Passengers traveling from Delhi to Lucknow on Wednesday wear masks as precautionary measure. (Express photo: Vishal Srivastav)
The Ministry of Human Resource Development Wednesday ordered all educational institutions to postpone all ongoing examinations for 10 days in view of the coronavirus outbreak, following which the CBSE Board deferred all 10th and 12th class exams scheduled between March 19 to 31. The directive applies to the CBSE Board, university examination and JEE (MAIN).
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As COVID-19 cases in the Karnataka rose to 13, the state government enforced a lockdown, shutting down all public places including malls, theatre, schools and colleges. The total number of cases in the country have jumped to 151, a day after the country reported its third death due to the virus, the Health Ministry informed.
Moreover, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed the Lok Sabha Wednesday that 276 Indians have been infected abroad including — 255 in Iran, 12 in UAE, five in Italy, and one each in Hong Kong, Kuwait, Sri Lanka and Rwanda.
The global toll has crossed 8,000, with over 200,000 people infected. China continues to lead the pack with 82,000 cases, followed by Italy at 31,506 and Iran at 17,361 cases.
Coronavirus pandemic live updates: Outside a coronavirus testing center in India. (Express Photo)
On Wednesday, Telangana recorded eight new coronavirus patients. However, it is P-5 who has become a cause of worry for the state.
The religious preacher from Indonesia, part of a group of 10, was travelling across Karimnagar for at least three days before he tested positive. While seven others in the group have also since tested positive, it is tracing P-5’s direct and secondary contacts that has become a tedious task. Click here to read more.
Italy on Wednesday reported 475 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, the highest one-day official toll of any nation since the first case was detected in China late last year. Total deaths in Italy have reached 2,978, more than half of all the cases recorded outside China, while the number of infections reached 35,713, news agency AFP reported.
ICSE and ISC Board examination to go as per schedule. "We haven't received any order from the government yet," ICSE Board Chief Gerry Arathoon told The Indian Express.
A 35-year-old man identified as Tanvir Singh has allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the seventh floor of the Safdarjung hospital in Delhi. He was suspected to be a coronavirus patient.
After Maharashtra, Karnataka, the Goa government has started to palm stamp passengers arriving at Dabolim airport if they are advised to undergo home quarantine for coronavirus.
The United Kingdom has reported new deaths taking the toll to 104, the health authorities said.
The World Health Organisation's (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom called the coronavirus 'enemy against humanity'.
"This coronavirus is presenting us with an unprecedented threat," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists in a virtual news conference, stressing that it was "an unprecedented opportunity to come together as one against a common enemy: an enemy against humanity."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on March 19 at 8 PM, during which he will talk about issues relating to COVID-19 and the efforts to combat it.
A man has tested positive for the coronavirus in Kashmir, becoming the first case in the Valley. The patient has had a history of international travel and has been punt under isolation. He arrived on March 16.
The spokesperson of the Jammu and Kasmir administration Rohit Kansal said surveillance has started in 300-meter area and urged people to immediately report with any symptoms.
Moments after the HRD Ministry ordered educational institutions to postpone all ongoing examinations, the CBSE Board followed the directive and deferred exams in India and abroad scheduled from March 19 to 31. New exmaination schedule will be notified by March 31 after "re-assessment of the situation", the CBSE said.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 has been imposed in Noida till April 15. The Police Commissionerate said no religious, social, cultural, sports and business gatherings will allowed in the district. The same has been applied in Rajasthan.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development has directed all educational institutions to postpone all ongoing examinations for 10 days. The directive applies to the CBSE Board examination, university examination & JEE (MAIN).
The GoAir airline has announced that those who booked their tickets between March 1 and April 15 this year need not cancel or reschedule right now as they can redeem the ticket price on any fresh booking done in the next one year.
The Maharashtra government has assured the 39 tourists from the state who are stuck in Uzbekistan that it will take all necessary steps to bring them back. State NCP chief and Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil had a video call with the stranded tourists. “NCP president Sharad Pawar will take up the issue with the Centre. And we will ensure your early return to Maharashtra,” he said. The 39 tourists went to Uzbekistan on March 10. They were to return on March 16. But flights from Uzbekistan have been suspended following the coronavirus outbreak.
A mango trader from Maharashtra, who recently spent a month in Germany as part of an Indian delegation, has said India seems to be doing a better job of fighting coronavirus than the more developed Germany.
The trader said that while the number of COVID-19 cases went up drastically during his stay there from mid-February to mid-March, no screening was conducted at the Frankfurt airport on his way back, a lapse that can spread the infection. In contrast, Mumbai airport had adequate testing facilities.
"As soon as I reached Mumbai airport, I was screened and counseled about symptoms. When everything was fine, I was allowed to go, but only after accepting home quarantine for 14 days. Helpline numbers were provided in case of any emergency," the trader said.
A 50-year-old person has tested positive for coronavirus in Ratnagiri today. The person has a travel history to Dubai. The total number of positive cases reach 45 in Maharashtra, the state Public Health department said.
Following the steps of Maharashtra, the Karnataka government has enforced to put palm stamps on individuals returning from coronavirus-affected countries. The directive is effective from today till April 15. " All International passengers in Karnataka to be stamped since many people under home isolation are not following the quarantine instructions. The state health department will put a stamp on their hand with a seal saying 'Proud to protect Karnataka'.
As coronavirus cases in India jumped to 151, the aviation sector has been ordered to not fly in any person from virus-infected countries including — Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK — effective 12.00 GMT on March 18. No airline will bring any passenger from the Philippines, Malaysia and Afghanistan from March 17.
A new coronavirus case was reported in Mumbai where a 68-year-old woman was tested positive for COVID-19, taking the number of cases to 44 in Maharashtra. "The woman, who tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, is a close contact of the US-returned person, who was found infected two days ago," Daksha Shah, deputy director of BMC said.
Deserted Marine drive in Mumbai. (Express photo: Prashant Nadkar)
People buy masks from roadside vendors to protect at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. (Express photo: Prashant Nadkar)
The Bihar government has ordered shopping malls, gyms, spas and swimming pools across the state to suspend their operations till March 31. The directive has also restricted "all mass gatherings, including family gatherings except marriages" to a "maximum of 50 persons". Further, it has directed "major shops and restaurants" to carry out disinfection twice a day, ensure ample availability of hand sanitizers for visitors and allow "entry only after cleaning of hands".
Around 405 Indians, stranded at Kuala Lumpur airport in Malaysia, have been evacuated, the Indian High Commission said. The Indian nationals were stuck at the airport after the government, which on Monday banned the entry of passengers from EU countries, Turkey, the UK from March 18 till March 31, also closed its doors to those from Afghanistan, the Philippines and Malaysia with immediate effect. "Thanks @AirAsia for flying out 405 stranded Indians transiting thru KLIA in Spl flights to Delhi and Vizag today. Kudos to @hcikl officials for working tirelessly since yesterday to make it happen," the High Commission tweeted.
The Ministry of Tourism has informed a Parliamentary standing committee that the virus outbreak has affected business worth Rs 5 lakh crore in the tourism sector. It was also pointed out that 95 per cent of the small and medium scale industries were hit hard by coronavirus and that they had cash reserve for only 20-25 days, following which they will shut down.
"This will lead to mass unemployment with 2.5 crore direct employees and 2 crore people indirectly losing jobs. If their families are taken into account, then up to 20 crore Indians will be impacted because of this job loss," the officials said.
A batch of 195 Indians from Iran has been brought to Jaisalmer by a special plane. The Indian passengers were screened at the Airport and shifted to the Army Wellness Facility at Jaisalmer Military Station. The total number of quarantined people at the Wellness facility has now increased to 484. Army authorities have confirmed all quarantined persons are stable and are making full use of the facilities available in the Wellness Facility.
(Express photos)
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's sister has been kept in home isolation after she recently returned from abroad. "I have registered my sister’s details at the govt portal for persons coming from abroad. I appeal all of you to also register details about your family members & friends coming from abroad. It will help protect the state from coronavirus," Patnaik said.
Karnataka High Court has restricted the entry of litigants and visitors to the precincts of the court. Earlier today, the state government enforced a lockdown shutting down all public places including — malls, theatre, schools and colleges as COVID-19 cases in the state rose to 13.
Bangladesh has reported its first death due to the virus, while four new positive cases have been detected, taking the number of cases to 14, a senior official said.
The 70-year-old man was diabetes, kidney ailments and hypertension and had contracted the virus after meeting an overseas returnee. "The patient had been in intensive care where he died," Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) director Meerjady Sabrina Flora told reporters.
The final phase of the evacuation of Indian pilgrims from Jeddah to Mumbai has started today.
The Safdarjung hospital in Delhi has decided to cancel all elective surgeries till further notice.
A 68-year-old woman has been tested positive for the virus, taking the number upto eight in Mumbai. She is a maid of the man, who returned from USA recently on March 7 and was a close contact with a patient who was admitted to Kasturba hospital.
The European Union has sealed off its borders as the number of deaths on the continent rose part the toll in Asia. Millions of people are on a strict lockdown in Europe, now the epicentre of COVID-19 with more than 3,400 deaths.
Europe has now recorded 3,421 deaths — including 2,503 in Italy — leapfrogging Asia with 3,384, according to an AFP tally at 1100 GMT.
The Vistara airlines have temporarily suspended all international operations for 11 days — March 20 to 31. It added that customers booked on the affected flights will be fully refunded. "We have also temporarily adjusted domestic capacity for March & April in view of reduced demand," the air carrier said.
In view of the virus spread, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has suspended the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage and all interstate bus services to the Union territory. The valley had banned the entry of foreign tourists on Tuesday.
The Health Ministry has informed that the cases across India have risen to 151.
"As of March 17, quarantine facilities with a combined capacity of 59,587 beds have been set up across India, including 11,934 beds at central govt facilities, 26,153 beds at state governments facilities and 21,500 beds at Haj facilities," Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said.
Coronavirus deaths in Europe have exceeded the toll in Asia, as per the AFP data. Europe has counted at least 3,421 deaths, compared with 3,384 for Asia, where China was the initial epicenter of a pandemic which has infected more than 194,000 people globally and killed 7,873. Italy has the most fatalities in Europe with 2,503.
A worker disinfects a train coach as a precaution against COVID-19 in Jammu. (AP photo)
A passenger passes through a gate as a worker uses a disinfectant to clean it as a precaution against COVID-19 at a metro station in New Delhi. (AP photo)
Indonesian tourists with Covid-19 symptoms get down from an ambulance at the Government Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad.
The Gurgaon District Magistrate has directed that all shopping malls should also suspend operations with immediate effect till March 31. Pharmacies, medical establishments, grocery stores and supermarkets, however, are excluded from this order. The directive comes after two residents of Gurgaon tested positive for the virus.
In addition to the swimming pools, gyms, schools, colleges, clubs, night clubs, cinema halls, and theatres, that had already been directed to remain closed last week, the DM has also directed that all spas, lounges and bars, as well as weekly bazaars suspend operations until March 31.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has announced to earmark Rs 200 crore to tackle the coronavirus. Moments ago, the state government also declared a shutdown till March 31, shutting all public places including, malls, theaters, school, colleges. He also said all passengers coming by
international flights would be tested and placed under quarantine for 15-16 days.
The cabinet also decided to constitute a taskforce consisting of Medical Education Minister Sudhakar K, Deputy Chief Minister Ashwath Narayan C N, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and Health Minister B Sriramulu.
Within a day, 147 new deaths have been recorded in Iran, the biggest 24-hour rise in deaths yet recorded by Iran's Health Ministry since the virus first appeared in Iran in mid-February. This is a nearly 15 per cent spike. The death toll has now risen to 1,135 people amid 17,361 infections in the country.
"Now everyone knows about this disease, and what is very strange is that some don't take it seriously. "If people help, we can control it, and if not, then expect it to last more than two months," Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said. Tehran province had the highest number of new cases with 213. Isfahan in central Iran was second with 162, followed by East Azerbaijan in the northwest with 84.
This combo of two satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows people visiting the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, Iran on Feb. 14, 2020, top, and March 12, 2020. (Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies via AP)
The Odisha government will be distributing foodgrains under the Public Distribution System (PDS) to beneficiaries to avoid any scare of a shortage of essential items or rush at fair price shops. The Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare announced it will distribute rice, wheat, and S.K. Oil to 3.26 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act and 4.50 lakh beneficiaries under the State Food Security Act through PDS for April, May, and June from April 1 to May 15. READ MORE
Meanwhile, Puri district administration in has asked tourists to vacate hotels in two days, an official said.
The Karnataka government has declared to be under lockdown till March 31. All public places including malls, theatre, schools, colleges, and other public places will remain shut.
Four passengers who recently returned from Germany with a 'Home Quarantine' stamp on hands were asked de-board from a train at Mumbai' Bandra Terminus as co-passengers raised an alarm. The Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway said they were headed to Surat and were deboarded from Garib Rath train in Palghar. "They had 'home quarantine stamp' on their hands, still they were defying the protocol," the CPRO said. The state government on Monday started to mark all those who have been medically advised to self-quarantine with a stamp in indelible ink and the words ‘Home Quarantine’ in a bid to ensure they isolate themselves for 14 days. The ink is the same that is used to mark voters at elections.
They were taken to the Govt. Hospital, Palghar. They had undergone checking at the Airport & had seal mentioning home quarantine of 14 days. They were handed over to the district medical authorities
A 25-year-old junior resident doctor of Lucknow's King George Medical University has tested positive for the virus. The doctor came in cotnact with two patients undergoing treatment for the disease at its premises, a hospital spokesperson said. The doctor has been kept in an isolation ward and is undergoing treatment.
In a statement, the KGMU announced suspension of all undergraduate academic classes and examinations till April 2 as a preventive measure.
"A woman from Canada and one of her relatives, who came in contact with her, are undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at an isolation ward of the KGMU. "A 25-year-old junior resident doctor had taken the samples of these patients. Suddenly, some symptoms were seen in him and he was tested at the university laboratory, where he was found positive for coronavirus affliction," the KGMU spokesperson, Dr Sudhir Singh said.
The Drug Controller General of India gave a nod to Roche Diagnostics, a private company, to procure a license to test the COVID-19. They have received the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency approval for the coronavirus.
Another private company BioMerieux Diagnostics also approached the drug controller and it will take seven days to get approved after officials make an assessment. Once approved, it can conduct the confirmatory test of the virus.
The National Zoological Park in Delhi has been closed till March 31 as a precautionary measure against the virus.
Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad in Maharashtra have shut bars, permit rooms and clubs till March 31 and no temporary liquor permits would be provided for events. The liquor and wine shops will remain open.
Chennai streets wore a deserted look today amid the coronavirus outbreak. Several busy parts of the city, like T Nagar, which is usually bustling with shoppers, remained quiet. Here are some pictures taken by Shivani Ramakrishnan.
The CBSE has issued guidelines for the remaining board examinations stating that each center superintendent should ensure that candidates are seated at a distance of one meter from each other and masks are provided to candidates who cough or sneeze.
The government has told members of Lok Sabha that there are 255 Indians infected with the coronavirus in Iran, 12 in UAE, five in Italy and one each in Hong Kong, Kuwait, Sri Lanka and Rwanda. As per international norms, those who have tested positive cannot be flown back to their countries and will have to be treated where they are.
The French Open has been postponed, and will now be held from September 20 to October 4. This puts it after the US Open. But, why are people surprised, given the coronavirus pandemic? Well, because, this mean it clashes with other events, such as Laver Cup and a women's tournament in Wuhan, China. Read more from The NYT.
As cities across India face a shortage of sanitisers and disinfectants due to hoarding and panic, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad have developed their own hand-sanitiser. The institute claims the product is in line with standards recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a federal health agency in the US.
The Tamil Nadu government has launced a dedicated website to dissiminate information on the coronavirus pandemic. The website (stopcoronatn.in) will contain information on updates from the state.
A couple from Noida with travel history to Indonesia were tested for coronavirus after showing symptoms. The husband has been tested positive while the final confirmation of the wife's sample is awaited, Dr Anurag Bharagava CMO, tells The Indian Express. Meanwhile, Karnataka health minister has confirmed two more cases in the state, taking the total to 13. Both patients are from Bengaluru.
Bars and pubs will remain open in Kerala, albeit with precautionary measures, in the wake of the COVID-19 spread in the state, the cabinet decided Wednesday. The decision will be formally announced later in the day. The cabinet is learnt to have recommended that managements running bars and pubs in the state can continue doing so, although they must take precautions with respect to maintaining sanitation inside.
The BJP will not hold protest or demonstration for one month due to coronavirus, the party's chief J P Nadda said. "PM, yesterday in the Parliamentary party meeting, had desired that because of coronavirus we should avoid any type of agitation, dharna, demonstration. Keeping that in view, the BJP has decided that for the next one month the party won't participate in any agitation, demonstration," Nadda was quoted as saying by PTI. "All party units have been asked to spread awareness about coronavirus and they must discuss the dos and dont's in small groups. While on one hand we have to see to its that we keep ourselves clean, we also need to make sure that we do not panic," he added.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Delhi HC is experimenting with video conferencing facilities to conduct proceedings, reports PTI. This may begin for hearing some cases next week.
Amid reports that a large number of Indians in Iran have contracted the coronavirus infection, pilgrims from the Union Territory of Ladakh stranded there on Wednesday claimed the number of positive cases have spiked to 260. While the Ministry of External Affairs hasn’t confirmed this development, it had on Tuesday said that it could only confirm “some positive cases.” Read our report here
In view of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic, the wholesale market of Pune will remain close on Friday and Saturday. A press statement issued by the commission agents association said that hence forth the market will remain close on every Wesnesday and Friday for cleaning.
Minutes after Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed the state’s first coronavirus case, he retracted his remarks, saying the information was based on a “hoax call” to the health authorities. Earlier in the day, Rane said a Norway national had tested positive for novel coronavirus. (Note: We had reported Rane's initial statement, but have changed it according to Rane's retraction).
While sporting events have been cancelled across the world, the organisers of the Tokyo Olympics remain firm that the Games will go on. Japan’s Olympic minister, Seiko Hashimoto, said it was “impossible” to delay the Games, while Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he had secured support from the leaders of the Group of 7 to hold the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics “in their complete form.”
The Odisha government has said 1,239 people returning from foreign trips have registered themselves so far on the official platforms provided by the state to track potential coronavirus carriers. The government's Covid-19 portal asks for details such as name, age, gender, mobile and local contact numbers,address and email. The portal also provides an option to check certain tell-tale symptoms such as fever, cough and respiratory distress-while asking for a comprehensive travel history inclusive of mode of transport and interim halts.