Coronavirus India Live Updates: Tripura has become COVID-19 free
New Delhi: Coronavirus India Live Updates: Sixty six people have died across India in 24 hours due to COVID-19 related illness, taking the total deaths due to the virus to 1,074, the government data shows. The total number of cases has risen to 33,050 in the country, according to the Union Health Ministry. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 23,651, while 8,324 people have recovered and one patient has migrated. The total number of cases include 111 foreign nationals, the ministry said. Out of the 66 deaths reported since Wednesday evening, 32 were from Maharashtra, 16 from Gujarat, 10 from Madhya Pradesh, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Tamil Nadu and Delhi, and one from Karnataka.
Migrant labourers, students, pilgrims or tourists who do not have symptoms of coronavirus can return to their home states now, the Centre has said today, issuing a set of guidelines nearly five weeks after the announcement of the countrywide lockdown that left thousands stranded. The order comes a day after the Centre was asked to respond to issue by the Supreme Court, which was hearing a set of petitions asking that migrant labourers who do not have COVID-19 be allowed to go home.
There have been no new coronavirus case in 90 per cent of the containment zones recently in the national capital, Delhi Health minister Satyendar Jain said on Wednesday. He said earlier the doubling rate of COVID-19 cases was four or five days but the current doubling rate is 13 days in Delhi, which is more than the national average. "There are 3,314 cases in Delhi currently including 206 from Tuesday. Thirty-two per cent of the patients, which means 1,000 patients have recovered so far," he told reporters.
The number of active COVID-19 cases stand at 22,982, while 7,796 people have recovered, and one patient has migrated, the ministry said. "Thus, around 24.52 per cent of the patients have recovered so far," a Health Ministry official said. The total number of cases include 111 foreign nationals.
The government on Tuesday said plasma therapy for coronavirus is still in an experimental stage and can even prove "life threatening" for a patient, amid a surge of hope brought in by the first successful test in Delhi.
Here are the Coronavirus Outbreak Live Updates:
Coronavirus cases: 3 more test positive for COVID-19 in Odisha, count rises to 128
Three more persons tested positive for novel coronavirus in Jajpur district of Odisha on Thursday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 128, news agency PTI reported quoting officials.
Two of the patients, an 18-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man, are from Katikata containment area in Jajpur district while the third patient is an asymptomatic 65-year-old man, they said.
Coronavirus India lockdown: Varanasi to observe complete lockdown till May 3
Varanasi will observe complete lockdown till May 3 in the wake coronavirus, news agency ANi reported quoting District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma.
"There will be a complete lockdown within the limits of Varanasi Municipal Corporation till May 3. Home delivery of essentials will be done for people. They will only be allowed to move out on health and medical grounds," Mr Sharma said.
The decision was taken after the District Magistrate's meeting with other officials on Wednesday.
Three new coronavirus cases were reported in Varanasi yesterday after which three new hotspots were created. Currently, there are 16 hotspot areas in the district.
Coronavirus cases: 11 new cases reported in Mohali
At least 11 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported from Mohali, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the district to 84, news agency ANI reported quoting Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan.
Out of the 11 new cases, 10 are Nanded pilgrims and one is PGI employee from Mullanpur.
Dayalan further informed that out of the total number of cases in Mohali, 30 have been cured, 52 are active cases and two persons have died due to COVID-19.
COVID-19: India coronavirus cases latest update
In India, the coronavirus cases have reached 33,050. The recoveries are at 8,324 and deaths at 1,074, according to the Health Ministry's latest update.
Rare inflammatory syndrome seen in children with COVID-19
Children have largely been spared the worst of COVID-19, but there may be a rare complication -- an inflammatory syndrome that one doctor described as causing patients to feel like "every blood vessel in the body is on fire."
Britain's National Health Service first sounded the alarm over the weekend, warning about a small rise in children infected with the coronavirus that have "overlapping features of toxic shock syndrome and atypical Kawasaki disease."
"All of the pediatricians and critical care medics are working together to see whether it's connected to COVID-19," France's health minister Olivier Veran said Wednesday.
Data shows that children are overall not at high risk from the virus and accounted for just 0.4 percent of hospitalized cases in the US, according to official data released earlier this month.
But reports of autoimmune complications arising across Europe and the United States highlight the need for parents to be vigilant, doctors say, even as much more research is needed to definitively tie the virus to these symptoms.
After Centre, Delhi Halts Dearness Allowance Hike Till July 2021 To Fight COVID-19After the Centre, the Delhi government has now put on hold the hike in Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief for government employees and pensioners, in view of the country's financial situation amid the coronavirus pandemic. Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief, however, will continue to be paid at the current rate of 17 per cent.
Coronavirus: Police perform ''parikarma'' of AIIMS in DelhiAs a sign of respect for healthcare professionals, the Delhi Police on Wednesday undertook a "parikarma'' of the All-India Institute of Medical Science, officials said.
Police personnel from south Delhi rode 51 COVID patrol bikes on the occasion to thank the healthcare professionals for their selfless service.
"A parikrama of the AIIMS hospital was conducted as a mark of gratitude. This is in continuation to the ongoing visits to various hospitals and medical professionals by the staff of south district to thank them in this campaign to safeguard citizens of our country," said Atul Kumar Thakur, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South).
Senior officers also met doctors, medical workers and the security staff at AIIMS, assuring of all help, he said.
Telangana Government hiding COVID-19 cases: BJP State President
President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Telangana unit, Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Wednesday alleged that the state government is hiding the number of COVID-19 positive cases to provide "facilities" to the Muslims amid Ramzan and tests are also not being conducted in the State.
"Today I have taken the charge as the state president. In Telangana, BJP is supporting the state government in curbing the COVID-19 cases and will support them in future too. Since the last three-four days, the cases of COVID-19 are decreasing in the state but the government's behaviour is suspicious," said Mr Kumar.
"Today the cases have decreased in the state because the authorities have stopped testing and they are trying to hide the COVID-19 positive cases. Telangana state DME has issued a circular to not test the dead bodies. In other states, they have increased testing and here the government is decreasing it. This government is working for records and rewards. Telangana Chief Minister is cheating the poor people once again," he added.
Puducherry to decide stand on lockdown on May 2: Chief MinisterChief Minister V Narayanasamy on Wednesday said his cabinet would meet on May 2 to decide its stand on whether the ongoing lockdown should be extended or not in the union territory.
"With the Centre's stand on extension or otherwise of the lockdown not being very clear, the territorial administration was now considering all pros and cons of the extension of the lockdown when it ends on May 3," he told reporters late on Wednesday night after a cabinet meeting.
The cabinet would meet again on May 2 to take a decision on the matter, he said.
Coronavirus News: With 74 new COVID-19 positive cases, Rajasthan records 2438 total cases
Rajasthan Health Department on Wednesday confirmed that 74 new cases of COVID-19 and three new deaths have been reported in the State, taking the total number of cases to 2438 including 55 deaths.
As many as 814 patients have recovered from the disease till date. Out of the total number of COVID-19 positive cases in the State, Jaipur has reported the maximum number of cases standing at 22.
Coronavirus: No new COVID-19 containment zone added in Delhi, total zones stand at 100
The Delhi Government on Wednesday confirmed that no new locations were added in the list of COVID-19 containment zones here as till Tuesday 100 containment zones were declared across the national capital.
A part of Shaheen Bagh was added into the list of containment zones on Tuesday.
The step of declaring containment zones is aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus, which has swept across continents- from China to USA, killing thousands and crippling economies besides putting millions under lockdown and in quarantine.
The containment zones are the areas where cases of COVID-19 have been detected. The containment operation includes sealing off the area with police barricades and shutting the entry and exit with tin walls.
Kerala: Kasaragod collector advised to go into quarantine as scribe tests positive for COVID-19After a television journalist in Kerala's Kasaragod tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, the health authorities here advised the district collector, his driver and gunman to go into self-quarantine.
The district collector had given an interview to the journalist a few days ago.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday had said that 10 people, including three health workers and a journalist, were found infected with the virus.
The journalist who works for a prominent television channel in the state is the first positive case from the media fraternity.
"I had given an interview to the journalist on April 19. He has tested positive for coronavirus. Along with me, my driver and gunman have been advised to go into self-quarantine," District Collector D Sajith Babu told PTI.
A cameraman, driver and two other staff members of the media organisation have also been asked to remain quarantined.
The media organisation later issued instructions to its staff to maintain social distancing and other precautions.
Coronavirus cases in Delhi nears 3,500; 125 fresh cases, two deaths in a dayDelhi on Wednesday reported 125 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the city's tally to 3,439, with two fatalities being reported in a day, authorities said.
According to a bulletin by the Delhi's Health Department, the death toll due to coronavirus in the city reached 56. However, the last three days saw no deaths due to COVID-19 in the national capital.
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi rose to 3,500, of which 2, 291 are active cases, the bulletin said.
Fourteen people were discharged from hospitals on Wednesday after being cured.
Among the fresh cases include a first-year postgraduate student of the North MCD-run Kasturba Hospital.
Ninety people at a Sikkim government guest house in south Delhi's Green Park have also been quarantined after a patient staying there was found positive, officials said.
The guest house serves as a facility for patients from Sikkim referred to Delhi for medical treatment.
Coronavirus Mumbai: 26 COVID-19 deaths in Mumbai, 475 new cases, tally 6,457Twenty-six coronavirus patients -- highest in a day -- died in Mumbai and 475 tested positive
for the infection on Wednesday, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Those who died on Wednesday included a BMC official, which led to unions demanding that all corporation employees be tested for coronavirus.
It took the death toll in the country's financial capital to 270 and the tally of patients jumped to 6,457 crossing the 6,000-mark.
A BMC release said that 377 new suspected patients were admitted at various hospitals and 193 recovered patients were discharged.
Till now, 1,427 patients have been discharged from hospitals on recovery. 108 of them were not city residents but were treated here, the BMC said.
Of the 26 COVID-19 patients who died in the city on Wednesday, 16 patients had co-morbidities, said the BMC. 21 of them were male and five female.
Andhra Deputy Chief Minister's personal attendant tests COVID-19 positive
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister (Health) A K K Srinivas on Wednesday said his personal attendant has tested positive for coronavirus infection in the TruNat machine test (normally used for TB testing).
The Deputy Chief Minister, however, tested negative apart from 13 other members of his office at the State Secretariat.
Mr Srinivas revealed this at a press conference on Wednesday night.
"My attendant tested positive in the TruNat test (normally used for TB testing) and we have sent the samples for further RT-PCR test. Myself and 13 of the staff members also underwent the test and all of us tested negative for coronavirus," Mr Srinivas said.
Coronavirus: 3 COVID-19 patients of Mizoram recovered in MumbaiA total of three COVID-19 patients, out of the eight linked to Mumbai's Mizoram House, have recovered and discharged from hospitals, Mizoram Health Minister Dr R Lalthangliana said on Wednesday.
He said seven people from Mizoram and a local employee of the Mizoram House had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier. They included three who had gone to the western metropolis for treatment of cancer and two attendants.
A 22-year-old woman, who tested positive on April 13, has been discharged from Mumbai's St George Hospital on April 22 while two others patients were released from the Seven Hills Hospital and the Nair Hospital on Tuesday, the minister said.
Coronavirus: Three people die of COVID-19 in Rajasthan; 2,438 cases in stateThree people died of coronavirus in Rajasthan on Wednesday even as the state recorded 74 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking its tally to 2,438, an official said.
The state has so far witnessed 55 deaths due to the virus, with Jaipur alone accounting for 30 deaths.
"Three deaths due to COVID-19 occurred in Jaipur," Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said.
"As many as 74 fresh cases were reported in the state, including 22 in Jaipur," he added.
Singh said besides Jaipur, 11 cases were reported in Ajmer, 13 in Jodhpur, nine in Pali, eight in Chittorgarh, three in Kota, two each in Bhilwara and Dholpur and one each in Banswara, Dholpur, Bharatpur and Udaipur.
A total of 2,438 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the state so far.
Coronavirus Lockdown: Stranded Migrants, Students, Tourists Can Go Home During Lockdown: 10 PointsMigrant labourers, students, pilgrims or tourists who do not have symptoms of coronavirus can return to their home states now, the Centre has said, issuing a set of guidelines nearly five weeks after the announcement of the countrywide lockdown that left thousands stranded. The order comes a day after the Centre was asked to respond to issue by the Supreme Court, which was hearing a set of petitions asking that migrant labourers who do not have COVID-19 be allowed to go home. The Centre has already allowed Uttar Pradesh to ferry back its migrants from Haryana a move that led states like Bihar and Jharkhand to question its lockdown guidelines that that froze road, rail and air transport and asked states not allow homebound migrants laboures across their borders."
Mamata Banerjee asks private hospitals not to refuse treatment to Covid-19 patients
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday urged private hospitals of the state not to refuse any patient approaching them for treatment of coronavirus infection.
The chief minister's appeal came after allegations were raised that some private facilities are refusing to treat patients with symptoms of coronavirus.
"We have collaborated with 51 private hospitals (to treat Covid-19 patients). Do not forget that the state government is bearing all the expenses of their treatment. But other hospitals also can treat coronavirus cases by taking necessary precautionary measures. I appeal to everybody to provide treatment to them," she told reporters at the state secretariat.
Conditional permissions being given to some industries to operate: Haryana Chief Minister
Haryana has begun granting conditional permission to some industries outside containments zones to start operating with requisite precautions, Chief Minister ML Khattar said on Wednesday. Permissions are being given to industries to start their operation in a phased manner so that the economic activities in the state can be spurred as per the Centre's guidelines, said Khattar.
He said nearly 2.07 lakh workers have already started working in brick kilns.
Industrial activities are being re-started in a phased manner with due adherence to all the guidelines and "our estimate is that nearly 5.5 lakh employees and other workforce have started to work in various units," said the chief minister.
Mr Khattar said the state has been divided state in two parts for economic activity with 15 districts being those where impact of coronavirus is less, he said.
Coronavirus Updates: 13 healthcare workers test COVID-19 positive at Safdarjung Hospital in last 2 months
Thirteen healthcare workers, including seven resident doctors, nurses and a faculty member, have tested positive for COVID-19 so far over the past two months at the Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital, sources said on Wednesday.
Also, around 10 healthcare workers, including a resident doctor and five nurses, have contracted the disease so far at the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Besides, some security guards have also been infected in the premier hospital.
The latest healthcare staff to get infected by coronavirus at the Safdarjung Hospital is a sanitation worker who was tested positive for the infection on Tuesday.
According to the sources, five resident doctors from the medicine department of the Safdarjung Hospital are currently undergoing treatment at the facility.
Odisha has lowest rate of COVID-19 positivity in India: Official
Odisha government on Wednesday claimed that the state has the lowest rate of COVID-19 positivity in the country as it has registered only 0.4 per cent per 100 corona tests.
This was stated by National Health Mission, Odisha director Shalini Pandit. "We have only 0.4 per cent COVID-19 positivity against Indias average of 4.3 per cent," she said.
Further elaborating the fact, Ms Pandit said while the rate of positivity in Delhi was highest at 8.4 followed by Maharastra at 7 per cent, Odishas positivity rate is only 0.4 per cent.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar welcomes revised central guidelines on movement of stranded people
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday thanked the centre for revising its guidelines whereby movement of people away from their homes during the ongoing lockdown has been allowed with certain conditions.
In a statement issued Mr Kumar said revised guidelines will provide relief to students, tourists, pilgrims and migrant workers hailing from Bihar, who are stuck in far-off places across the country.
"We had made a request to this effect and we are glad that the centre has come up with a positive response," the chief minister said referring to Monday's video conference in which he took part, along with counterparts of other states, and interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
5 Karnataka Ministers Take Test After Coming In Contact With Virus Infected Journalist
Five Karnataka ministers are undergoing tests for coronavirus infection after they reportedly came in contact with the video journalist of a Kannada news channel who tested positive for COVID-19 last week, a senior minister said on Wednesday.
"As far as our journalist friend who has supposedly met five ministers is concerned- the ministers are also getting tested and one of them said, he had tested negative," Minister S Suresh Kumar, who is spokesperson for COVID-19 in Karnataka, told reporters.
However, reports allege that the ministers had flouted mandated quarantining and are going about with routine work.
The journalist, who had visited containment zones demarcated by BBMP (city civic body), was confirmed positive on April 24.
COVID-19 Lockdown: Uttar Pradesh to bring ordinance against attacks on healthcare workers, policemen
The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to bring an ordinance specifying stiff penalties for attacking doctors and other frontline COVID-19 workers, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday
The move comes days after the Centre promulgated a similar ordinance to deter attacks on medical personnel as they try to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
The UP ordinance is expected to allow up to seven years in prison for those found guilty of attacking doctors, paramedics, police personnel and sanitation workers.
COVID-19 cases cross 4,000-mark in Gujarat, 16 deaths
The number of coronavirus cases in Gujarat rose to 4,082 after 308 new patients were reported on Wednesday, 234 of them in Ahmedabad alone.
The number of deaths rose to 197 with 16 COVID-19 patients dying during the day, a senior health official said.
Ahmedabad reported 234 new cases, taking the total in the district to 2,777. In Surat, number of coronavirus positive cases rose to 601 with 31 new cases. In Vadodara too, number of cases rose to 270, said Principal Secretary (Health) Jayanti Ravi.
Nine COVID-19 patients died in Ahmedabad, three in Vadodara and Surat each and one in Rajkot, she said.
No dearth of beds for COVID-19 patients in Kolkata hospitals : Mamata Banerjee
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that there are still as many as 790 beds ready for coronavirus patients in hospitals of Kolkata.
"There were some who tried to spread rumours that there are no beds in hospitals of Kolkata to get admitted. There are still 790 beds ready for COVID-19 in Kolkata," said Ms Banerjee in a video conference.
Speaking on further measures taken in view of controlling the spread of coronavirus, she said, "We have taken certain decisions that will be implemented from Monday if everything is alright. There will be relaxations in the green zone and the orange zone where standalone shops of essential items will remain open."
However, there will be no relaxation for containment areas, she added.
Uttarakhand Cabinet sanctions 2.48 Crores to buy resistance drugs for corona warriors
The Uttarakhand government on Wednesday sanctioned Rs 2.48 crore for buying some homeopathy and auyrvedic medicines that can boost corona warriors' immunity against infection.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, Cabinet Minister Madan Kaushik told reporters after the meeting.
The amount will be spent over buying medicines like Arsenic Album 30 of homeopathy, besides Giloy, Ashwagandha, Tulsi and Kadha in Ayurveda to build resistance among frontline healthcare workers engaged in the anti-COVID fight.
The minister said the Centre has given its nod to start COVID-19 testing at Srinagar Medical College from April 30 and is likely to give its clearance soon for carrying out COVID-19 tests at Almora and Haridwar also.
Army troops, paramilitary forces cautioned against fake "Aarogya Setu" app
Security agencies have warned Army troops and paramilitary forces against a malicious Pakistan-propped mobile app that masquerades as the anti-COVID-19 "Aarogya Setu" app to steal sensitive data, officials said on Wednesday.
An advisory issued said the fake app can be received by a user as a WhatsApp forward or through SMS, a phishing e-mail or other links and via Internet-based social media.
The advisory has recommended to the personnel that they should only download the "Aarogya Setu" app from authorised links from the "mygov.in" website.
No new coronavirus case in Himachal Pradesh in six days
Himachal Pradesh has not reported any fresh COVID-19 case in the past six days, a senior health official said on Wednesday. So far, 41 coronavirus cases have been reported and the number of active cases in the state is 10, the official said.
Two people have died of COVID-19 in the state. "Of the 389 samples sent for testing on Wednesday, 227 tested negative for the infection while reports of the rest are awaited," Additional Chief Secretary (Health) RD Dhiman said.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announces ''7 am to 11 am'' curfew relaxation in state
The Punjab government on Wednesday announced a four-hour relaxation in curfew in the state from 7 am daily.
"I had said that you (people) be given some sort of relaxation. We have today decided to give relaxation from 7 am to 11 am daily," Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said in his message to people.
Read here. Next few days crucial as Odia migrants will return from COVID-19 affected states: Odisha Chief Minister
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said that the next few days are going to be very crucial for the state government's efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 as Odia migrants will be coming back from other coronavirus affected states.
In a video message, Mr Patnaik said, "We have another challenge which is to take care of Odia people returning from West Bengal, as out of total 122 positive cases in the state, the number corona cases of West Bengal returnees are 50. Next few days are very crucial as more people will return from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi Rajasthan Karnataka and from neighbouring West Bengal."
"The return of Odia people from these most affected states in the country may cause the increase in positive cases in the State but if people coming from outside will register and everyone will cooperate with the Govt here, the situation in the state will continue to remain under control," he said.
Coronavirus: Uttar Pradesh government to add 52,000 beds in hospitals
The Uttar Pradesh government will add 52,000 beds in hospitals across the state to effectively deal with the COVID-19 situation, an official said on Wednesday. While 17,000 of these will be added by the Medical Health Department, 35,000 beds will be arranged by the Medical Education Department.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Information) Awanish Awasthi said, "Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the Medical Health Department and Medical Education Department to arrange additional beds so that patients do not face any problem."
The Medical Health Department will arrange 10,000 beds in L-1 hospitals (mainly community health centres), 5,000 in the L-2 hospitals (where oxygen facility is attached with the bed) and 2,000 in L-3 hospitals (where ventilators are available), he said.
COVID-19 cases in Jharkhand rise to 106
One more person tested positive for COVID-19 in the state's Jamtara district on Wednesday.
"The patient had returned from West Bengal. Total two cases reported in Jamtara and 106 cases in Jharkhand, till date," said Nitin Madan Kulkarni, State Health Secretary.
Gautam Buddh Nagar District Hospital sanitation workers protest to highlight their plight
Many health workers of the district hospital gathered at the District Magistrate office on Wednesday to complain about the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits at their workplace, where the coronavirus patients are being treated.
"We have requested the higher officials to provide us with proper equipment as our work is to clean the ward of the coronavirus patients. Our requests went unheard," said Neeraj, a sanitation worker at the district hospital to news agency ANI.
"There are no facilities for us in the hospital. We just get Rs 6,900 monthly. They have provided us with a local mask, gloves and shoes, which we are not able to wear in this weather," said Sachin Kumar, another health worker.
COVID-19 Lockdown: Stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students will be allowed to move with conditions: Centre
All states to designate nodal authorities and develop standard protocols for receiving and sending such stranded persons
Nodal authorities shall register stranded persons within their states or union territories
In case group of stranded persons wish to move one state to another, states may consult each other, mutually agree to movement by road
Buses to be used for transporting persons, vehicles to be sanitised and shall follow safe social distancing norms in seating
Coronavirus: Uttar Pradesh has 2,115 COVID-19 positive cases, says Principal Health Secretary
As many as 2,115 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in Uttar Pradesh till date, according to Amit Mohan Prasad, Principal Secretary, Health.
Mr Prasad further said that the 2,115 cases include 1,602 active cases. While, 477 patients have been discharged after making complete recovery, 36 deaths have been reported due to the virus in the state so far.
The total number of positive coronavirus cases across the country is 31,332, including 22,629 active cases of the virus.
3 new COVID-19 cases in Varanasi, district count reaches 52
Three more coronavirus cases have been reported from Varanasi on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases in the district to 52.
According to Varanasi District Magistrate (DM) Kaushal Raj Sharma, three people have tested positive for coronavirus in Varanasi today. "They were in contact with a businessman who was the first person in ''Saptasagar Dawa Mandi'' to be tested with COVID-19," he said.
The first patient is a 43-years-old medicine supplier, the second case is of a 25-year-old shop owner while the third is a 29-year-old employee at a shop in ''Sapta Sagar Mandi'', Sharma added.
"The three had given their samples as they were contacts of coronavirus positive patient. All of them tested positive today. With this, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Varanasi stands at 52," the District Magistrate added.
COVID-19 Updates: Indian doctor in UAE overwhelmed as policeman salutes her for her service
An Indian doctor in the UAE was moved to tears after her car was stopped during curfew hours and a policeman, instead of checking her documents, gave a salute, acknowledging her service during the coronavirus pandemic, according to media reports.
Ayesha Sultana, from Hyderabad, was returning home on Tuesday night after completing her shift at the Al Ahli Screening centre in Dubai when she was stopped by a policeman at the Dubai-Sharjah highway, the Khaleej Times reported.
Ms Sultana said that she did panic initially but was focused on showing her work permit and other documents to prove that she was a doctor.
According to a report in the Gulf News, Ms Sultana said she was pulling her ID and papers to show to the policeman but "he saluted me, saying I don't need to show him anything."
Coronavirus Update: 325 new virus deaths in SpainAnother 325 people died of COVID-19 in Spain in a slight increase in the daily figure, pushing the overall toll past 24,000, the government said Wednesday.
Despite the rise from Tuesday's figure of 301, it was the sixth consecutive day that the number has been below 400 in Spain, which has now lost 24,275 lives as a result of the coronavirus.
The number of people who have recovered from the virus rose by 6,399 over the past 24 hours in what was a record daily high since the start of the epidemic, raising the overall number to 108,947.
Punjab Chief Minister announces to extend curfew for two more weeks in bid to combat COVID-19
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday announced to extend the curfew for two more weeks to check the spread of coronavirus in the State.
"Though the curfew has been extended by two more weeks, there will be relaxation from 7 am to 11 am every day. During this time, people can come out of their houses. Shops will also be allowed to open," said Mr Singh in a video address to the State.
Spread of COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu "largely under control": K Palaniswami
The spread of COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu is "largely under control" due to the implementation of various government guidelines, but the contagion is "easily" spreading in this city due to its large population, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Wednesday.
Mr Palaniswami, who indicated resuming manufacturing in the Green Zones, also rued people not strictly following social distancing norms and urged the respective district administrations to ensure this principle is adhered to.
Addressing a review meeting on Coronavirus with District Collectors, he also patted the officials for leading the fight against the pandemic and said government's measures in stemming its spread has largely borne fruit due to their efforts.
Coronavirus: 29 COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan, total number in the state reaches 2,393
29 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Rajasthan on Wednesday, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 2,393, state Health Department said.
781 patients have recovered from the disease and 52 have died due to the virus, the department said.
Among the new cases, 11 were reported from Ajmer and 8 from Jaipur.
Delhi High Court, District court judges, officials donate about Rs 2 cr to PM-CARES Fund
The judges, officials and staff of the Delhi High Court and all the district courts here have Rs 1.92 crore to the relief fund announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help fight the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
According to information received from the High Court Registrar General''s office, "All the judges, officers, officials of this court and all the judicial officers, officers and officials of Delhi District Court have together contributed Rs 1,92,97,900 to PM CARES fund".
The donated amount also includes contributions from some former judges of the Delhi High Court, the RG's office said.
Daily Health Check On Aarogya Setu Compulsory For Government EmployeesGovernment employees must download the "Aarogya Setu" app - meant to contain coronavirus -- and go to work only if they receive a go-ahead from it. The order, which came from the Department of Personnel and Training today, applies to all staff members, including outsources staff, working with the Central government. All autonomous and statutory bodies and Public Sector Units must observe the rule, the government has said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami Announces Relaxation Of "Intensified Lockdown" In Three Cities From Tomorrow
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami on Wednesday announced that the "intensified lockdown" in three cities -- Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai -- will be relaxed from April 30.
The three cities have been under an "intensified lockdown" since April 26.
"On April 30, shops can open from 6 am to 5 pm for essential items, vegetables, and fruits. However, from May 1, shops will only be allowed to open from 6 am to 1 pm," Mr Palaniswami said in a meeting with district collectors from across the state via video conferencing.
Coronavirus Updates: Over 1,000 People Arrested For Lockdown Violations In Goa
As many as 1,058 persons were arrested and 588 FIRs were lodged by the Goa police for violation of the COVID-19 lockdown, an official said on Wednesday.
With 101 offences and 172 arrests, the Calangute police station in North Goa registered the highest number of cases till Tuesday, a release here stated.
Coronavirus News: IIT Guwahati Working On Developing COVID-19 VaccineIndian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati is collaborating with Hester Biosciences Ltd to work on vaccine development against COVID-19, both organisations said on Wednesday.
IIT Guwahati and Hester expect the vaccine to be ready by the year-end to start animal studies. The work is currently in its early stage of development.
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COVID-19: Three Indian-Americans Part Of Advisory Board On New York's Re-Opening Strategy
Three eminent Indian-Americans, including Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga, will be part of an advisory board formed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to help guide the state's strategy to gradually re-open the business and institutions amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as it continues to witness a declining trend in the number of cases.
"Praying For Recovery": Arvind Kejriwal On Journalists Testing PositiveDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said this morning that only three of 529 journalists and media persons screened for the COVID-19 virus had tested positive. Mr Kejriwal said he was "praying for (the) speedy recovery" of those infected by the virus and also offered "best wishes" to all journalists, stating "your work is very important, especially during a pandemic".
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Coronavirus Updates: Team On COVID-19 Survey Manhandled In Haridwar, 1 Arrested
One person has been arrested for allegedly manhandling and misbehaving with the medical team which went to Makhanpur village in Haridwar to carry out a survey for COVID-19.
The incident happened when the team was collecting data from villagers on Tuesday. Members of a family asked the team to strike off their names from the record. They allegedly snatched the register from an ASHA worker and tore off pages from the register.
Coronavirus News: Panjab University Starts Online Classes Amid COVID-19 Lockdown
Panjab University has started online classes for its students amid coronavirus lockdown.
The University has also started distributing study material for the next academic session to its students through messaging platform WhatsApp.
"We have created a WhatsApp group of students and have posted all the material there. If they have any query regarding the material they are supposed to send it on a personal WhatsApp of the teacher or in the group itself," Navdeep Goel, Chairman, Panjab University Advisory Committee.
COVID-19: 11 Traders Associated With Delhi's Azadpur Sabzi Mandi Test Positive For Coronavirus
As many as 11 traders associated with Delhi's Azadpur Sabzi Mandi have tested positive for the coronavirus, informed District Magistrate (North), Deepak Shinde on Wednesday.
"The traders are not directly connected to the mandi, we are tracing the contacts of the cases," added Mr Shinde.
Meanwhile, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has said that the mandi is being disinfected and other preventive measures are also being taken.
Telangana, Chhattisgarh Among Most Successful In COVID-19 Fight: DataThe growth rate of coronavirus cases is down to under 3 per cent per day in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala and Punjab where cases are taking well over 20 days to double, data from the Union Health Ministry shows. Conversely, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Odisha are currently at a worrying stage, the data reveals.
A 3-day rolling average of COVID-19 numbers over the last 10 days shows that the number of coronavirus cases would take 70 days to double in Telangana and Chhattisgarh, compared to a national figure of 12 days.
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COVID-19: With Widespread Testing, New Yorkers Pin Hopes On Virus Antibodies
For the first time Tuesday, hundreds of New Yorkers were able to get tested for COVID-19 without having serious symptoms or underlying health issues -- hopeful they had already contracted and beaten the potentially deadly disease.
Dozens of people wearing masks -- many young and seemingly healthy -- waited their turns at branches of the New York medical chain CityMD to find out if they had had the novel coronavirus.
For weeks, tests have been reserved for the most ill or for those most at risk of serious complications.
Coronavirus Updates: US Virus Cases Hit A Million As Germans Wear Masks In Shops
The United States reported its millionth coronavirus case as hard-hit European countries took tentative steps towards lifting lockdowns, with masks mandatory in all German shops from Wednesday.
Excitement over a move towards normality in many places was tempered by fear of new outbreaks and growing evidence of the economic devastation wreaked by the pandemic.
The crisis has left tens of millions unemployed in the US, which has by far the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 fatalities -- around a third of the global death toll of 214,000, according to an AFP tally.
Coronavirus News: Australia Nets 10 Million Chinese Virus Tests Despite Diplomatic Row
An Australian mining magnate on Wednesday unveiled a deal to import 10 million coronavirus tests from China to Australia, despite a bitter diplomatic spat between the two countries.
Andrew Forrest, head of mining giant Fortescue, said he had used contacts to secure an order for the tests with Chinese genomics firm BGI Group at a significantly lower cost than from rival providers, amid fierce competition.
Over 31 lakh coronavirus cases globally, more than 2 lakh deaths
Coronavirus Updates: Two Hostels Of Panjab University To Be Converted Into Quarantine Centres
Panjab University will vacate two of their hostels which will be converted into quarantine centres, as per the orders of the Union Territory Administration.
"The administration asked us to vacate four hostels, currently, we are vacating two," Emanual Nahar, the Dean Students Welfare of the University told ANI on Tuesday.
The development comes as the country continues to witness an increase in coronavirus cases.
COVID-19 Lockdown: Jharkhand Police To Provide Travel Assistance To Senior Citizens Living Alone
Amid the nationwide lockdown, Jharkhand Police have decided to provide transportation facilities to senior citizens who live alone.
"The Jharkhand Police will provide transportation facilities to elderly citizens who live alone, from today (29 April)," said the state police in a release.
"The facility will be provided for travel to hospitals, the police will also deliver medical supplies if the elderly citizens are unable to procure them on their own," it added.
The number of coronavirus cases in India climbs to 31,332, death count crosses 1000
Coronavirus News: Entry Into Faridabad District Banned Till May 3; Some Exceptions Permitted
With a surge in COVID-19 cases, Faridabad has prohibited travel of government employees and laypersons from neighbouring states and districts.
In a prohibitory order under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973, Faridabad District Commissioner Yash Pal said: "Travel of government employees and common people from neighbouring states and districts to Faridabad is prohibited. Doctors, paramedical staff, police and bank employees to be permitted on producing their identity cards, only till 12 pm today."
Coronavirus News: Fighter Jets Fly Over New York To Honor Health Workers Battling Virus
JustIn| Coronavirus deaths in India cross 1,000-mark, 31,332 cases so far
Coronavirus Updates: Maharashtra Government To Facilitate Return Of 1,780 Stranded Students From Kota
The State Transport Minister Anil Parab on Tuesday said that the Maharashtra government will facilitate the return of 1,780 stranded students from Kota in Rajasthan.
"1780 students from Maharashtra are stuck in Kota, Rajasthan due to lockdown for precaution against COVID-19," Mr Parab tweeted.
"As directed by Honourable CM Uddhav Thackeray, 92 buses of MSRTC fleet will leave on April 29 from Dhule to rescue the students and bring them back home," he added.
"Straining Credulity": US Reveals Details Of Sunlight Study On COVID-19The US Department of Homeland Security revealed to AFP on Tuesday new technical details regarding its highly anticipated study into how ultraviolet radiation destroys the new coronavirus, saying that its experiment had accurately mimicked natural sunlight.
A summary of the research was presented last week at the White House, with some scientists calling for caution until a more comprehensive report was made public.
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NITI Bhavan To Resume Normal Operations After 48 Hours
As per the Health Ministry's protocol, the NITI Bhavan will resume normal operations after 48 hours, NITI Aayog said on Tuesday.
"All officers of NITI Aayog are functional, available and currently working from home. As per the protocol of the Ministry of Health, the NITI Bhavan will resume normal operations after 48 hours," it said in a tweet.
A NITI Aayog employee was tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday after which its building was sealed as a precautionary measure.
"An employee working at NITI Bhavan has been detected positive with COVID-19. It was informed to the authorities at 9 am this morning. NITI Aayog is following all the due protocols necessary as per the Ministry of Health guidelines. The building has been sealed," NITI Aayog had tweeted.
People and vehicles queue outside Delhi's Azadpur wholesale fruit and vegetable market amid Coronavirus lockdown.
Home Ministry with states facilitates safe return of 3,800 fishermen from Gujarat to Andhra
The Union Home Ministry in coordination with the state governments on Tuesday facilitated the safe return of around 3,800 stranded fishermen from Gujarat to Andhra Pradesh.
"In coordination with the governments of AP and Gujarat, facilitated the safe return of 3,800 fishermen belonging to AP, who previously went for fishing -- for livelihood purpose, to Gir," Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, G Kishan Reddy, said in a tweet.
"Gujarat government has arranged for buses to ferry them to Andhra, where they'll have a home to Stay Safe," he added.
Taking stock of the situation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has taken up the matter with the Gujarat government, according to the Home Ministry.
The Home Minister "discussed the issue with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani to facilitate the arrangements of buses and the movement of fishermen".
As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 3,548 cases of coronavirus have been reported from Gujarat with 394 cured/migrated/discharged and 162 deaths
US Registers Millionth Coronavirus Case, Number Of Deaths Cross 58,000
Excitement over partial easing of lockdowns has been tempered by fear of new outbreaks and growing evidence of the economic devastation wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The US -- where millions of jobs have gone -- reached another grim milestone as it registered 58,365 deaths, a larger loss of life than recorded by the US military in the Vietnam War.
And the overall US case load rose to 1,010,717 in a public health disaster that could threaten President Donald Trump's re-election chances.
Coronavirus: Ground Situation In Bihar Behind Nitish Kumar's Stance On MigrantsBihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has refused to bring back students and migrant labourers, sticking to his stand that puts lockdown rules first. While it has ensured that the COVID-19 figures in the state remain low - below 375, of whom two persons died - it has also placed the Chief Minister at the centre of a storm of criticism."