Coronavirus Pandemic LIVE Updates: 33 Healthcare Workers Infected at Delhi's Max Hospital; Patient at Bengaluru Hospital Kills Self

Punjab Police Launches Campaign to Show Solidarity With Colleague Whose Hand Was Chopped | All police personnel in Punjab will today wear badges with the name of their colleague Harjeet Singh, whose left hand was chopped off in an attack when he was trying to impose lockdown restrictions in the state, to show solidarity with him and others working on the frontline amid difficult circumstances to control the spread of Covid-19. The day-long campaign is called 'MainBhiHarjeetSingh'.

चंडीगढ़: DGP दिनकर गुप्ता ने पटियाला सब्जी मंडी में ASI हरजीत सिंह के साथ हुए हादसे के मद्देनज़र कोरोना वॉरियर्स के प्रति सम्मान दिखाने के लिए 'मैं भी हरजीत' कैंपेन चलाया है। इस कैंपेन के समर्थन में सभी अधिकारी हरजीत सिंह के नाम की नेमप्लेट पहने दिखे। pic.twitter.com/UEl0QnhYHP

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) April 27, 2020

22 Staff Members of AIIMS Rishikesh Quarantined | In Uttarakhand, 22 staff members of AIIMS Rishikesh and seven from Bapu Gram were quarantined after they came in contact with a nursing officer of AIIMS Rishikesh who tested positive for Covid-19. 20 Bigha area, Bapu Gram in Rishikesh has been declared as 'Red Zone'.

Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Reddy Interacts With PM Narendra Modi, Asks for Lockdown Extension in State | Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conferencing over Covid-19 situation, reportedly asked the Prime Minister to keep such a restriction for few more days in the state. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh has been worst affected by coronavirus as the total tally in the state jumped to 1177, including those who recovered and succumbed to the infection.

Coronavirus Cases in Pakistan Rises to 13,328; Death Toll 281 | Pakistan's coronavirus cases have climbed to 13,328 while the death toll from the pandemic has reached 281 with 12 more fatalities, the health ministry said. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, more than 3,000 people have recovered from the contagion. The ministry said that Punjab has reported 5,446 cases, Sindh 4,615, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,864, Balochistan 781, Gilgit-Baltistan 318, Islamabad 245 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 59 cases. The coronavirus tally in Pakistan has climbed to 13,328 while 281 people have died due to the sickness, including 12 in the last 24 hours, it said.

Home Minister Asks State CMs to Enforce Lockdown Strictly | In a video conferencing meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state Chief Ministers, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked all CMs to enforce lockdown strictly in their respective states as reports of violations are coming to fore. 

Maharashtra Cabinet to Discuss on Phasing Out of Lockdown in State | Maharastra cabinet will discuss on phasing out of lockdown in a meeting that will be held today afternoon. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will also apprise the cabinet members of his discussion with the Prime Minister. The cabinet will also discuss nomination of Thackeray to Vidhan Parishad. It has been almost 20 days since the cabinet had recommended to the Governor to nominate Thackeray to Vidhan Parishad. For Uddhav Thackeray to continue as the Chief Minister, he will have to become a member of either House by May 28.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Bringing Back Migrant Workers, Stranded Students to State | West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured migrant workers and stranded students that the state govermnent is doing everything possible to bring back them to the state amid lockdown.

GoWB will initiate every possible help to people of Bengal stuck in diff parts of the country due to lockdown,in returning home. I've instructed my officers to do the needful. Till the time I'm here, nobody from Bengal should feel helpless. I'm with you in these tough times(1/2)

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 27, 2020

China Eases Restrictions on Exports of Some Coronavirus Equipment | China is dropping a requirement that a number of key virus care products get domestic regulatory approval before export, as long as they are approved in the importing countries, the commerce ministry said. China had been stipulating such extra approval at home since the end of March after several European countries complained that Chinese-made test kits were inaccurate, in effect hampering many firms' efforts to supply global efforts against the coronavirus pandemic. The new ruling applies to products such as coronavirus tests, medical masks, protective suits, infrared thermometers and ventilators.

China's Wuhan City Discharges Last Covid-19 Patient from Hospital | The last Covid-19 patient in Wuhan has been discharged and the hospitals in the epicentre of the global coronavirus pandemic in the central Chinese city have no coronavirus cases for the first time after more than three months of arduous battle against the deadly virus that infected over 80,000 people on the mainland, health officials said. China's National Health Commission (NHC) announced today that three new confirmed coronavirus cases, including two from the Chinese returning from abroad and one local transmission were reported on Sunday.

Ashok Gehlot Appeals to People to Extend All Help to Migrants Returning to Rajasthan | As Rajasthan prepares for the return of migrants stuck in other states due to the lockdown, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today appealed to the people of the state to extend all help and give moral support to those returning home after "a very hard period". The Rajasthan government has deputed teams of senior officers to coordinate with other states on the return of migrants.

Japan Adds 14 More Countries to Entry Ban List to Curb Covid-19 Spread | Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday that his country is adding 14 more countries, including Russia, Peru and Saudi Arabia, to the entry ban list as the country steps up border control as the coronavirus infections continued to spread in the country. Japan has already banned entry from more than 70 other countries, banning foreigners with records of visiting those countries in the past two weeks, while invalidating visas for the rest of the world. The additional step on the 14 countries will take effect Wednesday, Abe said. The entry ban and the visa restrictions, initially set to end on April 30, are extended until the end of May.

80 New Covid-19 Cases Reported in Andhra Pradesh | With 80 new cases of coronavirus reported in Andhra Pradesh, the tally in the state has mounted to 1,177. So far 235 people have been discharged from hospital after recovery and 31 people succumbed to infection.

RBI Announces Rs 50,000 Crore Special Liquidity Facility for Mutual Funds | The Reserve Bank of India today announced a Rs 50,000 crore special liquidity facility for mutual fund, days after Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund decided to close six debt schemes. In a statement, the central bank said heightened volatility in capital markets in reaction to Covid-19 has imposed liquidity strains on mutual funds (MFs), which have intensified in the wake of redemption pressures related to closure of some debt MFs and potential contagious effects therefrom. The stress is, however, confined to the high-risk debt MF segment at this stage; the larger industry remains liquid, it said.

Maharashtra Reports Highest Number of Covid-19 Cases, Followed by Gujarat, Delhi | According to the Union Health Ministry's data updated in the morning, the highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country are from Maharashtra at 8,068, followed by Gujarat at 3,301, Delhi at 2,918, Rajasthan at 2,185, Madhya Pradesh at 2,096 and Tamil Nadu at 1,885. The number of Covid-19 cases has gone up to 1,868 in Uttar Pradesh, 1,097 in Andhra Pradesh and 1,002 in Telangana.

PM Narendra Modi Interacts with CMs on Covid-19 Situation | Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a video conference with chief ministers to discuss the situation arising due to the coronavirus pandemic in the country, which has been under a lockdown since March 25 to contain the spread of the virus, amid indications that the interaction would also focus on a graded exit from the ongoing lockdown. The Centre and the state governments have been giving gradual exemptions to boost economic activities as also to provide relief to people as some states want further relaxation in areas which have seen few or no coronavirus cases.

33 Health Workers at Max Hospital in Delhi Test Covid-19 Positive | At least 33 healthcare workers at Max hospital in Delhi have tested positive for coronavirus. These include two doctors and 23 nursing staff while the remaining are technicians and support staff. “As part of our on-going routine Covid-19 testing for all healthcare workers, admitted patients and new admissions, a total of 33 healthcare workers have tested positive since the exercise began earlier this month at Max Hospital, Patparganj. All of them have been shifted to our Covid-19 only hospital at Max Hospital, Saket, east wing as and when their tests confirmed. The 145 nurses from Max Hospital, Patparganj were quarantined for 14 days in a private hostel, where they live. The hostel was sealed and declared a containment zone by the local authorities. Since the occupancy is minimal, the hospital is functioning with available staff,” statement by Max hospital.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Likely to Skip Interaction With PM Narendra Modi Today | According to sources, West Bengal Chief Minister is likely to skip an interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conferencing to discuss Covid-19 situation in the country. The Prime Minister will speak to all state Chief Ministers today.

50-Year-Old Covid-19 Patient Commits Suicide in Bengaluru | A 50-year-old man, who tested positive for coronavirus, committed suicide by jumping off from fire exit window of Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, where he was being treated. The patient had kidney problems and was undergoing dialysis. His family members were kept under quarantine after he tested Covid-19 positive.

MHA's Status Report in Supreme Court on Migrant Workers During Lockdown | The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in its latest status report on steps taken for migrant workers amid lockdown mentioned, "MHA maintains migrants cannot be moved during lockdown. No need for migrants to go back to villages. Shelter, food and medical facilities being taken care of. Needs of their families are also being taken care of in villages. There are around 37,978 relief camps in the country. Around 14.3 lakh persons have been housed. Additionally, 26,225 food camps, giving food to 1.34 crore persons and 16.5 lakh workers given shelter and food by their employers."

MHA's Status Report in Supreme Court on Lockdown | The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today submitted its latest status report on nationwide lockdown. In report, the MHA mentioned, "Home Minister personally supervising all directives. Home Minister is assisted by Home Secretary, Cabinet Secretary in the Control Room which jw operational for 24 hours. Union Home Minister monitoring implementation of directives."

3 More Test Positive for Covid-19 in Bihar; Total Reaches 277 | Three more persons tested positive for coronavirus infection in Bihar, taking the total number of Covid-19 patients to 277 in the state, a top health department of official said. The new cases were reported from Sadar Bazar area of Jamalpur in Munger district, Health department's Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar said. These new Covid-19 patients were female and range in ages between 12 and 17 years, he said.

Dubai Lifts Lockdown on Two Densely Populated Commercial Districts | The emirate of Dubai said it has lifted its full lockdown on two commercial districts which have a large population of low-income migrant workers, after the United Arab Emirates eased nationwide coronavirus curfews over the weekend. Dubai on Friday cut its emirate-wide 24-hour lockdown back to a 10:00 pm to 6:00 am curfew. It has now taken the same step in the Al Ras and Naif districts, which had been sealed off as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Total Number of Coronavirus Cases in Haryana Reach 296 | A total number of coronavirus cases in Haryana have reached 296, out of which 94 are active cases. So far, three patients have succumbed to the infection in the state.

36 New Covid-19 Cases Reported in Rajasthan in Past 24 Hours | Thirty-six new cases of positive coronavirus have been reported in Rajasthan in past 24 hours, taking the tally to 2,221 in the state.

Covid-19 Free UK PM Boris Johnson Returns to Downing Street | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has returned to Downing Street, a month after being diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus, to take charge of the UK's response to the pandemic outbreak in the country that has claimed the lives of over 20,000 people. The 55-year-old has been recuperating at his prime ministerial countryside retreat at Chequers in Buckinghamshire since he was discharged on April 12 and had put UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in charge as his deputy.

PM Narendra Modi to Interact With Chief Ministers at 10am Today | Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with all Chief Ministers via video conference today to discuss situation in states/union territories due to novel coronavirus, amid indications that the discussions could also focus on a graded exit from the ongoing lockdown.

At 10 AM, Shri @narendramodi will be interacting with state Chief Ministers via video conferencing. They will be discussing aspects relating to the COVID-19 situation.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 27, 2020

Sixty doctors and other health workers from across India have come together to put a smile across everyone’s face by creating the ‘The Song of Hope’. All have created a dance video to mark one month of lockdown and asked everyone to be happy and cheerful through this fight against coronavirus.

60 young #Doctors & #CovidWarriors from across #India 🇮🇳 put together this #dance video, to mark one month of #lockdown
Asking everyone to be Happy & cheerful through this fight 👍@NDRFHQ says BRAVO !! 🙏🏻🇮🇳🙏🏻

Source: @GopiSpeaks pic.twitter.com/7gVSNlonkE

— ѕαtчα prαdhαnसत्यनारायण प्रधान ସତ୍ଯ ପ୍ରଧାନ-DG NDRF (@satyaprad1) April 27, 2020

Covid-19 Situation Under Control in Telangana: Governor | The Telangana government is doing its best to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus and the situation is under control, Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has said. She also said that the "positive cases' curve has almost started flattening in the last few days" in the state. Telangana has reported 1,002 Covid-19 cases so far, with 280 persons cured or discharged. The death toll in the state is 26, according to Union Health Ministry data.

First Covid-19 Positive Case Reported in Jharkhand's Jamtara | First coronavirus positive case has been reported in Jamtara, taking the total number of cases in the state to 83, said Jharkhand Health Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni.

Total Covid-19 Cases in India Reach 27,892 | A total count of coronavirus positive cases in India jumped to 27,892. There are 20,835 active cases in the country, while 6,184 have cured from the infection. According to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's updated data, 872 patients have succumbed to the infection so far in the country.