Maharashtra now accounts for 30% of the total coronavirus cases in India, with over 10,500 cases. Of this, Mumbai has registered over 7,000 cases.
Meanwhile, the United States saw more than 2,000 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker.
The Hindu has brought out a multi-language e-book on essential COVID-19 information, in addition to covering the developments related to the coronavirus pandemic as it unfolded. Here is a collection of our daily cartoons on COVID-19.
Here are answers from experts on your queries about the virus, a list of State Helpline numbers, a State-wise tracker for COVID-19 cases, deaths and testing, and a map of confirmed cases in India.
Here are the latest updates:
Health Ministry lists red, orange and green-zone districts for week after May 3
The Health Ministry has listed COVID-19 zones for the week after May 3 — when the lockdown is due to end — with 130 red-zone districts, 284 orange-zone districts and 319 green-zone districts.
Maharashtra, Delhi and Gujarat are among the heavy COVID-19 load States as per the list.
India on Friday had a total of 35,043 COVID-19 cases, an increase of 1,433, and 1,147 deaths — an addition of 73 cases.
China’s asymptomatic cases climb to over 980
China’s asymptomatic coronavirus cases have increased to 981, including 631 in Hubei province and its capital Wuhan, the epicentre of the deadly virus outbreak, while the government has stepped up vigil to contain the spread of the infection during the 5-day May Day holidays.
While the confirmed cases were steadily on the decline in China, including in Wuhan, prompting the government to resume normal operations all over the country, the steady rise in asymptomatic cases continued to be a cause of concern.
Is this the peak for Chennai or can another be expected?
Is this the peak of the infection for Chennai? It may well be the peak during the ongoing lockdown, say experts.
Some public health experts feel that another can be expected post the lockdown, before the pandemic flattens in the State.
It is possible that increased testing is the single biggest reason for the large number of cases that Chennai throws up daily. And, yet, experts say, the city is a hotspot also because a common sense approach, community responsibility and participation in public health efforts is lacking.
Maruti Suzuki sold zero cars in April
The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India on Friday said it made zero dispatches to dealers in the domestic market in April 2020 amid the nationwide lockdown to control the spread of coronavirus.
"This was because in compliance with the Government orders all production facilities were closed," the company said in a statement.
Russian Prime Minister tests positive for COVID-19
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin says he has tested positive for the new coronavirus and has told President Vladimir Putin he will self-isolate.
First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov will temporarily perform Mr. Mishustin’s duties, but the PM said on Thursday that he would stay in touch on key issues.
India's case count breaches 35,000: Union Health Ministry
India has detected 35,043 coronavirus positive cases till date, said the Union Health Ministry in an update on Friday.
Of this, 25,007 cases are active. As many as 1,147 people have died, according to the Central count, and 8,889 people have recovered from the infection.
The increase in number of cases detected from Thursday is 1,433. Seventy three people have died in the past 24 hours.
Another tests positive in Odisha
A 58-year-old person who returned from Kolkata has been detected as coronavirus positive in Balasore, Odisha.
This takes the total number of cases in Odisha to 143.
Of the total cases, 101 are under treatment. While 41 persons have recovered, one person has died till date, the State government said.
Germany relaxes lockdown for playgrounds, churches and zoos
German authorities agreed on Thursday to reopen playgrounds, churches and cultural institutions such as museums and zoos that have been shuttered because of the coronavirus pandemic, but they postponed a decision on whether to relax the rules for restaurants, hotels and kindergartens.
Chancellor Angela Merkel said that while there would be regional differences because of Germany’s federal structure, the overall goal remains ensuring the health system can cope with the country’s outbreak.