Coronavirus Pandemic LIVE Updates: More Passengers, 3 Stoppages as Railways Revises Rules for 'Shramik' Trains; INS Magar Departs from Male With Stranded Indians - News18
Coronavirus Pandemic LIVE Updates: More Passengers, 3 Stoppages as Railways Revises Rules for 'Shramik' Trains; INS Magar Departs from Male With Stranded Indians
Coronavirus Pandemic LIVE Updates: In a bid to ferry more migrants, the Railways today decided to carry around 1,700 passengers on board its 'Shramik Special' trains instead of the current 1,200. According to an order issued, the railway zones have also been asked to provide three stoppages in the destination state other than the final stop, at the request of the state governments. It also said that the train capacity should be equal to the number of sleeper berths on the train.
The 'Shramik Special' trains has 24 coaches with a capacity to carry 72 passengers in each coach. Currently, these trains are running with 54 passengers in each coach due to social distancing norms. So far, the Indian Railways has ferried over 5 lakh passengers since May 1.
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May 11, 2020 1:09 pm (IST)
Why 'New Normal’ Post Covid-19 May Alter the Very Basis of Human Interaction | As the coronavirus has disrupted every human activity, there is a perceptible change in the manner in which humans are interacting with each other. It is expected that a huge impact would be felt through disruption in supply and travel chains which would lead to economic slowdown throughout the world. Socially, individuals would avoid crowded places, recreational activities and leisure travel. Read the full story here.
May 11, 2020 1:00 pm (IST)
Power Ministry Official Tests Positive for Covid-19 | Soon after an employee of the Ministry of Power tested positive for COVID-19, the Shram Shakti Bhawan that houses the ministry's office was sealed. The Power Ministry will now resume its normal functioning from Tuesday. "Ministry is functional through work from home. Normal functioning, as per extant guidelines, will resume from Tuesday," the tweet read further.
May 11, 2020 12:49 pm (IST)
137 Migrants Who Returned from Gujarat, Kerala to Odisha Contract Covid-19 | Around 137 migrant workers have been tested positive for coronavirus in Odisha's Ganjam district, with highest number of cases in the state. Out of these, 136 workers returned from Surat, while one from Kerala. All were detected from quarantine centres.
May 11, 2020 12:36 pm (IST)
Over 1,000 Cops of Maharashtra Police Contract Covid-19 | More than 1,000 cops of Maharashtra police force have been tested positive for the novel coronavirus. In last 24 hours, 221 policemen have tested positive for the virus.
May 11, 2020 12:25 pm (IST)
10 New Covid-19 Cases Reported in Karnataka, Tally Reaches 858 | According to Karnataka Health Department, 10 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Karnataka, taking the total number of positive cases to 858 including 31 deaths and 422 discharged in the state.
May 11, 2020 12:15 pm (IST)
Indian Doctor in Kuwait Dies from Covid-19 | An Indian dentist in Kuwait has died from the novel coronavirus, becoming the country's second medical professional to succumb to Covid-19, according to a media report. Dr Vasudeva Rao, 54, died on Saturday in Jaber hospital where he was undergoing treatment for coronavirus infection, according to a local news website. A resident of Kuwait for about 15 years, Rao worked as an endodontist at Kuwait Oil Company, a subsidiary of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, a government-owned company.
May 11, 2020 11:59 am (IST)
38 New Covid-19 Cases in Andhra Pradesh, Tally Reaches 2,018 | With new 38 cases of coronavirus reported in Andhra Pradesh, total tally has reached 2,018 in the state. Out of this, 975 are active cases, while 998 have been cured from the infection. So far, 45 people have died due to the virus in the state.
May 11, 2020 11:49 am (IST)
Indian Railways Now Decide to Carry Around 1,700 Passengers in 'Shramik Special' Trains | In a bid to ferry more migrants, the Railways today decided to carry around 1,700 passengers on board its 'Shramik Special' trains instead of the current 1,200. According to an order issued, the railway zones have also been asked to provide three stoppages in the destination state other than the final stop, at the request of the state governments. It also said that the train capacity should be equal to the number of sleeper berths on the train. The 'Shramik Special' trains has 24 coaches with a capacity to carry 72 passengers in each coach. Currently, these trains are running with 54 passengers in each coach due to social distancing norms.
May 11, 2020 11:40 am (IST)
Nepal's Coronavirus Cases Reach 120 | Nepal has reported 10 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number of infections in the country to 120, the health ministry said. Nepal is among the nations that has the least number of cases of the deadly coronavirus with no deaths. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the new cases involve 10 men from Kapilvastu district in Western Nepal who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, taking the total tally of Covid-19 infections to 120. The total number of active coronavirus patients in the Himalayan nation has reached 89 as 31 patients have been successfully treated.
May 11, 2020 11:25 am (IST)
Nirmala Sitharaman's Meeting With Heads of Public Sector Banks Gets Deferred | The review meeting of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with CEOs of public sector banks (PSBs) scheduled for today has been postponed. According to sources, the meeting has been deferred and the new date will be informed shortly. The meeting, to be held via video-conferencing, was to discuss various issues, including credit off take, as part of efforts to prop up the economy hit by the Covid-19 crisis.
May 11, 2020 11:10 am (IST)
India Registered Record Jump of 4,213 Covid-19 Cases in 24 Hours | India registered a record jump of 4,213 Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, pushing the country's tally to 67,152 on Monday and the death toll due to the disease rose to 2,206 with 97 fresh fatalities, according to the Union health ministry. The number of active Covid-19 cases stood at 44,029 in the country. While 20,916 people have recovered, one patient has migrated, it said.
May 11, 2020 11:01 am (IST)
310 New Covid-19 Cases Reported in Delhi Till Yesterday Midnight | "310 new Covid-19 cases reported in Delhi till midnight of May 10. The total number of positive cases is now 7233. We have ordered all hospitals to submit death report with death summary each day," ANI quoted Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain as saying.
May 11, 2020 10:46 am (IST)
Union Home Secretary Writes to CMs Over Movement of Healthcare Professionals | Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to Chief Secretaries of all states/UTs to allow smooth movement of medical professionals, paramedics, sanitation personnel and ambulances and ensure opening of all private clinics with all medical staff.
Union Home Secy Ajay Bhalla writes to Chief Secretaries of all states/UTs to allow smooth movement of medical professionals, paramedics, sanitation personnel&ambulances&ensure opening of all private clinics with all medical staff.Such movement will also be facilitated inter-state pic.twitter.com/GjdMnMsX9o
US CDC Reports 1,300,696 Coronavirus Cases, 78,771 Deaths | The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday reported 1,300,696 cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 26,660 cases from its previous count, and said the number of deaths had risen by 1,737 to 78,771. The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as Covid-19, caused by the new coronavirus, as of 4 pm ET on May 9, compared with its count a day earlier.
May 11, 2020 10:25 am (IST)
Airlines Likely to Resume Limited Operations Post May 17 | As the Centre gets set to restart train services from Tuesday, sources in the government have told CNN-News18 that flight operations are also likely to resume in a phased manner from May 17. According to sources, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Directorate General of Civil Aviation today visited airports to oversee final preparations of commercial flights. Also, flyers may have to mandatorily download the government's Aarogya Setu app, developed to track Covid-19 patients. Read here for more details.
May 11, 2020 10:20 am (IST)
Highest Covid-19 Cases Reported in Maharashtra | According to the Union Health Ministry data updated in the morning, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country is from Maharashtra at 22,171, followed by Gujarat at 8,194, Tamil Nadu at 7,204, Delhi at 6,923, Rajasthan at 3,814, Madhya Pradesh at 3,614 and Uttar Pradesh at 3,467.
May 11, 2020 10:14 am (IST)
84 New Covid-19 Cases Reported in Rajasthan, Tally Reaches 3,898 | With 84 new cases of coronavirus reported in Rajasthan, total tally has reached 3,898 in the state. So far, 108 people have succumbed to the infection in the state.
May 11, 2020 10:07 am (IST)
INS Magar Departs Male With Indian Citizens Onboard | INS Magar, the second Indian Naval ship to reach Male, Maldives for evacuation of Indian citizens, has completed embarkation of personnel. Even as heavy rains at Male made conditions difficult, the ship made arrangements to ensure safety of people. A total of 202 personnel have embarked the ship, which includes 24 women, two expectant mothers and two children. One of the men, who hails from Tamil Nadu, has a fractured leg.
Germany's Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Rise by 357 to 169,575 | The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 357 to 169,575, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on today. The reported death toll rose by 22 to 7,417, the tally showed.
May 11, 2020 9:49 am (IST)
Fresh Covid-19 Case in UP's Shamli | One more person tested positive for Covid-19 in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli today, pushing the district's tally to 23, a senior officer said. Shamli had become coronavirus-free and was declared an orange zone a week ago after all 18 patients in the district recovered. Later, fresh cases were reported in the district. A trader who used to go to Delhi everyday to buy vegetables tested positive for Covid-19 today, Shamli District Magistrate Jasjit Kaur said.
May 11, 2020 9:44 am (IST)
French to Return to Shops, Hair Salons as Covid-19 Lockdown Lifted | France, whose official death toll is the world's fifth highest, had enforced an eight-week lockdown, since March 17, to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, with residents only allowed out for essential shopping, work and a bit of exercise. Shops and hair salons can now reopen, while people can venture out without a government-mandated form, except for trips of more than 100 km (62 miles), which are only allowed for professional reasons, funerals or caring for the sick. President Emmanuel Macron's government decided to lift the lockdown after the number of patients in intensive care - a key measure of hospitals' ability to cope with the epidemic - fell to less than half the peak of over 7,000 seen in early April. (Image: Reuters)
May 11, 2020 9:37 am (IST)
Covid-19 Lockdown Ease in Rajasthan | Passes for essential services will not be required from 7am to 7pm in Rajasthan. However, passes will only be issued for inter-state transportatin. Covid-19 restriction will continue to remain in curfew imposed areas.
May 11, 2020 9:30 am (IST)
MoHFW Issues Revised Guidelines for Home Isolation | The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued revised guidelines for home isolation of very mild/pre-symptomatic Covid-19 cases.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued revised guidelines for home isolation of very mild/pre-symptomatic #COVID19 cases pic.twitter.com/hTPcGRBqxd
14 New Covid-19 Cases in Odisha, Tally Reaches 391 | With new 14 cases of coronavirus in Odisha, a total tally has reached 391 in the state.
May 11, 2020 9:11 am (IST)
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray Likely to Seek Covid-19 Lockdown Extension | Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray likely to seek extension of lockdown in red zone areas. Maharashtra has already crossed the 22,000 mark and the cases continue to rise.
May 11, 2020 9:07 am (IST)
Mainland China Reports 17 New Covid-19 Cases Amid New Infections in Wuhan | China reported 17 new Covid-19 cases in the mainland on May 10, rising from a day earlier and marking the highest daily increase since April 28, highlighting the difficulty in stamping out the disease. Though the new case count remains sharply lower than the peak of the outbreak in February, the data underscores continued risks posed by Covid-19. With the pandemic having spread globally, Beijing continues to exhort vigilance even as it tries to restart the economy.
May 11, 2020 9:04 am (IST)
India Covid-19 Cases Rise to 67,152 | A total of 67,152 positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in India so far. There are 44,029 active cases in the country, while 20,916 people have been cured from the infection. So far, 2,206 patients have succumbed to the virus in the country, while one migrated, according to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
May 11, 2020 8:44 am (IST)
Indian Passengers in US to Board Special AI Flight to Mumbai | Under Vande Bharat Mission, Indian passengers arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport in US to board the Air India flight to Mumbai. The flight will later fly to Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Thermal screening and security checks of passengers have begun.
May 11, 2020 8:35 am (IST)
Special Train Carrying Migrants from Uttarakhand Depart from Surat | A special train carrying migrants from Uttarakhand departed from Surat railway station in Gujarat at 4am today.
May 11, 2020 8:29 am (IST)
Phase 2 clinical trials of Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech Ltd's Covid-19 vaccine verified its safety.
Phase 2 clinical trials of #Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech Ltd's #COVID19#vaccine verified its safety, providing a sound foundation for expanded trials and emergency use. Trial production is expected in July, with production workshops now in construction: report pic.twitter.com/gkDaknIsy0
Image for representation. Migrant workers, who were stranded due to a lockdown wait to board a train at a railway station to leave for their home state of Uttar Pradesh. (Reuters)
"The Railways has a capacity to run 300 trains per day and we want to maximise it. We want to carry as many migrants home as possible over the next few days and have appealed to states to send approvals," said a senior official explaining the move.
India saw the biggest single-day spike in the number of coronavirus patients with 4,213 new cases and 97 deaths in 24 hours, taking the total to 67,152 cases, the Union Health Ministry said today, adding that the death toll rose to 2,206. The figures come as India enters the last week of the 54-day coronavirus lockdown, with the Railways on Sunday saying 15 air-conditioned special trains will operate from May 12.
The gradual resumption of passenger services was announced on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video conference with chief ministers that is expected to focus on a strategy for a phased exit from the shutdown.
PM Modi's discussion with chief ministers of states and union territories today is expected to revolve on steps for reviving the battered economy and scaling up all efforts to bring more 'red' zones with high Covid-19 case load into 'orange' or 'green' zones, as they push for stepping up economic activities in a calibrated manner.
The Centre also weighed the pros and cons of further easing of restrictions for a graded exit from the twice extended lockdown due to end on May 17 but sources said the curbs still in place are unlikely to be withdrawn in one go.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Sunday said the video conference will begin at 3pm. This will be Modi's fifth interaction with the chief ministers since the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, meanwhile, said no Covid-19 case has been reported in 10 states and union territories in the last 24 hours and the recovery rate has increased to over 30 per cent, asserting India was “moving fast on the path of success” in the fight against the pandemic.
According to health ministry data, 1,511 Covid-19 patients recovered in the last 24 hours -- the highest number of recoveries recorded in one day.
Announcing the phased resumption of passenger services that was suspended from the first day of the lockdown on March 25, the Railways said in a statement that air-conditioned services will initially begin with 15 pairs of trains(30 return journeys) on Rajdhani routes and the fare would be equivalent to that of the super-fast train.
The special trains will run from New Delhi to Dibrugarh, Agartala, Howrah, Patna, Bilaspur, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Secunderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Madgaon, Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad and Jammu Tawi. Passengers have been asked to reached the railway stations at least one hour early before the train's departure.
Officials said unlike ‘Shramik Specials' to transport migrant labourers, in which only 54 passengers were allowed instead of the regular 72, these trains will run on full capacity, but no concession in fare is likely to be allowed. A total of 366 trains have transported nearly four lakh migrant workers since the first special train was rolled out on May 1.
Booking for reservation in these trains will start at 4pm today and will be available only on the IRCTC website.
Sources in the union government said the focus of the prime minister's meeting would be on boosting economic activities and pushing efforts to convert 'red' zones with high COVID-19 case load into 'orange' or 'green' zones.
The Union Health ministry on May 1 classified 733 districts as 130 in the red zone, 284 in the orange zone and 319 in the green zone, taking into consideration incidence of cases, doubling rate, extent of testing and surveillance feedback.
In some good news in efforts to ramp up testing, Vardhan said the National Institute of Virology(NIV) in Pune has successfully developed the first indigenous test kit that will play a critical role in surveillance of proportion of population exposed to coronavirus infection.
The test kit has the advantage of testing 90 samples together in a single run of 2.5 hours, so that health care professionals can proceed quickly with necessary next steps on their patients' triage paths, Vardhan said.
"National Institute of Virology, Pune has successfully developed the 1st indigenous anti-SARS-CoV-2 human IgG ELISA test kit for antibody detection of COVID-19," the minister said in a series of tweets.
Vardhan said India carried out 86,000 tests for COVID-19 on Saturday and its testing capacity now stands at 95,000 samples per day. Till Saturday, 16,09,777 tests for COVID-19 have been conducted in India, he noted.
India had started from one laboratory and now there are 472 laboratories testing for COVID-19, he said after inspecting a COVID-19 care centre in the Mandoli area in the national capital.
There are 4,362 coronavirus care centres across the country where 3,46,856 patients with mild or very mild symptoms can be kept, he added.
"We are moving fast on path of success in the fight against COVID-19. The doubling rate for the last three days is 12 (days). The recovery rate has crossed 30 per cent. Out of around 60,000 COVID-19 patients, about 20,000 have recovered and gone home.
"Our mortality rate is still at 3.3 per cent.... In the last 24 hours, there has been no case in 10 states and Union territories. There are four states or Union territories where there has not been a single case till now," Vardhan noted. India has 36 states and Union territories.
At a meeting on Sunday, state chief secretaries told Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba that while protection is required from COVID-19, economic activities also need to be stepped up in a calibrated manner.
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