As per the last update from the Health Ministry, the death toll in India stood at 17 while 66 patients have recovered.(File)
Coronavirus Highlights: A doctor in Mumbai, who tested positive for COVID-19, died last night at city’s Hinduja Hospital. His grandson had returned from the United Kingdom on March 12 and was under self-quarantine, the family told civic officials. The 82-year-old doctor, however, developed cough four days ago. Upon testing, the result came positive and the doctor was admitted to Hinduja. The family of six has been tested positive for the virus.
Follow Coronavirus pandemic LIVE updates
As per the last update from the Health Ministry, the death toll in India stood at 17 while 66 patients have recovered. The total number of cases also rose to 724. Globally, the casualties have spiked to 24,057 and the number of cases crossed 5 lakhs. The Health Ministry, earlier in the day, informed that the Cabinet Secretary has directed all state governments to monitor all international passengers present in the country.
Earlier in the day, Reserve Bank of India cut its repo rate by 75 basis points (bps) to 4.4 per cent to curtail the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent 21-day lockdown. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to call the steps ‘giant’ to save the economy. “Today RBI has taken giant steps to safeguard our economy from the impact of the Coronavirus. The announcements will improve liquidity, reduce cost of funds, help middle class and businesses,” the PM tweeted.
Italy is still at the top in the number of casualties which is 8,215 followed by Spain at 4,365, China at 3,169, Iran at 2,234 and France at 1,696. While after the US, the number of positive cases in China is at 81,782, Italy at 80,589, Spain at 57,786 and Germany at 43,938 so far. (Follow our full coverage on coronavirus pandemic and India lockdown)
Coronavirus latest LIVE updates: According to estimates, about 5,000 migrant workers on their way home are stuck in various towns in Bihar with the lockdown in place.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday appealed to people belonging to Uttar Pradesh living in other states not to come to the state, amid a 21-day nationwide lockdown announced by the Centre to curb the spread of coronavirus. Adityanath also spoke to Chief Ministers of other states, requesting them to make arrangements for people from UP in their respective states, assuring them that UP would bear the cost of arrangement made for their stay and food. Read more
President Trump signs $2 trillion stimulus package
The US recorded 345 new coronavirus deaths,18000 new cases in 24 hours, according to AFP tracker
We have seen people who were hiding in milk tankers while trying to go to their native states getting caught. Many CMs have requested me to take care of people from their states. We request people to stay at their place, we will take care of them: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray
As part of the drive to locate people who have hidden their travel history, the UT Police along with the civil administration have identified 1,200 people in different places who either have international travel history or have come in contact with such persons.
Italy has recorded a sharp spike in fatalities within 24 hours, recording 969 deaths as on Friday. The infection rate however continued its downward trend, with the civil protection agency reporting nearly 86,500 confirmed cases in Italy -- a 7.4 percent increase, down from around 8.0 percent in previous days.
After a 29-year-old woman in her advanced stage of preganany tested positive for the Covid-19, the Vadodara district administration set up a labour room to conduct an emergency C-section at the SSG Isolation ward.
The woman had contracted the virus from her in-laws aged 52 and 46, who have had a travel history to Sri Lanka. The husband of the woman and the sister-in-law have too tested positive for the virus. A gynaecologist has been put on stand by to attend to the 29-year-old, District Collector Shalini Agarwal told The Indian Express.
The administration also installed kidney dialysis units for the Covid-19 positive patients at SSG, which will not be used for others.
A swarm of people walk toward their homes in different districts of Uttar Pradesh, at Ghazipur near Delhi-UP border in absence of transport services due to the 21-day nationa-wide lockdown.
Five new Covid-9 cases surface in West Bengal, inclduing a 9-month-old girl. Of the five cases, two are children aged 11 and 6 and two are 27-year-old and 45-year-old women, the state Health Ministry said. They came in contact to a positive case in Delhi who came from UK on March 16.
This takes total tally in state to 15, including a death.
The coronavirus has so far claimed at least 25,066 lives globally, with Europe accounting for most of the deaths according to a AFP tally. Europe being the worst-hit continent with 17,314 fatalities - Italy surpassed China's toll recording 8,165 deaths, followed by Spain with 4,858 deaths. China had lost 3,292 lives. At least 547,034 coronavirus cases have been registered around the world since December.
A policeman from Chennai wore a facemask resembling the coronavirus to raise awareness of the COVID-19 among commuters
The HRD ministry Friday postponed the NEET and JEE exams, scheduled for May 3, to the last week of the month. "In view of the hardships faced by the parents and the students due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Testing Agency has postponed the ensuing NEET(UG) May 2020 examination scheduled to be held on May 3," the notification read.
In order to practice social distancing, locals at the Burmese Colony in Barasat, Kolkata make their own barricade (Express Photo: Shashi Ghosh/Kolkata)
In a telephonic conversation with Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palanisamy, PM Narendra Modi enquired about the precautionary measures taken by the government to prevent the spread of coronavirus and requested the CM to impose Section 144 across the state.
According to an official release, PM Modi said that the government should ensure social distancing is practiced in the state. PM also urged Edappadi to ensure essential commodities reach people. In reply, Edappadi said all mentioned steps have been implemented in the state.
British Health Minister Matt Hancock has tested positive for coronavirus. Earlier in the day, UK PM Boris Johnson had also tested positive for the virus.
Gujarat has so far recorded 44 Covid-19 cases including three deaths. As per PTI, at least 19,377 people are undergoing self-quarantine.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said 39 new coronavirus cases have come to light today. Of the 36, 34 from Kasargod, two from Kannur and one each from Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Kollam. This takes the total positive cases in the state to 176, including 12 discharged patients.
A shipment of 60,000 facemasks ordered by Indian Medical Association to offset the shortfall in Goa was stuck at Delhi as trucks could not proceed further. A request for facilitating transportation of the masks to Goa was made by the President, Indian Medical Association to the Indian Navy at Goa.
Accordingly, an Ilyushin 38SD (IL-38), a Long Range Maritime Reconnaisence Aircraft of the Indian Navy, was promptly readied to depart INS Hansa for Palam Airport, New Delhi today. The collection of the items at Delhi was coordinated by Air Force Station Palam and the aircraft returned to Goa with the masks the same day.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says, "All those who are leaving Delhi and going back to their respective states, we appeal to them to not leave the city. We have made enough arrangements for you."
"You’re a fighter and you will overcome this challenge as well. Prayers for your good health and best wishes in ensuring a healthy UK," said Modi.
In an assuring statement for Delhi residents, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said: "Even if there is an increase of 100, 500, or 1000 cases in a single day, we are ready for it. Testing kits, ambulances, & ICU beds have been arranged. We are not saying cases will increase, we are just preparing ourselves for any eventuality."
With India under 21-day lockdown, the most affected group are daily wage workers and migrant labourers. One of the labourers in the national capital is returning home in Uttar Pradesh's Farrukhabad, which is 400 km away, on his bicyle with his three children. He was employed as a beldar in Delhi's Dwarka and does not have source of income or food, so he is heading home.
In Karnataka, Mangaluru Police made violators of the lockdown hold a ‘I am guilty’ placard. The police along with Ramkrishna Mission volunteers want people to understand the importance of the situation. 'I am guilty. I have violated Covid-19 lockdown orders,' the placard reads.
Telangana Chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has called for greater public discipline and asked people to stay indoors as 10 new Covid-19 cases were reported today. He said that at least 20,000 foreign returnees were in home quarantine.
'Even with the lockdown, 10 new cases were reported today. So people should realise how serious the situation is. They should cooperate with the authorities and stay indoors. People going out to buy essentials should not move around in groups,' KCR said.
United Kingdom's Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested postitive for the coronavirus. He currently under self-isolation. "I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus," he tweeted.
SpiceJet has offered to operate some flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Patna to alleviate the suffering of migrant workers, especially those from Bihar, its CMD Ajay Singh said. "We have offered our aircraft and crew for any humanitarian mission that the government needs us to fly. We are already flying food, medicines and medical equipment for government every day (on our freighter aircraft)," Singh told PTI.
Joint Secretary of the Health Ministry Lav Aggarwal assured WHO's strategy to 'find, isolate, test, track and treat' has been India's strategy from the start. "Lockdown is one the strategies".
"WHO talked about find, isolate, test, track and treat. This has been our strategy from day 1. It was a comprehensive approach from the very first," he said.
The Health Ministry informed that the Cabinet Secretary has directed all state governments to monitor all international passengers present in the country. Joint Secretary of the Health Ministry Lav Aggarwal assured that they are coordinating with the states and demands related to support and facilitation are being looked into.
"Trying to get test kits from everywhere including China, the 5-7 minute test is not PCR-based but antibody test. That takes time. It has limited application for the future. We are trying to get suppliers," Epidemiologist R R Gangakhedkar said.
Joint Secretary of the Health Ministry Punya Salila Srivastava said state governments have been asked pay attention to the movement of migrant workers and to ensure food and shelter for the unforganised sector, especially the daily wage workers. "States have been asked to ensure hotels and rented accommodations are kept functional. Also essential goods and services are arranged. The Home Minister via video conferecing with states, asked them to take care of womens' hostels and students too.
The restrictions imposed on domestic flights has been extended till April 14, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said. Earlier, the DGCA had suspended all international commercial passenger flights till April 14 amid the national lockdown.
The Health Ministry, during its evening briefing, said a PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) has been asked to make 10,000 ventilators, while another set of 30,000 will be made available by Bharat Electricals, a PSU under defence ministry.
Joint Secretary of the Health Ministry Lav Aggarwal said at least 22 lakh health workers will benefit from the Rs 50 lakh worth insurance.'1.4 lakh companies have allowed employees to work from home,' Aggarwal said.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has offered her MPLADS fund to Raebareli Administration to fight the coronavirus.
A doctor in Mumbai, who tested positive for COVID-19, died last night at city's Hinduja Hospital. His grandson had returned from England on March 12 and was under self-quarantine, the family told civic officials. The 82-year-old developed cough four days ago and on Thursday underwent a CT scan at Saifee hospital. Upon testing, thh respult was positive and the doctor was shifted to Hinduja. He passed way Friday night at 12.30 am.
The entire family of six has tested positive for the virus.
In New York, which has become the epicentre of the coroanvirus in the United States, hospital staff are searching desperately for more bed space as they battle a surging death toll and infected. The virus has claimed so far 385 lives across the state and over 85,000 people have been tested positive. Mostly patients have been elderly or sick, however, "Now it's 50-year-olds, 40-year-olds, 30-year-olds," said and employee at the Jewish Medical Center, according to AFP.
"To watch somebody in their thirties die, it's hard. You can't have visitors. They're in the room by themselves on a ventilator. It's very depressing." Governor Andrew Cuomo has ordered New York hospitals to increase their capacity by 50 per cent, or even double it if possible, as the state's coronavirus death tally soars.
The Karnataka health department Friday among other confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the state confirmed the infection in a 10-month-old male child from Dakshina Kannada district. The patient "has no history of travel to COVID-19 affected countries and was isolated at a designated hospital in Dakshina Kannada. As per the preliminary investigation, the child was taken to Kerala by their family members. The detailed investigation is under process and 6 Primary contacts have been traced and are under house quarantine," the media bulletin read.
Karnataka on Friday reported third death due to the coronavirus epidemic. A 60-year-old man, resident of Tumkur District had a history of travel to Delhi by train on March 13. The patient died today morning at a designated hospital in Tumkur. 24 high-risk primary contacts have been traced of which 13 are isolated in a designated hospital. Eight have been tested negative and three are health care professionals who are house quarantined.
Karnataka Senior Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao has denied media reports about his daughter Ameera Rao had tested positive for (COVID-19). In a tweet, Rao said, "A rumour has been spread on TV channels & social media that my daughter Ameera Rao, who returned from London on 16th March has tested positive for COVID-19. This is false and even if it was true there was no shame in admitting it. Media should be responsible and not misinform."
Four more tested positive including one from Jalandhar, who is a close contact of three of Virk village who were tested positive earlier. Three others, who were tested positive, are from Moranwali village in Hoshiarpur and these include two family members of the 60-year old man, who was tested positive earlier, and one of the neighbours of the family. All the four are the contacts of the 70-year-old deceased man from Pathlava village in Nawanshahr. Punjab’s total tally is now 37 including one death.
Some political leaders are hailing a potential breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19: simple pin-prick blood tests or nasal swabs that can determine within minutes if someone has, or previously had, the virus. The tests could reveal the true extent of the outbreak and help separate the healthy from the sick. But some scientists have challenged their accuracy. Hopes are hanging on two types of quick tests: antigen tests that use a nose or throat swab to look for the virus, and antibody tests that look in the blood for evidence someone had the virus and recovered. The tests are in short supply, and some of them are unreliable.
For the millions of Americans living under some form of lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus, not knowing when the restrictions will end is a major source of anxiety. Will life events -- weddings, funerals, even just simple nights out with friends be delayed for a few weeks, a few months or much longer. President Donald Trump gave one answer this week, saying he hoped businesses would reopen by Easter, on April 12, citing the severe damage restrictions have done to the economy.
The MHA told states to ensure hotels, hostels, rented accommodations remain functional and get essentials amid lockdown to combat coronavirus. States have also been asked to streamline essentials so that students and working women hostel inmates are allowed to stay put in existing facilities.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Friday issued an advisory to States, UTs to prevent mass exodus of migrant and agriculture labourers, industrial workers, unorganised sector workers. It also asked the states, UTs to make vulnerable groups aware of free food grains, other essentials to stop mass exodus.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Friday issued an advisory to States, UTs to prevent mass exodus of migrant and agriculture labourers, industrial workers, unorganised sector workers. It also asked the states, UTs to make vulnerable groups aware of free food grains, other essentials to stop mass exodus.
Vadodara police starts drone surveillance to ensure strict implementation of #Covid19 lockdown at Fatepura, Mandvi, Alkapuri, Ellora park and Raopura. Lockdown is loose in the interiors of the city on day 3.
Kejriwal also said the government is ramping up arrangements for the poor by providing lunch and dinner to at least 2,00,000 more people everyday. Kejriwal said the total number of cases in Delhi stands at 39, of which, 29 had come from outside and were kept in quarantine and 10 of these are cases of local transmission.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Friday said the government is prepared to tackle coronavirus crisis, even if, 100 new cases are reported everyday, in future. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said the Delhi government is making plans for a possible spike in the state. “A five-member doctors’ panel formed to suggest plan to deal with huge number of COVID-19 patients, submitted its report. The Delhi government is fully prepared to tackle situation if coronavirus cases increase,” he said.
A half-filled drum of water measuring about 25 litres is all Rekha has left for her family of six living in a slum cluster near south Delhi’s Mahipalpur. For the past three days, she said, her son and nephew have been unsuccessful in reaching a nearby, privately owned borewell from where they get their daily supply, because of police heavy handedness. “There is not a drop of water left here,” said the 35-year-old, referring to the jhuggi jhopri cluster of about a 100 families that are involved in waste picking in Mahipalpur. Read More
Following the postponement of all qualifying events for Associate members for the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2023 World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided not even to deliberate the future of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) during its Board meeting on March 29. The game’s global body is still optimistic about holding this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia as per schedule – in October-November – but given the global spread of coronavirus, uncertainty remains. Read full story here
As part of efforts to step up testing for coronavirus, the Indian Council of Medical Research has invited manufacturers to supply 5 lakh antibody kits for diagnosis of infection. Experts in the government point out that the serological test will act as a screening process, as was done in South Korea, one of the few countries which has been able to flatten the pandemic curve. Read More
Noting the “alarming social and economic costs” to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked G20 leaders to put “human beings”, and not “economic targets” at the centre of the global cooperation to fight the disease. At the end of the two-and-a-half hour virtual G20 summit — which was not on a purely economic agenda — the leaders decided to inject “$5 trillion into the global economy”. Read More
In the last two days, Chennai police have booked 189 cases and seized 36 vehicles of persons violating section 144 of CrPC imposed in the state due to coronavirus.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javdekar took to Twitter on Friday and announced that Doordarshan will re-telecast the popular television show Ramayana. He tweeted, “Happy to announce that on public demand, we are starting retelecast of ‘Ramayana’ from tomorrow, Saturday March 28 in DD National, One episode in morning 9 am to 10 am, another in the evening 9 pm to 10 pm.” Read More
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the steps taken by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das was giant to save the economy from the impact of the coronavirus epidemic. "Today RBI has taken giant steps to safeguard our economy from the impact of the Coronavirus. The announcements will improve liquidity, reduce cost of funds, help middle class and businesses," the PM tweeted.
The challenge of countering the spread of COVID-19 virus has brought in all branches of the government, including the armed forces, at the forefront of this fight. As the biggest service among the armed forces, the Army, led by the Army Chief General MM Naravane, will have a leading role to play in this fight. The Indian Express conversed with General Naravane over email about the effect of spread of COVID-19 on the Army, its preparation and contingency planning. Read the full interview here
Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar on Friday donated Rs 50 lakh to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far claimed 17 Indian lives and wreaked havoc globally. Tendulkar’s donation is so far the biggest contribution among India’s leading sportspersons, some of whom have pledged their salaries while a few others have donated medical equipment to fight the dreaded outbreak, which has caused more than 24,000 deaths globally. Read More
Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday evening announced that as part of COVID -19 prevention measures, the prison department will release 11000 prisoners – forming one-third of the 36000 prison population – from across over 50 state prisons in the next few days. Read More
The leaders of China and the United States spoke over the phone on Friday in an attempt to ease tensions building between the two countries over the coronavirus pandemic. Soon after, Trump tweeted saying that both the countries are working closely over the issue.
In a preparatory measure to tackle any exigency in the backdrop of spread of coronavirus, the Karnataka government has asked district administrations to use as quarantine centres the residential schools and hostels that come the under Social Welfare department. "Wherever necessary, these residential schools and hostels can be converted as quarantine facility without any extra cost by the district administrations," Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol said in a statement. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka stood at 55, including two deaths and three discharged persons, as on Thursday. (PTI)
China and the United States should "unite to fight" the deadly coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged the globe, said President Xi Jinping in a call with his US counterpart on Friday, according to state media. The two countries have clashed in recent weeks over the virus, but Xi told Trump China "wishes to continue sharing all information and experience with the US," said state broadcaster CCTV. (AFP)
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday declared Hydroxychloroquine as a scheduled H1 drug. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Monday recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of the novel coronavirus for two categories of ‘high-risk population’.
Hydroxychloroquine is an oral drug used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The drug, that has existed for several decades, was recommended for prophylaxis in case of asymptomatic healthcare workers involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 and asymptomatic household contacts of laboratory-confirmed cases. Read more here