Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates

Railway ministry tweet incorrect, claims West Bengal home secretary

West Bengal Home Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay on Saturday termed as misleading and incorrect a Railway ministry tweet which claimed that the West Bengal govt had approved eight special Shramik trains from various states after Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday alleged that the state was not allowing such trains. “All 8 trains were approved, communicated to states concerned on Friday,” PTI quotes him as saying.

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates

Iran-linked hackers recently targeted staff at drugmaker Gilead, claims report

Hackers linked to Iran have targeted staff at US drugmaker Gilead Sciences Inc in recent weeks, according to publicly-available web archives reviewed by Reuters and three cybersecurity researchers, as the company races to deploy a treatment for the COVID-19 virus. In one case, a fake email login page designed to steal passwords was sent in April to a top Gilead executive involved in legal and corporate affairs, according to an archived version on a website used to scan for malicious web addresses. News agency Reuters said it was not able to determine whether the attack was successful.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Maharashtra Latest Updates

160 new cases, five fatalities recorded in Pune

 Pune district reported 160 new coronavirus cases since Friday night, taking the tally of cases to 2,732, PTI quotes health officials as saying. The death toll reached 148 with five COVID-19 patients succumbing to the infection, an official said.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Maharashtra Latest Updates

Mumbai Police registers fourth COVID-19 death

The samples of an assistant sub inspector attached to Vinoba Bhave Nagar police station in Mumbai who died on Friday have tested positive for novel

coronavirus, PTI quotes officials as saying. He died in the early hours of Friday after being admitted in a civic hospital on Wednesday with COVID-19-like​symptoms, an official said. “He was also a diabetic. His samples returned positive on Friday evening. This is the fourth COVID-19 death in Mumbai police. Some 350 personnel in the metropolis’ force have tested positive for the virus so far,” he added.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Gujarat Latest Updates

Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra says he tested negative 

Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra  on Saturday took to Twitter to announce that he had tested negative for the coronavirus. Nehra was placed under quarantine on 5 May after he came into contact with a COVID-19 patient and CEO of Gujarat Maritime Board Mukesh Kumar had taken over the charge.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Bihar Latest Updates

Cop beats up doctor for refusing to conduct medical exam of four accused

An Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) thrashed a doctor of a primary health centre for allegedly refusing to conduct medical examination of four accused of a rape case who were without face masks and also tied with a single rope against the social distancing norms in Bihar’s Darbhanga district on Saturday, reports PTI. The incident took place in the Jalle Primary Health Centre this morning. Doctors and other staff of the Jaale PHC went on strike to protest against the incident.

Coronavirus Outbreak In India Latest Updates

Air Indian Express flight from Kuwait lands in Kochi

Coronavirus Outbreak In India Latest Updates

Rahul Gandhi demands audit of PM-CARES fund

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday demanded audit of PM CARES Fund and said the account of money received and spent be made public. The Centre had set up the Prime Minister’’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund  on 28 March, with the primary objective to deal with any kind of emergency situation like the one currently posed by the COVID-19 outbreak and provide relief to those affected. The Congress has questioned the government over setting up of a separate PM CARES Fund by the prime minister for fighting coronavirus, demanding that the same be merged with the PM National Relief Fund.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Tripura Latest Updates

17 more BSF personnel test positive in Tripura

Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Saturday said that 17 more personnel from the Border Security Force’s 86th Battalion have tested positive in Ambassa. Tripura now has 132 active cases and none of them are among civilians.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Assam Latest Updates

Three, including ambulance driver, test positive in Assam

Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that three more persons, including an ambulance driver have tested positive for the coronavirus infection in Jorhat, taking the total number of cases in the state to 62. The driver has been sent back to Maharashtra, he said while the other two patients have been admitted to the JMCH. 34 persons have been discharged and the number of active cases in the state stands at 27, said the minister.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Italy Latest Updates

Italy records a fall in both new cases and deaths

Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy climbed by 194 on Saturday, against 243 the day before, Reuters quotes the Civil Protection Agency as saying, while the daily tally of new cases fell to 1,083 from 1,327 on Friday. The  toll since the outbreak came to light on 21 February now stands at 30,395 the agency said, the third highest in the world after those of the United States and Britain. The number of confirmed cases amounts to 218,268 the third highest global tally behind those of the United States and Spain.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Delhi Latest Updates

Delhi govt orders release of Tablighi members from quarantine centres

The Delhi government has directed district administrations to release 2,446 Tablighi members from quarantine centres and ensure that they don’t stay at any place except their residence, reports PTI. In a letter to deputy commissioners (administration), Delhi Disaster Management Authority’s Special CEO KS Meena said all the 567 foreign Markaz attendees will be handed over to the Delhi Police. The move comes days after Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain ordered the release of Tablighi members who have completed their quarantine period at facilities in the National Capital. The district magistrates will explore the possibility of sending the Tablighi members, who belong to other states, in buses to their native places following social-distancing norms and other protocols, Meena said.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Telangana Latest Updates

Telangana reports 31 new infections, count rises to 1,163

Telangana on Saturday recorded 31 new cases — 30 from Hyderabad and a migrant worker who tested positive —taking the state total to 1,163. According to a bulletin issued by the state government, 751 persons have been cured and discharged till date, including 24 who were discharged today and the number of active cases is now 382. Till date, 30 persons have died after contracting the viral infection.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Maharashtra Latest Updates

Thane now has 2,006 confirmed cases

The number of COVID-19 cases crossed the 2000-mark in Thane district as 184 people tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday, PTI quotes a health official as saying. As on Saturday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Thane district is 2,006, and the number of deaths so far is 52, he said.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Rajasthan Latest Updates

Rajasthan reports 129 new cases, three fatalities

Confirmed cases in Rajasthan climbed to 3,708, including 106 fatalities as the state registered 129 fresh infections and three deaths on Satuday, said the state health department. 1,895 persons have been cured and discharged till date and the number of active cases stands at 1,440. Of the 129 new cases, 51 were reported in Jaipur and 24 in Udaipur.

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates

Flight carrying Indian nationals stranded in UK to reach Mumbai on Sunday morning

The first batch of Indian nationals stranded in the UK after suspension of commercial air passenger services amid the COVID-19 outbreak are set to arrive at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai early morning on Sunday, reports PTI. The Air India flight, a Boeing 777 aircraft, departed for Mumbai from London at around 11 am on Saturday, an airline source told the news agency.  The flight is expected to arrive at the airport at around 1.15 am on Sunday, he said. 

The Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), which manages and operates the Mumbai airport has put together standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure safety of passengers arriving on repatriation flights, starting from Sunday, according to airport officials.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Kerala Latest Updates

First patient to receive plasma therapy in Uttar Pradesh dies of heart attack

The first patient to receive plasma therapy as an experimental treatment for coronavirus infection in Uttar Pradesh died following a heart attack on Saturday, reports PTI. The patient, a 58-year-old doctor, was admitted at the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow and was on ventilator support since the last 14 days. Since he had high blood pressure and diabetes, he was under the continuous observation of doctors in the isolation ward, KGMU Vice Chancellor MLB Bhatt said. The doctor from Orai in Uttar Pradesh was administered plasma therapy at the state-run KGMU on 26 April. He was administered the plasma donated by a doctor from Canada who was the first COVID-19 patient admitted at the hospital and later recovered.

“The patient was in a stable condition. His lungs had improved, but he later developed urinary tract infection. Two reports of his samples came out as negative (for COVID-19) today,” the vice chancellor said. “He, however, suffered a heart attack around 5 pm. Despite all efforts, he could not be saved,” he said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Kerala Latest Updates

Kerala to observe complete shut down on Sundays till further orders

The Kerala government on Saturday issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for implementing a complete shutdown in the state on Sundays with a view to containing the contagion and to protect the environment. The list of activities allowed on Sunday includes sales of essential items, movement of vehicles bearing goods, supply of newspapers and medicines among others. Social gatherings apart from marriages and funerals will be barred.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Gujarat Latest Updates

Ahmedbad reports 280 new cases, 20 fatalities

A total of 280 new COVID-19 cases were reported from hotspot Ahmedabad along with 20 more deaths on Saturday, taking the total case count to 5,540 in the district and fatalities to 363, PTI quotes a health department official as saying. Principal Secretary (Health) Jayanti Ravi said that the number of the discharged patients from various hospitals in Ahmedabad after recovery mounted by 106 to 1,107 in the last 24 hours.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

ICMR teams up with Bharat Biotech to develop COVID-19 vaccine

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has partnered with Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) to develop a fully indigenous vaccine for COVID-19, the apex health research body said on Saturday. The vaccine will be developed using the virus strain isolated at the ICMR’s National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, a statement said. The strain has been successfully transferred from NIV to BBIL, it added.

“Work on vaccine development has been initiated between the two partners. The ICMR-NIV will provide continuous support to BBIL for vaccine development. ICMR and BBIL will seek fast-track approvals to expedite vaccine development, subsequent animal studies and clinical evaluation of the candidate vaccine,” the health research body said in the statement.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in Himachal Pradesh Latest Updates

Himachal Pradesh now has 10 active cases

A man in Kangra district has tested positive for #COVID19, taking total number of active cases to 10 in Himachal Pradesh, ANI quotes State Additional Chief Secretary (Health) RD Dhiman as saying.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India  Latest Updates

35 more BSF personnel test positive

35 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday, reports ANI. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the force crosses 250.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India  Latest Updates

Health ministry to send additional teams to 10 states

The Union health ministry has decided to deploy Central teams to 10 states that have a high case load and are recording a high spurt of cases, in addition to the twenty teams deployed to districts with a high number of cases. These teams will assist the state health departments of respective states to facilitate management of the coronavirus outbreak, the ministry said in a press release. The teams will consist of a senior official from the ministry, a joint secretary level nodal officer and a public health expert and support the state health department in implementing containment measures in the affected areas.  The teams will be sent to Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Madhya Pradesh Latest Updates

Madhya Pradesh COVID-19 count crosses 3,000

Number of those infected by the novel coronavirus reaches 3,457 in Madhya Pradesh, with 116 new cases being reported today, ANI quotes the state health department as saying. As many as 1,780 cases and 87 have been reported from Indore. Out of the total cases, 1,480 patients have recovered while 211 others have succumbed to the infection. There are 625 containment areas in the state.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

West Bengal approves eight special trains, none from Maharashtra yet, says Rail ministry

In a series of tweets , the ministry of railways said that the West Bengal government today approved eight special trains to bring back migrant labourers stranded in various states, however, no trains have been approved from Maharashtra, it said. “After request of Hon’ble HM, today afternoon WB has approved two trains from Punjab, two from Tamil Nadu, three from Karnataka and one from Telangana, which are being arranged,” it said. 

“However, West Bengal has not approved any train from Maharashtra, while there is a requirement of 16 trains to the state and presently six requests are pending for which approval is still awaited from West Bengal,” it said in another tweet. According to the ministry, railways has run 300 sepcial trains till date from various states, however, West Bengal had given approval for only two trains till Saturday morning.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

CRPF reports 62 new cases

 The country’s largest paramilitary force CRPF reported 62 fresh coronavirus infections on Saturday from a single Delhi-based unit, officials said. The total number of active cases in the 3.25 lakh-strong force now stands at 231, they said. Two personnel have recovered from coronavirus while one succumbed to the infection.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Maharashtra sees spike in cases as total reaches 20,228

1165 new  cases, 48 deaths were reported in Maharashtra. The total number of positive cases in the state rises to 20,228, while the toll reaches 779. Over 12,800 cases have been reported from Mumbai, according to the state health department.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Haryana Latest Updates

Confirmed cases in Haryana climb to 675

Number of coronavirus infections reaches 675 in Haryana, including 290 recoveries and nine deaths. Number of active cases stands at 376. Doubling rate of cases in the state is 9 days, ANI quotes the Haryana Health Department as saying.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Cabinet secretary to hold video conference at 10 am on 10 May

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba will hold a video conference about containing the spread of the novel coronavirus with all States/Union Teerritories  at 10am on Sunday, reports ANI. Chief Secretaries , Principal Secretaries (Health) from states along with  Niti Aayog members, secretaries of the health ministry, home ministry and information and broadcasting ministry and the secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority are expected to attend the virtual meeting

Coronavirus Outbreak in Mizoram Latest Updates

Mizoram’s lone COVID-19 patient discharged from hospital

Mizoram became coronavirus-free with the discharge of the lone COVID-19 patient from a hospital on Saturday, PTI quotes officials as saying. It now shares a similar status with four other northeastern states — Manipur, Sikkim, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Mizoram Health Minister Dr R Lalthangliana said the state’s lone COVID-19 patient, a pastor, was discharged from Zoram Medical College (ZMC) on Saturday afternoon after 45 days of intense treatment. He was discharged from the hospital after four consecutive tests turned negative, the minister said. The pastor, who is in his early 50s and working under the Baptist Church of Mizoram, returned to the state from Amsterdam on 16 March. He was pursuing higher study in theology in the Netherlands capital. He tested positive for novel coronavirus on 24 March and was admitted at ZMC along with his wife and two children. The pastor’s wife and children were discharged from the medical college on 28 March after they tested negative for COVID-19.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates

UP doctor, who contracted coronavirus in line of duty, dies in KGMU hospital

Dr Sunil Agrawal, who got infected with coronavirus while on duty in Auraiya Hospital, passed away in Lucknow’s KGMU hospital today. He was also the first patient to have recieved Plasma Therapy treatment in the state. His condition had improved after the therapy, and he even tested coronavirus negative, but later died after a heart attack. 

“The patient was in a stable condition. His lungs had improved, but he later developed urinary tract infection. Two reports of his samples came out as negative (for COVID-19) today,” KGMU vice chancellor said. “He, however, suffered a heart attack around 5 pm. Despite all efforts, he could not be saved,” he said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Gujarat Latest Updates

Cases in Gujarat surge to 7,797

 23 deaths and 394 new cases were reported in Gujarat in the past 24 hours, reported the Times of India. The total number of cases in the in the state reached 7,797 including 472 deaths. 2,091 persons have been cured and discharged till date.

Aarogya Setu app alerted govt about over 650 current and 300 emerging hotspots

Aarogya Setu app alerted the government about more than 650 hotspots across the country and over 300 emerging hotspots, said NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates

Tamil Nadu govt sets up high-level committee to assess COVID-19 impact

The Tamil Nadu government has set up a high-level committee headed by ex-RBI governor C Rangarajan to assess COVID-19 impact and suggest the way forward to improve its fiscal position, reports PTI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Chhattisgarh Latest Updates

Five-year-old among five discharged in Chhattisgarh; active cases stand at 16

Five people were discharged from  the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Raipur​ in Chhattisgarh on Saturday after recovering from the novel

coronavirus infection, PTI quotes health officials as saying. Those discharged include two women and a five-year-old boy, an official informed. So far 43 people have been discharged while the number of active cases in the state is 16, he added.

Chhattisgarh COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 59; New cases nil; Deaths nil; Discharged 43; Active cases 16; People tested so far 23,629.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Updates

Asymptomatic international passengers to be kept in institutional quarantine for 14 days, says Karnataka health department

Correcting its guidelines for international passengers arriving in the state, the Karnataka health department on Saturday said that asymptomatic passengers would be kept in institutional quarantine for 14 days instead of seven days institutional quarantine and seven days home quarantine. It also said that all international passengers would be tested twice, first on arrival and  on the 14th day after arrival.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates

Coronavirus cases in Tamil Nadu jump by 526 to 6,535

Tamil Nadu recorded 526 fresh cases in the last 24 hours and Chennai recorded 279 cases with four deaths, reports News18. The total number of coronavirus has  infections in the state has reached 6,535. Four deaths were also reported today, taking the toll in the state to 44.  Acoording to the report, as many as 1,867 cases are linked to the Koyembedu market cluster.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Chandigarh Latest Updates

Confirmed cases in Chandigarh rise to 169

23 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Chandigarh on Saturday, of which 21 were from a colony in sector-26, ANI quotes the Chandigarh Health Department as saying. The total number of positive cases is now 169, including two deaths.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Guajrat Latest Updates

Gujarat govt announces exemptions from labour laws to new units for 1,200 days

The Gujarat government on Saturday announced exemption from certain labour laws for 1,200 days to firms that want to set up new units in the state in order to “boost economic activities” post-lockdown, reports PTI.  “Companies in Gujarat, India and abroad willing to bring new projects and set up new units in the state will be freed from labour laws for 1,200 days, except those related to the minimum wages and industrial safety,” said Ashwani Kumar, secretary to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Local MSME owners willing to set up new units will also get this exemption, he said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Punjab Latest Updates

Case count in Punjab rises to 1,762

Number of coronavirus positive cases in Punjab climbed to 1,762 as 31 more people tested positive on Saturday. The total number of active cases stands at 1574 while 31 persons have died due to the disease, according to the Punjab Health Department

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Testing capacity scaled up to 95,000 per day, says Harsh Vardhan

The testing capacity for COVID-19 has been scaled up to around 95,000 tests per day and a total of 15,25,631 tests have been conducted so far across 332 government and 121 private laboratories, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Saturday.  “The testing capacity has increased in the country and it is 95,000 tests per day with 332 government laboratories and 121 private laboratories. Cumulatively, 15,25,631 tests have been done so far for COVID-19," PTI quotes him as saying.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates

BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal visits Dharavi

Newly-appointed BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal visited Mumbai’s Dharavi area on Saturday to take stock of the situation as the number of cases rose to 833.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha Latest Updates

Five special trains to bring back 5,000 stranded workers to Odisha

Five special trains will start journey from three states on Saturday to bring back 5,000 stranded Odia people, a day after the Supreme Court allowed the return of migrants to Odisha, officials told PTI.The Supreme Court on Friday stayed an interim order of the Orissa High Court which had asked the state government to ensure that only those tested negative for COVID-19 were allowed to return to Odisha. Three trains will come from Gujarat and one each from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, the officials said, adding that about 5,000 people will return to Odisha by these five trains.

A senior East Coast Railways official said one of the five trains has already left from Surat for Odisha’s Ganjam district. Two trains will leave from Ahmedabad in Gujarat for Khurda Road in Odisha, one train from Panvel station in Mumbai will start the journey to Odisha’s Titlagarh in Bolangir district and another will leave from Chennai for Jagannathpur in Ganjam district, the official said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

224 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Delhi, total climbs to 6,542

The number of confirmed cases in Delhi climbed to 6,542 as 224 new infections were reported between 4 pm on Friday to midnight. According to data released by the Chief Minister’s Office, no new deaths were recorded and the toll stands at 68. 2,020 people have recovered from the viral infection and there 4,454 active COVID-19 cases in the National Capital.

From Sunday, the state government will follow a midnight to midnight cycle and data will be released every morning. 

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Dharavi reports 25 new cases, one death

25 new cases, one death due to the viral infection were reported in Mumbai’s Dharavi today, ANI quotes the BMC as saying.A total of 833 positive cases and 27 deaths have been reported from the largest slum in the world.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Policeman dies of coronavirus infection in Nashik

A 51-year-old police constable who had tested positive for coronavirus died in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Saturday afternoon, PTI quotes an official as saying. This is the sixth death of a police personnel due to COVID-19 in the state, he said.

The constable, a resident of Nashik city, was deputed on security duty in Malegaon town in the district which has emerged as a coronavirus hotspot. He was admitted to the civil hospital in Nashik after showing symptoms of infection on 1 May, the police official said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Updates

Confirmed cases in Karnataka up by 41 to 794

Karnataka on Saturday registered 41 fresh infections, pushing the total in the state to 794, including 30 deaths and 386 recoveries, according to the 5 pm bulletin issued by the state health department.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Jammu and Kashmir Latest Updates

Case count in Jammu and Kashmir reaches 836

13 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir, taking the total number of cases to 836, reports ANI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

Six more ITBP personnel test positive in Delhi

Six new positive cases were reported among the Indo-Tibetan Border Police in the last 24 hours, reports ANI. Till date, a total of 100 personnel (all in Delhi) have contracted the viral infection.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha Latest Updates

Five Surat returnees test positive in Odisha

Five migrant workers who returned to Odisha’s Ganjam district have tested positive for the viral infection, taking the total number of cases in the state to 294.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Kerala Latest Updates

Two foreign returnees test positive in Kerala, taking total to 505

Two persons who were brought back to Kerala on an evacuation flight on 7 May have tested positive, taking the number of active cases in the state to 17, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, The total number of cases reported in the state has risen to 505, including 485 recoveries (one person recovered today) and three deaths.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Gujarat Latest Updates

AIIMS Director meets Chief Minister Vijay Rupani

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

Delhi hospitals report 92 deaths as against 68 by govt; not hiding any data, says health minister

Confusion prevailed over the number of deaths due to coronavirus in the national capital, with data from four hospitals showing that 92 people succumbed to the infection as against 68 fatalities reported by the Delhi government.The toll of 68 shared by the Delhi government in its health bulletin on Friday is based on data collected from 10 hospitals, including AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College. According to the bulletin, AIIMS (Delhi and Jhajjar) reported two deaths, Safdarjung Hospital reported four, RML 26 and Lady Hardinge Medical College had none till Friday.

However, officials from these hospitals said the number of people who died due to coronavirus in the National Capital till Friday is higher than that reflected in the Delhi government’s bulletin. AIIMS (Delhi Trauma Centre and Jhajjar) has recorded a total of 14 deaths, an official said. At Safdarjung Hospital, 23 people have died due to COVID-19. RML Hospital has reported 52 deaths of COVID-19 patients.​ Lady Hardinge Medical College Director Dr NN Mathur said the hospital has given the government a figure of three deaths.

After the discrepancies between the COVID-19 death toll reported by the government and figures from hospitals came to light on Friday, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain asserted that the government is not hiding data. “If we had to hide data, we wouldn’t have released Thursday’s number of fresh COVID-19 cases which was the highest single-day spike of 448 cases. We would have said there were only 48 new cases, but we did not. Once the reports come, the hospitals have to inform the government immediately,” he had told reporters.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Updates

West Bengal reports 108 fresh infections, 11 deaths in 24 hours

108  news coronavirus cases and 11 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours in West Bengal, taking the total number of cases to 1,786 and toll to 99 in the state, ANI quotes  West Bengal Home Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay as saying. The number of active COVID-19 cases stands at 1,243, he said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates

Private enterprises in Tamil Nadu to function with 33 percent staffing

Private establishments in Chennai will be allowed to operate from10.30 am to 6 pm but only with a maximum of 33 per cent of the total workforce. Offices in other districts can stay open till 7 pm, but must follow the same 33 percent rule, said the Tamil Nadu govt

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates

Tamil Nadu govt announces relaxations in lockdown from Monday 

The Tamil Nadu govt announced major relaxations in lockdown guidelines in non-containment zones from Monday.  Essential shops can function from 6am to 7pm while standalone and neigbourhood shops to open from 10 am to 6 pm and from 10.30 am to 6 pm in Chennai. Tea shops allowed to open across the state only for takeaway from 6am- 7 pm.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

Three more private hospitals in Delhi to function as COVID-19 hospitals

The Delhi Government has declared Fortis hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Saroj Medical Institute, Rohini Sector-19 and Khushi Hospital, Dwarka as COVID-19 hospitals, in view of shortage of isolation beds in private hospitals in the National Capital, reports ANI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

‘Totally healthy, not suffering from any disease’: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah released a statement, stating that the rumours about his ill health were wrong. “I am totally healthy and not suffering from any disease”, he said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates

Rate of recovery stands at 43% in Uttar Pradesh, claims senior health official

“Number of active cases of COVID-19 stands at 1800 in Uttar  Pradesh and 1399 patients have recovered. Our average recovery rate stands at around 43 percent as against national average of 30 percent,” ANI quotes Principal Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad as saying.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

Delhi Police rubbishes media report on purported audio clip of Markaz Nizamuddin head 

The Delhi Police on Saturday rubbished a media report suggesting that a purported audio clip of Markaz Nizamuddin head Maulana Saad Kandhalvi may have been doctored. 

In the clip in question, Saad could be heard telling Jamaat attendees to ignore government directives and social distancing norms.

The report, quoting sources, claimed that an initial probe suggested that the clip appeared to have been curated from multiple files, and hence its veracity needed to be confirmed by the forensic lab.

However, the Delhi Police said that the report “is not only factually incorrect but seems to be based on wholly unverified sources and purely conjectural imagination.”

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

Indians stranded in Dhaka return to Delhi

An Air India flight carrying at least 129 Indian nationals from Dhaka in Bangladesh has landed at Delhi Airport on Saturday. 

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Updates

After TMC claims to run eight special trains to ferry migrants, Railways say ’no proposal on record’

In a slugfest over the transportation of stranded migrants to West Bengal, railway officials on Saturday said there were no proposal on record so far with the national transporter to run any more ‘Shramik Special’ trains to the state.

The Indian Railways reaction came minutes after the TMC said they have already planned to run eight trains to ferry migrants from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Telangana. The railway said they did not even have the proposal yet for the train, which the TMC claimed has been scheduled from Hyderabad to Malda on Saturday at 3 pm.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttarakhand Latest Updates

Uttarakhand reports 67 COVID-19 positive cases

After four more individuals test positive for the novel coronavirus in Uttarakhand, the total number of confirmed cases in the state climbed to 67 on Saturday, news agency ANI reported.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha Latest Updates

Odisha trains 1.72 lakh healthcare professionals to combat pandemic in state

The Odisha government has trained 1.72 lakh healthcare officials to fight COVID-19 pandemic in the state, where a spike in the number of positive cases was recently witnessed following the return of Odia migrant workers from other parts of the country, a senior official said.

“The state government has trained 1,72,499 health officials to deal with the novel coronavirus outbreak,” Chief Secretary AK Tripathy said while launching the ‘COVID-19 workforce portal’ in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Haryana Latest Updates

Over 1.09 lakh migrant workers from Bihar and UP seek to return to Haryana after state registers low COVID-19 cases

As the Centre has started running special trains to send stranded migrant workers back to their states, close to 1.09 lakh migrant workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have applied on a Haryana government web portal to come to the state, Indian Express reported. 

According to the report, around 79.29 percent of migrant labourers have applied to come to Gurgaon, Faridabad, Panipat, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Yamunanagar and Rewari. Little over 50,000 of them want to come to Gurgaon district. 

Officials believe the state’s low coronavirus numbers is a factor for the workers seeking return. Till Friday, Haryana had 647 positive cases,

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

48 CISF personnel test COVID-19 positive so far

Thirteen more personnel in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have tested positive for the nove coronavirus on Saturday, thereby taking the confirmed cases to 48 among the security force officials, according to ANI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Updates

Bengal is running 711 camps for migrants: TMC after Centre alleges state didn’t follow SOP to bring back migrant workers

West Bengal is running 711 camps for the migrants in state, we are taking good care of them, said TMC leader Derek O’Brien, reacting sharply to the allegations made by the Centre over the failure of the West Bengal government to implement standard operating procedures in bringing back stranded migrants.

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Updates

Derek O’Brien accuses Amit Shah of favouring BJP-ruled states, says Centre did nothing after UP govt waived off labour laws

TMC leader Derek O’Brien on Saturday accused Amit Shah of being biased with the BJP-ruled states with regard to stopping the movement of migrant labourers.

“The Home Minister is writing so many letters to Bengal but nothing was done in Karnataka when the CM stopped the movement of migrant labourers. Later he had to revoke the decision. The Uttar Pradesh government has waived off all labour laws but, no letters were written to them,” said O’Brien. 

He further alleged that the Centre was responsible for the rail mishap in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad.

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Updates

Amit Shah finally woke up from a deep sleep: Derek O’Brien on HM’s letter to Mamata Banerjee

In response to Amit Shah’s letter to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that migrants were not permitted to enter the state on trains, TMC’s Derek O’brien was quoted by News18 as saying, “Home Minister of India has finally woken up from a deep sleep. We were wondering if you have helped any migrants.”

“A letter by the Home Minister first reached Delhi before it reached the West Bengal Govt. You sent doctors to Gujarat but a IMCT to Bengal, why are you messing around?” said the TMC leader.

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Update

Data comparing COVID-19 growth rate of different states misleading: Derek O’Brien 

Responding to the allegations against the West Bengal government over mismanagement of identifying COVID-19 hot spots and containing them, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien on Saturday said that the data comparing COVID-19 growth rate of different states is “misleading”. 

“Epidemiologists say it is wrong to compare regions at different points of the virus cycle because each of these regions in countries and states are all in different period of cycle,” said Derek.

Coronavirus in Mumbai Latest Update

BMC chief to visit Dharavi, headquarters

Newly-appointed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief Iqbal Chahal will visit the control room at the civic body’s headquarters, follwed by Nair Hospital today to take account of the situation in the city worst affected by coronavirus, News18 reported. He will also visit Dharavi, which has reported a high number of cases since the beginning of the outbreak.

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Update

Bring back migrant workers to West Bengal: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury urged the Centre and West Bengal government to bring migrant workers from West Bengal stranded elsewhere back to the state. “Home Minister Amit Shah said that he had been continuously asking West Bengal government how many trains they need to bring back migrant workers but till 2 days ago state government had not sent a list,” he said adding that he got to know only today that West Bengal has asked for eight trains to bring back migrants.

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Update

Indians to be flown back from Malaysia to Tamil Nadu

Hundreds of Indians from at least seven countries will fly back to India today amid the coronavirus lockdown as a part of one of India’s biggest repatriation mission Vande Bharat.

The first phase of the Vande Bharat mission started on 7 May and will run till 13 May and involves the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Bangladesh, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, the UK and the United States. In the first week of Vande Bharat, 64 flights are expected to bring 15,000 Indian citizens home from 12 countries.

Coronavirus in West Bengal Latest Update

Prove allegations or apologise: TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee to Amit Shah

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee hit out at Home Minister Amit Shah for the letter written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee where it was alleged that she was not allowing trains carrying migrants to reach the state. Banerjee said that after a long silence during the crisis, he was now misleading people “with a bundle of lies”.

Asking Shah to prove his allegations or apologise, he said that the former was talking about the people that were abandoned by the government at the Centre.

Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Update

Karnataka reports 36 new cases

As of noon today, Karnataka reported 36 new coronavirus cases since yesterday. The total number of cases in the state is now at 789, including 379 discharged and 30 deaths.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

India’s COVID-19 recovery rate at 29.9%, fatality at 3.3%: Harsh Vardhan 

After a total of 17,847 COVID-19 patients were discharged across the nation, the recovery rate climbed to 29.9 percent, said Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday. 

“Our fatality rate in the country continues to be around 3.3% and the recovery rate has climbed up to 29.9%, these are very good indicators,” he said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Current doubling rate of COVID-19 cases in India is 11 days: Harsh Vardhan  

India’s current doubling rate of COVID-19 cases improved to 11 days as against 9.9 days in the last week, while the mortality rate has been recorded at 3.3 percent, said Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday. 

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Close to 359 Indians evacuated from Dubai 

Under Centre’s Vande Bharat Mission, close to 359 Indian nationals arrived from Dubai in two Air India flights early on Saturday. 

Among the passengers was a Madurai-based woman whose husband died in Dubai. The body was also brought in the aircraft and she headed to the southern temple town on road with her spouse’s body, News18 reported.

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Updates

Trinamool Congress to hold press meet at 1 pm

The All India Trinamool Congress will conduct a press meet via video conference on Saturday at 1 pm. The meeting can be expected to be on the COVID-19 situation in West Bengal. 

The press conference will be hosted by  Sudip Bandyopadhyay, AITC Parliamentary Party Leader in the Lok Sabha, Derek O’Brien, AITC Parliamentary Party Leader in Rajya Sabha and Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Member of Parliament.They will take questions from you after their statements.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Maharashtra schools will not implement any fee hike for academic year 2019-20

The Maharashtra Education Department said that no fee hike in schools can be imposed for academic year 2020-21. “Parents should not be forced to pay the remaining fee of academic year 2019-20 and the fee for 2020-21 in one go, they must be given monthly/quarterly payment options,” said the state Education Department.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates

COVID-19 patients treated next to corpses in Mumbai’s Sion hospital 

In a disturbing video that was reportedly recorded inside a civic hospital in Mumbai, patients undergoing treatment for coronavirus can be seen lying in beds, hardly few feet away from beds that have corpses on them.

The video went viral after BJP MLA Nitesh Rane on 6 May uploaded it on social media. Rane identified the location as the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital in Sion.​

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Updates

‘Bengal govt hindering return of migrant workers via trains’: Amit Shah

With the issue of migrant labourers being the latest flashpoint between Centre and West Bengal government, Home Minister Amit Shah took a potshot at chief minister Mamata Banerjee for not getting “expected support” help migrant workers reach home.

“West Bengal government is not allowing trains with migrants reaching the state. This is injustice with West Bengal migrant labourers. This will create further hardship for them,” Shah said in his letter to Mamata.

He further pointed out that the Centre has facilitated the return of more than 200,000 migrant labourers to reach home and that workers from West Bengal are also eager to go back.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

COVID-19 patients with severe cases can be released only after testing negative by RT-PCR

According to the health ministry’s latest notice on discharge policy for COVID-19 patients, for mild and pre-symptomatic cases, patients can be discharged after after 10 days of symptom onset and no fever for three days.

For moderate cases, patients will be discharged only after resolution of clinical symptoms and ability to maintain oxygen saturation above 95 percent for three consecutive days without support.

For severe cases, patients will be discharged after they test negative by RT-PCR.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Health Ministry issues revised discharge policy for COVID-19 patients

Coronavirus Outbreak in Rajasthan Latest Updates

Jaipur reports 1,160 infections of total 3,531 cases in Rajasthan

Of the total 3,531 COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan, Jaipur reported the maximum with 1,160 patients being infected. The city has recorded more than half of the total number of deaths in the state with 53 people losing their lives to the viral disease.

So far, the toll in Rajasthan stood at 103.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Rajasthan Latest Updates

57 new COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan take state’s total to 3,636 

Rajasthan registered a total of 3,636 COVID-19 positive cases after 57 more individuals tested positive for the infectious disease on Saturday. According to the state health department, the toll remained at 103 with no new deaths recorded in the past 24 hours.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

COVID-19 toll in India rises to 1,981 after 95 deaths in past 24 hrs

The COVID-19 toll in India rose to 1,981 after 95 more succumbed to the viral infection in the past 24 hours, according to the latest data released by the health ministry on Saturday. 

As many 17,847 COVID-19 patients have been discharged, taking the rate to 30 percent.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

3,320 more test positive in past 24 hrs taking India’s confirmed cases to 59,662

With 3,320 more people testing positive in the past 24 hours across the nation, the total number of confirmed cases climbed to 59,662 on Saturday. Of the total, there were 39,834 active cases.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

Delhi govt launches e-token portal for liquor sale, says News18

In a bid to maintain social distancing rules and prevent chaos, the Delhi government has launched an e-token portal for liquor sale, News18 reported.

The chaos has prompted the Delhi government to launch an e-token system for customers. They can now log into – www.qtoken.in to select an outlet and book a time slot to buy liquor. Only 50 tokens will be issued per hour to keep the rush in check.

Even after the imposition of 70 percent corona-fee on alcohol in the National Capital by the Arvind Kejriwal-led government, customers did not deter from buying.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Updates

Karnataka permits liquor sale; bars and hotels can sell stock at MRP till 17 May

The Karnataka government has permitted the sale of liquor in standalone clubs, boarding hotels and bars, where the existing stock of alcohol can be sold at MRP, reported News18.

The alcohol can be bought only as takeaways from 9 am to 7 pm from Saturday till 17 May.

Karnataka has been among the few states that has wanted to restart economic activities and have the revenue come in for the state.

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates

WHO to launch COVID-19 app with Bluetooth-based contact tracing

The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to launch an app this month to enable people in under-resourced countries to assess whether they may have the novel coronavirus, and is considering a Bluetooth-based contact tracing feature too, an official told Reuters on Friday.

The app will ask people about their symptoms and offer guidance on whether they may have Covid-19, the potentially lethal illness caused by the coronavirus, said Bernardo Mariano, chief information officer for the WHO. Other information, such as how to get tested, will be personalized according to the user’s country.

Though the WHO will release a version on app stores globally, any government will be able to take the app’s underlying technology, add features and release its own version on app stores, Mariano said in a phone interview.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates

NHRC takes suo motu cognisance of Aurangabad rail accident that killed over 16 migrant workers

The National Human Rights Commission on Friday issued notices to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary and the District Magistrate of Aurangabad over 16 migrant workers being mowed down by a goods train. The incident happened between Badnapur and Karmad stations in Nanded Division.

The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports about mowing down of 16 migrant workers by the goods train in the early hours of Friday, it said in a statement.

The officers have been directed to submit a detailed report within four weeks. “It should also include details of the steps taken by the state and the district authorities to provide food, shelter and other basic amenities to the poor people, especially migrant labourers, who are facing extreme difficulties from every angle during the coronavirus-triggered lockdown,” it said.