Coronavirus Outbreak updates: COVID-19 count in Delhi reaches 1,893; No decision yet on starting domestic, international flights, says Hardeep Singh Puri

Coronavirus in Chandigarh  Latest Updates

Chandigarh declared containment zone

Manoj Parida, Advisor, Chandigarh Administration said that the district of Chandigarh had been declared as a containment zone as the virus outbreak is scattered and not confined to clusters or pockets. 

Coronavirus in Manipur  Latest Updates

Third test results of Manipur’s second COVID-19 return negative

Manipur’s second COVID-19 patient has tested negative for coronavirus on Saturday, PTI quotes the director of of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Prof Ahanthem Santa Singh as saying. Singh told PTI that he 65-year-old patient, who is undergoing treatment at RIMS tested negative for COVID-19 in the third test. In the earlier two tests he had tested positive. The second COVID-19 patient was admitted in RIMS Hospital on 31 March. The COVID-19 Common Control Room (CCCR) of Manipur government in a press release said the patient will be discharged if the next test result is negative.

Coronavirus in US  Latest Updates

New York registers daily deaths under 550 for first time in almost two weeks

 New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the state appears to be past the “plateau” on the coronavirus infection curve and is “starting to descend”, as hospitalizations continue to decline and the daily death toll dropped under 550 for the first time in almost two weeks, reports PTI. “Hospitalization numbers are down (and that is) good news,” Cuomo said at his daily coronavirus press briefing on Saturday, noting that the number of people getting hospitalized from the virus continues to fall from around 18,000 to currently 16,000, the emergency rooms have fewer people in them and the ICU admissions and intubations continue to be down.

“If you look at the past three days, you could argue that we are past the plateau when we’re starting to descend, which would be very good news. Again, it’s only three days but that’s what the numbers would start to suggest,” he said, while cautioning that even if the state is not at a plateau anymore, “we’re still not in good position.”

New York City, the epicenter of coronavirus outbreak in the US, has 1,22,148 confirmed virus cases and more than 7,890 COVID-19 deaths and another 4,309 probable deaths, people who did not have a positive COVID-19 laboratory test, but their death certificate lists as the cause of death “COVID-19” or an equivalent.

Coronavirus in UK  Latest Update

UK’s coronavirus death toll spikes by 888 to15,464

Britain’s death toll in the coronavirus pandemic registered another big daily spike of 888 to hit 15,464 on Saturday. Addressing the daily Downing Street briefing, UK Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said that 4,60,437 tests for the deadly virus have now been carried out across the country, with 1,14,217 people tested positive and 17,759 in hospital – down from 18,711.

“It is correct that the hard work and forbearance of the British public is paying off. The rates of transmission are falling. But the number of deaths remains sobering. It reinforces the need to consider this the moment to keep going and keep following the measures,”  Jenrick said, as the country’s overall official toll soared by 888 on Saturday to 15,464.

The minister announced a 1.6-billion pound cash boost for local councils around the UK to help them cope with the COVID-19 response. “Today we are providing 1.6bn of new funding to support councils with the pressures they face as they respond to the crisis," he said. Jenrick said it would help adult services, children’s services, the most vulnerable and waste collection services.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra  Latest Updates

47 new coronavirus cases in Pune, total 612

Forty-seven new cases of coronavirus were reported in Pune on Saturday, taking the number of COVID-19 patients in the district to 612,  PTI quotes a health

official as saying. Three deaths due to coronavirus were also reported during the day, said an official of the Pune Municipal Corporation, taking the toll to 51

“A 62-year-old man had died in KEM hospital on April 16 due to acute respiratory failure. His samples tested positive on Friday. Another 58-year-old man died in Poona Hospital on April 17 due to viral pneumonia. His report was also positive,” the official said. The third victim was a 75-year-old man who died at the state-run Sassoon Hospital here on Friday. He had respiratory tract infection.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

All Assam govt departments to start functioning from 21 April

The Assam government has decided that all departments in the state secretariat will start functioning from 21 April, reports PTI. The head of the administrative department will ensure that officers of the rank of deputy secretary and above shall  attend office regularly and other Grade-I and Grade-lI​ officers may attend office as required from 21 April , an official order said.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

No decision on opening commercial flight services yet, says civil aviation minister

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said airlines are advised to open bookings only after the government takes a decision on starting domestic and international commercial passenger flight services.“The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarifies that so far no decision has been taken to open domestic or international operations,” he wrote on Twitter. “Airlines are advised to open their bookings only after a decision in this regard has been taken by the government,” Puri added.

Earlier in the day, Air India said it has opened bookings on select domestic flights from May 4 and on select international flights from 1 June.A few days ago, IndiGo had announced that it would start flight operations in a phased manner from 4 May.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarifies that so far no decision has been taken to open domestic or international operations.

Airlines are advised to open their bookings only after a decision in this regard has been taken by the Government.@MoCA_GoI @DGCAIndia @AAI_Official

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

No decision on opening commercial flight services yet, says civil aviation minister

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said airlines are advised to open bookings only after the government takes a decision on starting domestic and international commercial passenger flight services.“The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarifies that so far no decision has been taken to open domestic or international operations,” he wrote on Twitter. “Airlines are advised to open their bookings only after a decision in this regard has been taken by the government,” Puri added.

Earlier in the day, Air India said it has opened bookings on select domestic flights from May 4 and on select international flights from 1 June.A few days ago, IndiGo had announced that it would start flight operations in a phased manner from 4 May.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarifies that so far no decision has been taken to open domestic or international operations.

Airlines are advised to open their bookings only after a decision in this regard has been taken by the Government.@MoCA_GoI @DGCAIndia @AAI_Official

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in Delhi  Latest Updates

COVID-19 count in Delhi reaches 1,893

With 186 new cases, the number of coronavirus cases in Delhi mounted to 1,893 while the death toll rose to 43, according to a bulletin issued by the CMO. Of the total cases, 207 have recovered and the number of active cases stands at 1,643. 874 tests have been conducted today and a total of 2,22,83 tests have been conducted in the National Capital, it said, adding that the number of tests done per million was 1,103.

🏥Delhi Health Bulletin and Testing Status - 18th April 2020 🏥#DelhiFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/snoVZIQcWS

— CMO Delhi (@CMODelhi) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

ICMR launches study of side effects of hydroxychloroquine

Some health care workers in India who self-medicated themselves with anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine have shown side effects like abdominal pain, nausea and hypoglycemia among others, PTI quotes the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as saying. Head of Epidemiology and Communicable diseases at ICMR Raman R Gangakhedkar said the ICMR has launched a study on side effects of HCQ  using data of some health care workers who had started taking it.

“The average age of such health workers…is 35 years. The most visible side effect was that of abdominal pain which was reported in ten per cent of all those who consumed the medication while nausea-like symptoms were reported in 6 per cent.  “A fewer proportion — around 1.3 per cent — had hypoglycaemia,” Gangakhedkar said.  

He said that the study so far has revealed that 22 per cent of these health care workers who consumed HCQ had existing co-morbidities like diabetes or blood pressure problems or vascular-related ailments or respiratory illnesses and they started taking the drug out of fear of contracting the disease.  “What has come to fore is that despite they being health care workers, 14 percent of them did not even got their ECG checked before having it,” Gangakhedkar said.

He further informed that AIIMS is conducting studies on assessing both prophylactic and therapeutic impact of HCQ on COVID-19, i.e. the ability of the drug for both prevention and healing.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra  Latest Updates

Eight-day-old child tests positive in Vasai near Mumbai

An eight-day-old child has tested positive for coronavirus in Vasai-Virar municipal limits in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, though the infant’s mother has

not been infected, reports PTI. The child was tested at VVMC’s Juchandra medical facility, said Dr Kishore Gavas of the civic body. “The child’s mother tested negative. The child was tested as part of procedure some day after birth,” he added.

Meanwhile, district authorities said COVID-19 cases as on Saturday evening stood at 97, comprising 80 patients in VVMC, 10 in Palghar taluka and seven in Dahanu taluka

Coronavirus in Telangana  Latest Updates

43 more test positive in Telangana

43 new coronavirus cases were detected in Telangana on Saturday, taking the state total to 809. While 186 patients have been discharged till date and 18 deaths have been recorded, the number of active cases stands at 605.

Media bulletin on status of positive cases of #COVID19 in Telangana (Dated: 18.04.2020) pic.twitter.com/dJ2vL3PmEv

— Eatala Rajender (@Eatala_Rajender) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

16,365 persons have tested positive till date, says ICMR

The ICMR said that a total of 3,72,123 samples from 3,54,969 individuals had been tested in the country as of 9 pm on Saturday.  Of these, 16,365 persons were found to have contracted the infection. 35,494 samples were tested on Saturday and 2,54 were found to be positive, it said.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra  Latest Updates

Maharashtra notifies 25 more COVID-19 hospitals as state total reaches 3,648

The Maharashtra government has notified 25 more hospitals with a total of 4,355 beds which will only treat COVID-19 patients, PTI quotes Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope as saying With this, the state has now 6,660 beds across 55 hospitals notified for coronavirus patients, he said in a statement.

“The current count of COVID-19 patients in the state of Maharashtra is 3,648 Today, 328 patients have been identified as positive for Covid19 .From the total number of cases, 365 Covid-19 patients have been cured and discharged from the respective hospitals,: the minister said.

Coronavirus in Rajasthan  Latest Updates

Rajasthan reports 122 new cases, four deaths 

Rajasthan recorded 122 new cases and four deaths- all from Jaipur- taking the total number of coronavirus positive cases in the state to 1,351. Of the new cases, three were detected  in Ajmer, one in Banswara, 42 in Bharatpur, 25 in Jaipur, one in Jaisalmer, 26 in Jodhpur, two in Tonk, 17 in Nagour and five in Kota, ANI quotes the health department as saying.

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh  Latest Updates

With 125 fresh infections, number of COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh reaches 974

 With 125 fresh cases, the number of people infected with the coronavirus went up to 974 in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. According to a health department bulletin, 108 COVID-19 patients have been treated in the state so far and the number of active cases is 852. Of the 125 cases reported on Saturday, 86 are linked to last month’s Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi’s Nizamuddin, the bulletin said.

The state has recorded 14 COVID-19 deaths so far — five from Agra, two each from Moradabad and Meerut and one each from Lucknow, Kanpur, Basti, Bulandshahr and Varanasi — the bulletin said.

Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh    Latest Updates

Madhya Pradesh case count at 1,402

No deaths reported in any district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, ANI quotes the state health department as saying. The total number of positive cases in the state stands at 1402 – including 69 deaths, 127 persons who were cured and discharged. 59 people were cured and discharged in the last 24 hours, according to the bulletin issued by the health department.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra  Latest Updates

Toll in Mumbai’s Dharavi reaches 11

An 80-year-old woman from Dharavi’s Sanaulla compound died of the coronavirus on Friday, taking the toll in the slum to 11, reports The Hindu.  According to the report, civic officials said the woman suffered from multiple co-morbidities.

Coronavirus in Kerala  Latest Updates

Kerala to adopt odd-even scheme after 20 April

Necessary ffices in Kerala will be allowed to function with minimum staff and the odd-even scheme will be followed in the state after 20 April, ANI quoted state police chief Loknath Behera as saying. Behera also added that inter-district travel would only be permitted for medical reasons and for distributing food and office-goers will have to carry their Id-cards.

Odd and even scheme will be implemented in the state from 20 April. By implementing the scheme,we can reduce the number of vehicles on road by 40%. 3 persons can travel in a car,including driver. Relaxation will be given to women driven vehicles&govt vehicles: Kerala Police Chief pic.twitter.com/vPnCg4DCBE

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir  Latest Updates

Thirteen test positive in Jammu and Kashmir, total cases now 341

Thirteen more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir, bringing the number of confirmed cases in the Union Territory to 341, PTI quotes officials  as saying.VThe fresh cases were reported from the Kashmir Valley, the officials said. They said the total number of cases in Kashmir now stand at 287 while the Jammu division has registered 54 cases so far. There are 289 active cases in the Union territory, while five patients have died and 47 have recovered from the infection, the officials added.

More than 59,000 people have been kept under surveillance including those who are either in government established quarantine facilities or under home isolation, they said.

Coronavirus in Gujarat  Latest Updates

Gujarat’s COVID-19 case tally spikes by 280 to 1376

Gujarat on Saturday reported the highest single-day spike of 280 in COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of the infected people in the state to 1376, a Health department official said. Ahmedabad alone accounted for 239 coronavirus positive cases. The city now has 862 such cases, the official added.

Coronavirus in Gujarat  Latest Updates

Gujarat reports 104 new cases, 12 deaths

Gujarat reports 104 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total to 1,376, PTI quotes Health department official as saying. With 12 deaths, the toll due to the diseases rose to 53.  These deaths were reported from Ahmedabad (5), Surat  (2), and one each from Panchmahal, Anand, Gandhinagar, Bhavnagar, and Vadodara, said Principal Secretary (Health) Jayanti Ravi. Most of the deceased suffered from comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra  Latest Updates

3 held for hitting civic staff, cops during anti-hawker drive

Two women and a man were arrested in Mumbai’s Mankhurd for allegedly assaulting civic staff and police during a drive against illegal hawkers, an official said on Saturday. The incident took place in Lallubhai Compound on Friday morning, an official said.

The incident took place in Lallubhai Compound on Friday morning, an official said. “The civic staff and police personnel suffered minor injuries. We have arrested two women and a man for the assault,” he added.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra  Latest Updates

Recovered COVID-19 man held for false information on Facebook

A man who after recovery from the coronavirus infection uploaded his discharge papers on social media and accused authorities in Nagpur in Maharashtra of unnecessarily placing him in quarantine was arrested, police said on Saturday. Inspector Jayesh Bhandarkar of Tehsil police station identified the accused as Jamirul Jafirul Mohammad (32), a resident of Takia in Diwanshaha Nagpur.

“He had gone to Delhi on 13 March and returned here after two days. Based on his travel history, he was placed in quarantine on 2 April, and tested positive for coronavirus on 3 April. He was discharged on Friday after his samples tested negative post treatment,” Bhandarkar said.

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh  Latest Updates

44 fresh cases reported in UP, total climbs to 849

Uttar Pradesh reported 44 fresh coronavirus cases and one death on Friday, taking the total number of COVID-19 positive cases in the state to 849 and the death toll to 14, an official said. The death of a coronavirus positive patient was reported from Meerut on Friday. 

The state has so far recorded 14 deaths — the maximum five from Agra, two each from Moradabad and Meerut and one each from Lucknow, Kanpur, Basti, Bulanshahr and Varanasi, health department sources said. 

Among the fresh cases reported on Friday, 32 are members of Tablighi Jamat, it said. Of the total cases, 504 Tablighi Jamaat members have tested positive for the virus, it added.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

Three lakh more Rapid Antibody Test kits sent to India from China: Envoy

China has dispatched three lakh more Rapid Antibody Test kits being used for quick detection of the COVID-19 to India, the Indian envoy said on Saturday.

About three lakh Rapid Antibody Test kits were airlifted to Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu from the Chinese city of Guangzhou, Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri said.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

Of 14,378 COVID-19 infections, 4,291 cases linked to Markaz event in Delhi: Health minister

Of the 14,378 coronavirus infections reported in the country till Saturday morning, 4,291 cases in 23 states and Union Territories are linked to the Markaz event held in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area in March, the Union health ministry said. By Saturday evening, the death toll due to coronavirus infection rose to 488, while the number of cases climbed to 14,792, according to data provided by the Centre.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

Over 50 helplines set up across India to help women facing domestic violence

More than 50 helplines have been started across India to provide succour to women facing domestic violence during the ongoing lockdown, officials said on Saturday. Anyone can call up on these helplines to lodge complaints of domestic abuse against women anywhere in the country. “Fifty-two helplines have been started in different parts of the country to help women facing domestic violence during the lockdown,” a home ministry official told PTI.

Coronavirus Outbreak  Latest Updates

Sri Lanka to ease COVID-19 lockdown from next week

Sri Lanka on Saturday announced that the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic will be eased from next week to normalise public life and revive the economic activities in the country. Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi  said the government has been able to control the community spread of the virus. So now there is a need to reopen the country to normalise public life.

Sri Lanka has recorded 248 positive cases with seven deaths. More than 70 people have recovered. The curfew for 19 districts where there is no threat from the virus will be lifted on April 20 at 5 am and will be reimposed at 8 pm, the minister said.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra  Latest Updates

Woman attends husband’s funeral through video call

In a heart-wrenching scene, a woman in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district had to witness her husband’s last rites 490 kilometre away through a video call. With lockdown to contain coronavirus in force, there was no way for Vasanti Bandekar, resident of Morle village in in Dodamarg tehsil, to travel to Mumbai where her husband Chandrakant died on Thursday. 

Chandrakant, who was visiting his son in Mumbai, was diagnosed with last-stage cancer on March 22, a day before the lockdown was announced. “We took him  or a check-up as he was not feeling well, and found that he had cancer. We did not tell mother about the diagnosis as she was alone back in the village,“​ Amit said.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

ICMR approves use of TRUNAT  TB testing machine for screening of COVID-19

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has validated the use of TrueNat, a machine that is used to detect drug-resistant Tuberculosis, for coronavirus testing in India. 

The council had recommended the company’s ‘TrueNat beta COV test’ on TrueLab Workstation for screenings and had also approved US Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) approved real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) systems like Roche Cobas-6800/800 and GeneXpert for emergency situations.

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh  Latest Updates

13 people booked for gathering outside mosque for Friday prayers in UP’s Bahraich

 A case has been registered against 13 people, including the imam of a mosque, in Payagpur police station area here for violating the lockdown and gathering for offering Friday prayers. Also, COVID-19 death toll rises to 488, number of cases climbs to 14,792 in India: Health Ministry. PTI

Coronavirus in Maharashtra  Latest Updates

Maharashtra prohibits delivery of newspapers, magazines 

The Maharashtra government today said door-to-door delivery of newspapers and magazines was prohibited as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state. The state government issued consolidated guidelines to control the spread of the pandemic and gave details about the services which will be partially resumed from 20 April. Although the print media has been exempted from the lockdown from 20 April onwards, door-to-door delivery of newspapers and magazines will be prohibited, given the extent of the spread, the government stated.

16 new cases reported from Dharavi in Mumbai

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh  Latest Updates

3 new COVID-19 cases in Gautam Buddh Nagar; total now 95

Three more people, one in Noida and two in Greater Noida, tested positive for coronavirus infection on Saturday, taking the tally in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar district to 95, officials here said. “Three new cases have been detected. A 70-year-old woman from sector 15A in Noida and a 39-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman from Acchar village in Greater Noida have tested positive for the coronavirus,” District Surveillance Officer Sunil Dohare said.

Coronavirus in West Bengal  Latest Updates

21-month-old tests positive for coronavirus in Kolkata

A 21-month-old boy has tested positive for COVID-19 in the city even as none of his family members exhibited any coronavirus-like symptom, a health official said on Saturday. The infant, a resident of Uttar Panchanna Gram in south Kolkata, was shifted to the Beliaghata ID and BG Hospital from the Institute of Child Health (ICH) after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday night, the official said.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

With 201 deaths, Maharashtra reports most COVID-19 casualties in India

Of the total 480 deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 201 fatalities, followed by Madhya Pradesh at 69, Delhi at 42, Gujarat at 41 and Telangana at 18.

Tamil Nadu has reported 15 deaths while Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have reported 14 fatalities each. Punjab and Karnataka have reported 13 deaths each. Rajasthan has registered 11 deaths while West Bengal has reported 10 deaths fatalities.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

Renewed focus by armed forces to insulate 15 lakh personnel from coronavirus

The outbreak of coronavirus at a key naval facility in Mumbai where 26 sailors have been infected is a wake-up call for stricter implementation of all laid down norms to insulate around 15 lakh armed forces personnel from the pandemic, military officials said on Saturday.  All the three forces have already enforced a “no movement” policy under which almost all their bases have been put under total lockdown barring the wings handling key operational matters and strategic surveillance, they said.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

SC to list cases related to death penalty, family laws for hearing through video-conferencing

Death penalty cases and those related to family laws may be listed for hearing through video-conferencing mode, the Supreme Court said on Saturday. In a notice issued on its website, the apex court said this, however, would be subject to availability of the bench concerned and prior approval of Chief Justice of India SA Bobde. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the extension of the three-week nationwide lockdown for another 19 days till 3 May to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh  Latest Updates

3 lakh PPE kits arrive from China

Nearly 3 lakh rapid antibody test kits have just been airlifted by Air India from Guangzhou in China. These supplies will be sent to Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh  Latest Updates

Cong govt’s ‘help’ to Tablighis, led to spurt in COVID-19 cases in MP, says BJP leader and taskforce convenor

The COVID-19 cases have exponentially gone up in Madhya Pradesh as the previous Congress government did not get the Tablighi Jamaat members tested and was busy organising a film awards event in the initial days of the outbreak, a top BJP leader, who is convenor of state’s health task force, claimed. 

Madhya Pradesh BJP President V D Sharma also said that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan did not immediately expand his council of ministers because the “top- most priority” for the administration was to tackle the pandemic and not “waste time” on any other issue.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

Slight decrease in number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi in last 3 days, says Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said there had been a slight decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi in the last three days and hoped that it would reduce further in the coming days. Addressing an online media briefing on the coronavirus outbreak, Kejriwal said that out of 2,274 samples tested, only 67 people tested positive for the novel virus on Friday. A few days earlier, the daily tally of infections ranged between 180 and 350.

The chief minister also appealed to people living in containment areas to follow rules and don’t step out of their homes.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

Rahul thanks govt for changing FDI norms after his warning

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi thanked the government on Saturday for amending the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy after his warning on takeover of Indian companies by foreign players during the COVID-19 crisis. Gandhi had, on April 12, flagged the issue of alleged takeover of some Indian companies after those became vulnerable in the wake of the economic slowdown.

I thank the Govt. for taking note of my warning and amending the FDI norms to make it mandatory for Govt. approval in some specific cases. https://t.co/ztehExZXNc

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh  Latest Updates

Uttar Pradesh reports 20 fresh COVID-19 cases; many districts see improvement

Uttar Pradesh reported 20 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the total number of such cases in the state to 869, an official said on Saturday. “The number of active coronavirus cases in the state is 869. Some districts in the state have successfully beaten the disease and this is a positive step, Principal Secretary Health Amit Mohan Prasad said.

He said the cases of infection had been reported from 49 districts of the state, adding some districts have successfully flattened the COVID-19 curve. “All cases in Pilibhit, Hathras and Maharajganj have been treated. Similarly, Allahabad and Bareily have also discharged all its infected persons after treatment,” the official said. Prasad, however, said six districts–Gautambudh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Meerut, Agra and Saharanpur-are a cause of worry as these are the main centers of the infection. Nevertheless, he asserted that the northern state was showing considerable progress in its fight against the deadly disease.

Himanta Biswa Sarma says 82% of total Assam cases were asymptomatic

82 percent of the total 34 patients in Assam were asymptomatic which means they didn’t show any symptoms of #COVID19. Most of the patients fall in 50-60 years age bracket. Dhubri, Goalpara, Nalbari, Morigaon & Golaghat have been included in red zone, Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed the media on Saturday.

Coronavirus in Spain  Latest Updates

Spain reaches 20,000 deaths from coronavirus

Spain has reached 20,000 deaths for the coronavirus pandemic and total infections increased to more than 190,000. Spain’s health authorities reported 565 deaths in the last 24 hours. Only the United States and Italy have more deaths. New infections rose by nearly 4,500. More than 74,000 people in Spain have recovered

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

New FDI rules bar automatic investments by neighbouring countries in policy targeted at China

The government has amended the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy to discourage opportunistic investment in Indian companies by neighbouring countries in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The amendment specifies that transfer of ownership of Indian companies arising out of FDI investments from neighbouring countries will now also be subject to government approval. Similar FDI restrictions were earlier placed on Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Coronavirus in Punjab  Latest Updates

Three contacts of Ludhiana ACP who died due to COVID-19 test positive

After an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) of Ludhiana commissionrate got infected with Covid-19, his three contacts including his wife, a station house officer, and a driver have also tested positive.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

Air India opens bookings for select domestic flights from 4 May

Air India on Saturday announced it has opened bookings on select domestic and international routes from 4 May and 1 June, respectively.

“In the light of the ongoing global health concerns, we have currently stopped accepting bookings on all domestic flights for travel till 3 May, 2020, and on all international flights for travel till 31 May, 2020,” a notification on Air India’s website said on Saturday.

“Bookings for select domestic flights for travel from 4 May, 2020, and for international flights for travel from 1 June, 2020 onwards are open,” it stated.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

4,291 COVID-19 cases linked to Talblighi Jamaat event

Of the 14,378 positive COVID-19 cases, 4,291 of them have been linked to Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin Markaz in mid-March, said Health Ministry

The Jamaat linked cases were found in 23 states, the heath ministry further said

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

75% of COVID-19 deaths in patients aged 60 yrs and above, 83% had co-morbidities

During the routine media briefing on coronavirus, the health ministry said that 75.3 percent of the COVID-19 deaths in India have been recorded in those who are 60 years of age and above.

The ministry also said that of the coronavirus deaths in the country, 83 percent cases have been reported to have co-morbidities.

Giving an age-wise analysis, Lav Agarwal, Health ministry joint secretary, said that 14.4 percent deaths have been reported in the age group of 0-45 years. He said that 10.3 percent coronavirus deaths have been reported in the age group of 45-60 years, 33.1 percent in those who fall under the age bracket of 60-75 years and lastly he said that 42.2 percent deaths are reported in the age group of 75 years and above.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

No COVID-19 cases in 22 districts in past 14 days: Health Ministry 

The Union Health Ministry on Saturday reported that no new COVID-19 cases were reported in 22 districts in the past two weeks.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

991 new COVID-19 cases, 43 deaths in 24 hours: Health Ministry

As many as 43 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to 480. Meanwhile, the recovery rate in India is at 13.85 percent with nearly 2000 patients having recovered from COVID-19, says Health Ministry’s Lav Aggarwal.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

Centre reviews FDI policy

The department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade on Saturday issued a press note stating that foreign investments from countries with which India shares land border shall be under approval route. 

Also, transfer of ownership of any existing or future FDI in an entity in India, directly or indirectly, resulting in beneficial ownership falling within this restriction will require government approval.

The press note stated that this review of is for curbing opportunistic takeovers or acquisitions of Indian companies due to current COVID-19 pandemic.

Govt of India reviews Foreign Direct Investment policy for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies due to #COVID19. A non-resident entity can invest in India, subject to FDI Policy except in those sectors/activities which are prohibited:Govt of India(1/3)

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

BCCI creates ‘Team Mask Force’; video features messages from Kohli, Tendulkar

Featuring Indian cricketers such as Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, the BCCI has created a new video to promote wearing masks in public places and help the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ‘‘Team Mask Force’’ has been created to spread awareness about wearing masks in public places.

“Being a part of India team is a matter of great pride. But today we are going to create a bigger team, Team Mask Force,” Indian captain Kohli said in the video.

Coronavirus in India  Latest Updates

Sanitation worker’s house in President’s estate sealed

A sanitation worker’s home at the President’s Estate was sealed after his relative died due to the novel coronavirus disease.

His family has been sent into isolation, along with 30 other families living the President’s Estate. An official in the President’s Estate has also put himself in self isolation.

Coronavirus in Uttarakhand  Latest Updates

Uttarakhand govt advises colleges, varsities in state to start online classes

All government and private education institutions in Uttarakhand have been asked to start regular online classes from 21 April to ensure studies are not affected.

A government order dated 17 April said the closure of schools and educational institutions to stop the spread of COVID-19 is badly affecting the studies of college students.

Therefore, all government and private colleges, state-based universities and their constituent colleges should start conducting regular online classes according to a timetable from 21 April, the order said.

Coronavirus in Punjab Latest Updates

Ludhiana ACP dies of COVID-19 taking toll in city to five

Assistant commissioner of police, Anil Kumar Kohli, died of the novel coronavirus in Ludhiana on Saturday afternoon, taking the COVID-19 toll in Punjab to 16. He succumbed to the infectious disease at the age of 52. 

He was admitted to the Satguru Partap Singh (SPS) Hospital after he tested positive on 13 April. Hospital sources said he died due to multiple organ failure.

This is the second COVID-19 death in Ludhiana in the past two days and the fifth since the pandemic struck.

Coronavirus in Punjab Latest Updates

Ludhiana Asst Commissioner of Police succumbs to COVID-19

Ludhiana Assistant Commissioner of Police Anil Kohli passes away due to COVID-19 at SPS Hospital in Ludhiana, District Public Relations Office said on Saturday. He was the first patient in Punjab to have been administered plasma therapy to treat COVID-19-related complications. The officer was tested positive a few days ago, and was critically ill.

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Kejriwal to chair Delhi Cabinet meeting over coronavirus situation

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to chair a Cabinet meeting at 4 pm over the situation regarding coronavirus in the national capital. The government has identified over 40 containment zones and sanitisation is underway.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Senior doctor in Pune hospital contracts infection 

A 52-year-old senior doctor from Pune’s Sassoon General Hospital has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, an official said on Saturday.

Sassoon Hospital is the designated COVID-19 critical care centre in Maharashtra’s Pune city and so far, over 40 coronavirus-related deaths have been reported from the state- run facility.

“He is a senior doctor who attended to COVID-19 patients at Sassoon. A couple of days ago, he complained of breathlessness and got himself admitted at the hospital,” an official from the hospital said.

Coronavirus in Gujarat Latest Updates

Gujarat govt plans plasma tranfusion to treat COVID-19 patients

The Gujarat government has decided to carry out plasma transfusion treatment on COVID-19 patients in the state, particularly those in critical condition, to boost their immunity, health officials said.

In this treatment, the plasma extracted from the blood of a fully recovered COVID-19 patient is injected into the critical patient to help his body generate antibodies to fight the virus.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Scuffle breaks out between vegetable vendor and cops in Mankhurd 

A scuffle broke out between a vegetable vendor and police personnel on Friday in Mumbai’s Mankhurd area after the woman was not allowed to hawk her wares in the containment zone.

In a video that surfaced online, in a criminal wastage of food, the authorities can purportedly be seen overturning the vegetable cart following which the hawker attacked the policewoman. 

#WATCH Mumbai: A scuffle broke out between a hawker and police personnel yesterday after she was not allowed to sell vegetables in a containment area in Mankhurd. A case has been registered in the matter by police. (Source - Amateur video) #Maharashtra #CoronaLockdown pic.twitter.com/NGhaUypxIx

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in Uttarakhand Latest Updates

Nine-month-old tests positive in Uttarakhand after father attends Tablighi Jamaat event

A nine-month-old infant who is among the latest coronavirus cases detected in Uttarakhand contracted the infection from his father after he returned from a Tablighi Jamaat congregation, officials said on Saturday.

They did not say where the congregation was held or when the infant’s father had tested positive.

The infant is one of the three new coronavirus cases detected in Uttarakhand on Friday. The number of cases in the state after these fresh infections has risen to 40, a health department spokesperson said.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Maharashtra govt allows over 100,000 migrant sugarcane workers to return home

In a major relief which could be seen as the biggest evacuation plan within the state, the Maharashtra government on Friday decided to allow over one lakh migrant sugarcane workers to return to their native villages, said media reports. 

As per the guidelines signed by Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta, over 1.31 lakh migrant labourers and their families, who work in 38 sugar factories, are unable to go to their native districts due to the nationwide lockdown imposed in view of the novel coronavirus. 

As per Friday’s directive, the managing directors of the sugar mills will list the native village, tehsil and district of the labourers and their families living in the shelter for more than 14 days. “They will have to undergo a medical check-up and the list sent to the collector of their present residence and to the collector of the native district,” it said.

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Discussed ways to mitigate hardships faced by people: Rajnath Singh 

After the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Saturday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Interacted with the GoM on the COVID-19 situation. We discussed ways to mitigate the hardships faced by the people and the role ministries can play in providing relief to people.”

The guidelines to allow limited activities and the measures announced by RBI were also appreciated, Singh further said. 

Interacted with the GoM on the COVID-19 situation. We discussed ways to mitigate the hardships faced by the people and the role ministries can play in providing relief to people.

The guidelines to allow limited activities and the measures announced by RBI were also appreciated. pic.twitter.com/xUGfaSmV8L

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

GoM examines suggestion to enlist services of retired doctors

In the Group of Ministers (GoM) meet conducted on Saturday, the management strategy for coronavirus hotspots and clusters was reviewed. In the meet, suggestions to enlist services of retired doctors, health professionals and medical students in the final year of graduation were examined. 

The appeal to maintain social distancing was also reiterated and the need to avoid religious congregation.

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Walmart, Flipkart to donate Rs 46 cr to COVID-19 relief fund

Walmart Inc, Walmart Foundation and Flipkart on Saturday said they are are supporting India’s COVID-19 response by donating personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and funds for organisations providing essential relief materials to farmers and small businesses.

Walmart Inc and e-commerce major Flipkart will spend Rs 38.3 crore towards in-kind donations into India to help with the front-line response efforts, a statement said.

In addition, Walmart Foundation is donating a total of Rs 7.7 crore to Goonj and Srijan – NGOs supporting vulnerable communities through the crisis.

Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates

Karnataka registers 371 COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths 

With 12 more individuals testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Karnataka, the overall tally in the state on Saturday climbed to 371, said chief minister BS Yediyurappa. The fresh cases were reported from 5 pm Friday till 12 pm Saturday. 

The confirmed positive cases also include the 92 patients who have been discharged. So far the state has reported 13 deaths.

“Of the 12 new cases, 11 have contact history and one has a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI),” informed the state government. 

#ಕೋವಿಡ್19: ಬೆಳಗಿನ ವರದಿ

ಒಟ್ಟು ದೃಢಪಟ್ಟ ಪ್ರಕರಣಗಳು: 371
ಮೃತಪಟ್ಟವರು: 13
ಗುಣಮುಖರಾದವರು: 92
ಹೊಸ ಪ್ರಕರಣಗಳು: 12

ಇತರೆ ಉಪಯುಕ್ತ ಮಾಹಿತಿ: ಟೆಲಿಮೆಡಿಸಿನ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಆಪ್ತ ಸಮಾಲೋಚನಾ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳ ಮಾಹಿತಿ, ತಬ್ಲಿಘಿ ಜಮಾತ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದವರಿಗೆ ಸೂಚನೆಗಳು, #ಕೊರೊನ ನಿಗಾ ಅಪ್ಲಿಕೇಶನ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಸಹಾಯವಾಣಿ ವಿವರಗಳಿವೆ.#ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲೇಇರಿ pic.twitter.com/4woGbflMu8

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Measures in place to protect domestic violence victims during lockdown: AAP govt to HC

The AAP government and the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) have told the High Court that there are sufficient measures in place to safeguard victims of domestic violence and child abuse amid the lockdown in the country.

The submission was made before a bench of justices JR Midha and Jyoti Singh which was hearing via video conferencing an NGO’s plea claiming that there was an increasing in number of domestic violence incidents since the nation was put under lockdown and sought an urgent intervention by the court.

The NGO – All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties and Social Justice (AICHLS) – in its plea has sought safeguarding measures for the victims of domestic violence and child abuse amid the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, which has infected 14,378 people and claimed 480 lives in India.

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates

Netflix increases its COVID-19 relief fund by $50 mn 

Netflix Inc has increased the amount of money in its coronavirus emergency relief fund by $50 million, bringing the total for displaced production workers to $150 million, a company spokeswoman said on Friday.

In March, Netflix announced it had established a $100 million fund to assist the hardest-hit workers on its own productions and others in areas where Netflix has a large production base.

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Delhi receives 42,000 rapid kits

After 67 fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in Delhi on Friday, the overall tally in the National Capital climbed to 1,767. “There have been 42 deaths in the Delhi while, 911 patients are admitted at hospitals. Of the 911 positive cases, 27 are in ICUs and six are on ventilators,” said Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain. 

“We have received 42,000 rapid kits, they will be used in containment zones starting from tomorrow,” said Jain.

We have received 42,000 rapid kits, they will be used in containment zones starting from tomorrow: Satyendar Jain, Delhi Health Minister #COVID19 https://t.co/QSe7sJo1vF

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates

Death of suspected COVID-19 case in Shahjahanpur 

A 20-year-old man who showed symptoms of coronavirus infection and was quarantined for two days at a hospital in Shahjahanpur has died, an official said on Saturday.

Government Medical College PRO Puja Tripathi Pandey said the man was initially admitted to Jaitipur health centre after he complained of fever and cough but was then moved to the medical college earlier this week and quarantined. “He died late Friday night after vomiting,” Pandey said.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Senior citizen dies of COVID-19 in Aurangabad, dist tally at three

A 65-year-old COVID-19 patient died at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad city in the early hours of Saturday, an official said. This is the third coronavirus-related death in Aurangabad district, he said.

The woman was referred to the GMCH from a private hospital on 13 April and her swab samples were sent for testing, following which she was reported positive three days later, GMCH nodal officer Dr Arvind Gaikwad said.

“The patient had a medical history of co-morbid conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes and pneumonia,” he said.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates

26 Indian Navy personnel test COVID-19 positive at Mumbai base

At least 26 Indian Navy personnel have tested positive for coronavirus at the Western Naval Command in Mumbai, in the first case of a major outbreak of the disease in the Indian armed forces.

All the infected sailors were serving at the INS Angre, a shore-based logistics and support establishment, and they are undergoing treatment at a Navy hospital, official sources said.

Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Update

Kerala man recovers from COVID-19, dies of other complications

An 85-year-old coronavirus patient, who was declared cured and was under treatment for kidney and heart-related ailments died early Saturday at a hospital Malappuram.

The patient was declared cured of the viral infection after his last three samples taken on 7, 10 and 13 of April came out negative, Malappuram District Collector Jafar Malik told PTI.

K V Nandakumar, Superintendent of the Government Manjeri Medical College hospital, where he was admitted said, “The man was in ICU and was undergoing treatment for coronary artery disease kidney ailment and diabetes.”

Noting that the elderly patient was suffering from kidney-related ailment and was diabetic, the collector said, “He was under observation in the ICU and in the last two days there were lot of complications. Due to his age and earlier diseases, the doctors tried their best but he expired at 4 in the morning.”

He clarified that it was not a COVID-19 related death. According to the protocol, two samples have to be taken. However, in this case three were taken and all were negative. “It is a normal death,” he said.

Coronavirus in Gujarat Latest Update

Gujarat reports 176 new infections

A total of 176 new cases of the novel coronavirus disease have been reported in Gujarat in the past 12 hours. Ahmedabad alone reported 143 cases, reports ANI. The total COVID-19 cases in the state now stand at 1,272. Seven people have died due to COVID-19 in the last 24 hours as the total toll climbed to 48.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

MNRE urges states to set up renewable energy equipment parks

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has urged states to set up renewable energy (RE) equipment manufacturing parks to meet domestic demand as well as make India a global production hub.

The MNRE has offered many incentives to states to set up such parks at a time when numerous international firms are looking to move their production base out of China after the COVID-19 outbreak.

“MNRE has initiated action in a big way towards setting up new hubs for manufacturing renewable energy equipments in the country to meet both domestic and also cater to global demand,” the ministry said in a statement.

With this objective, the ministry has written to various state governments and port authorities to identify land parcels of 50-500 acres for setting up such parks, it said.

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update

Photos:  Yogi Adityanath chairs meeting with senior govt officers to review situation in UP

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chairs a meeting of senior government officers to review situation regarding #COVID19 in Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/eyVsadOs6i

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in Kenya Latest Update

Kenya Guv under fire for putting Hennessy bottles in coronavirus care packages

Recipients of Nairobi politician Mike Sonko’s COVID-19 care packages can expect to receive the typical food staples except for one item: alcohol.

Sonko, the governor of the Kenyan capital city, Nairobi, confirmed in a media briefing on Tuesday that his care packages include a few small bottles of the cognac, Hennessy, reports CNN.  The governor justified the inclusion of alcohol as “throat sanitizer.”

“We will have some small bottles of Hennessy in the food packs that we will be giving to our people…” - Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko

Note: WHO warns that drinking alcohol does not protect you against COVID-19 and can be dangerous pic.twitter.com/vuSuVAb8dy

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) April 14, 2020

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

UN chief salutes countries like India for helping others in fight against COVID-19

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres salutes countries helping others in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, his spokesman has said, days after India sent supplies of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to several nations, including the US, reports PTI.

Hydroxychloroquine has been identified by the US Food and Drug Administration as a possible treatment for the Covid-19 and it is being tested on more than 1,500 coronavirus patients in New York.

The demand for the drug has swelled rapidly in the last few days after India decided to lift a ban on its export.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Rise in cyber extortionists targeting porn site visitors, says Maharashtra police

The Maharashtra Police said that they have observed an increasing trend of cyber fraudsters sending extortion e-mails to those visiting porn sites.

The cyber wing of the state police said that the fraudsters are sending e-mails to those viewing porn content on such websites, asking them to make payment in bitcoins, failing which they would make public their video of using adult websites.

Balsing Rajput, Superintendent of Police, Maharashtra Cyber, said, “The fraudsters place some malware on porn websites. When someone accesses such a site, the fraudsters manage to breach the data of that person. The browser then starts working as a remote control desktop, using which they access the visitor’s display screen and get the contact numbers of his friends, his contacts on social media and e-mails.”

Coronavirus in Jharkhand Latest Update

Jharkhand woman, who recently delivered baby, tests positive

A woman who had delivered a baby two days ago in Ranchi’s Sadar Hospital, has tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. Her child has been admitted to the isolation ward at RIMS hospital. “The Sadar Hospital staff members who had attended to the woman are now undergoing tests,” ANI quoted Ranchi Administration in Jharkhand as saying.

Dr V Kashyap, Medical Superintendent RIMS said that the baby is under proper care and all precautions are being taken. “A detailed discussion was held by experts and doctors, and the baby has been allowed to be fed by mother, after proper sanitization. Baby’s sample will be sent for testing today.” he further added.

Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh Latest Update

No full-time health minister in MP, govt forms panel

Under fire for not having a full-time health minister amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has constituted an advisory committee, comprising Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi and 12 others, to deal with the crisis.

The state does not have a council of ministers ever since senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan took over the chief minister on 23 March.

The coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown have delayed the cabinet formation and the BJP-led government is drawing flak from the opposition Congress for not having a dedicated health minister at this critical juncture.

Coronavirus in China Latest Update

China’s imported cases reach 1,566; revised toll 4,632

China’s imported cases of coronavirus increased to 1,566 with 27 fresh ones, while its revised death toll stood at 4,632 with 50 percent jump in fatality figures from the epicentre Wuhan, health officials said on Saturday.

The country’s National Health Commission (NHC) announced the revised national figures of coronavirus, taking note of Wuhan’s new data.

As per the new figures, the overall confirmed cases on the mainland reached 82,719 by Friday, including 4,632 deaths. As many as 1,058 patients are still being treated and 77,029 have been discharged from hospitals.

On Friday, Wuhan’s officials announced that as of April 16, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases was raised by 325 to 50,333 and the number of fatalities up by 1,290 to 3,869.

Coronavirus in Odisha Latest Update

Odisha police takes initiative to address domestic violence during lockdown

The Odisha police have come out with an initiative through which policemen will contact women who had earlier reported domestic violence to inquire about their condition over the phone during the ongoing lockdown, an official said on Saturday.

The special drive “Phone-Up Programme” has been launched across the state to deal with the problems of domestic violence in the crisis period, he said.

The initiative will be implemented with the help of the State Crime Record Bureau, the official said.

The SCRB has contacts of women who had experienced domestic violence in the past, and they will be contacted to find out their present condition, a senior officer of the state police headquarters said.

Odisha Police starting a 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗨𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 to look into problems of victims of domestic violence during the Lockdown for COVID-19. Telephone calls will be made to such victims, to find out their wellbeing and for follow up action.

— Odisha Police (@odisha_police) April 17, 2020

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Mumbai Police arrests 23-year-old for spitting on Manipuri woman

A 23-year-old man, who allegedly spat on a woman from Manipur in Mumbai’s Kalina area on 6 April, was arrested by the Mumbai Police on Friday.  The accused has been identified as Mohammed Amir Mohammed Elias, a native of Kurla. 

The incident came to light when after National commission of Women took cognisance of it and formed three teams to investigate the matter. “Yet another case of racial discrimination amid COVID-19 outbreak, a miscreant spat on a north-eastern girl at Kalina Market area in Mumbai. NCW is looking into this matter for appropriate action,” the commission tweeted. 

According to the victim’s complaint, the incident occurred when she went to buy groceries with her sister when Elias approached them on a bike, took off her mask and spat on her near Kalina signal.

Not just NCW, social activist Linda Newmai also tweeted about the incident. Following this, the Mumbai Police lodged a first information report (FIR) against the accused. A case was then registered under the Epidemic Diseases Act and sections 270 and 352 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Yet another case of racial discrimination amid #COVID19outbreak, a miscreant spat on a northeastern girl at Kalina Market area in Mumbai. NCW will look into this matter for appropriate action.

See here: https://t.co/fy5uZJ3OaX. pic.twitter.com/RDIP1OIl54

— NCW (@NCWIndia) April 6, 2020

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Nagpur reports 4 new cases

The total number of positive cases in Nagpur district climbed to 63 including 1 death, 12 discharged after four fresh cases were reported from the district on Saturday, reports ANI.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Delhi HC to hear plea on increase in domestic violence cases during lockdown

The Delhi High Court has agreed for an urgent hearing of a petition on a report of an increase in domestic violence cases during the lockdown. 

The court on Saturday will hear the plea filed by the NGO, All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties & Social Justice (AICHLS) seeking direction to all concerned authorities to implement effective measures for victims of domestic violence and child abuse amidst COVID-19 lockdown. 

The plea, which was filed by advocates Mithu Jain, Arjun Syal and Vidisha Kumar has requested the court to intervene and protect women and children suffering from domestic violence across the country. 

The petitioner has cited various reports suggesting that there is a rise in domestic violence cases since the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Maharashtra continues to be worst-hit; toll crosses 200 mark

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Maharashtra continues to be the worst-affected state with a total of 3,323 cases. While 331 patients have recovered, 201 deaths have been reported.

With 201 death out of 480 accounting from Maharashtra, the state accounts for almost 41 percent of the total deaths in India.

Coronavirus in Gujarat Latest Update

Gujarat govt plans to carry out plasma transfusion to treat COVID-19 patients

The Gujarat government has decided to carry out plasma transfusion treatment on COVID-19 patients in the state, particularly those in critical condition, to boost their immunity, health officials said.

In this treatment, the plasma extracted from the blood of a fully recovered COVID-19 patient is injected into the critical patient to help his body generate antibodies to fight the virus.

An antibody is a protein produced mainly by plasma cells that are used by the immune system to neutralize bacteria and viruses.

Coronavirus in Rajasthan Latest Update

Rajasthan reports 41 new cases and 2 deaths

On Saturday, 41 more COVID19 cases and 2 deaths from Jaipur were reported in Rajasthan. The total number of positive cases in the state rises to 1270 and 19 deaths, reports ANI.

Of the 2 deaths reported on Satuday, one patient had chronic kidney disease and the other had acute diabetes, said state Health Department.

41 more #COVID19 cases and 2 deaths (in Jaipur) reported in Rajasthan today. The total number of positive cases in the state rises to 1270 & deaths to 19. Of the 2 deaths today, one patient had chronic kidney disease and the other had acute diabetes: State Health Department pic.twitter.com/mnBHOq4clV

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in Himachal Pradesh Latest Update

Three more test positive; total cases climb to 39 in Himachal Pradesh

Three more persons tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in Himachal Pradesh to 39, officials said. Two persons from Hamirpur district and one from Chamba district tested positive, they added.

Hamirpur deputy commissioner Harikesh Meena confirmed that two cases tested positive from the district on Friday. Their contact history was being ascertained, he added. Till Thursday, there was no COVID-19 positive case in Hamirpur district.

With the new cases, total positive cases have been found in six of the 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh — Kangra, Una, Solan, Chamba, Sirmaur and Hamirpur.

Coronavirus in US Latest Update

Looking into reports that coronavirus ’escaped’ from China’s Wuhan lab, says Trump

The US is looking into reports that the novel coronavirus, which has killed more than 150,000 people globally, “escaped” from a virology laboratory in China’s Wuhan city, President Donald Trump has said.

The US has been conducting a full-scale investigation into whether the deadly virus “escaped” from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Fox News said in an exclusive report, adding that intelligence operatives were reportedly gathering information about the laboratory and the initial outbreak of the pathogen.

“We’re looking at it, a lot of people are looking at it. It seems to make sense,” Trump told reporters at a White House news conference on Friday when asked if there was an investigation into whether the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China.

“They talk about a certain kind of bat, but that bat wasn’t in that area if you can believe this,” he claimed. “That bat wasn’t sold at that wet zone…. That bat is 40 miles away.”

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

991 new cases, 43 deaths reports in last 24 hours 

991 new COVID-19 cases and 43 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours, said Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday.

The toll due to novel coronavirus has risen rose to 480, with 28 more fatalities reported on Saturday, while the number of cases saw a jump of over 500 to go up to 14,378, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh Latest Update

Indore reports 50 fresh cases as city’s tally rises to 892

As 50 more persons tested coronavirus positive in Indore on Friday night, the number of COVID-19 cases in Madhya Pradesh has climbed to 1,360, health officials said. So far, 69 persons have died due to the infection in the state, the officials said on Saturday.

With this, the number of coronavirus positive cases in Indore has gone up to 892. Of the 69 COVID-19 deaths in the state so far, as many as 47 people have died in this city alone, they said.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Rahul Gandhi calls pandemic a ‘huge challenge’

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the coronavirus pandemic was a huge challenge but was also an opportunity. He said scientists, data experts, and engineers needed to be mobilised to fight COVID-19.

The #Covid19 pandemic is a huge challenge but it is also an opportunity. We need to mobilise our huge pool of scientists, engineers & data experts to work on innovative solutions needed during the crisis.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 18, 2020

Coronavirus in US Latest Update

‘LIBERATE!’: Donald Trump pushes states to lift virus restrictions

President Donald Trump has urged supporters to “LIBERATE” three states led by Democratic governors, apparently encouraging protests against stay-at-home mandates aimed at stopping the coronavirus.

At least two states under Republican leadership took their first steps toward easing restrictions.

A day after laying out a road map to gradually reopen the crippled economy, Trump tweeted the kind of rhetoric some of his supporters have used to demand the lifting of the orders that have thrown millions of Americans out of work.

LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020

LIBERATE MICHIGAN!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020

Coronavirus in UK Latest Update

UK sets up new vaccine taskforce as COVID-19 toll hits 14,576

The UK has set up a taskforce to urgently find a coronavirus vaccine and prepare the industry to manufacture it at scale once it is developed, as 847 fresh death were reported due to the COVID-19, taking the death toll in the country to 14,576.

Addressing the daily Downing Street briefing, UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma said on Friday the new Vaccine Taskforce, led by the government’s Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, is a collaboration between business and industry and academia.

It is aimed at coordinating efforts to discover a vaccine, funnel resources and support to industry and research institutions and review regulations to remove any blocks in scaling it up, he said.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Total cases rise to 14,378, toll at 480

Coronavirus cases in India have reached 14,387 with 480 casualties reported, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The number of active cases stand at 11,906 with 1991 recoveries.

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Update

Global fiscal measures, liquidity injections near $14 trillion, says IMF

Countries have taken fiscal measures and central banks together injected a whopping  $14 trillion as part of their efforts to mitigate the challenges posed by the novel coronavirus pandemic, the International Monetary Fund has said.

Observing that the coronavirus disease has presented all with significant and potentially daunting challenges, Lesetja Kganyago, chairman for the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), said the international community was far from declaring victory on the outcomes or the outlook.

“The IMF’s policy tracker shows that fiscal measures so far have amounted to about USD 8 trillion and liquidity injections by central banks amounting to over USD six trillion,” Kganyago told reporters during a news conference on Friday.

However, exchange rate and liquidity pressures remain important challenges, he said.

Coronavirus in US Latest Update

Cases in US cross 7,00,000, toll crosses 35,000

The number of the coronavirus cases in the US crossed 700,000 on Friday, while over 35,000 people have died from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data maintained by Johns Hopkins University, as President Donald Trump assured his people that America was “very close” to seeing the light “shining brightly” at the end of the tunnel.

New York, the financial capital of the world, has emerged as the epicenter of the pandemic. More than 14,000 people have died in the city and over 200,000 lakh people have tested positive so far. Neighbouring New Jersey has more than 78,000 cases and 3,800 deaths.

President Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday that to date the US had conducted more than 3.78 million coronavirus tests, by far the most in any country.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

21 Indian Navy personnel test positive now; most cases are asymptomatic

21 serving personnel tested positive for COVID-19 within naval premises at Mumbai. This number includes 20 sailors of INS Angre, a shore establishment at Mumbai. Most of these are asymptomatic and have been traced to a single sailor who was tested positive on 7 April, reports ANI.

All primary contacts (though asymptomatic) were tested for COVID-19. The entire in living block was immediately put under quarantine, containment zone & INS Angre under lockdown. “Action being taken as per established protocol. No cases of infection onboard ships ad submarines,” said Navy officials.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

JUST IN:  21 serving personnel tested positive for COVID-19 within naval premises at Mumbai. This number includes 20 sailors of INS Angre.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Cases in Dharavi cross 100 mark

The number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai’s Dharavi slum area reached 101 on Friday with 15 new patients being detected, said an official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

A 62-year-old COVID-19 patient from the area died at Sion hospital, he added. A total of 10 coronavirus patients from this densely populated area have died so far.

Three new cases each were found in Matunga labour camp, Muslim Nagarand Indira Nagar, two at Social Nagar and one each at Dr Baliga Nagar,Laxmi Chawl, Janata society and Sarvoday Society on Friday, said the BMC official.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Infected Navy sailors shift to Colaba as Navy begins contact tracing, says report

20 sailors of the Indian Navy in Mumbai have been tested positive for coronavirus. The sailors have been quarantined at a naval hospital in Colaba,  reports NDTV.

The sailors were staying in the residential accommodation facilities of INS Angre – a shore-based depot that provides logistical and administrative support to naval operations of the Western Naval Command.

The Navy is looking into the possibility of the men having moved around within the Navy facilities for essential duties even though the city is otherwise under lockdown.

Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Update

Kerala govt issues an order specifying the classification of districts based on the number of cases

Kerala Government issued an order specifying the classification of districts based on the number of cases and disease threat. #COVID19 (17.4.2020) pic.twitter.com/zpApoA52xS

— ANI (@ANI) April 17, 2020

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Centre says containment ops to be scaled down if no secondary COVID-19 case for 4 weeks

Containment operations will be scaled down if no secondary positive case of COVID-19 is reported from a quarantine zone for at least four weeks after the last confirmed test has been isolated and all his contacts have been followed up for 28 days, the Union Health Ministry said.

According to the ministry’s “Updated containment plan for large outbreaks COVID-19”, a containment operation (large outbreak or cluster) is deemed to be over 28 days from the date the last case in that zone tests negative.

The closing of the surveillance for the clusters could be independent of one another provided there is no geographic continuity between clusters. However, the surveillance will continue for severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI).

Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir Latest Update

J&K Police books 7 for concealing travel history

Seven people were detained while they were trying to reach their homes by hiding in trucks amid the COVID-19 lockdown and booked for concealing their travel history in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Friday, officials said.

Police have started the process of sending them into quarantine as a COVID-19 prevention measure, they said.

They were apprehended by a police team at the Battal checkpost in the Majalta belt of the district after two trucks were intercepted, the officials said.

All the seven persons, including the drivers of the trucks, were coming from Delhi and they managed to evade police at the Lakhanpur checkpost, they said.

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Update

Global toll crosses 1,50,000 

The number of deaths linked to the novel coronavirus reached 150,000, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally. The death toll is still far short of the so-called Spanish flu, which began in 1918 and is estimated to have killed more than 20 million people by the time it petered out in 1920.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

20 Indian navy sailors test positive, say reports

About 20 sailors of the Indian Navy have tested positive for COVID-19 at INS Angre in Mumbai, News18 reports.

INS Angre is a shore-based logistics and shore-based support establishment of the Western Naval Command. All the 20 sailors are asymptomatic and have been moved to INHS Asvini in Colaba and are in quarantine.

They stayed in the same block at INS Angre and are said to have been infected by a navy official who tested positive a week ago.

The first case was reported on 7 April at the INS Angre base there. All other persons who came in contact with these affected personnel have also been tested, Navy officials told ANI.

Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir Latest Update

Army develops COVID-19 helpline app for J&K administration

The Army has developed a mobile application to strengthen the efforts of Jammu and Kashmir administration to contain the spread of coronavirus, officials said on Friday.

COVID-19 Helpline Jammu and Kashmir application will provide useful real-time information to people about the location and contact number of hospitals, control rooms and rapid response teams in their vicinity, they said.

The mobile application is based on integrated information available on Google maps. It also contains information about the red zones, the officials said.

The application also contains relevant information on the preventive and safety measures regarding COVID-19 pandemic to create awareness among people, they added.

Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir Latest Update

J&K HC asks admin to urgently examine issue of insufficient testing

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Friday directed the union territory administration to urgently examine the issue of insufficient testing facilities while passing a slew of directions regarding the measures to be taken in the battle against the COVID-19 disease.

Regarding lack of efficient internet facilities in the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the high court directed the Secretaries of the respective Home departments to file reports by the next date of hearing, an official release said.

While hearing two Public Interest Litigations pertaining to the issue through video conferencing, a bench of Chief Justice Geeta Mittal and Justice Rajesh Oswal directed that the matter of insufficient testing be urgently examined by the Chief Secretary, UT of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Secretary, Health and Medical Education.

Coronavirus in US Latest Update

US announces $19 billion coronavirus aid for farmers, food buys for poor

President Donald Trump on Friday announced a $19 billion relief program to help US farmers cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including $16 billion in direct payments to producers and mass purchases of meat, dairy, vegetables, and other products.

The US Agriculture Department is partnering with regional and local distributors to purchase $3 billion in such farm goods to be distributed to food banks, churches and aid groups as millions of Americans face unemployment with much of the US economy shut down.

Coronavirus in Bihar Latest Update

Two tests positive for COVID-19 in Bihar, state tally at 85

With two more COVID-19 cases reported on Friday, the total number of positive coronavirus cases in the state climbed to 85, reports ANI.

The contact tracing of two new cases, who were infected with the virus after coming in contact with corona positive patients, is underway. 

“Two more persons tested positive for COVID-19 today. They were infected after coming in contact with positive patients. Further contact tracing is underway. Total positive cases in the state stand at 85,” said Sanjay Kumar, Principal Secretary Health, Bihar.

Coronavirus in Pakistan Latest Update

429 members of Tablighi Jamaat group test positive n Pakistan

A total of 429 members of a Tablighi Jamaat group have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Pakistan’s Sindh province.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said 429 members of the religious group had attended the annual congregation in Raiwand in Punjab province and all of them have had tested positive so far.

He said the members who have tested positive for COVID-19 have been kept in isolation to control the spread of the virus.

“Out of some 4,692 Tablighi Jamaat members in the province, tests have been carried out on some 4,653 so far,” he told PTI.

The tally of the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country climbed on Friday to 7,260 with 137 deaths. In Punjab, the number of such cases is 3,300.

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Update

Cases rise to 1,707 in Delhi; new areas declared as containment zones

The number of novel coronavirus cases in the national capital rose to 1,707 on Friday, with 67 fresh cases and four deaths being reported in a day, according to Delhi government authorities.

With four more fatalities reported, the death toll from COVID-19 in Delhi has jumped to 42, while the number of coronavirus containment zones here were increased to 68. New zones were added in various areas, including in Malviya Nagar and Jahangirpuri, the authorities said.

District Magistrate South Delhi B M Mishra said a zone in Sangam Vihar was contained on Friday after a total of four cases in one house related to the March Nizamuddin congregation were traced.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Centre says COVID-19 doubling rate has reduced as cases rise to 13,835

The Union health ministry claimed a decline in the rate of doubling of infections in the last one week even as India witnessed a surge in cases with  1,076 infections and 32 fresh deaths in the last 24 hours, and Gujarat becoming the sixth state to cross the 1,000 mark in confirmed coronavirus cases.

The total number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 13,835 on Friday with toll from COVID-19 disease at 452, as per the last update released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW). Of the total cases, 11,616 are active while 1,766 have been cured/discharged and one has migrated.