Coronavirus latest updates: PM urges SAARC nations to fight coronavirus together

NEW DELHI: Markets across the globe crashed, cities were locked down, sporting events were cancelled, as the menace of coronavirus continued to spread in various parts of the world. In India, first coronavirus casualty was reported from Karnataka with the death of a 76-year-old man. So far there have been 75 confirmed cases in the entire country.
Here is a look at the latest updates —
PM urges SAARC nations to chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus
Our planet is battling the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it. South Asia, which is home to a significant number of the global population should leave no stone unturned to ensure our people are healthy.

I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus. We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy. Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet.

IPL 2020 postponed to mid-April due to coronavirus
The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will not begin on March 29 as per the existing schedule. The tournament is being postponed to mid-April (possibly 15th). An official announcement on the same lines is expected sometime later in the day.
The Times of India had reported the same on Thursday. The office-bearers of the BCCI, led by president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah, met at the board's headquarters in Mumbai on Friday to take the call. They were assisted by their operations and logistics team in arriving at the decision.
Trading on both NSE and BSE freezed for 45 minutes
Spooked by the coronavirus outbreak, domestic markets witnessed another day of carnage as the indices crashed sharply in opening trade with the broader NSE Nifty touching the lower circuit of 10 per cent within 15 minutes of opening. Trading on both BSE and NSE was freezed for 45 minutes.
Steepest one-day crash in Sensex history
On Thursday, in its steepest one-day crash in history (in absolute terms), the Sensex plunged 2,919 points — outstripping its previous worst loss of 1,942 points on Monday by over a thousand points — to close at 32,778 after a bloodbath on global stock markets with the WHO declaring coronavirus a pandemic, triggering fears of a recession.
Coronavirus outbreak live updates
A nerve-wracking trading session saw the market entering bear territory, with a 20% plunge from its all-time high of 42,274 on January 20. It also hit a two-year low of 32,493 intra-day.
Coronavirus is a huge proble; the government is in a stupor: Rahul Gandhi
"I will keep repeating this. The coronavirus is a huge problem. Ignoring the problem is a non solution. The Indian economy will be destroyed if strong action is not taken. The government is in a stupor," Rahul tweeted.

Google employee in Bengaluru tests positive for coronavirus
Google said that an employee at its Bengaluru office has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus and the firm has directed all its employees in that office to work from home today as a precautionary measure.

"We can confirm that an employee from our Bangalore office has been diagnosed with COVID-19. They were in one of our Bangalore offices for a few hours before developing any symptoms. The employee has been on quarantine since then," Google said in a statement.
More on Covid-19
Coronavirus: What are the symptoms52 testing sites for coronavirus in IndiaDo fever and cough mean you need Covid-19 test?How to stay safeHow to quarantine yourself at homeSaudi-returned K’taka man, 76, is India’s first Covid-19 fatality
A 76-year-old man from Kalaburagi in north Karnataka, who died on March 10, is the country’s first Covid-19 fatality, with test results on Thursday confirming that he was infected. The man had a travel history to Saudi Arabia and died while being brought from a corporate hospital in Hyderabad’s Banjara Hills to Kalaburagi, his native place, on March 10.
Delhi shuts down schools, colleges and cinema halls
Declaring the spread of Covid-19 as an epidemic, the Delhi government on Thursday announced its decision to shut down all schools and colleges where examinations are not on and cinema halls, as a precautionary measure, till March 31. Of the confirmed cases in the country, six have been reported in Delhi.
Death toll across the world nears 5,000 mark
Death toll from coronavirus continued to mount with 4,983 deaths. The total number of confirmed cases reached 134,768, with the US reporting the maximum number of new cases, ie 65. In Italy, more than 1,000 people have died due to the virus. In Iran as well, the virus continued to wreak havoc claiming the lives of 93 people.
Canada PM Justin Trudeau's wife tests positive for coronavirus
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife has tested positive for the new coronavirus. Trudeau's office said Thursday night that Sophie Gregoire Trudeau is felling well and will remain in isolation. "The Prime Minister is in good health with no symptoms. As a precautionary measure and following the advice of doctors, he will be in isolation for a planned period of 14 days," the statement said.
Hundreds of sports events affected by the coronavirus pandemic
Hundreds of sports events have been affected due to the outbreak of coronavirus in several parts of the world. In India, as a precautionary measure in view of the coronavirus spread, the remaining two ODIs between India and South Africa slated to be held in Lucknow and Kolkata on March 15 and 18 respectively, would be played without spectators.
Disney, too, has decided to shut Florida and Paris theme parks, cruise line over the virus.
Chelsea player, Arsenal manager test positive
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting the Premier League to announce they will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss future fixtures. Chelsea's players and coaching staff were ordered into isolation after Callum tested positive.
Wall Street heads for worst day since 1987
London’s FTSE suffered its biggest loss in 33 years, and the US’s Dow Jones was on course for its worst performance since Wall Street’s “Black Monday” crash of 1987. With record numbers of stocks hitting 52-week lows, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq looked set to follow.
Rupee hits lifetime low of 74.48/$
The rupee hit a lifetime low of 74.48 in intra-day trades in the interbank market on Thursday before closing at 74.22. The RBI said it had enough forex reserves and would supply banks dollars for six months through sell-buy swaps to ensure supply at a time of turmoil.
Oil falls, Brent crude drops 8%
Oil prices fell, with Brent crude sliding 8% to $32.77 a barrel on Thursday. The slump is being compounded by the threat of a flood of cheap supply after Saudi Arabia and the UAE said they would raise output in a standoff with Russia. US crude was down 6.1% at $30.96.
(With inputs from agencies)