Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: 20-day-old infant among six deaths reported in Rajasthan today; COVID-19 cases rise to 2,772 with 106 new infections

Coronavirus in Mizoram Latest Updates

Mizoram approves ordinance seeking exemplary punishment for lockdown violations

The Cabinet of Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Saturday approved an ordinance that seeks exemplary punishment for those violating the lockdown,

PTI quotes an official as saying. Officials said the ordinance seeks stringent punishment for lockdown violators but details are not yet available as the document is yet to be published.

The Cabinet’s approval of the ordinance comes a week after eight teenagers were beaten up by members of a local COVID-19 task force for defying the lockdown orders.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Case count in Thane rises to 1,108

Thane district in Maharashtra  recorded 97 coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking the count to 1,108, with Navi Mumbai accounting for 39 of the new cases, PTI quotes health officials as saying. Two people died of the infection in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of deceased to 31, they said.

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

10,40,000 tests conducted till date, says ICMR

The number of RT-PCR test for detection of COVID-19 conducted in India crossed the one million mark on Saturday, ICMR officials said, as the total novel coronavirus infections rose to 37,776.  An ICMR official said that 10,40,000 tests have been conducted till Saturday evening, of which 73,709 were done since 9 am on Friday.  According to the officials, testing for COVID-19 has been scaled up significantly over the last two months. Till March 31, as many as 47,852 samples were tested while till April 30, a total of 9,02,654 samples were tested for the novel coronavirus infection, an ICMR official said. From May 1 till evening on Saturday, total 1,37,346 tests were done. 

“The ICMR has reached a per day testing level of about 70,000 and has conducted 10,40,000 tests till Saturday evening,” an official said. The RT-PCR throat/nasal swab test is the best use for diagnosis of COVID-19.

PTI

Coronavirus in Meghalaya Latest Update

Meghalaya allows those stranded in Northeast to return by private vehicles

The Meghalaya government has allowed those stranded in other Northeastern states to return to Meghalaya with their own private vehicles. Persons desirous of doing so should apply for a vehicle trnasit pass at www.meghalayaonline.gov.in/ covid. Similarly, those who want to pick up family members stranded in other states should also apply for a pass at the website, said the Chief Minister’s Office, with a caveat that only two persons, including the driver will be allowed to drive from Meghalaya.

The Govt. of Meghalaya will permit private vehicles to pick-up family members stranded in North East States. Citizens may register/apply by visiting: https://t.co/btbsjybR2i

Kindly follow the guidelines in the order carefully. @MeghalayaPolice @PIBShillong @airnews_shi pic.twitter.com/cMsKN4jqZy

— CMO Meghalaya (@CMO_Meghalaya) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Update

Delhi records 384 new infections, three deaths

384 new COVID-19 cases , 89 recoveries and three deaths were reported in Delhi today, according to a bulletin issued by the state government. With 1,256 recoveries and 64 deaths reported till date, the number of active cases stands at 2,802.

384 new positive #COVID19 cases and 3 deaths have been reported in Delhi today. Total active cases stand at 2802 now. 64 deaths have been reported in the national capital till date: Directorate General of Health Services, Delhi Govt. pic.twitter.com/Vu8EOedd2T

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Update

ICMR lauds Kerala’s containment strategy

The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) on Saturday lauded the containment strategy and the robust public healthcare system of Kerala and said it would “continue referring to the Kerala model” for testing and containment strategies. Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar, chief of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases at ICMR, saidIndia has evolved a strong COVID-19 testing regime over the last three months.

“Kerala is offering one of the best containment strategies and it is unparalleled. So we will continue to refer to Kerala Model as far as testing and containment strategies are concerned,” PTI quotes Gangakhedkar as saying.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

With 97 new cases, Pune COVID-19 count now 1,912

Pune district reported 97 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking its COVID-19 count to 1,912, PTI quotes health officials as saying. The death toll reached 100 with four succumbing to the infection on Saturday, an official said. “Of the 97 cases, 95 are in Pune Municipal Corporation limits, which now has 1,704 patients. The rest two are in Pimpri Chinchwad where the COVID-19 count now stands at 115. The number of cases in rural Pune and Cantonment continues to be 93,” he added

Coronavirus in Rajasthan Latest Update

Six deaths, 106 fresh infections reported in Rajasthan

106 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Rajasthan on Saturday, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 2,772. The toll rose to 68 as six persons succumbed to the disease, ANI quotes the Rajasthan Health Department as saying.

Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu Latest Update

Tamil Nadu reports one COVID-19 death, 231 fresh cases

For the second consecutive day, Tamil Nadu reported a COVID-19 death and over 200 cases while a transgender tested positive, the first in the state, the Health department said on Saturday. A 14-day old girl baby and a four-year old boy were among the total of 231 coronavirus positive cases reported today with Chennai contributing the majority of 174.

A 76-year old woman admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai died on Friday, becoming the latest victim to the contagion, taking the toll in the state to 29, a bulletin from the Health department said.

PTI

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Update

Lokpal member Ajay Kumar Tripathi dies in Delhi

Lokpal member Justice (retired) Ajay Kumar Tripathi, who tested positive for COVID-19, died after suffering a cardiac arrest at the AIIMS Trauma Centre here on Saturday, PTI quotes official sources as saying. Tripathi (62) breathed his last around 9 PM.

A former chief justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court, he had been in the AIIMS Trauma Centre, which has been converted into a dedicated COVID-19 hospital, since the first week of April. “He was very sick. He was in the ICU and on ventilator for last three days,” one of the sources said.

Tripathi was one of the four judicial members of the anti-corruption ombudsman, Lokpal.

Coronavirus in Telangana Latest Update

Total in Telangana rises to 1,061

Telangana reported 17 new COVID-19 cases — 15 from GHMC and 2 from Ranga Reddy district, taking the total number of infections in the state to 1,061. 29 people have died while 499 people have been discharged till date and the number of active cases stands at 533, said the state government.

17 #Coronavirus positive cases reported today, taking the total number of active cases to 533 in the state. The death toll stands at 29. Total 499 patients have been cured/discharged till date: Telangana Health Department pic.twitter.com/PLyyYxqP3q

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in Gujarat Latest Update

Their buses stopped at Gujarat border, UP-bound men throw stones at cops

Migrant workers from Surat being ferried to Uttar Pradesh on Saturday pelted Gujarat police with stones after their buses were stopped at a check post in Vadodara and not allowed to proceed further due to administrative issues, PTI quotes officials as saying. The buses were stopped at Halol check post near Waghodia in Vadodara as they did not have permits to proceed, after which agitated labourers clashed with police and indulged in stone pelting, an official said.

Unidentified persons have been charged under IPC sections pertaining to rioting, unlawful assembly, voluntarily causing hurt, as well as provisions of Disaster Management Act but no arrests have been made, he added.

Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh Latest Update

73 new coronavirus patients, six deaths in Madhya Pradesh; total touches 2,788, 

With 73 people testing positive since previous night, 30 of them in Indore, the number of coronavirus cases in Madhya Pradesh rose to 2,788 on Saturday, PTI quotes health officials as saying.The death toll due to virus rose to 151 with six COVID-19 patients dying during the same period, they added. Of the total deaths due to the pandemic in the state, Indore, the worst-affected district, accounts for 74. It also has 1,545 confirmed cases with 30 new coronavirus patients found since Friday night.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

One dead, one injured after bus carrying migrant workers overturns in Odisha

A bus carrying stranded migrants from Surat in Gujarat to Berhampur in Odisha, overturned near Kalinga Ghat in between Phulbani and Berhampur, reports _ANI. “O_ne person died and another was injured in the incident. Over 40 persons have been rescued,” said Southern Range DIG Satyabrata Bhoi.

Odisha: A bus carrying stranded migrants from Surat in Gujarat to Berhampur in Odisha, overturned near Kalinga Ghat in between Phulbani & Berhampur, today. Southern Range DIG Satyabrata Bhoi says,"one died and another injured in the incident. Over 40 persons have been rescued." pic.twitter.com/KJwP1AndZl

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

 Malegaon count touches 298 as 14 test positive

Fourteen people tested positive for novel coronavirus in Malegaon in Nashik district on Saturday, taking the district’s COVID-19 count to 333, of

which 298 are from Malegaon, PTI quotes health officials as saying. Twelve people have died of the infection in the district so far.

Coronavirus in Bihar Latest Update

Eight PMCH medicos suspended for refusing to work in Covid ward

Eight doctors of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) were on Saturday suspended for creating disturbances and refusing to work in the COVID-19 isolation ward of Bihar’s premier hospital, reports PTI. These medicos allegedly manhandled Dr M P Singh, head of the Medicine department, Dr APN Jha and other doctors when told by the Superintendent to approach Singh for any relaxation in duty, PMCH Superintendent Dr Bimal Karak said.

Coronavirus in West Bengal Latest Update

West Bengal records 70 new cases, seven COVID-19 deaths

70 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in West Bengal on Saturday ,while seven persons have died due to the disease in the last 24 hours. 45 patients have been discharged in the last 24 hours, ANI quotes the state health department as saying. Overall, 20,976 samples have been tested in the state of which 2410 were tested today.

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Update

Delhi to set up ‘welfare cell’ for COVID-19 positive govt officials, their families

Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev on Saturday directed a senior officer to set up a ‘Staff Welfare Cell’ for regular interaction with COVID-19 positive government officials as well as their family members, reports PTI. The chief secretary also appointed Delhi Jal Board CEO Nikhil Kumar as state nodal welfare officer to provide assistance to the patients, corporations andautonomous and local bodies.

According to a Delhi government order, the state nodal welfare officer has been asked to take necessary steps to set up a 24×7 helpline for such officials. The chief secretary has directed Kumar to identify and earmark two dedicated hospitals and an exclusive testing laboratory for treatment and testing of suspected and COVID-19 infected Delhi government officials and their family members on cashless basis.

“All district magistrates are also directed to provide details of officers/officials found COVID-19 positive in their districts on daily basis to state nodal welfare officer for further action as mentioned,” the chief secretary said in the order.

Coronavirus in Chandigarh Latest Update

Shops in Chandigarh to remain open from 7 am to 7 pm

In a relaxation for city residents, the Chandigarh UT administration on Saturday allowed opening of shops from 7 am to 7 pm with effect from May 4 in non-containment zone areas. The administration also allowed residents to use their vehicles to come to the markets without passes, an official said. Besides, the city administration has also decided to lift curfew on May 3 midnight but impose lockdown till May 17.

Now, the containment zone in the city will be restricted to six pockets — Kachi colony, Dhanas, part of sector 30-B, part of Bapu Dham colony, part of sector 38, part of sector 52 and part of Shastri nagar, Manimajra, an official said, adding thati intensive screening and testing will take place in these areas. 

An odd-even formula will be applied in respect of both opening of shops and use of vehicles. “For example on Monday beginning May 4, only shops with ending even numbers such as 2, 4, 6 and similarly vehicles carrying registration numbers whose last digit is 2, 4, 6, etc. will be allowed. The rotation will continue accordingly,” a statement said.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

17 BSF personnel have tested COVID-19 positive till date

A total of 17 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Delhi and Tripura have tested positive for COVID-19 till date, PTI quotes a BSF spokesperson as saying.

Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Update

Karnataka allows one time inter-district movement with mandatory health screening

The Karnataka government on Saturday permitted movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and others ‘as one-time measure from district to district with one-time, one-day, one-stay passes’. Health screening of pass holders will be conducted at check points at the border of the receiving district, said a order by the state health department.

547 new #COVID19 cases & 27 deaths have been reported in Mumbai today, taking the total number of cases to 8172 & deaths to 322. 137 patients discharged today after recovery; total 1704 patients discharged till today: Public Health Department, Mumbai. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/r71m4eUDMn

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

547 new cases, 27 deaths in Mumbai

547 new COVID-19 cases and 27 deaths have been reported in Mumbai on Saturday, taking the total number of cases to 8,172 and deaths to 322, according ot the public health department of Mumbai. 137 patients were discharged today after recovery; a total 1,704 patients have been cured and discharged till date, it said.

547 new #COVID19 cases & 27 deaths have been reported in Mumbai today, taking the total number of cases to 8172 & deaths to 322. 137 patients discharged today after recovery; total 1704 patients discharged till today: Public Health Department, Mumbai. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/r71m4eUDMn

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

790 new COVID-19 patients in Maharashtra, 36 deaths

With 790 persons testing positive on Saturday in Maharashtra, 547 of them in Mumbai, the number of coronavirus cases in the state reached 12,296, the health

department said. With 36 coronavirus patients dying, 27 of them in the state capital, the death toll due to the pandemic in Maharashtra reached 521.

Over 100 cases registered, 2,374 detained for defying lockdown norms in Delhi

Over 100 cases have been registered and 2,374 people detained in Delhi for violating government orders during the coronavirus lockdown, say police. According to a police data, 161 cases were registered under IPC section 188 (for disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) till 5 PM. A total of 2,374 people have been detained under section 65 (persons bound to comply with reasonable directions of police officers) and 155 vehicles impounded under section 66 of the Delhi Police Act.

Coronavirus in Punjab Latest Update

With 187 new cases, corona tally surges to 772 in Punjab; Nanded returnees account for 44% of state’s cases

Punjab on Saturday registered the steepest surge in Covid-19 patients till date with 187 more people, including 142 pilgrims returning from Nanded in Maharashtra, testing positive for coronavirus, taking the total count of infected persons in the state to 772. The tally of corona-infected persons in the state has been surging aggressively ever since over 3,500 pilgrims from Hazur Sahib Gurdwara at Nanded early this week.

Out of 187 new coronavirus-positive cases, reported on Saturday, 142 had returned from Nanded, a health official said. Out of total 772 confirmed cases in the state, Nanded-returned pilgrims coronavirus-positive pilgrims accounted for 44 per cent of total Covid-19 tally.

Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Update

Two fresh cases in Kerala,tally now 499

After remaining free from  any positive cases for a month, Wayanad reported a lone COVID-19 case on Saturday, following which the district was shifted from the green to the orange zone, Chief Minister​ Pinarayi Vijayan said,even as he asserted that the State cannot afford to lower its guard. The other positive case in the state was from​ Kannur, which has the highest number of cases at present.

Remdesivir Reduces Patients’ Hospital Stay, says ICMR ex-DG

During trials, it has been found that Remdesivir helps reduce patients’ hospital stay periods and prevent them from going to ventilators. However, mortality difference was not significant. It didn’t show any severe reactions in patients, Dr Nirmal Kumar Ganguly, former Director-General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) told ANI.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Rahul Gandhi raises security, privacy concerns over Arogya Setu app

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said Arogya Setu mobile application is a “sophisticated surveillance system” outsourced to a private operator, raising serious data security and privacy concerns. Technology can help keep us safe, but fear must not be used to track citizens without their consent, he said. The mobile application helps users identify whether they are at risk of the COVID-19 infection. It also provides people with important information, including ways to avoid coronavirus and its symptoms.

Coronavirus in Gujarat Latest Update

Ahmedabad records highest single-day fatality count with 20 deaths

Gujarat’s capital city Ahmedabad recorded the highest single-day fatality count with 20 deaths, and a spike of 250 new cases. The city’s total number of deaths have reached 185. With this, the number of coronavirus cases in Gujarat reached 5,054 after 333 cases were reported on Saturday

AIIMS makes it mandatory for patients to wear masks in emergency, other patient-care areas

The AIIMS has made it mandatory for patients to wear masks while visiting the emergency or other patient-care areas in the hospital and will provide one to anybody who does not have a mask. The decision was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Director, AIIMS on Friday. 

The administration asked the ANS/administrative in-charges of all patient-care areas in the hospital and all the centres to get the requisite quantity of triple-layer surgical masks issued from the store sections concerned and ensure its availability at all times.

Coronavirus in Gujarat Latest Update

Gujarat reports 333 new cases of coronavirus in 24 hrs

333 new #COVID19 positive cases reported in last 24 hours in Gujarat. Now, the total number of positive cases rises to 5054, including 896 cured/discharged patients and 262 deaths: Gujarat Health Department pic.twitter.com/NQ4SejNSHp

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Aarogya Setu aap compulsory for public, pvt sector employees and 100% population in containment zones

The government has made the use of Aarogya Setu app mandatory for all public and private sector employees while announcing another extension of the ongoing lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also made the app compulsory for people residing in COVID-19 Containment Zones to enable intensive surveillance and contact tracing in those areas. 

MHA has allowed privates offices in Red Zone, leaving aside the containment zones, to open with up to 33 percent strength. It is also implied that in Orange and Green Zones, 100 percent strength is allowed. Government offices in the Red Zone will be allowed to operate at full strength for senior officers of the level of deputy secretary and above, with “remaining staff attending up to 33 percent as per requirement.”

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

MP lockdown pass used for marriages, ferrying COVID-19 woman

Two people have been booked in Morena in Madhya Pradesh for obtaining a medical emergency pass during the coronavirus-induced lockdown by posing as patient and driver and then traveling in a private vehicle to Agra in Uttar Pradesh to get married, police said on Saturday. Three others, including the vehicle owner and his wife who tested positive for the coronavirus infection, have also been booked, a Kotwali police station official said. 

Collector Priyanka Das said the five have been booked because they had misused medical permission to travel during the lockdown and had also sneaked in a COVID-19 patient into the district in the process.

Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Update

COVID-19 cases cross 600 mark in Karnataka: 12 cases, 2 deaths

COVID-19 cases crossed the 600 mark in Karnataka on Saturday as 12 new cases were added, while two deaths took the total fatalities in the state to 25.     “Today 12 new confirmed cases and two deaths were reported in the state. Total positive cases are 601, out of which 271 patients were discharged.

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Update

Hindu Rao hospital doctor tests coronavirus positive

A doctor of the NDMC-run Hindu Rao Hospital has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, officials said on Saturday. Two nurses of the hospital have tested positive for the disease in the last one week. After the first nurse tested positive last Saturday, samples of 78 other staffers, including the doctor, were sent for testing. Reports of 11 staffers are awaited, they said.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

First special train to bring back UP migrant workers from Nashik on Sunday

The first special train bringing migrant workers back to Uttar Pradesh from outside the state will arrive here on Sunday and talks are on with officials of many states to ensure their return, said an official. The first special train with 845 migrant workers from Maharashtra has started from Nashik on Friday and it will arrive in the state capital via Jhansi and Kanpur on Sunday, said Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

COVID-19 death toll rises to 1,223, no. of cases climbs to 37,776 in India: Health ministry

The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 1,223 and the number of cases climbed to 37,776 in the country on Saturday, registering an increase of 71 deaths and a record jump of 2,411 cases in 24 hours, according to the Union health ministry. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 26,565, while 10,017 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, the ministry said. “Thus, around 26.52 per cent patients have recovered so far,” a senior health ministry official said. The total number of cases includes 111 foreign nationals.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Maharashtra govt says DCPs may sanction travel outside district but Pune, Mumbai no-go zones

The Maharashtra government said on Saturday that in the cities with police commissionerates, a concerned deputy commissioner of police (DCP) will have the power to allow inter-state or inter-district journey. But the movement of people will not be allowed between the areas under Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority and other parts of the state during lockdown, it said.

Coronavirus in Haryana Latest Update

19 Test Positive in Haryana

19 new Covid-19 positive cases have been reported in Haryana, taking the total number of positive cases to 376, says State Health Department

Coronavirus in France Latest Update

France extends health emergency till 24 July

A proposal to be put to parliament on Monday said the planned lifting this month of the emergency, which began on 24 March, would “be premature” and “could see a risk of the outbreak” intensifying. More than 24,500 people have died of the Covid-19 disease so far in France. The country is preparing to ease restrictions on May 11 following a strict nationwide lockdown, which was imposed on 17 March.

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Update

135 troops from single CRPF battalion in Delhi test positive; more results awaited

The number of COVID-positive personnel in a Delhi-based battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the country’s largest paramilitary force, has risen to 135, officials said on Saturday. The men belong to the 31st battalion of the paramilitary, based in Mayur Vihar Phase-III area of the national capital, that has been entirely sealed after the huge numbers of the COVID-19 infection started building up over the last few days. “A total of 135 troopers of this battalion have tested positive for the virus,” a senior official said. A total of 480 samples were taken from the unit, out of which 458 results have come and 22 are awaited.

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Update

Delhi govt launches exercise to open liquor shops in non-containment zones

The Delhi government on Saturday launched an exercise to open liquor shops in those areas where such activity is allowed according to the latest guidelines issued by the home ministry. The excise department has directed four government-run agencies, which are responsible to sell liquor in the city, to identify such outlets which fulfil all conditions prescribed by the the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, liquor shops will not be allowed in COVID-19 containment zones.

Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir Latest Update

Stranded Kashmiris, migrant labourers demand their evacuation to their homes 

Dozens of stranded Kashmiris and some migrant labourers on Saturday assembled outside the Divisional Commissioner office here and demanded early evacuation to their home, officials said. The protesters alleged that the administration was not paying heed to their pleas and are shuttling them from one office to another for redressal of their grievances. However, all of them dispersed off peacefully later, the officials said.

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Update

Delhi Police constable tests positive for COVID-19 in Jahangirpuri

Another Delhi Police constable has tested positive for novel coronavirus, officials said on Saturday.  He was posted at the Jahangirpuri Police Station in northwest Delhi, they said.  “The constable used to live in a barrack at the police station. His reports of being positive for COVID-19 came on Friday. He has been admitted to a hospital here,” a senior police officer said. Ten police personnel from the Jahangirpuri Police Station have so far been tested positive for COVID-19.

RBI Governor Meets MDs, CEOs of Public and Private Sector Banks via Video-conference

Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das holds meetings with the Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of major private and public sector banks in two separate sessions through video conference. The meetings were attended by Deputy Governors and other senior officers of RBI.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Migrant workers in Bengaluru, forced to pay double and triple price for bus tickets as KSRTC hikes fares

A large number of people gathered at Majestic Bus Terminal here on Saturday morning to travel back to their respective home States amid the coronavirus-induced lockdown. A majority of them are the migrant labourers who were rendered jobless after the imposition of lockdown in March to check the spread of coronavirus.

Madonna says she has tested positive for coronavirus antibodies

Pop diva Madonna has revealed that she has tested positive for the COVID-19 anitbodies. The singer shared the news in the 14th edition of her Quarantine Diary on Instagram TV. Took a test the other day and I found out that I have the antibodies. So tomorrow I’m just going to go for a long drive in the car, and I’m gonna roll down the window and I’m gonna breathe in the COVID-19 air. Yup. I hope the sun is shining, Madonna said.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Three trains with migrants to leave for UP and Odisha from Gujarat

Three special trains, carrying 1,200 migrant workers each, will on Saturday night leave for​ Uttar Pradesh and Odisha from Gujarat’s Ahmedabad and Surat

stations, a senior official said. While two trains will leave from Ahmedabad to Agra, another will depart from Surat to Behrampur in Odisha, said​ Ashwani Kumar, secretary to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

First special train to Bihar carrying nearly 1,200 migrant labourers arrives at Patna

The first “Shramik Special” train to Bihar, carrying 1,187  stranded migrant labourers, reached the Danapur railway station here from Rajasthan’s Jaipur on Saturday afternoon after a 16-hour journey. The 24-coach train left Jaipur at 10 pm on Friday and reached the Danapur railway station around 2 pm, Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO), East Central Railway, Hajipur, Rajesh Kumar told PTI.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Odisha warns cancellation of license if hospitals deny service to non-COVID patients

The Odisha government has issued a warning to all hospitals and clinics, particularly those in the private sector, to ensure essential critical services to non-Covid19 patients or face cancellation of their licenses, official sources said on Saturday. It has come to the notice of the authorities that some hospitals in the private sector are hesitating to provide critical services such as dialysis, blood transfusion, chemotherapy and institutional deliveries to their regular patients, the health and family welfare department said in an order on Friday.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

127 new COVID-19 cases detected in Uttar Pradesh; total now 2,455

With 127 more people testing positive for COVID-19 in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, the number of confirmed cases in the state rises to 2,455, officials said here. Coronavirus cases have so far been reported in 64 of the 75 districts in the state. Six among these 64 districts have no active cases at present, Principal Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad said. The number of active cases in the state stands at 1,756, he added. Forty-three deaths have so far been reported and 656 patients treated and discharged from hospitals, Prasad said.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

PM Modi discusses reforms in agriculture sector

Amid coronavirus-induced lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday deliberated on ways to reform the agriculture sector with  emphasis on agriculture marketing, access of farmers to institutional credit and freeing the sector of various restrictions with appropriate backing of laws. Agriculture accounts for 15 per cent of India’s gross domestic product and is a source of livelihood for more than half of the country’s 1.3 billion population. The government has maintained that the country’s farm sector is functioning smoothly despite the COVID-19 lockdown and there will not be much impact on its growth in the current fiscal, unlike other sectors.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Hemant Soren criticises Centre after reports say Railways will charge states extra for special trains 

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren has criticised the Centre after reports claimed that Indian Railways will charge Rs 50 extra per passanger to cover cost of special trains. Soren called the ’lack of empathy’ regrettable in a tweet and said that it was grave injustice with the labourers.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Several Aurangabad GMCH resident doctors haven’t got stipend

Several resident doctors of the Government Medical College and Hospital in Aurangabad in Maharashtra have not been paid their stipend since February, a functionary representing their association said on Saturday. Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) office bearer Dr Amir Tadvi said there are 450 residents doctors in the facility and several had not got their stipend since February.

Hundreds of migrants stranded between UP and Gujarat 

Hundreds of migrants from Surat in Gujarat who are on their way to Uttar Pradesh were left stranded in transit despite necessary permissions, as Uttar Pradesh government is not allowing entry of their buses, Surat Police Commissioner RB Brahmbhatt said on Saturday. He said that Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh governments are in talks to resolve the confusion caused by some “technical issues”.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

MHA guidelines on inter-disrict movement in orange zones during lockdown 3.0

In orange zones, in addition to the activities prohibited throughout the country, inter-district and intra-district plying of buses remains prohibited. However, inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles is allowed, only for permitted activities, with maximum two passengers, besides the driver, in four-wheelers. Taxis and cab aggregators are permitted, with one driver and two passengers only, says Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

IAF to hold flypasts tomorrow to honour corona warriors

Nation shall witness tomorrow flypasts by fighter and transport aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF) at multiple locations. These aircraft will cover major towns starting from Srinagar to Thiruvanathapuram and from Dibrugarh to Kutch. The helicopters from IAF and Indian Navy will fly over hospitals treating coronavirus patients in the cities and shower petals as a tribute to the efforts and sacrifice of corona-warriors, says Colonel Aman Anand, PRO, Indian Army.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

SpiceJet operates maiden freighter flight to Bahrain carrying medical supplies

Amid the coronavirus-induced lockdown, SpiceJet on Saturday said it operated its maiden freighter flight to Bahrain carrying around 17 tonnes of critical medical supplies. In a press release, the budget carrier said its B737 freighter aircraft departed from Mumbai to Bahrain on late Friday night.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

With three more fatalities, coronavirus death toll rises to 65 in Rajasthan; total cases 2,720

The coronavirus death toll climbed to 65 after three more people, including a minor, succumbed to the infection in Rajasthan, which reported 54 fresh cases on Saturday. So far, 2,720 virus cases have been reported from the state. According to an official, two of the deaths were reported from the worst-hit Jaipur and one from Jodhpur

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Indian Railways use ‘once in lifetime’ lockdown opportunity to clear pending repair work 

Taking the coronavirus lockdown as a once in a lockdown opportunity, Indian Railways backend warriors of Indian Railways used the time to execute long pending major maintenance works of Bridges and Tracks besides Yard remodelling, Renewal of Scissors Crossover. Pending for several years, they confronted Indian Railways as bottlenecks in different zones across the country

Around 500 modern heavy duty Track Maintenance Machines along with track, signal & Overhead Equipment (OHE) maintainers have worked regularly for 10749 machine days to complete overdue track maintenance of 12270 km plain track & 5263 nos. of Turn outs. Ultrasonic flaw detection (USFD) of 30182 kms of track and 1,34,443 rail welds has been carried out with USFD machine, PIB reported.

Coronavirus in Tripura Latest Update

Tripura, which cured last of its patient on 23 April, reports 2 fresh cases

Tripura, which was declared corona-free on 23 April, after last of its COVID-19 patient was cured and discharged, has again reported fresh outbreak. Two BSF jawans from Ambassa unit have been found positive, chief minister Biplab Deb informed via a tweet.

Coronavirus in Bihar Latest Update

Bihar reports fourth COVID-19 death

A 45-year-old COVID-19 patient died at a hospital here on Saturday, taking the death toll in the state to four, a top official said. Principal Secretary, Health, Sanjay Kumar said the patient, who hailed from Sitamarhi district, had been suffering from “terminal stage” lung cancer and died of cardiorespiratory arrest.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

41 from a single Delhi building test positive

A total of 41 people from a building in Theke Wali Gali near the DC office in Kapashera, have tested positive for Covid-19. The building was sealed on 19 April after one person from the building tested positive, stated the Office of DM Delhi South-West, ANI reported.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Barber shops, sale of non-essentials by e-commerce platforms allowed in green, orange zones: MHA

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday clarified that barber shops and salons will be allowed to operate in green and orange zones during the third phase of the lockdown beginning May 4, besides sale of non-essential items by e-commerce platforms. The MHA on Friday, while extending the lockdown for two more weeks till May 17, lifted many restrictions in green and orange zones. The exemptions will be effective from May 4 when the third phase of the lockdown will begin.

DGCA extends ban on international, domestic flight till 17 May

Following the latest directions by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the ongoing lockdown that was expected to end on 3 May has been extended for two more weeks by DGCA. In light of the same, the ban of domestic as well as international flights will be extended as well.

Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh Latest Update

Madhya Pradesh: NSA detainees quarantined in jail after COVID-19 recovery

Three NSA detainees were under mandatory 15-day quarantine at the Central Jail in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal city, following their recovery from COVID-19, an official said on Saturday. Two NSA detainees, including one who has recovered from COVID-19, were shifted to the Bhopal prison from the Jabalpur facility late on Friday night, Bhopal Central Jail superintendent Dinesh Nargave said.

While two other detainees, who had tested positive, were discharged from a private hospital in Bhopal in the last couple of days and were also quarantined in the prison, he said.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Bank transfer of 2nd installment of Rs 500 to women Jan Dhan a/c holders from Monday: FinMin

Women Jan Dhan bank account holders will start getting the second installment of Rs 500 from Monday in line with the announcement made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in March.  To help the poor tide over the COVID-19 crisis, the government had on March 26 said ex-gratia payment of Rs 500 would be credited to women Jan Dhan account holders for the next three months, starting from April.

Rajkot school reopens, over 100 students gathered; FIR registered 

A Rajkot school reopened today and over 100 students gathered there even though the lockdown was extended till 18 May. The Gujarat Police has launched an investigation in the matter.  

Gujarat: A school in Rajkot's Pardi area opened today and around 100 students attended the school to take their test results amid #COVID19 lockdown. K D Padariya, Chairman Zilla Panchayat Samiti, Rajkot says, "Investigation is underway&person responsible will be punished". pic.twitter.com/DRJ2ihlyUu

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Migrants desperate to reach home, found travelling in a cement mixer; booked

#WATCH 18 people found travelling in the mixer tank of a concrete mixer truck by police in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. DSP Umakant Chaudhary says, "They were travelling from Maharashtra to Lucknow. The truck has been sent to a police station & an FIR has been registered". pic.twitter.com/SfsvS0EOCW

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Prakash Javadekar says the worst is over, but social distancing will be the new norm

Union minister Prakash Javadekar, commenting on the change in quality of life after coronavirus, said, “I think the worst is over. But till the time the disease is not completely contained, we should continue to follow all precautions and guidelines……Our management of COVID19 is much better than in other countries. The various zones are well defined. Following social distancing norms, ‘do gaz ki doori’ will be the new normal till the time a vaccine is not developed for COVID19:….There is tremendous opportunity for India now.We’ve to make efforts to seize opportunities.All big companies are welcome in India. In last 6 yrs, from 2 mobile factories, there are now 150 factories. We’re even manufacturing PPEs, ventilators etc”

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

‘Shramik’ special train with 847 migrants leaves for Lucknow from Nashik

A special train carrying 847 stranded migrant labourers left for Lucknow from Nashik in Maharashtra on Saturday morning, the Central Railway (CR) said. The train departed from Nashik Road railway station at 10.20 am, Shivaji Sutar, chief public relations officer of the CR said.

“As many as 847 passengers boarded the train following all norms of social distancing. The special train has 17 coaches,” he added. Out of the two Shramik special trains planned from Nashik on May 1, the CR operated only one train for Bhopal.

The train carrying 300 migrants had left on Friday night and reached Bhopal on Saturday morning.

Maharashtra: A 'Sharmik special train' carrying 839 migrant workers departs from Nashik Road railway station for Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/dQAHatHbjU

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in Punjab Latest Update

Punjab cop dragged on car bonnet in Jalandhar, driver held

An assistant sub-inspector of the Punjab Police was dragged on the bonnet of a car after he tried to stop the driver at a checkpoint in Jalandhar on Saturday amid the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.

ASI Mulkh Raj was dragged for some distance but escaped unhurt while the car driver, Anmol Mehmi (20) was nabbed by the police and public.

Mehmi was asked to stop at a police check post near Milk Bar chowk but he tried to get away. The ASI was in front of the vehicle and had no choice but to jump on the bonnet to save his life, Jalandhar Police commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said.

Police have booked Mehmi and his father (owner of the vehicle) under relevant sections including 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC, the Epidemic Diseases Act and the Disaster Management Act. They are residents of Nakodar road in Jalandhar.

#WATCH Punjab: A car driver drags a police officer on car's bonnet in Jalandhar, after the officer tried to stop the vehicle today, amid #COVID19 lockdown. pic.twitter.com/IZUuTHapsK

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Accused held in Palghar lynching case tests positive for COVID-19

One of the persons arrested in connection with the Palghar lynching case, who was lodged in a police lock-up, has tested coronavirus positive, an official told PTI on Saturday.

Police have so far arrested 115 persons, including nine minors, in connection with the lynching of three men, including two seers, at Gadchinchale village in Palghar last month. The accused tested positive for the infection on Friday night, the official said. The health department is now trying to find out how he contracted the infection

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Nashik registers 19 new cases, taking total cases to 316 in district 

At least 19 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Saturday, taking the tally to 316 here, an official told PTI. Of the 19 new cases, seven were from  Malegaon and 12 from Nashik, a release from the district administration stated.

With the fresh cases, the COVID-19 count in the district has gone up to 316, which includes 281 patients in Malegaon, 16 in Nashik city and 17 from other parts of the district, the statement read. As many as 12 patients have succumbed to the infection in the district, while 25 have recovered so far, it was stated.

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update

UP allows reopening of some shops selling non-essential goods in rural areas

The Uttar Pradesh government has allowed the reopening of certain shops selling non-essential commodities outside the COVID-19 hotspots in rural areas of the state during the lockdown period.

Shops selling construction material, bricks, cement, sand, iron bars, hardware, and mobile repairing shops located outside coronavirus hotspots in rural areas will be allowed to do business while strictly adhering to the norms of social distancing and other guidelines issued by the Centre, Chief Secretary RK Tiwari said.

The chief secretary Friday evening issued directions to all the divisional commissioners, district magistrates, DIGs, senior superintendents of police, superintendents of police, and the police commissioners of Lucknow and Gautam Buddh Nagar in this regard.

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Update

Delhi reports 223 new cases 

Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain: “There are a total of 3,738 COVID-19 positive cases in Delhi, of which 223 cases were reported on Friday. 1,167 people have recovered so far. 49 people are under treatment in the ICU and five people are on a ventilator.”

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Half of India to be fully operational from 4 May, says Prakash Javadekar

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday said: “The lockdown has brought us success in containing COVID-19 pandemic. Now, in the third phase of the lockdown, practically half of the country will be fully operational from 4 May.”

A day after Centre announced lockdown extension, Javadekar said India is doing much better than other countries and that following social distancing norms, ‘do gaz ki doori’ will be the new normal till the time a vaccine is not developed for COVID-19.

Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Update

Karnataka reports 9 new COVID-19 patients, taking total cases to 598

In Karnataka, 9 new COVID19 positive cases have been reported from 1 May, 5:00 pm to 2 May, 12:00 noon. The total number of positive cases in the state is now 598, according to the Government of Karnataka’s latest bulletin reports ANI.

9 new COVID19 positive cases have been reported from 1st May, 5:00 PM
to 2nd May, 12:00 noon. The total number of positive cases in the state is now 598: Government of Karnataka pic.twitter.com/yFdGppqLcY

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in Uttarakhand Latest Update

Woman intern at AIIMS Rishikesh tests positive for COVID-19

A 23-year-old woman intern at AIIMS Rishikesh has tested positive for COVID-19, taking the number of such cases in Uttarakhand to 58, reports PTI.

She had first shown symptoms of the infection on 28 April and had been under the observation of experts since then, said Madhur Uniyal, nodal officer for coronavirus cases at the facility.

Her test report confirming that she was suffering from COVID-19 arrived late on Friday night, he said. The woman has no travel history, Uniyal said, adding the intern and people who had come in contact with her have been quarantined at the hospital.

Between 25 April and 1 May 1, this is the fifth COVID-19 positive case reported from AIIMS Rishikesh.

Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Update

Special train carrying migrant workers to leave for Jharkhand from Kerala

A train carrying around 1,200 stranded migrant workers from Kerala would leave from the state capital to Hatia in Jharkhand on Saturday. Thiruvananthapuram District Collector K Gopalakrishnan said the train was expected to leave the central station here at around 2 pm.

Those with any symptoms of the virus would not be allowed to travel, he told reporters. This is the second train which would be leaving from the state with the workers. Around 1,100 migrant workers from Aluva in Kochi left for Bhubaneswar in Odisha on Friday night.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

MHA reconstitutes 11 empowered groups to implement containment measures

The eleven empowered groups of officers created by the central government to implement COVID-19 containment measures in the country have been reconstituted, an official spokesperson said on Saturday.

The reconstitution of the groups, first created on 29 March under the Disaster Management Act, was necessitated as some members either retired, appointed, or were transferred from their earlier posting. An order for reconstituting the empowered groups was issued by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Friday, the spokesperson said.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

All Maharashtra citizens will get free health cover, says state health minister

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope announced that all citizens will be covered under the state government’s health scheme, and Maharashtra will be the first state to provide free and cashless insurance protection to its people.

Speaking to reporters after a Maharashtra Day event in Jalna on Friday, Tope said 85 per cent of the state’s population was covered under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) at present and the cover will be extended to the remining 15 percent.

“The government has signed an MoU with the General Insurance Public Sector Association (GIPSA) for treatment of COVID-19 patients at private hospitals in Pune and Mumbai,” he said.

Coronavirus in Odisha Latest Update

Odisha govt prepares SOP to send stranded migrant workers to their home states

With the Centre allowing movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists and students stranded due to the lockdown, the Odisha government has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for sending persons stuck in the state to their home states by road or rail.

In a letter to all district collectors and municipal commissioners, Additional chief secretary-cum special relief commissioner (SRC) PK Jena forwarded the SOP to ensure smooth return of about 60,000 “guest workers” to their respective states.

The Odisha government has described the stranded migrant workers as “guest workers”. The state government has appointed nodal officers for different states to ensure that the people from other states reach their native places safely.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Modi discusses COVID-19 crisis with Thailand prime minister

As neighbours with deep-rooted historical and cultural links, India and Thailand will work together to deal with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

Modi said he spoke with “good friend” Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and discussed issues related to the pandemic.

Discussed issues related to COVID-19 pandemic with good friend @prayutofficial. As neighbours with deep-rooted historical and cultural links, India and Thailand will work together to deal with the multifarious challenges posed by this present crisis.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Four test positive for COVID-19 in Amravati

Four persons, including a deceased patient, tested positive for COVID-19 at Amravati in Maharashtra on Saturday, taking the total cases in the city to 47, an official told PTI  on Saturday. Of the 24 swab samples that were tested, results of four have come out positive, district collector Shailesh Naval said.

A deceased 58-year-old man from Kanwar Nagar was among those who tested positive on Saturday, apart from a man from Taj Nagar and one from Tarkheda, he said.

With the death of the Kanwar Nagar resident, the toll of COVID-19 deaths in the city has gone up to eight, while the count stands at 47, the collector said.

Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh Latest Update

Andhra Pradesh reports 62 new patients, taking total cases in state to 1,525

Andhra Pradesh on Saturday reported 62 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 1,525. The toll stands at 33, according to the Andhra Pradesh Health Department, reports ANI.

62 new #COVID19 cases reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 1525. The death toll stands at 33: Andhra Pradesh Health Department pic.twitter.com/9cQaPNYJaW

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

33% population in red zone, 43% in orange, says report

The 130 districts in the red zone form 17 percent of the total districts in the country, but account for about 33 percent of the population (2011 Census), according to The Indian Express.

The 284 districts in the orange zone — 39 percent of the total districts — account for about 43 percent of the population. And the 319 districts in the green zone form 44 percent of the total districts, but account for only about a quarter of the population.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

20 people residing in Gurdwara Langar Sahib in Nanded test positive

Twenty persons currently residing in Gurdwara Langar Sahib at Nanded in Maharashtra have tested coronavirus positive, an official said on Saturday.

Swabs of total 97 people residing in the gurdwara had been collected for testing. Of them 20 have tested positive for the infection, civil surgeon Dr Neelkanth Bhosikar said.“They have been admitted to NRI Bhawan COVID Care Centre,” he said.

The samples had been collected on 30 April and 1 May, he said. Reports of 25 others have tested negative, while those of 41 others are awaited. Reports of 11 others are undecided, Bhosikar said in a statement. With this, the number of COVID-19 patients in Nanded has reached 26, he added.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Indian Railways announces 6 ‘Shramik Special’ trains 

The Indian Railways began running special “shramik” trains on Friday to ferry migrant workers and others back home from various states where they were stranded since the nationwide lockdown began on 25 March.

It has already run the first such train with 1,200 passengers from Hyderabad to Jharkhand at 4:50 am on Friday. The other five “Shramik Special” trains are — Nasik to Lucknow (9:30 pm), Aluva to Bhubaneswar (6 pm), Nasik to Bhopal (8 pm), Jaipur to Patna (10 pm) and Kota to Hatia (9 pm).​

“As per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, it has been decided to run ‘‘Shramik Special’’ trains from ‘‘Labour Day’’ today to move migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students, and other persons stranded at different places due to the lockdown.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Cases in Maharashtra rise to 11,506 with 485 deaths

Maharashtra continued to remain the most-affected Indian state with a total of 11,506 cases. The state registered 26 new deaths in the past 24 hours. Out of the total cases, 1,879 have recovered from the disease and a total of 485 have succumbed to it.

Gujarat has the second-highest number of cases at 4,721 followed by Delhi’s 3,738 cases. Gujarat has registered a total of 236 deaths and 735 have recovered from COVID-19.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Indian Railways runs ‘Shramik special’ trains to facilitate movement of migrant labourers 

In a relief to migrant labourers stuck in various places across the country, the Indian Railways on Friday started operating “Shramik Special” trains to move them to their home states.

“Zonal railways to run these trains as per the demand of state administrations. Local DMs and DRMs are coordinating. Specific details can be obtained from the zonal CPROs” the Indian Railways said in a statement. 

On Friday, it operated five trains from Maharashtra, Telangana, Kerala, and Rajasthan for transporting more than 7,000 people, including stranded labourers, pilgrims, tourists, and students.

Shramik special trains services that started on Friday will run as and when required by the state governments, following the guidelines issued by the home ministry,.

“In continuation of the measures taken in the wake of COVID-19, it has been decided that the cancellation of all passenger train services on Indian railways, that is mail/express, including premium trains, passenger trains, suburban trains and trains of metro railway Kolkata shall be extended till 14 May, 2020,” an official statement by the ministry said.

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Update

All 11 districts in Delhi to stay in ‘red zone’ till 17 May, says Satyendar Jain

Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain told ANI “All 11 districts in Delhi to stay in ‘red zone’ till 17 May. A red zone is defined where there are more than 10 cases of COVID-19 in a district. Relief measures given by the Centre in red zones will be applicable.”

#WATCH All 11 districts in Delhi to stay in 'red zone' till May 17. A red zone is defined where there are more than 10 cases of #COVID19 in a district. Relief measures given by Centre in red zones will be applicable here: Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain pic.twitter.com/4KBmaPSXiv

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in Jharkhand Latest Update

Jharkhand registers 113 case, 2 deaths so far

Till now, there are a total of 113 COVID-19 positive cases, two deaths in Jharkhand, according to the State’s Health Department reports ANI.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Five including 3 SRPF jawans test positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra

Five persons, including three SRPF jawans, have tested coronavirus positive, taking the overall tally of such patients in Jalna district of Maharashtra to eight, an official said on Saturday. Two of the total eight patients have recovered from the infection so far, the official said.

“The test reports of the five new patients, including three jawans of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), were received on Friday night,” district civil surgeon Madhukar Rathod said. The three SRPF jawans, who are natives of Jalna, were posted at Malegaon, which has emerged as the COVID-19 hotspot in Nashik district.

“Their swabs were sent to a laboratory in Aurangabad, which confirmed that they are infected,” he said. Two other patients had a travel history to Mumbai, Rathod said.

Coronavirus in Odisha Latest Update

Odisha reports 5 new cases in Jajpur district, taking overall count to 154

Five more persons, including two women, tested positive for COVID-19 in Odisha’s Jajpur district, taking the total number of such cases in the state to 154, officials said. The new patients have a travel history to West Bengal’s Kolkata, they said.

They have been in a quarantine centre and were asymptomatic, the officials of the Information and Public Relations department said.

With these new patients, the number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 45 in Jajpur district which emerged as a “new hotspot”. “Contact-tracing and follow-up action is being done,” they said. The officials said 55 people have been cured and the number of active cases now stands at 98 in the state.

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update

Agra reports 22 new cases taking overall count to 501

22 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Agra on Saturday, taking the total number of positive cases in the district to 501, DM Agra Prabhu N Singh told ANI.

Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Update

Karnataka govt issues show cause notice to IAS officer for tweet on Tablighi Jamaat members

The Karnataka government on Friday issued a show cause notice to an IAS officer over his recent tweet eulogising coronavirus-cured Tablighi Jamaat members for donating plasma for treatment of other patients.

A senior state official said the action showed that Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa is not willing to compromise on any remarks by officials that have communal overtones.

The officer, Mohammad Mohsin, was in the news last year after the Election Commission suspended him for trying to inspect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s helicopter during his visit to Odisha in April. He was deployed as a poll observer.

“More than 300 Tablighi Heroes are donating their plasma to serve the country in New Delhi only. What about? Godi Media? They will not show the works of humanity done by these heroes,” Mohsin said in a tweet on 27 April.

Karnataka Govt has issued show cause notice to IAS Officer Mohammad Mohsin for the following tweet.

Earlier a similar action was taken against him during Lok Sabha elections when he ordered to check PM Modi’s chopper as election observer. pic.twitter.com/sR7NLGCNWl

— Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradresh Latest Update

7 labourers who recently returned from Maharashtra on special govt buses test positive in Basti

Seven labourers who had arrived from Maharashtra via Jhansi in government buses to Basti, have tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, said DM Basti.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

IIT-Bombay reports first COVID-19 case on campus

The first case of COVID-19 at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, was reported on Thursday with the wife of a staffer testing positive for the virus.

According to the Hindustan Times , the woman is a health worker engaged in a government hospital in south Mumbai and likely contracted the virus from a patient she came in contact with. Her husband, who is an employee of the institute and her two children, have been quarantined in a separate facility on the campus.

Coronavirus in US Latest Update

US announces relaxations for H-1B visa holders and Green Card applicants

The US government has given a grace period of 60 days to H-1B visa holders and Green Card applicants, who have been served notices for submission of various documents, in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Friday said the 60-day grace period for responding to its requests will include requests for evidence; continuations to request evidence (N-14); notices of intent to deny; notices of intent to revoke; notices of intent to rescind and notices of intent to terminate regional investment centers; and filing date requirements for Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion.

According to the statement, the USCIS will consider a Form I-290B received up to 60 calendar days from the date of the decision before it takes any action.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Western Railway clarifies only people nominated by state govt will be allowed to board special trains

Western Railways took to Twitter to clarify that the special trains being planned by state governments are registered and nominated persons only. “No person should to the railway stations for any reason. No individual train tickets will be given or any personal request will be accepted.” the tweet read.

कृपया ध्यान दें -विशेष ट्रेनें राज्य सरकारों द्वारा रजिस्टर्ड तथा नामित व्यक्तियों के लिए ही प्लान की जा रही हैं। कोई भी व्यक्ति किसी भी कारण से रेलवे स्टेशनों पर नहीं आए। किसी को भी व्यक्तिगत रूप से रेल टिकट नहीं दिए जाएंगे और ना ही कोई व्यक्तिगत अनुरोध स्वीकार किया जाएगा। @ANI pic.twitter.com/pE2N8L9ZY8

— Western Railway (@WesternRly) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in Rajasthan Latest Update

Rajasthan records 12 new cases taking overall count to 2,678

12 new positive cases of COVID-19 and 3 deaths have been reported on Saturday in Rajasthan taking the total number of cases to 2,678 and 65 deaths. 1116 people have recovered while 714 have been discharged to date, according to Rajasthan Health Department.

12 new positive cases of #COVID19 and 3 deaths have been reported today in Rajasthan taking the total number of cases to 2678 and 65 deaths. 1116 people have recovered while 714 have been discharged till date: Rajasthan Health Department pic.twitter.com/jh6y127kIU

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

68 CRPF jawan test positive in Delhi taking total cases in force to 122

Test results of 68 jawans have shown them to be COVID-19 positive. All jawans are attached to a battalion camped in East Delhi, reports ANI. 

The total positive cases in this battalion have reached 122 and overall figure of COVID-19 cases in CRPF is 127, including 1 recovered and 1 death, said CRPF officials,

Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh Latest Update

Train carrying stranded labourers reaches Bhopal from Nashik

A special train carrying over 300 stranded labourers from Nashik in Maharashtra reached on Saturday morning. A district administration official said that the non- stop special train reached Misrod Railway Station on the outskirts of Bhopal.

“We have started screening these passengers brought here from Nashik in the special train. After that, they will be sent to their respective towns in different buses,” the official said.

This is the first special train which reached Bhopal after the Centre’s announcement to run such services to facilitate the stranded labourers and workers.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Four buses ferrying stranded students from Kota reach Pune

Four buses from Maharashtra brought back stranded students from Kota, Rajasthan, on Friday night. All students underwent health screening at Swar Gate bus stand in Pune and were advised home quarantine.

Pune: 74 buses from Maharashtra brought back stranded students from Kota, Rajasthan, last night. All students underwent health screening at Swar Gate bus stand and were advised home quarantine#Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/DbNGnLnIAg

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

India reports highest single-day increase in confirmed cases

2293 new cases, 71 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours in India. This is the highest number of cases reported in one day, said Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

India registers  37,336 cases, 1,218 deaths

India’s total COVID-19 confirmed cases rises to 37,336 out of which 26,167 cases are still active. 9,950 patients have been cured or discharged so far while the death toll has risen to 1,218 and one patient was moved out of the country.

Coronavirus in West Bengal Latest Update

West Bengal govt asks private hospitals to resume normal services

The West Bengal Health Department on Friday issued directives to private hospitals and healthcare facilities to resume normal services in a planned manner. Ensuring the safety, protection, and comfort of the medical staff engaged in such facilities needs the highest priority, it said.

“There are reports that patients in need of regular critical care related to blood transfusion, dialysis, chemotherapy, owl, obstetric care, institutional deliveries, immunisation are facing hardship due to private hospitals and healthcare facilities either remaining non-functional or turning away patients out of fear of contracting COVID-19.

Coronavirus in South Korea Latest Update

South Korea continuing downturn of new cases; reports 6 new cases

South Korea has reported six fresh cases of the new coronavirus, continuing a month-long streak of below 100. Infections continue to wane in the hardest-hit city of Daegu, where no new cases were detected.

Figures released by South Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Saturday brought national figures to 10,780 cases and 250 virus-related deaths.

At least 1,081 cases have been linked to international arrivals, but these cases have also declined in recent weeks as the government strengthened border controls, such as enforcing 14-day quarantines on all passengers coming from overseas.

Coronavirus in Assam Latest Update

3,673 people arrested in Assam for violating lockdown

The Assam Police said on Friday that it has arrested 3,673 people across the state in the last 38 days for violating the lockdown order imposed to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and collected over Rs 1.62 crore as fine.

In its daily report on the lockdown, the police said 1,690 cases have been registered for 2,532 incidents since the beginning of the restrictions. “A total of 3,673 people have been arrested for these cases and a collective fine of over Rs 1.62 core was collected from them for violating the lockdown norms,” the statement said.

Besides, 22,367 vehicles and 32 boats have been detained from various parts of the state during this period.

Coronavirus in US Latest Update

US reports 1,883 deaths in past 24 hours

 There have been 1,883 deaths due to the novel coronavirus disease in the US in the past 24 hours, according to the John Hopkins University tracker.

Coronavirus in Jharkhand Latest Update

Jharkhand students stuck in Kota set to return home

The Jharkhand government is facilitating the return of students stranded in Rajasthan’s Kota — the coaching hub for engineering and medical aspirants — following the imposition of the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“Resident Commissioner, Jharkhand, MR Meena, is on his way to Kota to facilitate the return of the stranded students,” an official release here said.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said two special trains carrying students of Jharkhand will be flagged off from Kota tonight. “On behalf of the people of Jharkhand, I thank the central government and the Rajasthan chief minister for this support,” Soren tweeted.

कोटा से झारखण्ड के बच्चों का पहला जत्था भी राँची जोन के लिए निकल पड़ा है। इस मदद के लिए केंद्र सरकार, @ashokgehlot51 जी एवं राजस्थान सरकार के सभी पदाधिकारियों का मेरा सहृदय आभार। कल धनबाद जोन के लिए दूसरी ट्रेन चलेगी।

यात्रा करने वाले सभी बच्चों को मेरी हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। pic.twitter.com/Z8G09k5vya

— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) May 1, 2020

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

68-year-old COVID-19 patient dies in Pune

A 68-year-old patient who had tested positive for COVID-19 had passed away in Pune. The cause of death is reported to be an acute respiratory failure due to ARDS with Myocarditis with COVID-19 infection. Total death toll in Pune district is now 100, said Pune Health officials, Maharashtra.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

RBI guv to meet bank chiefs to take stock of financial sector

Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das is expected to meet with bank chiefs on Saturday to take stock of the financial sector and deliberate on steps to be taken to boost industry amid the COVID-19 crisis, sources said.

The meeting will take stock of implementation of several steps announced by the RBI, including moderation in interest rate and its transmission, as well as liquidity infusion measures to support the industry.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates  

Amazon says India business most affected due to COVID-19 lockdown ​

Amazon has said that the COVID-19 pandemic had largely affected its business in India. The global e-commerce giant said that due to the nationwide lockdown it had to cut back on a lot of offerings in India and only deliver essential goods.

Amazon said that it will resume its operations after getting the nod from the government.

“I think the biggest impact internationally has been in India where, of course, similar to all companies in India, we’re now only fulfilling our essential goods such as grocery, so that’s cut back a lot on our offering,” Brian T Olsavsky, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Amazon saying during an earnings call.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Chhattisgarh Latest Updates  

Rapid tests of Chhattisgarh Police officials conducted

Coronavirus rapid tests are being conducted on all the officials of Chhattisgarh Police deployed in active duty. “Such directions to conduct the tests were given for the safety of police officials and their family members,” said DGP DM Awasthi. 

#Chhattisgarh police conducting #Corona rapid test of all of its officials deployed in active duty. DGP DM Awasthi says directions given  to conduct such test for safety of police officials & their family members. 

#Chhattisgarh police conducting #Corona rapid test of all of its officials deployed in active duty. DGP DM Awasthi says directions given to conduct such test for safety of police officials & their family members. #IndiaFightsCorona

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) May 2, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates  

COVID-19 cases rise to 35,365, toll at 1,152 in India

India reported another surge of COVID-19 cases on Friday with a record 1,755 patients testing positive and 77 people dying from the novel coronavirus that has claimed over 2,33,000 lives and shattered global economies since it originated in China’s Wuhan city in December last year.

The confirmed cases in the country climbed to 35,365 while deaths reached 1,152 as the Centre extended the nationwide lockdown till 17 May.