Coronavirus latest updates: New test may quickly, accurately detect Covid-19 virus

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Apr 16, 2020, 11:54 IST

NEW DELHI: Delhi recorded just 17 new cases, its lowest single-day tally in April. Maharashtra reported 232 — the lowest figure in the last six days and a dip by 34% from Tuesday’s numbers. MP recorded its highest single-day tally of 197. On the positive side, more than 1100 people have recovered from the disease across India as per the data shared by the states. At 218, Kerala has maximum such recoveries.
Here is a look at the latest updates on the ouutbreak of coronavirus in India and around the world —
Novel test may quickly, accurately detect novel coronavirus: Study
Scientists have developed a new test that may detect the novel coronavirus more accurately and quickly, and relieve the pressure on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based tests currently used in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of people have been tested for the novel coronavirus, most using a kit that relies on the PCR, a sensitive method that amplifies SARS-CoV-2 RNA from patient swabs so that tiny amounts of the virus can be detected.
Death toll due to COVID-19 touches 414; cases climb to 12,380
The death toll due to coronavirus rose to 414 and the number of cases to 12,380 in the country on Thursday, according to the Union health ministry. While the number of active COVID-19 cases is 10,477, as many as 1,488 people have been cured and discharged and one had migrated, it said. The total number of cases include 76 foreign nationals. Twenty-two deaths were reported since Wednesday evening.
WHO chief hails India's step to engage in polio surveillance network to fight Covid-19
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday appreciated India's collaboration with the World Health Organisation in the systematic engagement of polio surveillance network across the country to fight against coronavirus. In a series of tweets, Ghebreyesus said, "Great news: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and World Health Organisation-South-East Asia initiated a systematic engagement of the WHO's national polio surveillance network, and other field staff, for India's Covid-19 response, tapping into the best practices and resources that helped India win its war against polio."
Pandemic to bring Asia's 2020 growth to halt for first time in 60 years: IMF
Asia's economy is likely to suffer zero growth this year for the first time in 60 years, the IMF said in a report on the Asia-Pacific region released on Thursday. While Asia is set to fare better than other regions suffering economic contractions, the projection is worse than the 4.7% average growth rates throughout the global financial crisis, and the 1.3% increase during the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s, the IMF said.
'China didn't warn of likely pandemic for 6 critical days'
In the six days after top Chinese officials secretly determined they likely were facing a pandemic from a coronavirus, the city of Wuhan at the epicentre of the disease hosted a mass banquet for tens of thousands of people; millions began travelling through for Lunar New Year celebrations. President Xi Jinping warned the public on the seventh day, January 20. But by that time, more than 3,000 people had been infected during almost a week of public silence, according to internal documents obtained by AP and expert estimates based on retrospective infection data.
Lockdown 2.0: Masks made compulsory; no booze, tobacco sale
Wearing of face mask or face cover shall be compulsory in all public spaces and workplaces, sale of liquor and tobacco strictly banned and spitting in public spaces shall be punishable with fine during Covid-19 lockdown 2.0. According to ‘National Directives for Covid-19 Management’ issued by the home ministry as part of revised consolidated guidelines for the extended lockdown, no organisation or manager of public space shall allow a gathering of 5 or more persons and all those in charge of public places, workplaces and transport shall ensure social distancing as per health ministry guidelines.
Covid-19 hotspots marked in 170 districts, 207 more under close watch
The government has identified 170 districts with Covid-19 hotspots or 'red zone' areas, including in all six metros-Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Other large cities such as Bhopal, Agra, Gurugram, Noida and Faridabad also have hotspots. Besides, 207 districts-where the rate of doubling is currently low but which can be potential hotspots-have been classified as 'non-hotspots' or 'white zones'. Apart from this, there are 'green zone' districts with no new confirmed Covid-19 case in the last 28 days.
US has passed the peak on new coronavirus cases: Trump
The US has passed the peak on new coronavirus cases, President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, adding this has put the country in a very strong position to finalize new guidelines on social distancing.
More than 6.3 lakh Americans have tested positive for Covid-19 so far and total fatalities as on Wednesday were nearly 28,000, the highest for any country in the world.