Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: Fourth positive case reported at railway headquarters in Delhi; 23 more test positive in Chandigarh

Coronavirus Outbreak in Jharkhand Latest Update

All air passengers arriving in Jharkhand to be home quarantined for 14 days

Coronavirus Outbreak in Bihar Latest Update

Nitish Kumar announces Rs 4 Lakh ex-gratia to kin of 13 who succumbed to COVID-19

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Sunday announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of those who died due to COVID-19, as the state reported two fresh coronavirus fatalities, taking the total number to 13. With state reporting 117 fresh positive cases, the total number of COVID-19 cases increased to 2,511 of which Patna alone constitutes 200 cases. Expressing grief over the death of 13 people due to coronavirus in the state, Kumar announced that money has been released from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for payment of Rs 4 lakh ex gratia to each of the families, an official release said.

Earlier in the day, a 60-year-old man from Siwan died at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), Patna, from coronavirus while another 48-year-old COVID-19 positive patient from Saran died on Saturday, but the health department informed about the death on Sunday.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

Another cabinet minister in Maharashtra contracts infection, say reports

A senior Congress leader who is a minister in the Maharashtra cabinet has tested positive for novel coronavirus, said reports. The minister has been travelling between Mumbai and his home district in Marathwada frequently.  “He contracted the infection a few days back and is now undergoing treatment,” a health official told PTI.

Earlier, NCP leader Jitendra Awhad had tested positive for the viral infection.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

Rail Bhawan reports fourth positive case

 A senior officer posted at the Rail Bhawan in Central Delhi has tested positive for coronavirus, the fourth case at the railway headquarters. The officer, who was diagnosed positive on Sunday, had last attended work on 20 May. At least 14 officials who worked closely with her have been sent to home quarantine. The latest case comes days after another senior officer working at the railways headquarters, also called Rail Bhawan, had tested positive for coronavirus, which was the third case from the building.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in Chandigarh Latest Update

Three-day-old baby dies in Chandigarh, toll rises to four

A three-day-old girl died of coronavirus in Chandigarh on Sunday, taking the COVID-19 death toll in the union territory to four, a medical bulletin said.The sample of the child was taken after death and the report came back positive for novel coronavirus, it said. The report of her mother’s sample was awaited, the bulletin said. Meanwhile, twenty-three people tested positive for COVID-19 in the city on Sunday, taking the total number of cases in Chandigarh to 256, it said. A six-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy were among the 23 fresh cases and most of them are residents of Bapu Dham colony, the worst affected area in the union territory, according to the bulletin.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam Latest Update

Assam issues SOPs for air travellers; state govt to run buses four times a day from Guwahati airport

Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared guidelines issued by the state government as domestic air travel is scheduled to resume from Monday. According to the SOP, thermal scanning booths will be set up; asymptomatic passengers will have to undergo combined institutional and home quarantine of 14 days and symptomatic passengers will be taken to the nearest screening camp. The state govt will offer paid bus services from Guwahati airport four times a day.

Coronavirus Outbreak in MaharashtraLatest Update

Mumbai Police warns of strict action against those circulating incorrect of discriminatory information on social media, messaging apps

The Mumbai Police issued orders under Section 144 of the CrPC prohibiting persons from disseminating “incorrect” or factually distorted information through messaging platforms and social media sites like WhatsApp, Twitter and TikTok. The order also prohibits the spread of inflammatory statements which are discriminatory against a particular community and any information which could cause panic or confusion among the public.

According to the order, action can also be taken under Section 188 of the IPC against those contravening the directives. The order also says that admins of WhatsApp groups will be personally responsible for reporting such content to the police. The order signed by Dy Commissioner (Operations) Pranaya Ashok comes into effect from 12.15 am on 25 May and continues to operate till 8 June.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Update

Tamil Nadu issues guidelines for air travellers

The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for passengers of domestic flights, According to the guidelines, all passengers shall undergo thermal screening for coronavirus symptoms. Asymptomatic persons shall undergo home quarantine for 14 days. TN E-pass had been made mandatory for all passengers.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Rajasthan Latest Update

Rajasthan reports 286 fresh infections, three deaths

A total of 286 positive cases and three deaths were reported in Rajasthan today, reports ANI quoting the state health department. The total number of positive cases in the state stands at 7,028, including 163 deaths, 3848 recoveries. 

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Domestic flights to start in West Bengal on 28 May, in Andhra Pradesh on 26 May

“Operations to/from West Bengal would commence on May 28 on a limited scale, as requested by the state Govt. Similarly, operations in Andhra Pradesh would commence on a limited scale from 26 May,” tweeted the civil aviation ministry from its official handle.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Update

Maximum of 25 flights allowed to land in Chennai, but no limit on departures, says Hardeep Singh Puri

“For Tamil Nadu there will be max 25 arrivals in Chennai but there’s no limit on number of departures.For other airports in TN flights will operate as in other parts of country,” said the civil aviation minister.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Mumbai to resume partial flight operations tomorrow

Clearing the air over resumption of domestic flight services, Civil Aviation MInister Hardeep Singh Puri said ,“Starting tomorrow, there will be limited flights from Mumbai and as per approved ⅓ schedule from other airports in the state.”

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Domestic flight operations to resume across country, except Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, says civil aviation minister

Civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri late on Sunday night said that flight operations would resume across the country from Monday, with the exception of West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.  “It has been a long day of hard negotiations with various state govts to recommence civil aviation operations in the country.  Except Andhra Pradesh which will start on 26/5 & West Bengal on 28/5, domestic flights will recommence across the country from tomorrow,” he tweeted.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Madhya Pradesh Latest Update

Madhya Pradesh reports 294 new cases, nine deaths

Madhya Pradesh on Sunday recorded 294 new COVID19 cases, taking the state’s count to 6,665.The state also reported nine deaths and the toll touched 90, reports ANI quoting the state health department. A total of 3,408 patients have been cured and discharged till date, it said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Update

Tamil Nadu to resume flights from Monday 

Flight operations will resume in Tamil Nadu from 25 May, and incoming flights  at Chennai airport will be restricted to 25 flights per day,reports News18.Flights to Coimbatore, Trichy and Madurai can be operated. Due to a high case load, flights from Gujarat, Maharashtra to be kept at minimum.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

Tihar Jail staffer tests positive

A staff of Tihar Jail has tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, reports ANI. According to reports , he is asymptomatic and five persons, including three persons who came into contact with him have been quarantined.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Haryana Latest Update

COVID-19 count rises to 1,184 in Haryana

Haryana reported 53 COVID-19 cases, 14 of them from Faridabad district in the National Capital Region, on Sunday, pushing the state’s count to 1,184. Gurgaon and Sonipat, the two other districts which are also among the worst-affected ones and fall in the NCR reported nine and five fresh cases, respectively, according to the state health department’s daily bulletin.

Karnal, Hisar, Rewari and Jhajjar reported eight, seven, five, and two new cases, respectively, while Panipat, Rohtak and Kaithal reported one case each. Haryana has so far reported 16 coronavirus-related deaths. A total of 765 people have recovered from the infection, leaving 403 active COVID-19 cases in the state. Haryana has a recovery rate of 64.61 percent, fatality rate of 1.35 percent while 3,827 tests are being conducted per million population.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

Confirmed cases in Mumbai up by 1,725 to 30,359

As many as 1,725 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Mumbai today; taking the total number of cases to 30,359. The death count rose to 988 after 39 more died due to the viral infection, reports ANI, quoting the Mumbai civic body.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Bagdogra airport to handle 20 flights per day from 28 May

Mumbai airport will handle 50 domestic flights per day and Hyderabad airport to handle 30 domestic flights per day from Monday, PTI quotes official as saying. They further said that Bagdogra airport in West Bengal will not handle any domestic flights between 25-27 May and it will handle 20 flights per day from May 28. According to the news agency, flight services at Vijaywada and Vizag airports will resume from Tuesday.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Telangana Latest Update

Telangana reports 41 new cases

Telangana reported 41 new cases, 26 of which were from Hyderabad. 11 migrants and six foreign evacuees also tested positive in the state, taking the number of confirmed cases to 1,854. The state also recorded four more deaths, taking the toll to 53. 1,092 persons have been discharged till date following their recovery.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

Ambulance driver dies of COVID-19 in Vashi

An ambulance driver of a civic-run hospital in Vashi in Navi Mumbai died of the novel coronavirus infection on Sunday, an official said. A Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation release said Commissioner Annasaheb Misal has announced that a legal heir would get a job in the civic body. It added that his kin would get Rs 50 lakh as compensation from the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for Health Workers and Rs 25 lakh from the corpus of the NMMC’s Kamgar Kalyan Nidhi.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

Delhi govt directs pvt hospitals with more than 50 beds to reserve 20% capacity for coronavirus patients

The Delhi government has directed private hospitals/nursing homes with 50 beds or more to reserve 20 percent of total capacity for COVID-19 patients, reports PTI. Ten private hospitals have been declared as COVID-19 dedicated hospitals for admitting confirmed/ suspected cases of coronavirus on payment basis. “It has been found that in the recent past the majority of beds earmarked for COVID-19 patients in the dedicated private hospitals are occupied at any given time. Therefore, there is a need to increase the number of beds dedicated for COVID-19 patients in the private hospitals in the city,” an order issued by the government said on Sunday. To increase the bed capacity for COVID-19 patients, all 117 nursing homes/private hospitals having bed strength of 50 beds or more are directed to reserve/ earmark at least 20 per cent of their total bed strength for COVID-19 patients, it added.

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Update

Confirmed cases in West Bengal reach 3,667

West Bengal registered an increase of 208 new cases pushing the total to 3,667. The state also reported three deaths today and the toll rose to 200, ANI quotes the state health department as saying.  72 people have died due to co-morbidities.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Gujarat Latest Update

Case count in Ahmedabad jumps to 10,280

Ahmedabad reports 279 new COVID-19 cases and 28 deaths; overall count reaches 10,280 and fatalities climb to 697, PTI quotes a health official as saying.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Gujarat Latest Update

Gujarat reports 394 new cases, 29 deaths

Gujarat on Sunday reported 394 new COVID-19 cases and 29 deaths, taking the overall case count to 14,063 and the fatalities to 858, PTI quotes a health department official as saying. A total of 21 of the 29 deceased were suffering from comorbidities, the official said. Meanwhile, the number of the people recovered from COVID-19 rose to 6,412 with 243 patients discharged from hospital in the day. Gujarat now has 6,793 active cases, of which 67 are on ventilators, the official added.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Arunachal Pradesh Latest Update

One new cases reported in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh, which was earlier declared COVID-19 free, has reported a fresh case, as a student who recently returned from Delhi has tested positive.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Preference given to flights to North East, hill states, short haul routes, says aviation minister

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

Nine more CRPF personnel test positive

In Delhi, nine CRPF personnel have tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. The total positive cases among the force stand at 359, including 137 positive cases, ANI reported.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

Dharavi reports 27 new cases

27 new cases and two deaths were reported in Mumbai’s Dharavi area today, taking the total number of such cases in the slum to 1.541, ANI quotes the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation as saying.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Jammu and Kashmir Latest Update

Air travellers to Jammu and Kashmir to be kept in quarantine centres for 14 days, to be tested for infection

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday said air travellers to the state will be kept in quarantine centres for 14 days and tested for coronavirus. Thirty kiosks have been set up at Srinagar airport for collection of samples, reports PTI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Update

Flights to resume in Kolkata from 28 May

“As West Bengal govt is involved in restoration work after Amphan Cyclone, the state govt requested MoCA to defer resumption of flights from Kolkata Airport. Accordingly, flights will resume from Kolkata from 28 May, with reduced schedule,” ANI quotes the Kolkata Airport, Airports Authority of India as saying.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

MHA issues fresh guidelines for Indian nationals stranded abroad

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

Maharashtra COVID-19 cases cross 50,000

Confirmed cases in Maharashtra surged to 50,231 after 3,041 new cases were reported on Sunday, reports PTI. The state also reported 58 deaths, pushing the toll to 1,635, reports ANI quoting the state health department.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Goa Latest Update

Goa reports 11 new cases

11 new positive cases have been reported in Goa today, taking the total number of cases to 66, of which 47 are active cases, ANI quotes the Directorate of Health Services, Goa as saying.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

Delhi issues guidelines for quarantining air travellers

According to the guidelines issued by the Delhi government, asymptomatic passengers. won’t have to undergo home or institutional quarantine, reports News18. Only those with symptoms would need isolation. Asymptomatic passengers can go home, self monitor their health and are advised to call help line numbers if they developed any symptoms.

The guidelines further stated that moderate to severely symptomatic persons will be taken to COVID-19 care centres​ while those with mild symptoms, will be given the option of going to care centres or home quarantining.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

Big city-returnees form bulk of new COVID-19 cases in Hingoli

People who have traveled from major cities like Mumbai and Delhi form the bulk of new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district, some 220 kilometres from here, an official said on Sunday. Hingoli has 151 coronavirus positive cases currently, though the number of active ones is 62 as 89 people have been discharged after recovery.

“Of the 13 new cases found last night in Sengaon, ten came from Mumbai and three from Delhi. Of the 31 patients in isolation centres in Limbala, 22 came back from Mumbai, four from Aurangabad, and one each from Raigad and Karnataka’s Bidar,” the official said.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update

Air travellers to be home quarantined for 14 days in UP

 As domestic flights resume on Monday, Uttar Pradesh government said air travellers to the state will be in home quarantine for 14 days unless they are staying for less than a week or if they clear the coronavirus test earlier. Principal Secretary Medical and Health Amit Mohan Prasad said passengers will have to follow the laid-down home quarantine protocol. They can get themselves tested for the virus on the sixth day from their arrival and end their quarantine if the results come out negative, he said on Sunday. If the passengers do not have adequate facilities at home, they will be kept at a quarantine centre. Outsiders on visits of less than a week to the state need not go into quarantine if they furnish details of their return journey, he said. But they will not be allowed to enter containment zones. All passengers coming to UP will have to register themselves on http://reg.upcovid.in and furnish details of themselves and family members travelling with them.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

Maharashtra allows 25 take-offs and landings per day in Mumbai, says Nawab Mailk

The Maharashtra government has agreed to allow 25 take-offs and 25 landings per day for domestic flights from Mumbai. This number will be increased gradually. State govt will issue details and guidelines in this regard soon, ANI quotes state minister Nawab Malik as saying.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tami Nadu Latest Update

Tamil Nadu registers 765 new cases

Tamil Nadu recorded 765 new cases today, taking the total cases in the state to 16,277. With eight new deaths, the death count mounted to 111. Chennai recorded 587 cases and six deaths today, taking the total to 10,576 cases with 72 deaths in the city, said a bulletin issued by the state health department.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Update

Karnataka reports 130 new cases in 24 hours

130 new positive cases have been reported in Karnataka in 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 2,089, including 1391 active cases and 654 discharges, ANI quotes the state health department as saying.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Gujarat Latest Update

Gujarat HC directs Railways to waive one-way ticket charges of migrant workers

The Gujarat High Court has directed the railway authorities to waive one-way train ticket charges of migrant workers, or the state government should bear the cost as an alternative arrangement. It said the government’s response to a PIL seeking the court’s direction for free transportation of migrant workers stranded due to the lockdown reflects that travel charges levied by the railway authorities are borne by a few host states, NGOs, employers, voluntary associations, and “this is not done”.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in Himachal Pradesh Latest Update

Himachal Pradesh to keep those returning from red zones under institutional quarantine

As India is set to resume its domestic passengers flights from Monday after a gap of two months, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to put people coming from red zones under institutional quarantine. It is mandatory to quarantine people coming from red zones and those with influenza-like illness symptoms, hence the same rule will apply on air passengers, Kangra Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Prajapati said. Paid quarantine facilities are also available in Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) hotels in Kangra district, he added. The deputy commissioner said air passengers will be tested for coronavirus.

A district official said only Himachal Pradesh residents having valid address proof should book flights coming to Dharamshala’s Gaggal airport from Monday.  Tourists will not be allowed to enter the district, he said, adding that they will be immediately put in a quarantine facility and sent back on their own expenses.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Migrant worker’s wife delivers baby onboard Shramik Special train

On her way to her home state Uttar Pradesh from Karnataka on a Shramik special train, a nine-month pregnant woman suddenly developed labour pains and gave birth to a baby girl, aided by women travelling with her. Her husband, Sandeep, a construction worker, told PTI that they boarded the train on Friday. His wife went into labour on Saturday evening, following which the other women formed a protective shield around her and aided in the birth. The couple were on their way to their native village Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tripura Latest Update

Sixteen Maharashtra returnees test positive in Tripura

Sixteen people who recently returned from Maharashtra have tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura, taking the total number of cases to 191 in the state, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said. Deb urged travellers returning to the state to follow coronavirus-related guidelines and sought their cooperation. The chief minister said 996 samples were tested for COVID-19 in Tripura on Saturday. “Among them, 16 persons found COVID19 positive. All of them have returned from Maharashtra. They have been admitted to hospital,” Deb tweeted on Saturday. “Requesting all travellers to follow the quarantine instructions & co-operate with Govt,” he added.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in Kerala Latest Update

Kerala reports 53 new cases

53 positive cases were reported  in Kerala on Sunday, taking the number of active cases to 322. According to reports, 18 came from abroad, 29 patients came from other states while five others contracted the disease through contact

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Lockdown imposed at right time, doubling rate now more than 13 days, says Harsh Vardhan

“Lockdown was imposed in India at the right time. Other developed countries wasted many days to take this decision. In some countries when situation went out of control they took the decision of lockdown and in most places it was partial lockdown,” said Union health minister Harsh Vardhan, adding that it has acted like a “social vaccine.” “If doubling rate in India before lockdown was between 3.4 days, today the doubling rate is more than 13-days,” ANI quotes him as saying.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Bihar Latest Update

Bihar reports 12th COVID-19 death

 A 48-year-old man has died of COVID-19 in Bihar, taking the coronavirus death toll in the state to 12, the state health department said on Sunday. The number of COVID-19 cases in the state increased to 2,477 with 87 people testing positive, it said. The deceased belonged to Marhaura in Saran district and was admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on 22 May with fever and cough. He died on Saturday afternoon, PMCH Superintendent Bimal Kumar Karak told PTI. Though the deceased’s sample was collected the day he was admitted but his test report confirmed that he was COVID-19 positive on Saturday after his death, Karak said. Asked whether the patient had a travel or contact history, Karak said that he had come to Saran from Tamil Nadu during lockdown period.

So far, the contagion has claimed 12 lives that includes two deaths each from Patna, Vaishali and Khagaria while one death each has been reported from Rohtas, Munger, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Begusarai and Saran. Of the total 2,477 COVID-19 cases in the state, 12 people have died, 677 have recovered and 1,789 cases are active, the health department bulletin said.

PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in Kerala Latest Update

Kerala reports one more COVID-19 death

A 53-year-old woman from Kalpetta in Wayanad who had tested positive for COVID-19 and was undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College passed away on Sunday, reports ANI. She was suffering from cancer and had returned from abroad on 20 May.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Two more BSF personnel test positive

Two new positive cases were reported among the force in the last 24 hours; the total number of active cases in BSF is now 112, ANI quotes the BSF as saying. Total 296 BSF personnel have been cured and discharged till now, it added.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttarakhand Latest Update

Uttarakhand reports 54 new patients, all returned from outside, says state health department

Fifty four more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Uttarakhand on Sunday taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 298.  All the new patients had returned from outside, reports PTI quoting a state health department bulletin. The maximum number of positive cases were reported from Nainital where 32 new patients were diagnosed with the infection on Sunday. Nainital alone accounts for 117 COVID-19 cases so far. Dehradun reported seven new cases,

Almora five, Chamoli and Tehri Garhwal three each and Champawat and Pauri districts one each. Out of 54 positive cases, one was confirmed by a private lab, the bulletin said.

Three COVID-19 patients have died in the state but according to the health department none of them died due to coronavirus as they were suffering from other diseases before testing positive.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

BJP, Congress share equal responsibility for condition of migrants: Mayawati

BJP and Congress share equal responsibility in the current situation of migrant workers, said SP chief Mayawati on Sunday. 

“It would have been better if before announcing the lockdown, migrant workers would have been given some time and return to their native places facilitated. After Independence, Congress stayed in power and ruled many states. Mass migration from villages to big cities occurred then as weaker sections including Dalits, farmers and tribals found it hard to procure means of livelihood,” she said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in New York Latest Update

New York reports lowest number of daily COVID-19 deaths in weeks

New York state reported its lowest number of daily coronavirus deaths in weeks in what Gov. Andrew Cuomo described Saturday as a critical benchmark. The daily death tally was 84 after a peak of 799 on 8 April.

Reducing the state’s daily death count to fewer than 100 seemed almost impossible several weeks ago, the Democratic governor said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update

UP govt withdraws order which bans use of mobile phones in isolation wards

The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday withdrew the order that banned the use of mobile phones by patients in isolation wards of L-2 and L-3 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals, reports ANI. The state govt had issued an order yesterday banning the use of mobile phones by patients in isolation wards of L-2 and L-3 COVID-19 hospitals.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update

Active COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh reach 2,493

The number of active cases of COVID-19 has reached  2,493 in Uttar Pradesh. While 3,433 people have recovered from the disease while 155 deaths have been reported till date, Uttar Pradesh Principal Health Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad told ANI on Sunday.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

AirAsia India opens bookings for 21 destinations

Low-cost carrier AirAsia India has started bookings for 21 destinations ahead of the resumption of domestic flights from Monday. In a release, the airline said it would strictly follow the SOPs (standard operating procedures) and guidelines laid out by the regulatory bodies to enable safe travel.

AirAsia flights are open for booking for travel to all its 21 destinations where it flies to in the country, the release issued on Saturday said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Update

Karnataka reports over 2,000 COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 cases in Karnataka​ breached the 2,000 mark on Sunday with the detection of 97 cases, most of them returnees to the state from Maharashtra, the health department said.

It said the total number of positive cases was now 2,056, including 634 discharges, 1,378 active cases and 42 deaths Of the total number of cases, 73 had returned from Maharashtra and 41 among them were women.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Update

Three employees at Hyundai Motor’s Chennai plant test positive for COVID-19

Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) on Sunday said its three employees at the Chennai-based manufacturing plant have tested positive for COVID-19. The second-largest carmaker in the country had resumed operations at Irungattukottai-based plant (near Chennai) on 8 May.

“In the first week of our plant operations, three of our employees have shown mild symptoms of cough and cold and were immediately asked to meet the medical expert team for further evaluation. They subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 and immediate medical attention was provided to them,” HMIL said in a statement.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Ministry of civil aviation calls meeting on resumption of domestic flights

Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has called a meeting of airlines and airport operators today on domestic flight resumption from 25 May, to discuss SOPs for States/UTs; discussion is also for states which have requested not to resume operation. The meeting will be headed by MoCA Secy.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Haryana Latest Update

Over 2.6 lakh migrant labourers sent home in special trains, buses: Haryana govt

More than 2.6 lakh migrant labourers have so far been sent back to their native states by the Haryana government in 60 special trains and over 5,000 state transport buses, an official spokesperson said on Sunday.

Those migrant labourers who have expressed their willingness to return to their native states during the COVID-19-triggered lockdown are being sent back, he said.

On Saturday, ADGP, CID, Anil Kumar Rao interacted with passengers onboard a Shramik Special train at Ambala Cantonment Railway Station, which was going to Barauni in Bihar. Rao said that about 1,631 migrant labourers and children were sent to Barauni in the special train.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Rajasthan Latest Update

Rajasthan reports 152 new COVID-19 cases today

Rajasthan reported one death due to the novel coronavirus and 152 cases of the disease on Sunday, bringing the number of fatalities to 161 and the virus count to 6,894 in the state, officials said.

The new death was reported from Chittorgarh, an official said.

A maximum of 27 fresh cases are from Jodhpur, followed by Jaipur and Rajsamand which reported 24 new infections each.

Coronavirus Outbreak in China Latest Update

China’s foreign minister says virus lawsuits ‘illegal’

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday said any lawsuits brought against China over the COVID-19 have zero factual bases in law or international precedence.

Wang told reporters at a news conference that China was a victim of the global pandemic alongside other countries and had reached out to assist other governments in need.

“To our regret, in addition to the raging of the new coronavirus, a political virus is also spreading in the US which is to take every chance to attack and discredit China,” Wang said.

Some US politicians, heedless of basic facts, have fabricated too many lies and plotted too many conspiracies, Wang said. Raising such lawsuits tramples on the international rule of law and abandons the human conscience. It’s untrue, unjustifiable and illegal, Wang said. Those who would bring such litigation against China are living in a daydream and will humiliate themselves, Wang said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in China Latest Update

China, US to gain from cooperation, lose from confrontation: Chinese FM

The Chinese government’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, said on Sunday that China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and would lose from confrontation, adding both sides must find a way for peaceful co-existence.

State Councillor Wang, speaking at his annual news conference, said China and the United States need to start coordinating macro policies for their respective economies as well as the world economy.

“I want to say here: Don’t waste precious time any longer, and don’t ignore lives,” said Wang, who is also China’s foreign minister.

“What China and the United States need to do the most is to first learn from each other and share their experience in fighting against the epidemic, and help each country fight against the epidemic.”

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

It was wrong to impose lockdown ‘suddenly’, says Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav​ Thackeray on Sunday said it was wrong to impose the lockdown suddenly and now it cannot be lifted all at once.

Amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, Thackeray also said there was a need to be extra cautious during the upcoming monsoon.

“It was wrong to impose the lockdown suddenly. It will be equally wrong to lift it in one go. It will be a double whammy for our own people,” he said in a televised message.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Update

Karnataka has doubled number of COVID-19 tests, says minister

Karnataka has doubled the number of coronavirus tests conducted from one lakh to two lakh, state Minister for Medical Education Dr K Sudhakar said on Sunday.

“After clocking one lakh tests on May 8, we have doubled the number of tests in just 16 days. As on this morning, we conducted 2.03 lakh tests across our 57 ICMR COVID-19 testing labs. I congratulate doctors & lab technicians on this achievement,” Sudhakar tweeted.

Till Sunday morning, 2,056 people were tested positive for COVID-19, including 42 deaths and 1,378 active cases and 634 discharges. Till now, 1,96,196 samples have been tested of which 1,92,127 have tested negative.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Reforms do not mean complete abolition of labour laws, says NITI Aayog’s Rajiv Kumar

Amid concerns over changes in labour laws in various states, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar on Sunday said reforms do not mean complete abolition of labour laws and that the central government is committed to protecting the interests of workers.

In recent weeks, various state governments, including Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, have either made amendments or proposed changes to existing labour laws as part of larger efforts to help businesses that have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

“I have just noticed that the Union Ministry of Labour is firming up its stance to tell the states that they cannot abolish labour laws because India is a signatory to the International Labour Organization (ILO),” Kumar told PTI in an interview.

“Therefore, it is clear that the Union government does not believe that the reform of labour laws implies complete lack of labour laws… The government is committed to protecting the interest of workers,” he said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

Can’t say that lockdown will be over by 31 May: Uddhav Thackeray

With flight operations set to resume from Monday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday spoke to civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri and requested him to give some more time for preparations.

“We can’t say that lockdown will be over by 31 May. We will have to see how we will go forward. The coming time is crucial as the multiplication of the virus is picking up. I want to assure the medical fraternity that we are with them in all ways,” he said, news agency ANI reported. Maharashtra is the worst-affected state in the country with the highest number of cases in the country.

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Update

Health ministry issues guidelines for screening, quarantine of domestic travellers

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released guidelines pertaining to domestic travel, with flights set to resume operations from 25 May. All passengers are to be screened at boarding and deboarding points. Only those found asymptomatic can be allowed to travel while using face masks and following social distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and maintain environmental hygiene.

At the arrival points, asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to return home and stay under 14 days of quarantine. Those found with mild symptoms will be taken to the nearest health facility and tested. Those with symptoms will be isolated and assessed for clinical severity at a health facility.

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Update

225 Indians from UK, Muscat land in India

An Air India flight, carrying 93 Indians who were stranded in the United Kingdom, arrived at the Indore airport in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday. Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases crossed the 3,000 mark in Indore after 75 more people test positive in the district in last 24 hours.

Additionally, a special flight carrying 132 Indians stranded in Muscat landed at Gaya airport in Bihar.

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Update

Mandatory 7-day institutional quarantine for international arrivals: Health ministry

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued revised guidelines for international arrivals, which mandate a 14-day quarantine, including a seven-day institutional quarantine at their own cost, for all those reaching India.

Compelling cases, such as pregnancy, death in family, parents with children aged udner 10 and serious illness, can spend the total quarantine period at home, with a compulsory condition to download the Aarogya Setu application.

The rules that apply all to routes to India, oncluding air and land, allow only those found asymptomatic to enter India.

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update

Govt prohibiting mobiles in isolation wards to hide truth: Akhilesh Yadav

The Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to prohibit coronavirus patients from using mobile phones inside isolation wards of hospitals has been taken to hide “poor condition” of hospitals in Uttar PRadesh, claimed Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

In a tweet in Hindi, he said that if mobiles spread coronavirus, they should be prohibited all over the country. He said that phones have become a source of mental support for many during the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Coronavirus in Haryana Latest Update

Haryana reports 21 new cases, taking total to 1,152

Haryana reported 21 new cases today, taking the state’s coronavirus tally to 1,152. The state has recorded a mortality rate of 1.41 percent and a recovery rate of 66.31 percent. The national mortality rate is 2.93 percent, while the overall recovery rate is 41.28 percent.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Update

Tamil Nadu issues SOPs for domestic air travel

The Tamil Nadu government has issued SOPs for domestic air travel on Sunday. All travellers coming into the state shall register themselves in Tamil Nadu ePass portal and (if asymptomatic) shall undergo 14-day home quarantine.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Andhra Pradesh Latest Update

Andhra reports 66 new COVID-19 cases, state total at 2,627

66 new COVID19 cases reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases in the state to 2,627, according to the Andhra Pradesh Health Department, reports ANI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Migrant woes ‘greatest manmade tragedy’ in India since Partition: Ramchandra Guha

The unfolding miseries of millions of poor people in the world’s largest coronavirus lockdown is the greatest manmade tragedy in India since Partition, says historian and economist Ramchandra Guha.

Cautioning that there will be social and psychological consequences for the rest of the country too, he said the migrant tragedy could have been averted or at least minimised if Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given them a week’s notice to return home before the lockdown kicked in.

“It is probably not as bad as Partition, for at that time there was also horrific communal violence. But it is nonetheless the greatest manmade tragedy in India since Partition,” Guha told PTI in an interview.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Bombay HC seeks reply from AI on plea over safety measures in flights

The Bombay High Court has sought a response from the Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on a petition of an AI pilot, claiming the airline was not following safety measures for COVID-19 while bringing back Indians stranded abroad.

The pilot, Deven Kanani, in his plea claimed a circular issued by the Government of India on 23 March 2020 laid some conditions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while bringing back Indians stranded abroad due to the pandemic.

However, the condition pertaining to keeping the middle seat between two passengers empty was not being followed by the Air India, he said in the plea.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

Delhi reports 508 new cases, containment zones rise to 87

With 508 new cases, the total number of COVID-19 positive cases in Delhi is now 13,418 (till midnight of 23rd May), total death toll 261, said Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain. 

The number of containment zones in Delhi now stands at 87, with the addition of house numbers 600-800 Hari Nagar, Rani Bagh, and two houses at street number 8, Shastri Park. Till now, 41 zones have been de-contained.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha Latest Update

Odisha makes 14-day quarantine mandatory for incoming passengers

Odisha is the latest state to make home quarantine mandatory for incoming passengers, reports ANI. In rural areas of the state, the quarantine period will be split between seven days in an institution and seven days at home.

Before this, the governments of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Assam, and the administration of Jammu and Kashmir have decided that arriving passengers will have to stay in quarantine. Chhattisgarh and Punjab have also decided compulsory quarantine for 14 days.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Manipur Latest Update

Manipur reports 3 new cases, state total at 32

Three new COVID-19 positive cases reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 32, said Manipur Health Department, reports ANI. ​

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Health infrastructure must be ramped up to ensure preparedness for next 2 months, says Centre

Health infrastructure should be ramped up to ensure preparedness for the next two months in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has conveyed to eleven municipal areas in the country that have accounted for 70 percent of India’s coronavirus caseload.

Eleven municipal areas from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Rajasthan account for 70 percent of the active caseload, the Union health ministry said in a statement.

The government has asked the eleven municipal areas to step up monitoring in old cities, urban slums and other high density pockets like camps and clusters for migrant workers for management of COVID-19 cases.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Gujarat Latest Update

Gujarat HC criticises state of Ahmedabad civil hospital

Conditions at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, where 377 COVID-19 patients have died till Friday, is “pathetic” and the hospital is “as good as a dungeon, may be even worse”, the Gujarat High Court observed in an order made available on Saturday.

In an order passed in a suo motu PIL on coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown, a division bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and IJ Vora came down hard on the state government on conditions prevailing in Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, and said it was “distressing and painful”.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

Arvind Kejriwal condoles death of eminent pulmonologist Dr JN Pande

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday condoled the death of eminent pulmonologist Dr Jitendra Nath Pande due to COVID-19 and said Delhi salutes him for his work.

The former head of the Department of Medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi died at his residence on Saturday. He was 79.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam Latest Update

Assam reports 4 new cases, state total now at 350

Assam on Sunday reported 4 new COVID19 cases — 2 from Chirang, at Tezpur quarantine centre, 2 from Jorhat with travel history to Chennai. The total number of positive cases in the state now stands at 350, said Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. 

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Update

TN govt allows industrial estates in Chennai to resume work

Further easing curbs, the Tamil Nadu government on Sunday allowed 17 industrial estates here to resume work from tomorrow with conditions, including confining the workforce to 25 percent and implementing safety measures.

The industrial estates situated in non-containment zones, including the Ambattur and Guindy clusters here can resume work from May 25, the government said, adding however employees residing in containment zones would not be allowed to report for work.

The strength of the workers should be capped at 25 percent and thermal scanners must be used for screening employees, an official release said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Madhya Pradesh Latest Update

COVID-19 cases in Indore cross 3000, toll reaches 114

The number of COVID-19 cases crossed the 3,000 mark in Indore and rose to 3,008 after 75 more people tested positive for the disease in the Madhya Pradesh district in last 24 hours, an official said on Sunday.

The number of deaths in the district also went up to 114 as three more patients succumbed to the disease during treatment at different hospitals in last three days, Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Praveen Jadia said.

The latest victims were two men and a woman. The men also had ailments like diabetes, high blood pressure and others, while the woman was suffering from asthma, he said. Till Saturday, the number of coronavirus cases in the district was 2,933.

Coronavirus Outbreak in South Korea Latest Update

South Korea reports 25 new virus cases as small outbreaks continue

South Korea has reported 25 additional cases of the coronavirus over a 24-hour period, amid a continuation of small-scale outbreaks in the country.

The Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says the additional figures released Sunday took the country’s total to 11,190 with 266 deaths.

The agency says 10,213 of them have recovered and been released from quarantine. It says 17 of the 25 new patients were locally infected while the rest eight came from overseas.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Update

First ‘Sunday curfew’ underway in Karnataka

The first ‘Sunday curfew’ imposed by the Karnataka government to try and contain the spread of COVID-19 got underway in the state today, with people, by and large, adhering to norms, roads wearing a deserted look and almost no vehicular traffic, barring essential services.

With barricades being up across most roads in the state, people ventured out only to purchase groceries, vegetables, and medicines.

The Karnataka government had eased restrictions during Lockdown 4 for the start of economic activities like city buses, inter-district bus service, intrastate train services, the opening of shops, and markets. However, the government had made it clear that there will be ‘Janata Curfew’ every Sunday during which only essential services would be permitted.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

Thane reports 903 new cases, takes district total to 5,387

The number of COVID-19 cases in Thane rose to 5,387 after 309 more people tested positive for the disease in the Maharashtra district on Saturday, officials said.

The new patients included at least 12 children, in the age group of 1 to 12 years, the district administration said in a release.

Among the new cases, 134 were reported from Thane city and 76 from Navi Mumbai township, it said. Besides, six more people succumbed to the disease, taking the district’s death toll to 163, the release said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

RML hospital dean tests positive for coronavirus

The Dean of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi has tested positive for coronavirus infection.

Dr Rajeev Sood, who is looking after the management of COVID-19 manpower at the hospital, tested positive for the infection on Saturday. He is now under home isolation and contact tracing has been initiated by hospital authorities.

“I have a fever and mild upper respiratory infection and got myself tested for COVID-19…it came out positive. I am under home isolation now,” Dr Sood, who is also the head of the department of urology, told PTI over the phone.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

Maharashtra Police reports 87 new cases among its staff

87 police personnel have been found COVID-19 positive in the last 24 hours taking total number of affected cops to 1,758, out of which 18 have died due to the virus and 673 have recovered, according to Maharashtra Police, reports ANI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Allow higher workforce for factories in green, amber zones to meet rising demand: Parle Products

Restrictions on the number of workers in factories located in green and amber zones, especially for food products companies, need to be relaxed as meeting demand will become difficult and can lead to scarcity, according to a senior official of biscuits major Parle Products.

With the availability of labour still a challenge due to large scale migration in the wake of coronavirus induced lockdown, the government must give relaxation to food firms to even use up to 100 percent workforce in factories which are not in containment or red zones under strict standard operating procedures, said Parle Products Senior Category Head Mayank Shah.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Madhya Pradesh Latest Update

Recovery rate of MP at 51%, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan

The recovery rate for corona patients has reached 51 percent in Madhya Pradesh, said State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. 

He said better arrangements are being ensured in the state for the treatment of patients infected with the novel coronavirus and a large number of fever clinics have also started functioning in the state.

“The corona recovery rate has reached 51 percent. All the collectors should ensure that the lockdown is strictly followed and the exemptions should be given as per the guidelines in their respective districts,” said Chouhan on Saturday. He was reviewing the status of corona and other arrangements through video conferencing. ​

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

General Bipin Rawat to donate Rs 50,000 every month to PM-CARES

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat is to donate Rs 50,000 from his salary to be deducted every month for the next one year to the PM-CARES fund created to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, reports ANI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Himachal Pradesh Latest Update

Six new cases of COVID-19 reported in Himachal, takes state total to 192

Himachal Pradesh recorded six more cases of COVID-19, taking the virus tally in the state to 192, officials said on Sunday. Three of the fresh cases were reported from Una and one each from Kangra, Hamirpur and Solan districts, they added.

All of them had recently returned from other states. While three of them had returned from Mumbai, two returned from Delhi and one from West Bengal, they added.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Flight carrying 93 Indians stranded in UK arrives in Indore

An Air India flight carrying 93 Indians who were stranded in the United Kingdom arrived at the Indore airport in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday morning, an official said.

As part of the Centre’s ‘Vande Bharat’ mission, the flight from London reached here via Mumbai at 8.04 am, Indore’s Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport Director Aryama Sanyal said. The special flight carried 93 Indians from the UK, she said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Himachal Pradesh Latest Update

As one more tests positive, Hamirpur continues to have highest number of cases in HP

Hamirpur district continues to have the highest number of novel coronavirus cases in Himachal Pradesh with one more person, a Delhi returnee, testing positive for the disease on Sunday, deputy commissioner Harikesh Meena said.

The number of infected people in Hamirpur district has risen to 61 out of a total 192 in the state. The district now has 55 active cases. One COVID-19 patient died and five have recovered, according to state government data.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam Latest Update

Assam carried out more number of tests than Kerala, says Himanta Biswa

Assam on Sunday claimed to have conducted more COVID-19 tests than Kerala, which was once the highest affected state. This claim came from Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sharma who released a series of tweets giving details about the tests, said that in comparison to Kerala’s 52771 tests, Assam has conducted 55,862 tests so far.

He also thanked the microbiologists as well as lab technicians for their ’extraordinary efforts'.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Goa Latest Update

11 returnees from Mumbai test positive for COVID-19 in Goa

Eleven people who travelled to Goa in the Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram Rajdhani Express train on Saturday, have tested positive forcoronavirus, taking the total number of such cases in the state to 66, officials said on Sunday.

With this, the number of active cases in the coastal state has gone up to 50, they said, adding that 16 people have been so far been discharged after recovery.

As many as 263 passengers, who alighted from the Rajdhani Express at Madgaon railway station in South Goa district on Saturday, were tested. Of them, reports of 11 came out positive in the TrueNat (rapid) tests, a senior health department official said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha Latest Update

Odisha registers 1,336 new cases, 67 deaths yesterday

The total number of COVID-19 positive cases in Odisha now stands at 1336, with 67 new positive cases reported yesterday, according to Odisha Health Department, reports ANI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Update

Karnataka under total lockdown till 7 am tomorrow

Karnataka will be under total lockdown on Sunday, 24 May, to curb the spread of COVID-19. Barring shops selling essential supplies, everything will remain shut till 7:00 am tomorrow, reports ANI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in US Latest Update

New York Times devotes entire front page to 1,000 COVID-19 victims

Instead of the articles, photographs or graphics that normally appear on the front page of The New York Times, on Sunday, there is just a list: a long, solemn list of people whose lives were lost to the coronavirus pandemic.

As the toll from COVID-19 in the United States approaches 100,000, a number expected to be reached in the coming days, editors at The Times have been planning how to mark the grim milestone.

Simone Landon, the assistant editor of the Graphics desk, wanted to represent the number in a way that conveyed both the vastness and the variety of lives lost.

Departments across The Times have been robustly covering the coronavirus pandemic for months. But Landon and her colleagues realized that “both among ourselves and perhaps in the general reading public, there’s a little bit of a fatigue with the data.”

Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Update

Karnataka mandates 7-day institutional quarantine of arrivals from ‘high prevalence states’

Two days before the resumption of domestic air travel, the Karnataka government has issued detailed guidelines for the persons coming from ‘high prevalence states’ amid the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

The state government has laid down new norms for those coming from other states (including those coming by domestic air flights.

It has been stated that passengers coming from ‘high prevalence states’ (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh) would be required to undergo a seven-day “institutional quarantine” which will be followed by home quarantine.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

Extremely ill-advised to reopen airports in red zones: Anil Deshmukh

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has said it is “extremely ill-advised” to reopen airports in red zone amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The minister’s comments follow Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s announcement that all domestic flights are set to resume in India from 25 May as part of its gradual reboot of air travel services amid the pandemic.

“Its extremely ill-advised to reopen airports in red zone. Mere thermal scanning of passengers inadequate w/o swabs. Impossible to have autos/cabs/buses ply in current circumstances. Adding positive passenger will add Covid stress to red zone,” Deshmukh tweeted on Sunday.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

With around 380 domestic flights, Delhi airport to resume operations from Monday

As India is set to resume its domestic civil aviation operations from 25 May, the Delhi airport will be handling around 380 flights on Monday, a senior official said.

As per the directions of the Civil Aviation Ministry, domestic flight operations will resume after remaining suspended for about two months following the nationwide lockdown imposed to constrain the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Delhi airport will be handling around 380 domestic flights on Monday. There will be 190 departures and around 190 arrivals,” a senior government official said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

‘This made my Eid’: Delhi mango seller overwhelmed by donations from people after loot

Overwhelmed by the donations that poured in from the society for his help, Phool Mia, the fruit seller in north Delhi’s Jagatpuri area whose mangoes were looted by the ordinary people, said that those who helped him have made his “Eid” and have shown that “humanity is still alive”. 

Video footage that went viral on social media, shows that scores of passers-by looted the unattended crates of mangoes of a fruit seller after a fight broke out in the neighbourhood. The incident took place on Wednesday.

“My stock of mangoes worth Rs 30,000 was kept there. Some persons were fighting with each other fearing which I left the place to avoid any sort of altercation. When I returned, I saw that they were looting the mangoes kept there. There were 50-100 people who were involved in this act,” Phool Mia, narrated the ordeal.

However, four people have been arrested on the basis of video footage, Delhi Police said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in China Latest Update

China reports 39 new coronavirus cases

China has reported 39 new coronavirus cases, including 36 asymptomatic patients — majority of them from COVID-19 epicentre Hubei province and its capital Wuhan, health officials said on Sunday.

Of the three confirmed coronavirus patients, one is locally transmitted infection and two are imported cases, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) said.

The domestically transmitted case was reported in Jilin Province, it said. One of the new imported cases was reported in Shanghai and the other in Guangdong Province. Of the 36 new asymptomatic cases, 30 are from Hubei province and Wuhan, the NHC said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Rajasthan Latest Update

Rajasthan reports 52 new cases, takes total to 6,794

Rajasthan on Sunday reported 52 new COVID19 positive cases, which took the total number of positive cases in the state to 6,794, according to the Rajasthan Health Department, reports ANI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in J&K Latest Update

3,300 Jammu and Kashmir residents evacuated from Maharashtra

Around 3,300 residents of Jammu and Kashmir including 1,200 students who were stranded in different parts of Maharashtra have returned to their homes in the union territory in four Shramik Special trains in the past 10 days, an official spokesperson said.

This is the highest number of Shramik Special trains deployed by a single state for the evacuation of J&K residents stranded there, he said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

India registers highest single-day spike in cases with almost 7,000 new infections

According to the latest health bulletin, India reported the highest spike of 6767 COVID-19 cases and 147 deaths in the last 24 hours. The otal number of cases in the country now at 1,31,868, including 73,560 active cases, 54,440 cured/discharged and 3,867 deaths.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu remain worst-affected states

With 47,190 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, Maharashtra remains worst-affected state in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu (15,512) and Gujarat (13,664).

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

India reports 1.31 lakh cases, 3,867 deaths

The total confirmed COVID-19 cases in India have risen to 1,31,868, according to the latest update from the Union Health Ministry. The toll in the country is now at 3,867. The reported active COVID-19 cases in India now stand at 73,560, as many as 54,441 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged so far.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Haryana Latest Update

21 of 73 people who arrived from USA test positive for COVID-19 in Panchkula

A total of 21 out of 73 people who arrived in Panchkula from the USA on 19 May have tested positive for COVID19, according to officials. “All of them are not residents of Panchkula but belong to various districts. 2 reports were inconclusive and rest were negative,” Dr Jasjit Kaur, Chief Medical Officer, Panchkula told ANI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in US Latest Update

US reports 1,127 new coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins

The United States recorded a further 1,127 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing its total to 97,048 since the global pandemic began, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.

The country has also officially logged 1,621,658 cases of the virus, far more than any other nation, the tracker kept by the Baltimore-based university showed at 8:30 pm

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update

Shiv Sena MP writes to DM, demands free COVID-19 test for Thane prison police staff

Shiv Sena Member of Parliament from Thane Rajan Vichare has written a letter to District Magistrate Rajesh Narvekar urging for police staff at Thane prison to be provided with the facility of free COVID-19 testing. 

In his letter to District Magistrate, Sena MP highlighted several instances where inmates have been found corona positive in different prisons. He said it is important for the safety of policemen and their families that they be tested for the virus in order to contain its spread.

Vichare also demanded that other jail staff and suspected inmates should also be tested for COVID-19.

Coronavirus Outbreak in US Latest Update

US pasta company reports coronavirus outbreak at Spokane factory

 A pasta company has announced there was a coronavirus outbreak at its Spokane factory as Washington state prepares to reopen parts of its economy, reports AP.

The Spokesman-Review reported that Philadelphia Macaroni Company Inc. said in a statement Friday that 72 workers were tested for COVID-19 and 24 were positive.

Health officials say there was an increase in Spokane County with 31 new positive cases between Thursday and Friday. Company officials say all of the factory employees have since been tested and the facility was disinfected.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update

Guidelines issued for opening shopping complexes in Lucknow

The Lucknow administration on Saturday announced that centrally air-conditioned shopping complexes in the city can function without operating the air conditioners, in view of the lockdown 4.0 guidelines to combat coronavirus pandemic.

This will become effective from May 26, an official statement said. Lucknow District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash said shopping complexes in the containment and buffer zones, will continue to remain closed.

Shopping complexes where shops are opening should ensure that only one-third shops are open, and that social distancing is strictly adhered to.

Entry to persons above the age of 65 years, children below 10 years and pregnant women should not be allowed, the statement said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Actor Kiran Kumar tests positive for COVID-19

Veteran film and TV actor Kiran Kumar has tested positive for coronavirus and is currently under home quarantine. The 74-year-old actor said he is asymptomatic and is doing “absolutely fine.”

“I am asymptomatic. On 14 May, I went to the hospital for a medical check-up, where the COVID-19 test was mandatory. So I got myself tested and the result was positive.

“But I had no symptoms then, nor do I have any now. There’’s no fever, no cough, I’’m fine and have self quarantined at home,” Kumar told PTI.

The actor, who had featured in films like “Dhadkan”, “Mujhse Dosti Karoge”, among others, said it has been ten days since the test happened and he still hasn’t developed any symptoms

Coronavirus Outbreak in Mizoram Latest Update

Mizoram to hike petrol, diesel prices from 1 June

The Mizoram government will hike diesel and petrol prices by 2.5 percent and 5 percent, respectively, from 1 June to fight the economic slowdown caused by the outbreak of novel coronavirus, Taxation Minister Lalchamliana said on Saturday.

Lalchamliana said the meeting of the council of ministers chaired by Chief Minister Zoramthanga also decided to increase the value-added tax (VAT) of diesel from 12 per cent to 14.5 and that of petrol from 20 percent to 25 percent.

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Update

Global COVID-19 cases stand at 53 lakh

Total confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the world stand at 53 lakh, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. This figure includes COVID-19 patients who have recovered and the overall global death toll which stands at 3.42 lakh.

With over 16.2 lakh reported cases till date, the United States is the worst-affected country in the world. The US is followed by Brazil, Russia, the United Kingdom and Spain.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

AIIMS former HoD of medicine, dies of COVID-19 in Delhi

Dr Jitendra Nath Pande (78), the former head of the medicine department at AIIMS and a stalwart in the field of pulmonology, died due to coronavirus at his residence in Siddhartha Enclave on Saturday, reports The Indian Express.

“Dr Pande was under home care and seemed to be recovering. The cause of death is suspected to be cardiac arrest. Deepest condolences to his family and everyone who will miss him dearly,” the hospital said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update

Newspaper vendors, domestic help permitted to enter societies in Ghaziabad

Ghaziabad District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey on Saturday said he has allowed newspaper hawkers and domestic helps to enter residential societies.

Most residents had raised the demand with the administration that newspaper hawkers and domestic helps be allowed to enter the societies.

Domestic helps, drivers, plumbers, electricians, and air conditioner mechanics would be permitted to enter societies if their services are sought by the residents. But the society residents will have to take precaution against COVID-19, the DM added.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Jharkhand Latest Update

Jharkhand reports one more COVID-19 death, confirmed cases now at 350

A 39-year-old man died due to COVID-19 in Jharkhand’s Koderma district, taking the total number of coronavirus fatalities in the state to four, a senior official said.

The swab samples of the man, who died on May 21, tested positive for novel coronavirus on Saturday, Koderma District Assistant Chief Medical Officer A B Prasad said. The deceased had returned from Mumbai recently.

Meanwhile, the state reported 27 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, raising Jharkhand’s tally of confirmed cases to 350, a government bulletin said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

Delhi govt to hire 200 taxis to strengthen its ambulance services

The Delhi government has decided to hire 200 taxis from cab aggregators Ola and Uber to strengthen its ambulance service which is under pressure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The hired taxis, 110 from Ola and 91 from Uber, will be used for carrying non-critical and non-COVID-19 patients to and from hospitals, a Delhi government order said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Update

West Bengal reports 127 new COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths

West Bengal on Saturday recorded four more COVID-19 fatalities, raising the death toll in the state to 197, while 127 new cases of the respiratory infection were reported, a bulletin by the health department said on Saturday.

Of the four deaths, two each were reported from the city and neighbouring Howrah district, it said. The state now has a total of 3,459 confirmed cases, out of which 1,909 are active, the bulletin said.

Till Saturday, 1,281 people recovered from the disease and were discharged from hospitals, it added.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update

Gautam Buddh Nagar reports 17 new COVID-19 cases, takes total to 323

Seventeen more people, including three teenagers, tested positive for coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar on Saturday, pushing the total number of cases in the district to 323, officials said.

Seven people were discharged from hospitals after being cured, even as the number of active cases in the district rose to 97, they said.

Adjoining Delhi, Gautam Buddh Nagar in western Uttar Pradesh has so far recorded five deaths, all of them males aged above 60, according to the officials.

The fresh cases include five members of a family, including three teenagers, from Sarfabad in Noida’s Sector 73, the statement said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam Latest Update

Assam health minister asks people not to return unless ‘absolutely necessary’ as state records 87 more cases

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday asked people not to return to the state unless “absolutely necessary” as 87 more people tested positive for coronavirus, the highest single-day jump, taking the total tally to 346.

He also said that the situation in Assam has reached a challenging phase and the government will write to other states to ensure that buses and trucks carrying people without maintaining social distancing are not allowed movement.

Seventeen new cases, including two persons coming from Tripura, were reported in the night, in addition to 10 in the evening, 53 in the afternoon and seven in the morning. On Friday, 49 people had tested positive for coronavirus.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

India registers over 1.25 lakh confirmed cases, 3,720 deaths so far

The toll due to COVID-19 rose to 3,720 and the number of cases climbed to 1,25,101 in India on Saturday as India registered an increase of 137 deaths and 6,654 new cases in a 24-hour span till 8 am, according to the health ministry.

The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 69,597 and 51,783 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, the ministry said.