blamed “fake and misleading” messages on social media about COVID-19 for creating widespread panic, which led to mass “barefoot” journey of migrant workers from cities to their native villages in rural India.
“Deliberate or inadvertent fake news and material capable of causing serious panic in the minds of the public is found to be the single most unmanageable hindrance in the management of this challenge… Will set up a separate unit headed by a joint secretary level officer in the health ministry and consisting of eminent specialist doctors from recognised institutions like AIIMS to answer the queries of citizens,” MHA’s 39-page status report assured.
4.30 PM | KERALA
Alcohol will now be made available to those experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms: Kerala govt.
Alcohol will now be made available to those experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, as per the new government order on Monday.
The ‘patient’ has to take an OP ticket at a health centre or a hospital in the government sector and get examined for withdrawal symptoms. When the doctor’s prescription is shown at an Excise Department office, a pass for a specified quantity of alcohol will be given.
4.10 PM | INDIA
Increase in cases due to lack of support from people: Health Ministry
“There has been an increase in number of cases due to lack of support from people and cases not being apprised of in time,” Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agrawal said. “There have been instances of landlords evicting doctors and nurses.”
“WHO has not given categorical guidance on use of masks. Ministry of Health says it is still examining PSA guidelines on masks. Suitable guidance to be issued soon,” Mr. Agrawal added.
“21,000 relief camps have been set up and around 6,00,000 have been given shelter and 23 lakh provided food, according to information from States. This is for migrant labourers and the poor and destitute,” a Home Ministry spokesperson said. “Situation of migrant labourers is under control.”
“We have tested 42,788 samples; 4346 were tested yesterday. It is at 36% of our capacity. 399 have been tested in private labs,” said Dr. Raman R. Gangakhedkar of ICMR.
“There are 3 kinds of strains of Cov-2 circulating in India. There is no evidence so far that the virus would affect Indians any differently than people in other countries,” he added. “Those who are not sick or showing symptoms need not wear masks. It depends on risk of exposure.”
“The cases we are now seeing is from 2 weeks ago because incubation is 14 days. Effect of lockdown can be judged once the effect of old cases are accounted for,” Mr. Gangakhedkar further said.
4.05 PM | ODISHA
Odisha churches resort to live-streaming of worship
At a time when religious congregations are seen as places that facilitate faster spread of Coronavirus, churches in Odisha are using technology to make the faithful participate in Sunday worship from remote locations — a first in local church history.
After the Odisha government asked the authorities of religious institutions to practice social distancing, Internet-based social media came to the rescue of the church leadership.
4.00 PM | INDIA
Modified rail coaches to provide 3.2 lakh isolation beds: Indian Railways
Further fine-tuning its plans to offer 20,000 coaches converted into isolation wards for coronavirus patients, the Indian Railways said these coaches can accommodate up to 3.2 lakh possible beds.
It has also earmarked targets for its 16 zones, with the South Central Railways headquartered at Secunderabad in Telangana leading the pack with 486 coaches being allocated for conversion, followed by Mumbai headquartered Central Railway being allocated 482 coaches.
3.50 PM | INDIA
Vodafone Idea offers prepaid validity extension for low-income feature phone subscribers
Vodafone Idea on Tuesday announced an extension of validity on prepaid plans availed by low income customers using feature phones till April 17, and ₹10 talktime credit to help such users stay connected during the lockdown to contain coronavirus pandemic.
3.45 PM | TAMIL NADU
Maintenance allowance for persons with disabilities to be paid in advance
The Tamil Nadu government has announced that the maintenance allowance to persons with disabilities would be paid in advance for two months to beneficiaries.
In an official release, the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and Director for Welfare of the Differently Abled, said the advance payment of maintenance allowance for two months would be made to protect the livelihood of persons with disabilities who are already benefiting under this scheme.
3.40 PM | INDIA
Air India pilots say safety protocols during COVID-19 ops inadequate
Air India pilots have expressed concern over “flimsy protective gear, inadequate sanitisers, shoddy disinfection procedure” as they embark on flights chartered by countries like Germany and the UK to repatriate their citizens stranded in India due to the nationwide lockdown over COVID-19.
3.30 PM | SPAIN
Spain registers overnight death toll of 849, highest so far
Spain registered 849 fatalities related to coronavirus overnight – the highest number in 24 hours since the epidemic started, although the increase in percentage terms was slightly lower than in the previous days, the Health Ministry said.
The death toll rose to 8,189 on Tuesday from 7,340 on Monday, while the number of cases rose to 94,417 on Tuesday from 85,195 on Monday.
3.10 PM | RAJASTHAN
Nine Indians who returned from Iran test positive
Nine Indians who returned from Iran recently and were quarantined at the Army wellness centre in Jaisalmer have tested positive for COVID-19, Army sources said. They are among the 17 positive cases detected among evacuees from Iran.
Presently, there are 484 people at the Jaisalmer facility.
“Six evacuees at Jaisalmer facility and one at Jodhpur facility tested positive on Monday. Three more evacuees tested positive to COVID-19 at Jaisalmer today,” an Army source said.
3.00 PM | INDIA
Use more masks, India’s top science advisory body recommends
India’s highest science advisory body has recommended the widespread use of masks. The Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor’s (OPSA) is a key coordinating agency among government scientific bodies and industry to accelerate decisions on dealing with COVID-19.
It doesn’t recommend the use of the health mask or the N95 mask that are expensive, not-reusable and largely used in hospital settings.
2.50 PM | INDIA
SC directs govt. to ensure welfare of migrant workers, orders setting up of portal to disseminate information
The Supreme Court directed the government to ensure that migrant workers who have been stopped from crossing the inter-State borders are provided food, shelter and medicines in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde, through video-conferencing, asked the government to tap community and religious leaders to speak to the migrant workers lodged in shelters. The court asked the government to have trained counsellors talk to the workers.
2.45 PM | INDIA
SpiceJet to cut 10%-30% salary of all employees in March
“SpiceJet management has decided to implement a pay cut between 10-30 per cent in March across our employee base. Our Chairman and Managing Director (Ajay singh), in fact, has opted for the highest cut of 30 per cent in compensation,” the airline said in the communication.
2.40 PM | RAJASTHAN
Four new cases in Rajasthan
Four more COVID-19 cases have been reported in Rajasthan today, one each from Jaipur, Ajmer, Jhunjhunu and Dungarpur.
With this, the number of positive cases in the State has increased to 76. Along with the 17 positive cases among the evacuees from Iran, staying in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, the overall number is 93.
2.35 PM | KARNATAKA
45 from Karnataka participated in Tablighi Jamaat conference
As many as 45 from Karnataka participated in the Tablighi Jamaat conference in Nizamuddin West in Delhi. Many people from across the country who tested positive for COVID-19 had attended the conference or were close contacts of the participants.
2.30 PM | TAMIL NADU
Siddha concoction goes viral in Tamil Nadu
A Siddha concoction called Kabasura Kudineer is in high demand in Tamil Nadu. People are queueing up at Siddha pharmacies and hospitals to buy this medicine after videos went viral that it can prevent novel coronavirus.
People crowd at a Siddha clinic inside Government Pentland Hospital, Vellore, to get a herbal concoction called Kabasura Kudineer.
While there is no study available to categorically back this claim, Siddha practitioners have been recommending it as a regular preventive medicine to relieve throat pain.
The herbal concoction, a mixture of 15 herbs including Nilavembu, Karpooravalli and Lavangam, was suggested as a preventive medicine during the 2015 swine flu outbreak.
2.25 PM | MADHYA PRADESH
One more case in Madhya Pradesh
A person who had returned from London and escaped from quarantine in Indore has tested positive for COVID-19. Cases in Madhya Pradesh climb to 66.
He had run away to Bhopal, where he got himself admitted to a hospital, but didn’t have contact with anyone in the city, said Tarun Kumar Pithode, Bhopal Collector.
2.20 PM | UTTAR PRADESH
UP police book mufti of Bijnor mosque after 8 Indonesians coming from Delhi Jamaat meet found there
The 8 foreigners have been put under home quarantine, said a police officer.
2.15 PM | TAMIL NADU
Food packets distributed among migrant workers
Greater Chennai Corporation Zone 7 Police Inspector Vijayaragavan’s team distributes food packets to migrant labourers from various States, at Menambedu Road, Coramandal, Ambattur Estate on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
2.10 PM | J&K
Six new cases in Kashmir
Six more COVID-19 cases have been detected in J&K on Tuesday, taking the toll to 55.
“Six new positive cases were confirmed in the Kashmir division. All contacts of previous positive cases,” said J&K spokesman Rohit Kansal.
The fresh cases come a day after 11, including a doctor, tested positive for COVID-19. The doctor contracted the virus at the microbiology division of the Government Medical College, Jammu.
2.00 PM | PUNJAB
Punjab reports fourth death
Punjab reported its fourth death due to COVID-19.
A 65-year-old patient, a resident of Nayagaon in Ajit Singh Nagar district, who was tested positive for COVID- 19 has died, Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan told The Hindu.
1.50 PM
AP, Telangana tracing people who attended Nizamuddin event
After Telangana reported six deaths on Monday — all of them who had been to the Tablighi Jamaat meet in New Delhi — the Telugu states have stepped up the vigil.
As many as 70 people who attended the meet have been quarantined at Rayalaseema University, while 41 have been sent to isolation ward in Visakhapatnam.
Authorities on the Telangana-Maharashtra inter-State border on Penganga river on NH 44 in Adilabad district intercepted a lorry carrying 32 passengers in the small hours Tuesday.
The passengers, who were headed for their homes in Medipally in Jagtial district were returning from the Tablighi Jamaatheld at Nizamuddin in New Delhi between March 13 and 15.
1.30 PM | INDIA
Bharti Enterprises, Petronet LNG and Hero Group commit Rs 100 crore each
Petronet LNG, Bharti Enterprises and Hero Group have separately committed Rs 100 crore each to support efforts to combat the COVID-19 in the country.
While Petronet LNG said that the entire sum will be contributed to the PM CARES Fund, Bharti Enterprises and Hero Group will put a part of the contribution in the Fund and a part will be spent on other relief efforts.
1.20 PM | MADHYA PRADESH
17 new cases in Madhya Pradesh
COVID-19 cases continue to spiral in Indore, the most populous city of Madhya Pradesh, with 17 residents testing positive on Tuesday. 44 of the State’s 65 cases are from Indore. Three have succumbed to the disease in the city.
01.30PM
Covid19 cases in India crossed by 1360
The death toll in India has reached 44, as one more lost his life to COVID-19 in Kerala, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh today. Delhi Police cordoned off a major area in Nizamuddin West in south Delhi. “As many as 85 people were brought to LNJP Hospital on Sunday from Nizamuddin area and 68 were brought today, so a total of 153 are admitted in isolation wards and being tested for infection,” LNJP MS Dr J C Passey said. As India enters its seventh day of the 21-day lockdown, the total number of novel coronavirus cases in the country reaches 1,366 as of March 31, across the country.
#Number of positive COVID-19 cases in India: 1350| Deaths: 46 | Active cases: 1188
1.00 PM | DELHI
1,000 evacuated from Nizamuddin centre; sent to hospitals, quarantine facilities
Over 1,000 people have been evacuated from a centre in Nizamuddin West in Delhi till Tuesday morning, amid a novel coronavirus scare at a centre where a religious conference had attracted participation of people from several States.
12.55PM
Ex Delhi L-G slams Nizamuddin organisers, says they should have cancelled event
Former Delhi L-G Najeeb Jung slammed the Markaz Nizamuddin gathering on Tuesday, saying the jamaat should have cancelled the event as soon as COVID-19 cases began to get reported in India. “It was the duty of the Delhi Police to have cracked down on them, writing a letter to them was not enough,” he said, adding that the administration should have been aware of the gathering long time back. “We are now crying over spilt milk,” he said. “I beg all religious leaders to shut their places of worship,” he told News18.
12.50 PM
G20 Trade Ministers agree to ensure uninterrupted flow of vital medical supplies
Trade and investment Ministers of the G-20 group have agreed to ensure fair trade and continued flow of vital medicines as well as other essential goods to tackle COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a joint statement issued after a video conference, the ministers agreed to support the availability and accessibility of essential medical supplies at affordable prices, on an equitable basis, where they are most needed and will guard against profiteering and unjustified price increases.
12.45PM
AAP MLA Atishi Marlena urges for ‘strong action’ against Nizamuddin event organisers
Strong action should be taken against the administrators of the Nizamuddin Markaz who organised a 3-day religious gathering, with 1000s of people from 13th-15th March, when Delhi Govt orders had expressely forbidden gatherings or more than 200 persons on 13th March itself pic.twitter.com/n0f1rLE5Xx
The pay cut is by 60% for all elected representatives and by 50% for Class I and II employees. Class III employees are to have 25% salary cut. There will be no cut in salaries of Class IV employees.
This pay cut is applicable for the salary of March 2020.
This decision has been taken after discussing with representatives of government employee unions, Deputy CM and State Finance Minister Ajit Pawar said.
— Alok Deshpande
12.38PM
9 out of 10 cases in Andaman & Nicobar had attended Nizamuddin event
The designated laboratory for COVID19 in Andaman & Nicobar, RMRC-ICMR, Dollygunj has tested 33 suspected cases on 29 March, out of which only 1 was found positive. The total number of cases found positive is 10 out of 99 samples tested till date, Andaman and Nicobar administration told ANI.
But 9 out of the 10 people who tested positive for coronavirus in Andaman & Nicobar, had attended Tablighi Jamaat event at Markaz, Nizamuddin in Delhi. “Wife of one of these people later tested positive,” said Abhijit Roy, Dy Director Heath and Nodal Officer.
12.30 PM | DELHI
Over 20,000 houses marked ‘home quarantine’ in Delhi: Lt Governor
Over 20,000 houses have been marked as “home quarantine” by the Delhi government in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal said.
Taking to Twitter, Mr. Baijal said the number of food distribution centres will also be increased to ensure social distancing in the national capital.
–PTI
12.15 PM | TELANGANA
Returnees of Jamaat in New Delhi’s Nizamuddin stopped at Telangana-Maharashtra border
Authorities on the Telangana-Maharashtra inter-State border on Penganga river on NH 44 in Adilabad district intercepted a lorry carrying 32 passengers in the small hours Tuesday.
The passengers, who were headed for their homes in Medipally in Jagtial district were returning from the Tablighi Jamaatheld at Nizamuddin in New Delhi between March 13 and 15.
12.15 PM | UTTAR PRADESH
Ambulance workers in U.P. threaten to halt work
Around 16,000 emergency ambulance workers in Uttar Pradesh have threatened to stop work if the company hiring them did not provide them with proper protective gear while handling the COVID-19 cases.
They have also demanded that their salary, which is allegedly not paid since January, be immediately released for them to carry out their work.Read more 12.00 PM | MAHARASHTRA
The total number of cases reported from Maharashtra has climbed to 230.
— Jyoti Shelar
11.50 AM | WEST BENGAL
Third death in West Bengal
West Bengal recorded its third death due to COVID-19. The patient was a 48-year-old woman from Howrah district who was admitted to Howrah State General Hospital and died late on Monday evening even before the test reports were received by the hospital authorities.
“We had got the samples by 12 noon and by later in the evening we confirmed that the patient from Howrah was suffering from COVID019,” a doctor at the Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER) and SSKM Hospital, a State-run testing facility in Kolkata told The Hindu.
— Shiv Sahay Singh
11.45 AM | RAJASTHAN, ASSAM
47 private hospitals in Jaipur reserved for COVID-19 treatment; MoU inked in Assam
Scaling up its efforts to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak, the Rajasthan government has reserved 47 private hospitals, with a total bed capacity of 5,283, in Jaipur district to meet a crisis situation. The hospital buildings will be used as isolation and quarantine centres when needed in urgency, requiring a swift action.Read more11.40 PM | BIHAR
Bihar reports another COVID-19 positive case, raising the total number of cases in the State to 16.
— Amarnath Tewary
11.35 PM | GUJARAT
Three more cases in Gujarat
Three more COVID-19 cases have been reported in Gujarat, taking the total toll to 73. So far, there have been six deaths in the State.
Five patients have been discharged. Three of them are more than 60 years of age, according to the State Health Department.
–Mahesh Langa
11.30 PM | MADHYA PRADESH
Madhya Pradesh toll touches five as Indore woman dies
A 49-year-old woman died of COVID-19 in Indore on Monday, taking the toll to five in Madhya Pradesh, according to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore. The city recorded two deaths on the same day. The patient, who died at 10.20 p.m. on Monday at the MRTB hospital, had no contact or travel history. Besides, she was suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, according to a bulletin issued by the college.
11.20 PM | MAHARASHTRA
22 new cases in Maharashtra take tally to 230, Buldhana district sealed
Maharashtra saw a further surge in Covid-19 positive cases on Tuesday with new cases from Pune, Mumbai and Buldhana taking the State’s tally to 230.
Two more cases were reported from Pune district, which recorded its first death resulting from the contagion on Monday, while one was reported from Mumbai and, more worryingly, two new cases were reported from the rural hinterland of Buldhana district in the Amravati division.
11.10 PM | ANDHRA PRADESH
Cases rise from 23 to 40 overnight in Andhra Pradesh
Seventeen new positive cases have been reported from six districts. Twelve of them attended a religious meeting in Delhi; two were close contacts of those who attended.
11.05 PM | BIHAR
Youth beaten to death in Bihar for informing authorities about migrants’ return to village
A youth in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district was beaten to death on March 29 for informing local authorities that two villagers who had returned from Mumbai recently could be infected with COVID-19.
A 43-year-old man with travel history to Thiruvananthapuram has been admitted to Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital in Chennai.
A 28-year-old male coworker of earlier COVID-19 patient is undergoing treatment at Tiruvannamalai Medical College Hospital.
There male patients with travel history to Delhi have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Villupuram and two male patients have been admitted to Madurai Rajaji Hospital.
10.45 AM | KERALA
Kerala records second death
Kerala recorded its second COVID-19 death on March 31 after a 68-year-old man, who had been in a critical condition in the ICU at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College since the past one week, died.Read more 9.40 AM | CHHATTISGARH
PM should have consulted State govts. before announcing lockdown, says Chhattisgarh CM
The displacement of lakhs of migrants could have been avoided had Prime Minister Narendra Modi first consulted the State governments, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said in an interview to The Hindu.
“Who is to implement the lockdown? Can the Union government on its own do so. The answer is no. Ultimately, it’s the State government’s job to implement it. Did the Prime Minister talk to any of the State governments before unilaterally announcing it? No,” Mr. Baghel said, speaking over phone from Raipur.
9.10 AM | NEW DELHI
Nizamuddin markaz had sought help from authorities for vacating premises
The maulana of a markaz in west Nizamuddin in Delhi, from where 24 Covid-19 positive cases have been reported in Delhi alone, wrote to the police on March 25 stating that they had vacated 1,500 people and 1,000 people were still on the premises.
8.00 AM | KERALA
Two more positive cases in Wayanad
The total number of people affected by COVID-19 has increased to three in the district with two more persons testing positive on Monday. Of the two confirmed cases, one is a 59-year-old resident of Kambalakkad and another a 22-year-old resident of Muppainad, said District Collector Adeela Abdulla.
8.00 AM | INDIA
More labs being opened by ICMR across country
Principal Scientific Adviser to the government K. VijayRaghavan on Monday said the the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is amplifying Coronavirus test sites and more laboratories are being opened across the country. He said the Indian industry is also working on vaccines, re-purposing, critical-care treatment and partnering with academia and start-ups.
7.00 AM | ISRAEL
Netanyahu tests negative
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was tested negative for the novel coronavirus, his office said, after one of his aides has contracted the virus. The prime minister’s office on Monday said in a statement that the tests of Netanyahu’s family and his close team also came out negative, Xinhua news agency reported.
6.45 AM | U.S.
U.S. coronavirus death toll passes 3,000
The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus pandemic passed 3,000 on March 30, according to the running tally compiled by the Johns Hopkins University, with more than 163,000 confirmed cases.
The United States has recorded 3,008 deaths, according to the tally, while its 163,429 cases are by far the highest national number ahead of Italy, Spain and China.
06.30AM
Global lockdown tightens as deaths mount
Harsh lockdowns aimed at halting the march of the coronavirus extended worldwide Monday as the death toll soared past 35,000 and new waves of U.S. outbreaks pushed the nation’s containment efforts to the brink.
06.20AM
Health Ministry says ‘limited community transmission’
Even as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) insists that there is no community transmission of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in India, on March 29, the Health Ministry on its website mentions that there is “limited community transmission”. In the document on standard operating procedure for transporting a suspect/confirmed case of COVID-19, the Health Ministry website says that there is both local transmission and limited community transmission.
06.00AMMUMBAI
‘In eight days, all slum pockets will be disinfected’
BMC additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani says: For disinfection, we have five teams who cover the areas where positive cases are reported from. These teams are now concentrated on the slum pockets and in about eight days, all slums will be covered. Our next target for disinfection is thickly populated areas like Kalbadevi and Bhendi Bazaar. We are positive that these disinfection activities will give a good result.
05.45AM
No plans to extend lockdown: says Cabinet Secretary
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba denied that the Centre had plans to extend the nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 to stall the spread of COVID-19. The three-week lockdown is scheduled to end on April 14.
As India enters its sixth day of the 21-day lockdown, the number of novel coronavirus cases crossed the 1,000-mark, after more than 100 fresh cases were reported within a span of 24 hours across the country, while the death toll rose to 30 .
11.00 AM
Status at 11 am:
Confirmed cases: 1164
Active cases: 1046
Deaths: 30
*Data compiled from Union Health Ministry and State
#at 9.30 the update of covid19 is above image!
11.00 AM
Indian-Americans set up helpline to help community members
Several eminent Indian-American groups in the United States have raised funds and deployed volunteers to help community members, including first responders, health workers, students and labourers in America and India, which have been majorly affected by the novel Coronavirus outbreak that has infected over 600,000 people globally.
JAIPUR | 11.00 AM
One more COVID-19 positive case reported in Rajasthan today.
The 41-year-old male resident of Ladakh is an evacuee from Iran, who landed in Jodhpur on March 25. He is admitted at Mathura Das Mathur Government Hospital in Jodhpur. The tally in the State is now 60, according to Medical & Health Department.
The Ladakh resident was among the 277 stranded Indians who were brought back from Iran by a special flight on March 25. The evacuees were kept at a wellness centre operated by the Army in Jodhpur. After his samples tested positive at Sampurnanand Medical College in Jodhpur, he has been admitted to Mathura Das Mathur Government Hospital.
NEW DELHI | 10.50 AM
21-day lockdown won’t be extended
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting tweeted, saying Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba has denied media reports claiming that the government will extend the lockdown.
AHMEDABAD | 10.40 AM
Another death in Gujarat
A 45-year-old COVID-19 female patient died in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar, taking the number of casualties to 6 in Gujarat.
Cases of Coronavirus infection jumps to 69 in the State, according to the health department.
MUMBAI | 10.00 AM
Maharashtra COVID-19 tally jumps to 215
The number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra climbed to 215 on Monday as 12 more people tested positive for coronavirus in the state, a health official said.
Out of the 12 new patients, five are from Pune, three from Mumbai, two from Nagpur, and one each from Kolhapur and Nashik, the official said.
So far, eight COVID-19 patients have died in the State.
SINGAPORE | 9.40 AM
Three Indians test positive for COVID-19 in Singapore
Three Indians were among the 42 new coronavirus cases reported in Singapore on Sunday, taking the total number of infections in the country to 844, according to the health ministry.
The fresh cases take the total number of people infected with the deadly coronavirus in the city-state to 844, it said.
The three Indians include a 35-year-old woman with a long-term pass, a 34-year-old man holding the Singapore work pass. Both of them have a travel history to India.
A 34-year-old Indian holding Singapore work pass was infected locally.
Another 43-year old man, a Singapore permanent resident whose nationality was not listed, is an imported case with a travel history to India.
Also, among the latest cases is a 42-year-old Singapore permanent resident who is a nurse at Sengkang General Hospital and has no travel history to the affected countries.
BHOPAL | 9.30 AM
8 new COVID-19 cases in MP
Eight new COVID-19 cases have been found in Madhya Pradesh, taking the total number of coronavirus patients in the state to 47, a senior health official said on Monday.
Of the eight new cases, seven were reported from Indore and one from Ujjain, Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Dean Dr Jyoti Bindal told PTI.
KOLKATA | 9.30 AM
West Bengal records its second death
West Bengal recorded its second death due to COVID-19 on Monday, when a 44-year-old woman passed away at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.
“She passed away early in the morning. We are trying to isolate the doctors and medical staff who treated her. Attempts are also being made to isolate the patient’s relative who seem to spread across north Bengal,” P.K. Deb, principal of the medical college and hospital told The Hindu.
CHANDIGARH | 8.40 AM
Punjab reports second death, positive cases put at 38
Punjab has reported its second COVID-19 death, after a 62-year-old man died at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Amritsar. The deceased, a resident of Moranwali village of district Hoshiarpur, was a contact case of the 70-year-old man, who was the first casualty of the pandemic in Punjab and had died on March 18.
08.30AM
Vietnam PM asks major cities to prepare for lockdown
Vietnam’s prime minister on Monday asked major cities to prepare for possible lockdowns to stop the spread of coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country reached nearly 200.
08.25AM
10-month-old among eight fresh cases; State tally hits 50
Eight persons, including four from the same family and an infant, tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, Health Secretary Beela Rajesh said. All of them had come into contact with two Thai nationals who had also tested positive for the disease. This takes the total number of patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the State to 50.
08.10AM
Donald Trump extends distancing guidelines by 30 days
President Donald Trump said on Sunday the peak death rate in the U.S. from the novel coronavirus is likely to hit in two weeks as he extended the coronavirus guidelines, including social distancing, until April 30.
Assuring his countrymen that he expects the United States to be on its way to recovery by June 1, Trump told reporters at a televised White House news conference that he had to extend the social distancing measures till April 30, based on the advice from his two top public health advisors and members of the White House Task Force on Coronavirus: Dr. Deborah Bix and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
08.10AM
New York State nears 1,000 deaths
New York State’s coronavirus death toll is nearing 1,000, Governor Andrew Cuomo said. The State accounts for more than 40% of coronavirus deaths in the U.S.
The number of disease-related deaths in the State jumped Sunday to 965 from 728 the day before, he said. The vast majority have been in New York City.
NEW DELHI |08.00AM
ICMR denies community transmission
Head of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases at ICMR, Raman Gangakhedkar, said there was no estimate yet of whether the nationwide lockdown — now into its fifth day — had managed to check community transmission. “If we all observe the lockdown strictly then there’s a chance that we will soon reach the peak number of cases,” Dr. Gangakhedkar added. The ICMR continues to maintain that there are no instances of community transmission.
NEW DELHI | 07.50AM
Do not leave Delhi, Kejriwal appeals to migrant workers
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday appealed to migrant workers trying to return to their villages to remain in Delhi and assured them that his government has made all necessary arrangements for their food and shelter
Even as the world battles the novel coronavirus which continues to claim lives, Earth Hour, observed annually on the last Saturday of March, will still be celebrated this year today, albeit digitally. With public events cancelled due to the pandemic, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is encouraging people to switch off the lights from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm as per their local time. The idea is to refrain from the use of non-essential lighting to save energy in a symbolic call for environmental protection.
People from across the world have been urged to join the climate movement from their homes via a digital livestream. With impactful social media challenges, WWF India is also urging people to pledge to protect the planet and its invaluable biodiversity.
As the world finds itself in these difficult times, we’re inspired and uplifted by how people are staying connected. Join us this #EarthHour as we act in solidarity with millions worldwide to switch off at home at 8.30pm and raise our voice for our planet https://t.co/XABxkY9DdCpic.twitter.com/9dtJv6vWgO
India enters its fifth day of the 21-day lockdown. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases in India crossed the 1050 mark on Sunday. 179 fresh cases being reported on Saturday, the highest single-day increase so far. India’s death toll has risen to 26 with Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir,Maharastra reporting one death each due to COVID-19 on Sunday .
7.25 PM | UTTAR PRADESH
Confirmed cases rise to 72 in UP
Number of positive COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh climbs to 72, UP directorate of health services said. 11 new cases over the past 24 hours. Four in Noida, two in Ghaziabad, one in Bareilly and four in Meerut.
6.30 PM | MAHARASHTRA
One more succumbs in Maharashtra; death toll rises to 8
A 45-year-old man has succumbed in Buldhana taking the Maharashtra death toll to eight. This is the first death outside Mumbai Metropolitan Region and in the Vidarbha region. The number of cases has gone up to 203.
6.20 PM | KARNATAKA
Two more men test positive for COVID-19 in Udupi
Two more men have tested positive to COVID-19 in Udupi district on Sunday.
According to the information provided by the District Health and Family Welfare Officer, a 35-year-old man from Udupi who had returned from Dubai on March 17, was admitted to a hospital in Karkala with symptoms of COVID-19 on March 27. His throat swab had been sent for testing and according to the report received on Sunday, he had tested positive for COVID-19.
A 29-year-old man from Udupi had gone to Thiruvananthapuram and had returned from there. He was admitted to the hospital here with symptoms of COVID-19 on March 26 and he too had tested positive for COVID-19. Both these men had since been admitted to the Kasturba Hospital in Manipal for treatment, the release said.
With this the total number of persons who had tested positive for COVID-19 in Udupi district goes up to three. It may be recalled that a 34-year-old man from Udupi district who had arrived in a flight from Dubai on March 18 and had tested positive for COVID-19 on March 25.
6.10 PM | KERALA
Kerala reports 20 new cases
Kerala reports 20 new cases of coronavirus. Total number of people under treatment for the infection rises to 181, says state Health Minister K K Shailaja.
6.00 PM | TAMIL NADU
Eight more test positive in TN
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Vijayabaskar tweeted “TN reports 8 new positive cases from Erode (contact of the Thai Nationals who are undergoing treatment at IRT Perundurai). The patients were identified through TN Health’s tracing. All patients are isolated for treatment.”
5.45 PM | UTTAR PRADESH
Ensure no one sleeps hungry during lockdown, says Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday held a meeting with 12 nodal officers of UP who have been appointed in different states and asked them to ensure that no one sleeps hungry during the 21-day lockdown imposed across the country in view of coronavirus outbreak.
He asked them to co-ordinate with their respective state governments and local administrations, and ensure availability of food and lodging facilities for the people of UP, who are stranded in various states.
“Lockdown means a person stays wherever he/she is, and it should be implemented in everyone’s interest. This will ensure health safety,” an official statement, quoting the chief minister, said.
“Efforts should be made to speak politely to the affected person and his/her problems must be resolved,” the CM said.
While reviewing the lockdown situation in the state with the senior UP government officials at his residence, Mr. Adityanath said his dispensation is working in coordination with the Centre in the fight against coronavirus.
5.40 PM | TAMIL NADU
Two discharged in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Vijayabaskar tweeted “Two patients returned from US admittd at the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital as positve coronavirus cases from Porur were discharged on Sunday. They have recovered from the illness and tested negative twice. They will be home quarantined for next 14 days. I appreciate the Dean & team who took care of the patients.”
5.20 PM | INDIA
JSW Group commits ₹100 crore to fight COVID-19
Sajjan Jindal led JSW Group has committed Rs 100 crore to the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES Fund) in support to all on-going relief efforts in light of the current COVID -19 Crisis.
Chairman of the JSW Group, Mr. Sajjan Jindal while announcing the group’s support said,, “We are continuously evaluating the situation and I can earnestly say that the JSW Group is committed to assisting the government in all ways possible to deal with all COVID – 19 related fallouts. These immediate contributions is what we see is the need of the hour, and we have earmarked further monetary and non-monetary contributions so as to allow us to dynamically respond to all societal requirements in the future.”
5.00 PM | INDIA
Indian Railways extends its medical services to all central govt. employees
Indian Railways has extended services of all its hospitals and dispensaries to all central government employees and their families in view of the spread of coronavirus, a Railway Board order said.
The services include those of all 128 hospitals and 586 dispensaries of the Indian Railways all over the country.
4.20 PM | INDIA
Focus on clusters with high numbers of cases: Health Ministry
“We are focusing attention on clusters where there are a high number of cases,” said Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agrawal.
“10 empowered groups constituted to manage medical management, improve quarantining facilities, upgrade healthcare facilities. These groups will coordinate.
“1.25 lakh wagons of essential goods consisting of sugar, grains, oil etc have been transported.
“By and large, lockdown is being implemented well,” said Home Ministry spokesperson Punya Salila Shrivastava.
“Stranded labour has to be taken care of. Labourers must be quarantined for 14 days. Their wages must be paid in full. No rent to be charged from them for a month,” Mr. Shrivastava added.
“We have conducted 35,000 tests,” said Dr. Raman R. Gangakhedkar of ICMR. “We are using 30% of our testing capacity.”
“Abbot test that detects covid in 5mins not yet available in India. But it’s an antibody test, not a PCR test,” Mr. Gangakhedkar said.
The government’s toll-free number 08046110007 was also shared, for anyone facing mental health problems. It is coordinated by NIMHANS.
4.00 PM | GOA
Two more cases in Goa
Two more COVID-19 positive cases have been recorded in Goa, taking total cases to 5.
One of the patients had returned from the Bahamas, while the other was in touch with one of the three men who had tested positive earlier this week.
3.50 PM | KERALA
Migrant workers stage protest defying lockdown
High drama prevailed in Payipad town on the outskirts of the Kottayam district on Sunday morning when hundreds of inter-state migrant workers staged a public protest defying the country-wide lock down.
The protests began by 11 a.m when the inter-state migrants, mostly from West Bengal and Assam, staged a blockade on the Changanassery-Mallappilly Road demanding food and travel facility for returning to their homelands. The attempts by the police and the Payippad Panchayat authorities to pacify the protesters are yet to reach a breakthrough.
3.45 PM | INDIA
Defence Ministry employees to contribute one day’s salary to PM-CARES Fund
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal for the contribution of one-day salary by the employees of Ministry of Defence to the PM-CARES Fund to fight COVID-19.
It is estimated that around Rs 500 crore will be collectively provided to the fund from various wings, including the three Services Defence PSUs and others, according to the Ministry pf Defence.
3.40 PM | PUNJAB
Punjab govt issues advisory, asks industry not to sack workers, reduce wages
The Punjab government has issued an advisory to industries and commercial establishments in the state, asking them not to terminate employees or deduct their wages, as non-essential factories remain shut due to a countrywide lockdown to combat coronavirus.
Any employee who takes leave due to the COVID-19 pandemic should be treated on duty as also the workers of factories or units made non-operational by any government order over coronavirus, the advisory said.
3.30 PM | INDIA
Indian Railways apprehend “enormous” rush to hospitals soon
The Indian Railways apprehend an “enormous” rush to hospitals soon and have decided to hire the services of retired para-medical staff.
In a note to all General Managers of Zonal Railways and Production Units, the Railway Board on Saturday said “keeping in view the pandemic situation because of the outbreak of Coronavirus disease, it is apprehended that extra para-medical staff will be required for handling the enormous rush expected in few weeks.”
3.15 PM | HARYANA
Haryana govt provides over 800 buses to UP to ferry migrant workers to their villages
The Haryana government has provided over 800 State roadways buses to Uttar Pradesh to ferry migrant workers stranded on the Delhi-Ghaziabad border to their villages, officials said.
The decision was taken in view of the current situation on the border with large number of migrant workers assembling near Anand Vihar bus terminus, Haryana Transport Minister Mool Chand Sharma told PTI over phone.
“The U.P. government had made a request to us to provide nearly 1,000 buses,” he said.
“The buses have been sent from Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Faridabad, Palwal and Nuh, the places in Haryana which are close to the national capital,” he said.
The buses have been sanitised, drivers and conductors provided masks and hand sanitisers and all other necessary precautions are being taken, he said.
3.00 PM | INDIA
Rahul Gandhi writes to PM Modi
Expressing solidarity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India’s fight against COVID-19, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi asked Mr. Modi to adopt a more “nuanced approach” that factors India’s complex realities and unique position.
Mr. Gandhi argued that a complete lockdown could result in “catastrophic” loss of life as unemployed youth rush back to their villages and endangering the elderly population.
In his letter, released by the Congress party hours after the Prime Minister’s Man Ki Baat, Mr. Gandhi also offered suggestions to deal with the exodus of migrant workers, informal sector and financial institutions as the Congress leader anticipated a further extension of the lockdown.
2.50 PM | INDIA
Homeless shelters to provide 3 meals a day: HUA Ministry
Urban homeless shelters would provide three meals a day to those living in and around the premises to help people cope with the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry officials said.
The HUA Ministry secretary, Durga Shanker Mishra, said on Saturday that three meals a day would be provided to around 1 lakh people living in and around 1,500 shelters for the homeless in cities.
2.40 PM | INDIA
EPF scheme members can now withdraw non-refundable advance
The Union Labour and Employment Ministry said that it had notified an amendment to the Employees’ Provident Scheme (EPF) allowing members to withdraw non-refundable advance amounts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on March 26, the Ministry notified the amendment on March 27, making it effective from March 28.
2.30 PM | INDIA
13 lakh railway employees to donate a day’s salary: Goyal
The Railway Ministry will donate ₹151 crore to PM-CARES fund to help combat the COVID-19 outbreak, Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday.
“Following PM @NarendraModi ji’s call, I, & MoS Suresh Angadi will donate 1 month’s salary & 13 lakh railway & PSU employees will donate 1 day’s salary, equal to ₹151 cr, to PM-CARES fund
My grateful thanks to my colleagues & we all pray that our country remains safe and healthy,” said Mr. Goyal in a tweet.
2.20 PM | INDIA
Centre asks States to ensure strict implementation of lockdown
In view of the largescale exodus of migrant workers, the Centre has directed the States to enforce strict implementation of the 21-day lockdown and prohibit movement of people across cities and highways.
Those who have travelled during the lockdown period will be subjected to a minimum 14-day quarantine in government facilities. Detailed instructions on monitoring of such persons during quarantine have been issued to the States, said the government, adding that the three weeks of strict enforcement was essential to contain the COVID-19 spread.
2.15 PM | RAJASTHAN
One more case in Rajasthan
One more COVID-19 positive case has been reported from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan. The 21-year-old man came from Philippines to Delhi on March 18 and travelled to Jhunjhunu by taxi.
He was quarantined at home from March 18 to 22 and shifted to a medical quarantine facility on March 23. He developed symptoms on March 26. His sample was collected and sent for testing on March 27. He was tested positive today. Number of patients in Rajasthan is now 56, according to the Medical & Health Department.
2.10 PM | MAHARASHTRA
Maharashtra reduces cost of Shiv Bhojan Thali to ₹5 from ₹10
Maharashtra reduced the cost of Shiv Bhojan Thali to ₹5 from ₹10. This will be applicable till June 2020 as of now. Shiv Bhojan is the State govt’s flagship scheme, which gives one full meal at ₹10 and was launched a month ago.
“The scheme will be expanded at every tehsil lever with a target of distributing 1 lakh meals daily to the poor and needy. State will spend Rs 160 crore for the same.
“All political parties, including opposition is together in this battle against the coronavirus.
“I request to all labourers from different States to not go out. Maharashtra govt. will take care of you. We have started 163 centres for the same. Stay where you are.
“Please follow the lockdown. There are still reports that people are coming out. It leads to clash with the police. The situation is nothing less than an emergency. Please follow the orders,” CM Uddhav Thackeray said.
1.35 PM | DELHI
Stranded workers continue to wait for transport on the Yamuna Expressway
Migrant workers of East Uttar Pradesh coming from Delhi and other parts of U.P., stranded on a street in Lucknow as there was no bus to board at the Qaiserbagh bus station.
Hundreds of people remained stranded at Zero Point on the Yamuna Expressway on Sunday as migrant workers headed to their homes in Uttar Pradesh, goaded by fears of joblessness and the desire to unite with their families in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic.
1.30 PM | INDIA
CBI officials donate one day’s salary to PM CARES Fund
CBI officials have decided to donate their one day’s salary to Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) to help the Center in its efforts to fight coronavirus in the country.
01.00PM
India Covid19 cases crossed 1000!
India enters its fifth day of the 21-day lockdown. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases in India crossed the 1000 mark on Sunday. 179 fresh cases being reported on Saturday, the highest single-day increase so far. India’s death toll has risen to 26 with Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir reporting one death each due to COVID-19 on Sunday
12.50PM
Twelve new cases emerge in Maharashtra, tally up to 193
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra has gone up to 193 with 12 more people testing positive for coronavirus, a health official said on Sunday.
Total COVID-19 positive patients as on Sunday — 193
Saturday’s total –181
New overnight positive cases — Pune (5), Mumbai (4) and Jalgaon, Sangli and Nagpur 1 each.
12.50PM
Three new cases emerge in Gujarat, state’s tally at 58
Three more coronavirus cases were reported in Gujarat on Sunday, taking the total number of COVID-19 patients in the state to 58, an official said.
All the three new cases were reported from Ahmedabad, principal secretary (health) Jayanti Ravi said.
Of these three, a 45-year-old man died at a hospital in Ahmedabad on Sunday morning, she said, adding that the patient was also suffering from diabetes.
Two other new patients included a 67-year-old woman, whose husband had earlier tested positive, and a 34-year-old man who recently visited Mumbai, she said.
12.10 PM | INDIA
12.45PM
SpiceJet pilot tests positive, staff sent on home quarantine
A SpiceJet pilot tested positive for COVID-19, following which the airline says it has asked all staff who came in his contact to undertake self-quarantine for 14 days.
The airline said that the last flight undertaken by the pilot was from Chennai to Delhi on March 21, following which he was under self quarantine. According to the airline, the pilot did not operate any international flight in March.
12.40PM
Man under home quarantine dies in Kannur
A 66-year-old man who was under home observation for Novel Coronavirus was brought dead to the District government hospital in Kannur. He had no symptoms. He was suffering from diabetes, hypertension and was a heart patient.
According to the District Medical Officer Narayanan Nayak, the patient, who had returned from Sharjah on March 21, was screened on his arrival at the Kannur International airport.
12.40PM
Five test positive for COVID-19 in Madhya Pradesh, bringing number of confirmed cases to 40
Four men in Indore and a girl in Ujjain tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, according to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore. With this, active cases in Madhya Pradesh have climbed to 38 in Madhya Pradesh.
So far, the State has recorded 40 cases, including two who had succumbed to the illness,
Men aged 40,48,21 and 38, who contracted the illness, are residents of Indore, while the case in Ujjain is a 17-year-old girl. While all have a contact history, none has a travel history.
12.30PM
PM addresses first Mann ki Baat amid COVID-19 lockdown
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the first Mann ki Baat amid the 21-day-long COVID-19 lockdown, on Sunday March 29.
“Today, there is only one issue that is gripping the world. I apologise to the countrymen and my conscience says you will forgive me. When I look at the poor people, they must be thinking what kind of the Prime Minister is this who has put you through this hardship. Some of you may be unhappy with the lockdown,” said PM Modi.
“There was only this option. It is a battle for life and death,” he added.
12.00PM
No fuel crisis in India; enough stock of petrol, diesel, LPG available to last lockdown: IOC
India, the world’s third largest energy consumer, has enough petrol, diesel and cooking gas (LPG) in stocks to last way beyond the three-week nationwide lockdown as all plants and supply locations are fully operational, Indian Oil Corp (IOC) Chairman Sanjiv Singh said.
Mr. Singh said there is no shortage of any fuel in the country and customers should not resort to panic booking of LPG refills.
11.50AM
Second death in J&K, 33 positives cases so far
Jammu and Kashmir witnessed the second COVID19-inflicted death on Sunday even as 33 have tested positive in the Union Territory so far.
“There has been an unfortunate demise of another patient in Srinagar in the morning,” said J&K spokesman Rohit Kansal.
11.25AM
Batch of 275 Indian evacuees return from Iran to Jodhpur
A batch of 275 Indians evacuated from coronavirus-hit Iran arrived at the Jodhpur airport on Sunday morning, an official said.
He said a preliminary screening of the passengers was conducted at the airport and thereafter, they were shifted to the Army Wellness Facility set up at the Jodhpur Military Station.
Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said of the 275 passengers, 133 were female and 142 male, including two infants and four children.
11.20AM
Fight against COVID-19 unprecedented, will win battle against disease: Narendra Modi
The fight against coronavirus is unprecedented, therefore we had to take unprecedented decisions, said Narendra Modi in his Mann ki Baat address on Sunday.
“We have to win this battle, we will definitely win this battle against coronavirus,” said Modi.
11.00AM
Narendra Modi urges everyone to refrain from emotional distancing, victimising those in quarantine
Social distancing doesn’t mean stopping of social interaction, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging everyone to reconnect with friends. “We have to maintain social distance, not emotional and human distance,” sais Modi, adding that people should refrain from victimizing those in quarantine
10.50AM
Modi praises sanitation workers for esnuring daily lives run smoothly
Narendra Modi appreciated the works of “daily life heroes” such as sanitation and utility workers for ensuring that daily lives continue to run smoothly. He has also praised bank employees, grocers, e-commerce delivery personnel, people in the IT sector for helping India work during the lockdown.
10.45AM
COVID-19 patients scared after seeing deaths in other countries, need to counsel them: Doctor tells Modi
Speaking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat address, Dr Nitish Gupta said that many hospitalised patients are scared after seeing news of toll in other countries and specified on the need to counsel them.
Dr Borse from Pune has told the prime minister that all patients in his hospital are recovering well.
10.30AM
Apologies for taking “tough” measures to tackle COVID-19: Narendra Modi
In his Mann Ki Baat address on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologized to the poor for taking “tough” measures such as the 21-day nationwide shutdown in a bid to curb the fast-spreading coronavirus.
“I apologize for taking these harsh steps which have caused difficulties in your lives, especially the poor people. I know some of you would be angry with me also. But these tough measures were needed to win this battle,” said Modi.
He further said that the battle against the virus cannot be won if people break the lockdown rules. “There are many breaking the lockdown rules, I request them not to, otherwise we cannot win this war. Health is wealth but when people break the rules of lockdown they are putting their health at risk.”
10.10AM
Four health personnel, who screened passengers at Hyderabad airport, test positive
Four health personnel, who were deployed at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) for screening passengers who returned from foreign countries, tested positive for COVID-19 in Telangana, reported The News Minute.
Speaking to reporters, Telangana Health Minister Eatala Rajender said that the health workers are now in isolation wards and are undergoing treatment. A family member of one of the affected persons also contracted the virus, the minister said.
10.00AM
A,OVID-19 patient dies in Ahmedabad, taking state’s toll to five
A 45-year-old COVID-19 patient died in Ahmedabad on Sunday morning, taking the total number of deaths due to coronavirus in the state to five, the health department said. The man was also suffering from diabetes, it said.
With this, the number of deaths due to coronavirus in Ahmedabad has gone up to three.
09.50AM
67-yr-old dies of COVID in Srinagar, second person to succumb to virus in Kashmir
A 67-year-old COVID-19 patient passed away in Srinagar’s Chest Disease Hospital on Sunday morning, the second person to die of the coronavirus disease in Kashmir.
“Sad start to the day. Unfortunate demise of a coronavirus patient in Srinagar this morning,” Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson Rohit Kansal tweeted.
The death came a day after the union terroritory witnessed 13 new cases with 33 people testing positive for the infection so far.
09.45AM
NPPA directs States and UTs to ensure availability of masks, gloves and sanitizers
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) directed the chief secretaries of all State governments and Union Territories to ensure availability and distribution of masks, gloves and sanitizers in view of situation arising from the novel coronavirus.
“It is learnt that various State governments/UTs are facing problems in placing orders for masks, gloves and sanitizers due to non-availability of details of manufacturers of these items. In this regard, please find the indicative list of manufacturers masks, gloves and sanitizers received from Association of Indian Manufacturers of Medical Devices (AiMeD) for reday reference and necessary action,” read the statement.
The NPPA also asked to resolve the issue of movement of stock and manpower to ensure uninterrupted production and supply of medicines across the nation.
09.30AM
Any donation to PM-CARES fund to qualify as CSR expenditure: Corporate affairs ministry
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs on Saturday said any contribution made to PM-CARES emergency situation relief fund shall qualify as CSR expenditure under the Companies Act 2013.
The press release further stated that contribution to any fund set up by the Centre for socio-economic development and relief qualifies as CSR fund.
CSR Funds can now donate to PM CARES Fund. Ministry of Corporate Affairs notifies details.
Five COVID-19 patients in Pimpri-Chinchwad test negative in repeat samples
Five more COVID-19 patients from twin cities of Pimpri-Chinchwad near Pune are set to be discharged from hospital after they tested negative twice in latest tests, an official said.
Three patients, who tested negative for the virus twice after 14-day isolation, were discharged in Pimpri- Chinchwad on Friday.
“The repeat samples of five more COVID-19 patients have tested negative and they will be discharged from the hospital,” an official from local municipal corporation”s health department said.
There are 36 confirmed cases reported from Pune while, Pimpri-Chinchwad has so far recorded 12 cases.
5 #COVID19 patients from Pune have tested negative in repeat samples and will be discharged today: Shravan Hardikar, Municipal Commissioner, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation
36 positive cases have been reported from Pune till now of which 10 have already been discharged
39-yr-old Delhi migrant labourer, dies after walking 200 km home to Agra
A 39-year-old migrant labourer who set off on foot from Delhi to his hometown in Madhya Pradesh due to the 21-day nationwide lockdown collapsed after walking around 200 km, The Times of India reported on Saturday.
Like thousands of other migrant workers who have been left jobless with no transportation available to reach home, the victim had started walking to Morena in Madhya Pradesh, 300 km away, early on Thursday. He had two companions during the journey.
He reportedly began experiencing chest pain in Agra district and collapsed on the highway.
08.56AM
28-day paid leave for COVID-19 patients; factory, shop workers to get daily wage for lockdown period: Noida admin
Any worker or employee infected with coronavirus and in isolation for treatment will get 28 days of paid leave from their employer across Noida and Greater Noida, the Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration has ordered.
In an order passed late on Saturday night, the administration also said that shops, industries and factories closed because of the lockdown will have to give daily wage along with leave to their workers and labourers during the closure period.
Gautam Buddh Nagar District Magistrate BN Singh said the Uttar Pradesh government has already declared the pandemic as a “disaster” and the lockdown has been called with an objective to contain the virus from spreading.
“Workers and employees who are infected with COVID-19 and kept in isolation for treatment will get 28 days’ paid leave. This will be done only when such patients produce a certificate of treatment to their employers upon being discharged as healthy,” Singh said.
08.45AM
Trump says New York quarantine ‘will not be necessary’
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut could soon be placed under a “strong travel advisory” just as the United States topped 2,000 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday.
President Donald Trump said a quarantine will not be necessary in those states but he’s asked the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a “strong travel advisory.”
The CDC is expected to issue guidelines on the advisory Saturday night, Trump said.
On the recommendation of the White House CoronaVirus Task Force, and upon consultation with the Governor’s of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, I have asked the @CDCgov to issue a strong Travel Advisory, to be administered by the Governors, in consultation with the….
