08.40PM
India Covid19 cases crossed 1050!
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.
09.20AM
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.
09.00AM
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.
