Coronavirus LIVE Updates: A lift operator stands inside a dedicated lift for people suspected to be infected with the new coronavirus at the Government Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad (AP Photo)
Coronavirus outbreak LIVE News Updates: In a press briefing Wednesday morning, Union Health Minister said that the total number of patients infected by the coronavirus in India now stands at 28. This includes 16 Italian tourists and their driver, three in Kerala (who have recovered), one in Hyderabad, one in Delhi and six of his relatives in Agra.
“The government is taking all measures to spread awareness. There is no need to panic but people can avoid mass gatherings,” the minister said, adding that universal screening will be put up across airports in the country. PM Modi, BJP chief JP Nadda, Amit Shah earlier today said that he will not participate in the upcoming Holi Milan programmes. The samples of the six people who were in contact with the Delhi patient have been tested negative for coronavirus.
The government has ordered that all international passengers to the country will now have to submit self-declaration forms on arrival. They will have to provide contact details, travel history and possible contact with other people there. India has also suspended all regular visas and e-visas issued to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Japan issued on or before March 3 and have not entered India yet.
Over 3,000 people have died of coronavirus worldwide, while some 90,000 people have been infected.
Doctors walk past the entrance of an isolation ward where people who returned from China are under observation at the Government Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad (AP)
Highlights
The number of coronavirus cases increased in Germany to 240, up from 196, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said, according to Reuters. So far no fatal case has been reported in Germany.
Iraq confirms first death from novel coronavirus in Kurdish province, news agency Reuters quoted the local health department.
The virus can transmit itself via hand contact, especially if the infected person has coughed or sneezed into his own hands. As the number of people exposed to the virus goes up, and given the 14-day incubation period during which a person can stay asymptomatic but spread the disease, it may be better to use a hands-off greeting, such as a namaskar.
"A state-level task force has been constituted to control the situation arising due to coronaVirus. It will be chaired by me. It includes members from several agencies, departments & corporations. Each member has been assigned a role," CM Kejriwal said.
CM Arvind Kejriwal also announced that he will not celebrate Holi this year, due to coronavirus and Delhi violence. "I want to appeal to people to avoid crowded places. At schools, we are focussing on creating awareness."
"RML and Safdarjung are nodal hospitals. Currently, two labs in Delhi to test the virus. There is a need to spread awareness. We have sufficient N-95 masks. I hope that we will be able to control the virus just like we did on Dengue," CM Kejriwal said. He also said that he will look into reports of black marketing of masks and sanitisers. A government official also added that the places where the Italian tourists stayed are being cleaned well
'RML and Safdarjung are nodal hospitals. Currently, two labs in Delhi to test the virus. There is a need to spread awareness. We have sufficient N-95 masks. I hope that we will be able to control the virus just like we did on Dengue,' CM Kejriwal said. He also said that he will look into reports of black marketing of masks and sanitisers. A government official also added that the places where the Italian tourists stayed are being cleaned well
Talking about the coronavirus outbreak, Delhi Chief Minister said that there is an urgent need to contain the virus. "We have reached out to 88 people who had come in contact with the Delhi patient. Their screening and testing are underway. At the airports, thermal scanning has been set up and over 1.16 passengers have been screened. Municipal corporations are contacting tourists in hotels, guest houses. Suspected patients are being treated at the RML Hospital."
Gujarat Health Department on Wednesday said none of the 1,582 people kept under observation after returning from coronavirus-hit countries has so far been found to be infected by the potentially deadly virus. Elaborate arrangements have been made to deal with any situation arising out of the outbreak of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, it said. "A total of 1,582 people, who came from countries which are having the outbreak of coronavirus, have been kept under house observation in Gujarat but so far we do not have any positive case in the state," health commissioner Jai Prakash Shivhare told reporters here. Out of the 1,582 people, 25 were tested for COVID-19 and all of them have tested negative, he said. (PTI)
Here are some basic tips to keep you safe
" If people are taking advantage and misusing this time, then they should be labeled as "black sheep" and a mechanism to punish them should be implemented," Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said on the surge of prices of masks, sanitisers in India.
Hand sanitisers are effective in controlling the infection, provided they are alcohol-based and the alcohol content is more than 60%. The US Centers for Disease Control “recommends washing hands with soap and water whenever possible because handwashing reduces the amounts of all types of germs and chemicals on hands. But if soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.” Hand-washing, though, remains the first and best step, preferably with warm water.
Only if someone among the party’s guests or hosts has a history of exposure to an infected person, or a history of travel to a country where cases have been reported, is it advisable to avoid throwing or attending a party. The same holds for passengers on public transport. If there is no such history, there is no bar on gatherings or public transport at the current moment. At the same time, it is of paramount importance to maintain basic coughing and sneezing etiquette, and to repeatedly wash or sanitise hands.
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan also said that so far, 5,89,000 people have been screened at airports, over 10 lakh screened at borders with Nepal and around 27,000 were currently under community surveillance
Minister Vardhan said if the Iranian government lent its support, a testing facility could be set up there as well. This will help bring back Indian citizens from Iran after a thorough screening. He also said that so far, 5,89,000 people have been screened at airports, over 10 lakh screened at borders with Nepal and around 27,000 were currently under community surveillance
The Reserve Bank of India Tuesday said it was ready to take appropriate action to ensure orderly functioning of the financial markets, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, which poses the biggest threat to the global economy since the 2008 financial crisis. Its comments came after a meeting between the Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers and central bankers — it comprises the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Canada.
“The RBI is monitoring global and domestic developments closely and continuously and stands ready to take appropriate actions to ensure orderly functioning of financial markets, maintain market confidence and preserve financial stability,” the RBI said.
The US’ central bank cut the benchmark interest rate by half-point in response to the coronavirus impact. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powerll said the central bank will “use our tools” to support the economy. Last week, the Dow plunged 14 per cent, its worst week since the 2008 financial crisis.
Poland has confirmed its first coronavirus infection, Poland's Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski said on Wednesday. Szumowski said the sick man is in hospital in Zielona Gora, western Poland, and that his condition is good.
The Telangana government says it has decided to undertake various measures, including a campaign to promote cleanliness in public transport, to prevent the spread of novel Coronavirus. Odisha government issues dos and donts asking people to avoid hugging, shaking hands while greeting and keeping their workplace clean to ward off novel Coronavirus infection
"Holi is a very important festival for we Indians but in the wake of Coronavirus, I've decided not to participate in any Holi Milan celebration this year. I also appeal to everyone to avoid public gatherings and take good care of yourself and your family," Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted.
Two new suspected coronavirus cases have been reported in Hyderabad. Both tested positive in the first round of testing at Gandhi Hospital and their swab samples have been sent for a second round of testing to National Insitute of Virology, Pune. Officials said that of the two new suspected cases, one person had recently travelled to Italy. The second person had travelled with the 24-year-old techie who tested positive on Sunday. The Raheja Mindspace, where one of the suspected patients worked, has been evacuated and employees have been asked to work from home.
Meanwhile, a techie from Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh was admitted to the Kakinada Government Hospital with suspected symptoms of coronavirus. He had recently returned from South Korea. As he was suffering from cough and high fever he got himself admitted at the hospital and has been kept under isolated observation. His blood samples are being sent to Gandhi Hospital at Hyderabad for testing.
Addressing the media, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the number of confirmed cases in India stand at 28 now. Here's the breakdown
in Agra
Sixteen Italian tourists have been infected with the coronavirus. "They had come as tourists much before passengers from Italy were being screened in India. One of the men was confirmed as a positive case in Rajasthan and he spread it to his wife. Apart from these two, the rest 14 have been also been infected," Dr Harsh Vardhan added. The Indian driver who was with them has also tested positive.
"Anyone coming to India will be screened on arrivals. A high-level meeting has been called today at 3 pm. We have requested all hospitals in Delhi to develop good quality isolation wards, in order to stay prepared if more cases of coronavirus are suspected in the national capital," the health minister added
Addressing the media on Coronavirus outbreak in India, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said the Centre is in constant touch with the authorities in Delhi to contain the virus. "Centre is taking all steps to tackle the virus. We have briefed the authorities about the cluster approach to contain the spread of the infection. Health experts are also visiting all states to assess the preparation. The government is putting in all measures to spread awareness of the virus."
Hyderabad is also on high-alert after a positive case was admitted at Gandhi Hospital. Public places are being sanitised in order to contain the spread.
Just like Prime Minister Modi, BJP president JP Nadda has also decided to skip the Holi celebrations. "The world is battling COVID-19 Novel Corona Virus. The countries & medical fraternity are jointly making efforts to contain its spread. Keeping this in mind, this year, I will neither celebrate Holi nor organise Holi Milan. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy," he tweeted.
Masks are effective in containing the spread of infection. Any person with a history of travel to affected areas or of contact with infected persons, and showing symptoms of the disease, should use a mask. It is also important for medical staff to use masks.
For the general population, it is not essential to use masks at the current moment. In fact, masks come with their own hazards. For a person with an existing medical condition, wearing a mask may inadvertently complicate the situation. Many experts have noted that people may wear a mask incorrectly, and they can increase the risk of infection by touching their face more often.
In Karnataka, measures have been stepped up after a confirmed case was reported in neighbouring Telangana. Authorities have sent a circular to all the divisions to ensure better sanitation practices are followed in order to contain the spread of the virus
Amravati MP Navneet Kaur reached Parliament today wearing a mask. Since the detection of a case in Delhi, pharmacies in the area reported an increase in demand of hand sanitisers and face masks. Chemists said the demand peaked by Tuesday afternoon, with many unable to meet it. But are they really helpful? Find out here. (Express Photo/Tashi Tobgyal)
Online retailer Amazon.com Inc also confirmed that an employee in the United States tested positive for the coronavirus. Earlier two employees in Milan, Italy, had been infected with the virus and were under quarantine.
Ahead of the festival of Holi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to skip the celebrations to avoid mass gathering. "Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme," PM Modi tweeted. Yesterday, the prime minister had asked citizens not to panic as a surge in the number of cases in India was reported.
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Japan reached the 1,000 mark on Wednesday, as the government reiterated that plans to host the Tokyo Summer Olympics in July remained on track. The Olympics are scheduled to open in less than five months and the International Olympic Committee head Thomas Bach on Tuesday reiterated his backing for this summer's Games despite the coronavirus threat, urging athletes to prepare "full steam." Earlier there were reports that the mega sports event may be postponed. However, had this happened, it had its own set of challenges.
Click here to find out why rescheduling or cancelling Tokyo Olympics would have been a logistical and financial nightmare
The first test that samples of all suspected patients are sent for is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. If that is positive, the sample is sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune, which is the only government laboratory currently doing genome sequencing, for final confirmation. This final confirmatory test specific for the novel coronavirus was developed virtually overnight after the emergence of the disease.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Tuesday restricted the export of key drug ingredients, such as paracetamol, Vitamin B12 and progesterone, in the wake of the ongoing shutdown in Hubei, the Chinese province at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak. According to the directorate’s notification, the export of 13 such active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and medicines made from them, have been restricted. This means that companies would need a no-objection certificate (NOC) to move them out of India. Read more
Coronavirus is a public health challenge because it is highly infectious. At present, there is no vaccine or antidote to the virus — awareness is the best way to guard against it. It is imperative, therefore, that health authorities issue messages laying out the character of the disease, its health risks and also issue practical advisories on travel and sanitation. Read here
South Korea reported 516 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday as thousands of sick people waited for hospital beds in Daegu, the city at the centre of the worst outbreak outside mainland China. “We need special measures in times of emergency," South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said during a special cabinet meeting. "In order to overcome COVID-19 as quickly as possible and minimise the impact on the economy, it is necessary to proactively inject all available resources." (Reuters)
Six people, including three children, whose samples were taken in Noida for suspected coronavirus have tested negative, officials said on Wednesday, news agency PTI reported. The six have been kept under self-quarantine at their home for the next 14 days and will be retested if any symptoms appear. These six had come in contact with a Delhi-based man who has tested positive for the coronavirus during a party thrown by him.
"On the Coronavirus issue, samples taken from six contacts in Noida have tested negative but they will need to be under home quarantine for next 14 days and if symptoms develop, can be retested again," District Magistrate B N Singh said in a statement. He added that the government and the administration were monitoring the situation, stressing there was no need to panic. "Administration has not given any school closure order," Singh said.
Welcome to The Indian Express live blog on coronavirus outbreak. Six confirmed cases of coronavirus have been reported in India. Follow LIVE updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak across the world including India, China and South Korea