Coronavirus Live Updates: 30% Salary Cut For Karnataka Ministers; Calcutta HC Suspended Till April 30

The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 60,000 people in Europe alone, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources. That figure accounts for more than 70 per cent of the deaths so far officially recorded worldwide, which is nearing 90,000.

The United States recorded nearly 2,000 novel coronavirus deaths for a second day in a row, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University as of 8:30 pm Wednesday (0030 GMT Thursday). This brings the total number of US fatalities to 14,695. The US death toll now exceeds that of Spain, which has suffered 14,555 deaths, but has not surpassed Italy, whose toll stands at 17,669. 

The number of coronavirus positive cases in India also continued on an upward trend on Thursday mounting to 5,734 while the death toll touched 166, according to the Health Ministry.

In a big relief to the common people, the Supreme Court of India has directed that private labs should conduct coronavirus tests free of cost, observing they need to be philanthropic in the hour of national crisis. 

Catch All Live Updates Here:

3:16 PM: Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has offered to the government the functional, 50-bed Guru Harkrishan Hospital and six-storey 500-bed hospital building at Gurdwara Bala Sahib for isolation/treatment of COVID19 positive/suspected patients.

3:06 PM: 76,000 people in Chhattisgarh are currently under home quarantine. Total number of cases in the state stands at 11: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel

2:12 PM: GB Pant Hospital has been removed from the list of designated COVID-19 facilities, as per a Delhi government order. LNJP Hospital will create an additional 500 beds for COVID-19 patients.

2:10 PM:  Twelve fresh cases of COVID-19 reported in Bihar. The total number of cases rises to 51: Official

2:05 PM: Regular work at the Calcutta High Court and its circuit benches will continue to remain suspended till April 30, amid a spurt in COVID-19 cases.

2:00 PM: Karnataka cabinet has approved 30 per cent cut in salaries of Ministers and MLAs in the state for one year, said Law Minister J C Madhuswamy in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

1:52 PM: "Noida Authority is conducting sanitisation drive across Noida, especially in the sealed areas. Also, drones are being used for spraying disinfectant. I want to appeal to all to stay at home and do not panic," said Ritu Maheshwari, CEO of Noida Authority

She also said home delivery of essential commodities will be endured by authorities.

1:50 PM: Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik said a decision was taken in today's cabinet meeting to recommend CM Uddhav Thackeray's name for the two vacant MLC posts that are recommended by Governor. "As MLC elections can't be held due to COVID19, it is being done to avoid a constitutional crisis," Malik said.

1:15 PM: Odisha becomes the first state to extend lockdown. CM Naveen Patnaik said, "Odisha to extend lockdown till April 30; schools to remain closed till June 17."

1:03 PM: The Centre has approved the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness package aimed at boosting national and state health systems to support procurement of essential medical equipment and drugs, and strengthening of surveillance activities.

The Health Ministry said the 100 per cent centrally funded package will be implemented in three phases from January 2020 to March 2024.

12:50 PM: More than 1.5 million cases of the novel coronavirus have been registered worldwide, according to a tally compiled by AFP at 0530 GMT Thursday from official sources

12:18 PM: Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Thursday said there are 669 cases of coronavirus in the national capital at present, including 426 from the Tablighi Jamaat event that took place in Nizamuddin Markaz last month.

12:00 PM: India has reported the first death of a doctor due to coronavirus infection. Dr Shatrughan Panjwani, 55, a general physician, died of COVID-19 in Indore. Four days back he was diagnosed to have contracted the disease. He had a history of diabetes, respiratory problems.

11:40 AM: 55 new COVID-19 cases in Gujarat; state tally rises to 241: Govt official.

11:24 AM: 162 new COVID19 positive cases reported in Maharashtra today, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 1297: Maharashtra Health Department

10:50 AM: An 80-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with coronavirus after developing severe respiratory problems died of cardiac arrest in Gadag district early on Thursday, taking the toll in Karnataka to six, district officials said.

10:30 AM: India shall do everything possible to help humanity's fight against COVID-19, said PM Modi in response to US President Trump thanking India for its HCQ decision.

 "Fully agree with you President @realDonaldTrump. Times like these bring friends closer," Modi tweeted.

10:10 AM: Jharkhand reports its first COVID-19 death.

10:00 AM: Rajasthan recorded 30 more cases of coronavirus on Thursday, taking the state's tally to 413, an official said.