Coronavirus has infected more than 198,000 people and killed more than 7,900 across the world. Of these, China has over 80,800 positive cases while Italy’s tally stands over 27, 900. Total cases in India have risen to 149, as per the Union health ministry. Three persons have lost their lives in India due to the virus. India reported its third death from the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday. The number of COVID-19 cases tested positive in India is 149 and there are 132 active cases.
One more test positive in Noida
A resident of Noida, who recently returned from Indonesia, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Gautam Buddh Nagar health officials said on Wednesday.
The total number of positive cases for the COVID-19 in the district now stands at four, Chief Medical Officer Anurag Bhargava said.
Maharashtra to open seven more labs for testing
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said seven more laboratories will come up across the state for testing suspected novel coronavirus cases. At present, only three labs are operating in the state at Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune where samples of suspected persons are tested.
“KEM, JJ Hospital and Haffkine Institute will soon get the testing facilities. Most likely they will commence operations in the next five days,” Tope told reporters.Similar laboratories will come up in different parts of the state, he added.
276 Indians with coronavirus abroad
As many as 276 Indians infected with coronavirus are abroad, the Ministry of External Affairs informed the parliament today.
This includes 255 in Iran and 12 in UAE. One Indian each has tested positive in Rwanda, Kuwait, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. As many as 12 people are being treated in Italy. The Indian Embassies in the respective countries are in touch with such Indian citizens regarding appropriate medical attention in cooperation with local authorities.
Two more test positive in Karnataka
Two more positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Karnataka, taking the total number of cases to 13.
The two new cases are a 56-year-old male, a resident of Bengaluru who returned from USA on 6th March, and another 25-year-old female, who returned from Spain around the same time.
Both have been quarantined and are being treated in designated isolated hospitals in the city.
Big Temple to closed for devotees till March 31
The Big Temple in Thanjavur will remain closed for devotees and tourists till March 31, according to the Collector, M.Govinda Rao.
Regular pujas would continue to be performed at the Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple. The closure of the temple for devotees and the tourists was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent possible spreading of the COVID-19 virus, he said.
South Indian film industry comes to a standstill
Film industries in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana have to come to a standstill due to the coronavirus outbreak in various parts of the country. Kerala was the first state to shut down theaters in the south followed by Karnataka, Telangana, and now, Tamil Nadu also joined hands to fight against the novel virus.
In his official statement, RK Selvamani, President of FEFSI said: “We have decided to not take part in the film and TV serial shoots from March 19. Our members will not participate in any form of shoots until the country gets back to normalcy. Yes, this is a tough time and the revenue loss is going to be very huge for producers and daily wagers in the film industry but considering the life-threatening situation and keeping the safety of our workers in mind, we have taken this decision”.
Norway national tests positive in Goa
A Norwegian man on Wednesday tested positive for novel coronavirus infection in Goa, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said. The man had travelled to Delhi, Agra, Assam and Meghalaya after leaving Norway on 6 February, he said.
“The man came to Goa on 20 February. He was having fever since 10 March and was isolated as a suspect in hospital in Panaji,” the minister told PTI.
Bihar govt. declares COVID-19 an epidemic
The Bihar government has declared COVID-19 as an epidemic and issued the Bihar Epidemic Diseases COVID-19 Regulation 2020.
The regulation has given legal powers to government officials to conduct mass screening of suspected patients, including forcible isolation, sealing of any geographical area and taking punitive action against those hiding symptoms of the virus, running away from isolation centres or spreading misinformation. — Amarnath Tewary
Covid-19 restrictions to continue for another week
The existing COVID-19 restrictions in Karnataka are all set to be continued for another week, said Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
“There is a need to take all possible measures to ensure that the disease is contained in the State. We will discuss about in the cabinet meeting scheduled in the afternoon and make an announcement,” he told reporters.
No fresh coronavirus case in Mumbai on Wednesday morning, says BMC
Number of novel coronavirus cases in Mumbai remained constant and no new case was recorded on Wednesday morning, a senior civic official said. Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani said the number of COVID-19 cases remained constant in the metropolis with no fresh case being detected till 11 am.
Until now, 15 COVID-19 cases have been found in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).