Coronavirus LIVE updates: Medical staff examines residents of Chunabhatti at a health camp at Sainath Seva Mandals hall, Mumbai.
Coronavirus India LIVE News Updates: With 111 deaths since Tuesday evening, the toll due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic rose to 1,694 on Wednesday, while the total number of cases increased to 49,391 including the 14,182 people who have been treated and discharged so far. As many as 2,680 new infections have been reported since last evening.
The Centre Wednesday came down heavily on the West Bengal government for not allowing movement of essential goods through the Indo-Bangladesh border, saying such acts would have international implications. The Union Home Ministry also told the state government that it had not implemented repeated directions from the Centre for free movement of cargo, in violation of the Disaster Management Act.
Meanwhile, states are gearing up to receive stranded Indians from abroad, who will be brought back by the government through its Vande Bharat Mission. New Delhi, for instance, put out guidelines Wednesday for screening and handling of travellers.
At least 85 personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) tested positive for Covid on Wednesday, taking the number of infections within the force to 152. A Delhi Police constable died due to the disease; his colleagues are in self-quarantine.
Globally, 257,277 people have died and 3,663,824 have been infected by the coronavirus. The United States has over 70,000 fatalities, followed by the United Kingdom (29,501), Italy (29,315), Spain (25,613) and France (25,537). As many as 1,199,254 people have recovered globally. With scientists worldwide working on a vaccine, Israel’s Defence Minister Naftali Bennett has said the country’s main biological research institute has made a “significant breakthrough” in developing an antibody to the novel coronavirus.
Coronavirus India LIVE updates: Vendors donning PPE kits selling essential items from the other side of the barricades to residents of containment zone at Bapu Dham in Chandigarh.
A man waiting outside to open grocery shop in Kolkata (Express Photo Shashi Ghosh)
"A one-size-fits-all approach to the coronavirus pandemic is likely to increase inequalities in the long term."
Air India pilots and crew members were trained on how to evacuate Indians from abroad in Kerala today at the Medical College Ernakulam, Kalamassery. An expert infection control panel taught they about PPE kits, infection control practices and management of anticipated health emergencies during the flight. The first batch of Air India staff is scheduled to depart from Kochi on Thursday.
China has hit back at the US for stating that the coronavirus originated from a lab in Wuhan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying Wednesday dared US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to show the "enormous evidence" he said he had to prove the same.
"He (Pompeo) said 'enormous evidence'. Then show us... Pompeo cannot present any evidence because he does not have any." Hua said. "This matter should be handled by scientists and professionals instead of politicians out of their domestic political need.
"On the issue of the origin of coronavirus, people have different opinions. I think tracing the origin is a very serious matter. That should be researched by scientists and professionals," she added.
In Shimla on Wednesday. Municiple corporation members disinfect a building amid the nationwide lockdown; food is distributed to the needy. (Express Photos: Pradeep Kumar)
Amid the nationwide lockdown, children with no access to the Internet and computers in Kerala are cut off from the education system as most of the schools have started online classes. Surrounded by the sea and backwaters of Alappuzha, a considerable population of children are from fishermen families or families that engage in daily wage jobs.
As Mumbai’s Dharavi has shown, managing a pandemic in a slum can be a nightmare. This is where Agartala’s Radhanagar Purba Basti has set itself apart with general cleanliness, social discipline and community engagement in effectively managing the requirements of the prolonged lockdown. Read our special story from our series 'Covid-19 Stories of Strength', by Facebook and The Indian Express.
An Italian firm Tuesday claimed it had developed a vaccine that could neutralise the novel coronavirus in human cells. According to tests carried out at Rome’s infectious-disease Spallanzani Hospital, the vaccine contained antibodies generated in mice that could work on human cells, Italian news agency ANSA reported.
Tests conducted on mice by a team of scientists at Italian medical firm Takis showed they developed antibodies after a single vaccination that could block the virus from infecting human cells, ANSA reported.
A Delhi Police constable died due to the coronavirus today, the first Covid-19 related casualty in the force. The constable was posted at North-West Delhi's Bharat Nagar police station. His colleagues have been asked to self-isolate. He is survived by his wife and three-year-old son.
Prakash Singh, chairman of the Indian Police Foundation, writes: "Perhaps, a new chapter is opening — which reveals a police that is more sensitive and humane, people-friendly and committed to the committed to the rule of law. This transformation would, however, need the support of the people, of the media and, above all, the legislators and parliamentarians." Read his column here
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on nations to ensure persons with disabilities are given equal access to prevention and treatment of Covid-19, as they are among the worst hit by the pandemic. “We cannot let this continue,” he said. “We must guarantee the equal rights of people with disabilities to access health care and lifesaving procedures during the pandemic.”
At least 85 personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) tested positive for Covid on Wednesday, taking the number of infections within the force to 152. Of the total, 110 cases were reported from New Delhi, while the rest were from Tripura. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), on the other hand, has 137 infections.
Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "Aarogya Setu absolutely robust app in terms of privacy protection and safety, security of data. Aarogya Setu app is for the safety of Indians in the public interest." --PTI
Gujarat to run 30 Shramik trains for 22,800 migrants today. This includes 18 trains to Uttar Pradesh, 7 to Bihar, 3 to Odisha and 2 to Jharkhand.
Also, 1550 Gujaratis stranded in USA, UK, Philippines, Singapore and Kuwait will be brought back on flights to Ahmedabad in Phase-I, says Gujarat government; First flight to arrive on May 7 from the Philippines carrying 250 passengers.
The MHA has directed the West Bengal government to allow cross-land border transportation through all Indo-Bangla borders without delay.
Tamil Nadu to make arrangements for TASMAC shops which will function from tomorrow. Each shop to have two constables, two home guards/volunteers. Barricades to be erected, the time slot has been fixed for different age groups, the token system is set to be followed.
The United Kingdom has drawn up a three-stage plan to ease the coronavirus lockdown that was first imposed at the end of March, The Times newspaper said. The government must review the lockdown by May 7 but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made clear that he is worried about triggering a second deadly spike in cases. The first phase will involve small shops reopening alongside outdoor workplaces and the second will involve large shopping centres reopening, with more people encouraged to go into work, The Times said. Pubs, restaurants, hotels and leisure centres will be among the last to open, the newspaper said
The Delhi airport has handled over 300 evacuation flights for approximately 30,000 passengers and around 1,000 cargo flights from the beginning of the coronavirus-induced lockdown on March 25 to May 4, its operator DIAL said on Wednesday. A total of 44 countries like the USA, Britain, Germany, Japan and Norway operated flights to evacuate their stranded citizens from India, it said. "Till May 4, 2020, it (Delhi airport) handled around 1,000 cargo (scheduled and non-scheduled) and over 310 evacuation (arrival and departure) flight movements -- both domestic and international," the Delhi Airport International Limited (DIAL) said in a statement.
The Delhi airport has handled over 300 evacuation flights for approximately 30,000 passengers and around 1,000 cargo flights from the beginning of the coronavirus-induced lockdown on March 25 to May 4, its operator DIAL said on Wednesday. A total of 44 countries like the USA, Britain, Germany, Japan and Norway operated flights to evacuate their stranded citizens from India, it said. "Till May 4, 2020, it (Delhi airport) handled around 1,000 cargo (scheduled and non-scheduled) and over 310 evacuation (arrival and departure) flight movements -- both domestic and international," the Delhi Airport International Limited (DIAL) said in a statement.
The Indian Railways says that 20 more trains are planned to start today to ferry migrants to their home state. "As per the information received yesterday, we had run 38 Shramik Special Trains. Today 42 more trains planned. Till 1300 hrs today, we had run 22 trains making total tally till now to 115 trains. 20 more trains are planned to start today," the Railways said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot put forward a demand for an extensive stimulus package. He said states have repeatedly requested the prime minister for a package, “but we are yet to hear from the government of India”. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, “States are facing dire economic crisis. They need to be provided immediate assistance.” He said Chattisgarh is one state where 80 per cent of Small Industries have restarted and nearly 85,000 workers have returned to work.
During the meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh slammed the Centre for ‘sitting in Delhi and deciding on classification of zones without knowing what’s happening on the ground.’ He also said that he has set up two committees, one to strategise on how to come out of the lockdown and the other on economic revival.