As the 21-day lockdown ends today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended it till May 3 . In his third address to the nation in the last one month, Mr. Modi urged Indians to take 'seven sacred vows' in these tough times.
The Union Health Ministry in its daily COVID-19 update said that 10,363 have been tested positive so far and there have been 339 deaths. Reports from States, however, put the figure of persons tested positive at 10440 and death toll at 358.
According to WHO's April 14 updates, globally, there are 17,76,867 confirmed cases and 1,11,828 deaths.
The Hindu has brought out a multi-language e-book on essential COVID-19 information, in addition to covering the developments related to the coronavirus pandemic as it unfolded.
Here are answers from experts on your queries about the virus, a list of State Helpline numbers , a State-wise tracker for COVID-19 cases, deaths and testing, and a map of confirmed cases in India .
Here are the latest updates:
Maharashtra to investigate rumours being spread on trains running
Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh late on Tuesday announced an investigation would be conducted in to who spread the rumours about starting trains. "I have ordered an investigation into the rumour that claimed trains to take migrants back home woud be started.
"Those found guilty of sparking such rumours will be dealt with severely invoking the fullest force of law," he said, after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray too promised of action.
- Alok Deshpande
The number of active cases in Telangana on Tuesday rose by 52, with 7 discharged and one death reported, according to the State Health Ministry. The total number of active cases statnds at 516, with two deaths in total
Total cases in Rajasthan crossed the 1,000 mark with the detection of 108 positive cases today. The tally is now 1,005. Eighty-three cases were reported today from Jaipur.
-Mohammed Iqbal
Gujarat government officials from Surat and Gandhinagar said all migrant workers were pacified by the police and the crowd dispersed. Surat Municipal Corporation and other agencies have made adequate arrangements for migrants in Surat city.
-Mahesh Langa
Gujarat Congress legislator Imran Khedawala, who met Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel regarding imposition of curfew in the walled city of Ahmedabad, has tested positive for the coronavirus.
-Mahesh Langa
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal issues appeal to migrant workers and Delhiites per se to stay where they were and to not believe rumours about interstate buses being available to ferry them beyond the border. According to the Delhi government: “It appears that some rumours are being spread that buses are available to go to the border...no DTC buses or any other buses are available and lockdown is to be strictly observed.”
-Jatin Anand
Two deaths and fifty-one new cases were reported in Delhi on Tuesday, taking the total number of deaths to 30 and cases to 1,561, according to a daily bulletin released by the Delhi government.
-Nikhil M. Babu
Seventy-two new cases, including 71 from the Walled City of Jaipur, have been detected in Rajasthan today, taking the State's tally to 969. One case was reported from Jhunjhunu. 133 positive cases have recovered and tested negative for the contagion while 63 of them have been discharged so far.
-Mohammed Iqbal
Maharashtra has recorded 350 new cases and 18 deaths taking the total number of cases to 2,684 and the death toll to 178. Of this, Mumbai has recorded 216 cases and 11 deaths. The total cases in Mumbai stand at 1,756 and the death toll is 112
-Jyoti Shelar
Uddhav Thackeray welcomes lockdown extension
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, in his latest address, thanked the Prime Minister for extending the duration of the lockdown.
"I had already informed you about extending it till April 30. PM Modi has done it till May 3. Maharashtra has conducted the highest number of tests, around 20,000 to 22,000 in Mumbai alone. Over 2,200 have tested positive, of which 10% have gone back home after recovering while 32 are serious," he said.
Stating that a special team of experts had been constituted for framing guidelines, Mr. Thackeray said special precaution was being taken in Mumbai and Pune, like door-to-door tests and setting up of special containment zones. He also added that all essential commodities were being supplied to these zones.
"Around 5.50 to 6 lakh migrant labourers are being taken care of in the State. They must have felt that trains would start running after April 14 and they could go home. When the lockdown will be lifted you will go home. You are an Indian. Do not get scared of challneges. Maharashtra is taking care of you," Mr. Thackeray said, speaking about the migrant labourers' recent unrest.
-Alok Deshpande
Total cases in Uttar Pradesh has now risen to 660, with 102 fresh cases in 24 hours, as per the Uttar Pradesh Directorate of Health Services. They have been 8 deaths so far and 50 recoveries, leaving 602 active cases. Deaths have so far taken place in Basti, Meerut, Varanasi, Agra (3), Bulandshahr and Moradabad.
The number of samples tested in the State, which has reported cases from 44 out of 75 districts, have also increased to 15,914.
-Omar Rashid
67 new cases have been recorded in Gujarat, with two persons dying and 11 being discharged after recovery. So far, a total of 650 cases and 28 deaths have occurred in the State, according to a release from the Health Department.
-Mahesh Langa
Three more test positive in Kozhikode
Three more persons, all contacts of people earlier tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, were reported to have the infection in Kozhikode district on Tuesday.
According to a release from the Health Department, one of them is a man from Azhiyoor. He had interacted with a person who died of COVID-19 at Mahe recently. The 42-year-old is undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital and his condition is said to be stable. Body fluid samples of his family members and contacts have been sent for lab tests. They are under observation at care centres.
The other two are the family members of a senior citizen who had tested positive for the virus on April 11. One of them is his 35-year-old son who had come from Dubai on March 18. The other is a 19-year-old girl.
IMF projects 1.9% growth for India in 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a “severe” effect on the world economy and is expected to cause a -3% change (i.e., a contraction) in global output in 2020, “much worse” than the 2008-09 financial crises, as per the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook (WEO). India’s growth is expected to dip to 1.9% in 2020 and rebound to 7.4% in 2021, as per the WEO, which was released by the Fund on Tuesday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and expressed concern over the Bandra gathering. He said such events weakened India’s fight against COVID-19 and the administration needs to stay vigilant to avoid such incidents. He also offered his full support to the Maharashtra government.
-Vijaita Singh
More than 500 migrant workers gathered in Surat’s Varachha area demanding that they be allowed to return to their homes. They are migrants employed in textiles embroidery units in Surat.
-Mahesh Langa
Two more patients recover in Mysuru
Two more patients who tested positive for the coronavirus, both linked to the pharmaceutical company in Nanjangud, were discharged from the hospital on Tuesday.
Patient Number 87 and Patient Number 105 would continue to be in quarantine in their homes for two weeks as per the doctors’ advice. With this, the number of active cases in the district has dropped to 36, according to Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G. Sankar.
-Shankar Bennur
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued an order under Disaster Management Act directing Chairman, National Executive Committee that existing lockdown measures be continued to be implemented in all parts of the country till May 3. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla is the chairman of the committee.
-Vijaita Singh
India Inc. stands by lockdown extension; seeks stimulus package to rebuild economy
India Inc. on April 14 said the nationwide lockdown extension was necessary to avert a humanitarian crisis, but insisted on the need for a stimulus package to rebuild the economy hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the current lockdown will be extended till May 3, saying it is necessary to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.
Another patient recovers in Karnataka
Another COVID-19 patient, a 49-year-old resident of Puttur, was discharged from the Government Wenlock Hospital following treatment on Tuesday. With this, a total nine of the 12 persons have recovered.
The 49-year-old man landed at Bengaluru International Airport from Dubai and came to Puttur on March 21. After being tested postive on April 1, he was moved to the Government Wenlock Hospital. His throat swabs were tested negative on April 12 and 13, according to the health bulletin by Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Sindhu Rupesh.
-Raghava M.
The Gujarat government has decided to impose curfews in walled city areas of Ahmedabad, since majority of COVID-19 infections are from these hotspots. Only women would be allowed to go out for a few hours to procure essential supplies like grocery, milk etc.
-Mahesh Langa
31 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday in Taml Nadu. So far, 81 persons had been discharged and 12 deaths had been recorded, the State's Health Secretary Beela Rajesh announced in the daily update. According to her statement, the total tally in the State was 1,204.
-Serena Josephine M.
People try to create rift between Hindus and Muslims, says Arvind Kejriwal
In a daily briefing to press, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said "It is very saddening that some people are trying to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims at this time when we are all going through a pandemic. Nature will never forgive such people who are trying to spread hatred."
Mr. Kejriwal said "Coronavirus cases in Delhi have increased every day over the last few days. This is worrying not just for me but for all of us."
The Chief Minister said "Delhi also had to bear the brunt of another burden; being the Capital, a lot of people travelled from other places to the city."
Mr. Kejriwal finally said "Today the PM has increased the lockdown period to May 3; this was necessary; if this hadn’t been done, coronavirus cases would have increased."
Second COVID-19 patient discharged in Udupi
The second COVID-19 patient of Udupi district was discharged from the Dr. T.M.A. Pai Hospital, the designated hospital, here on Tuesday and has been advised strict home quarantine for 14 days.
Sudhir Chandra Sooda, District Health and Family Welfare Officer (DHO), said here on Tuesday that the patient was discharged at around 5 p.m. on Tuesday and had been advised that he should be in strict home quarantine for the next two weeks.
This patient, a 35-year-old man, had come from Dubai to Udupi on March 17, 2020. He was admitted with the symptoms of COVID-19 to the District Government Hospital on March 27. He tested positive for COVID-19 and was since been under treatment.
-- Special Correspondent
We will begin flight operations for domestic first, says IndiGo CEO
“Complimenting the government’s efforts against Covid-19, we will restart flight operations on vital corridors of air traffic from May 4, 2020. We will begin operations for domestic only and then gradually ramp it up further, to commence operations on some international routes as well. Our singular focus will be on ensuring the health of our customers and our employees. We are working closely with the government and the airports to take our aircraft and our airports to a significantly higher level of cleanliness while ensuring social distancing. The airline industry has always done a tremendous job in ensuring the safety of its customers and I am confident we will rise to this latest challenge as well,” IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta.
-- Aditya Anand
Do we have alternate plan or the will to course correct, asks Prashant Kishor
Poll strategist and former JD(U) leader Prashant Kishor on Tuesday questioned the central government’s decision of extension of lockdown for another 19-days asking, “if we don’t get the desired result even by staying the course on our chosen path till 3rd May? Do we have an alternate plan or the will to course correct?”
Mr Kishor is currently working to associate youths of Bihar to help them elected as mukhias (village heads).
“It’s pointless to endlessly debate the rationale & modalities of the #lockdown2.
The REAL question however is what happens if we don’t get the desired result even by staying the course on our chosen path till 3rd May? Do we have an alternate plan or the will to course correct?” tweeted Mr Kishor on Tuesday hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to extend the lockdown for another 19 days, till May 3.
Earlier on April 8, he also had tweeted, “It is simply incomprehensible to see a police-led generalized lockdown pushed as PANACEA to get over a public health and economic crisis like #CoronaPandemic”.
Meanwhile, the government officials in the State said that the extension of the lockdown till May 3 has put a big question mark on the completion of dozens of projects related to annual flood control measures ahead of the monsoon in Bihar.
“Since projects for embankment repair and maintenance are “labour-intensive” we’ve to run against time to complete our projects once the lockdown will be over”, said an official of state Water Resources department.
-- Amarnath Tewary
Employers get extension for filing ECI contribution
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has extended the deadline for employers to file ESI contributions for February and March to May 15, the Union Labour and Employment Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The country is dealing with a very challenging situation due to COVID-19 pandemic. Many establishments are temporarily closed and workers are unable to work,” the Ministry said.
As a relief measure for employers, ESIC would give the extension and not charge any penalty or interest for the period, it said. Earlier, an extension till April 15 and May 15 for February and March contributions respectively had been given. Now, the deadline for both months’ contributions had been shifted to May 15.
This move would benefit the 3.49 crore workers insured under ESI and 12,11,174 employers, the Ministry said.
Meanwhile, for the welfare of workers hit by the lockdown imposed to curb COVID-19, the Ministry said in another statement that it had set up 20 control rooms that workers could call for help with “wage-related grievances”.
-- Damini Nath
68-year-old man second COVID-19 victim from Aurangabad
A 68-year-old man on Tuesday became the second COVID-19 fatality from Aurangabad in Marathwada region of Maharashtra, officials said.
The swab sample of the deceased was initially tested negative for novel coronavirus when he was admitted in the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on April 8, he said.
“His another swab sample was sent for testing on April 11 while he was under treatment, which tested positive. The patient was on a ventilator support. He breathed his last at 1:30 pm,” said GMCH Dean Dr. Kanan Yelikar.
The man was apparently infected by his son, who was found positive for COVID-19 after returning from Pune, Dr Yelikar said.
Earlier, a 58-year-old man died of COVID-19 in the first week of April.
-- PTI
Coronavirus could see UK GDP fall 13% in 2020: watchdog
Britain’s economy could shrink by 13 per cent in 2020 in the case of a three-month coronavirus lockdown, according to a scenario published Tuesday by fiscal watchdog the Office for Budget Responsibility.
“The resulting 13 per cent fall in annual GDP in 2020 would comfortably exceed any of the annual falls around the end of each world war or in the financial crisis,” the OBR said.
Fall kills man in Shillong hospital where doctor tested positive
A 26-year-old man undergoing rehabilitation from drug addiction fell to his death from a Meghalaya hospital that was sealed on Monday night after a doctor there tested positive for COVID-19.
Police in Meghalaya capital Shillong said the man died on the spot after falling from a considerable height from the window of Bethany Hospital early Tuesday morning. He was from Mawkyrwat in South West Khasi Hills district.
“We are yet to find out how or why he died. He might have tried to escape the detoxification regimen or panicked after the hospital was sealed,” an officer of the local Laitumkhrah police station said.
On Tuesday night, the State’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Alexander L. Hek said officials have been instructed not to let any patient undergoing treatment exit the hospital premises. The entire hospital was turned into a quarantine camp with the senior doctor who tested positive being isolated.
Soon after the doctor tested positive, a 48-hour curfew was clamped across East Khasi Hills district and the adjoining Ri-Bhoi district. Shillong is in East Khasi Hills district.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the State government has so far tested 90 samples of people who came into contact with the said doctor. "About 200 people had come into direct contact with him while another 1,800 secondary contacts have been identified so far," he said.
-- Rahul Karmakar
Global death toll tally crosses 120,000
The novel coronavirus has killed more than 120,000 people worldwide, nearly 70 percent of them in Europe, according to a tally compiled by AFP on Tuesday from official sources.
A total of 120,013 deaths have now been recorded since the epidemic first emerged in China in December, 81,474 of them in Europe.
The figures were collated using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Coronavirus statistics going down in Odisha: Patnaik
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed happiness on Tuesday over coronavirus statistics going down in the state.
Reviewing the COVID-19 situation in the state at a high level meeting through video-conferencing, Mr. Patnaik asked police to ensure that movement of agriculture products do not stop and those indulging in domestic violence during lockdown are punished.
"I am pleased to see coronavirus statistics are leveling in the state and going down. It is a good sign," Mr. Patnaik said.
According to the latest count, Odisha has 56 confirmed cases of COVID-19, out of whom 18 have recovered. One person has died in the state due to the deadly virus.
All pending MGNREGA payments cleared: Tomar
All pending payments of beneficiaries under MGNREGA have been cleared, Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar tells PTI.
Besides pensions additional cash is being transferred in accounts of more than 2 crore widows, senior citizens and specially-abled.
Plans for MGNREGA approved to kick-start work after lockdown, he adds.
Increasing sampling zone
Testing is being done on the basis of our sampling criteria, otherwise we cannot ensure proper use of the testing kits, says Health Ministry spokesperson.
We are increasing our sampling zone and are also introducing rapid tests, he adds.
Why 40 day lockdown?
Indian Postal Service is delivering medical supplies to individuals, hospitals and care centres, says a government spokesperson.
Health Ministry says 602 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals having 1,06,719 isolation beds and 12,024 ICU beds have been readied in country.
218 lifeline UDAN flights with 377.50 tonne essential medical cargo were sent to different parts of the country, particularly in north-east region, hilly States and Island territories.
If no cases are reported for 28 days at a stretch, it is believed that there will be no more cases in that particular area: Health Ministry spokesperson, to a query on the rationale behind 40-day lockdown.
Sufficient kits available for testing
ICMR spokesperson says over 2.31 lakh tests done so far and yesterday alone 21,635 tests were held.
Sufficient RTPCR kits are available and orders have been placed for 33 lakh kits and 37 lakh rapid test kits, he adds.
1036 people have been cured so far, 79 people were cured yesterday, says Health Ministry spokesperson.
Labour Ministry has set up 20 helplines for addressing grievances of workers, says Home Ministry spokesperson in the daily briefing.
About 32 crore poor people received financial assistance to the tune of Rs.29,352 crore so far as part of the Rs. 1.70-lakh crore PM Grib Kalyan package, says the Finance Ministry spokesperson.
COVID-19 Death toll in UP is now eight, said Amit Mohan Prasad, UP health department principal secretary. Total positive cases are now 657. - Omar Rashid
Ahmedabad readies country’s largest COVID-19 care facility
With Ahmedabad alone accounting for 346 of the total 617 coronavirus positive cases in Gujarat, the city civic body has readied the country’s largest COVID-19 Care Centre with a capacity to accommodate 2000 patients who are not suffering from any underlying health issues.
The facility, created in a hostel complex near the Gujarat University Complex, will ease the load of COVID-19 patients on government hospitals.
The care centre is also equipped with a library, and a Yoga and indoor game facility for patients.
“We can accommodate 2,000 patients in this facility, which is the first and the largest COVID Care Centre in the country,” said Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra. - PTI
Seven new COVID-19 cases detected in Nagpur
Seven new patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in Nagpur in Maharashtra, an official release said on Tuesday.
With detection of the new cases since Monday, the tally of the people infected by coronavirus has gone up to 54. All the seven patients were admitted in a government hospital in Nagpur.
WHO lauds India’s “tough and timely” anti-corona actions
The World Health Organization on Tuesday lauded “India’s tough and timely actions” against the coronavirus spread as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of current lockdown till May 3.
“It may be early to talk about results in numbers, but a six-week nationwide lockdown to facilitate effective physical distancing, coupled with the expansion of core public health measures such as detection, isolation and tracing contact of coronavirus positive people, would go a long way in arresting the virus spread,” said WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Director, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh.
Another death in Karnataka
The latest to succumb to the disease in the State is a 69-year-old male from Vijayapura.
Eleven more positive cases have been reported taking the total number to 258, according to the department”s midday bulletin.
The new cases include three each from Kalaburgi and Bagalkote, one each from Chikkaballapur, Belagavi and two from Bengaluru Urban.
A 26-year-old person from Hindupur, who travelled by a two-wheeler from Hindupur to Bengaluru on April 7 has now tested positive. - Afshan Yasmeen
Maharashtra forms task force for patient management protocol at dedicated hospitals
The Maharashtra government has set up a task force of specialist doctors to recommend a patient management protocol for serious and critically ill COVID-19 patients in dedicated critical care hospitals.
The nine-member task force will be under the chairmanship of Dr. Sanjay Oak.
2 deaths, 34 fresh cases in AP
Two deaths due to coronavirus and 34 new positive cases of the disease were confirmed in Andhra Pradesh, a state government bulletin said on Tuesday.
With this, the overall toll has now increased to nine and the number of affected in the state to 473.
Oldest patient to die
A 95-year-old man from Begumbur in Dindigul district, who had tested positive for COVID-19, died at the Government Karur Medical College Hospital on Tuesday. He is the oldest COVID-19 positive patient to die in Tamil Nadu.
121 new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra; State tally surges to 2,455
The number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra rose to 2,455 after 121 more people tested positive for the disease on Tuesday, a health official said.
Among the new cases, 92 were reported from Mumbai, 13 from Navi Mumbaai, 10 from Thane city, five from Vasai-Virar (in Palghar district) and one from Raigad, he said.
Maharashtra has so far reported 160 deaths due to coronavirus. - PTI
All domestic and international scheduled Airlines operations shall remain suspended till 11.59 pm of 3rd May 2020, says the Union Civil Aviation Ministry
Help the poor, appeals Amit Shah
Home Minister Amit Shah has requested the privileged to come forward and help the poor living in their vicinity. He tweeted that as Home Minister of the country he wanted to assure there is no shortage of essential supplies in the country.
He said the way State governments were working in close coordination with the Centre was praiseworthy. "The coordination has to be deepened so that all citizens follow the lockdown and no suffers from any shortage of essential supply, " Mr. Shah tweeted.
He said the contribution of doctors, health workers, sanitation workers and security personnel was touching and their contribution in these difficult times inspires every Indian. Every one should follow the guidelines and cooperate, he said.
Delhi will fully implement PM’s lockdown measures, tweeted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal soon after the Prime Minister ended his speech.
Passenger trains not to ply till May 3
All passenger train services on Indian Railways including Premium trains, Mail/Express trains, Passenger trains, Suburban Trains, Kolkata Metro Rail, and Konkan Railway will continue to remain cancel till the 2400hrs of May 3, 2020.
To ensure the essential supplies in various parts of the country, movement of goods and Parcel trains will remain continue, Indian Railways has said.
Ruling party MLA booked again for lockdown violation
After the lockdown was imposed in the country with an attempt to stem the spread of COVID-19 , the territorial police have registered a case against ruling Congress legislator A. John Kumar for the second time for violating prohibitory orders, on Monday evening.
Police acted against the legislator for distributing rice to a large gathering of people near his house. - Special Correspondent
Coronavirus cases surpass 200 mark in J&K
The corona-led lockdown in Kashmir entered 27th day on Tuesday with the infected cases crossing the 200-mark.
The total number of positive cases in the union territory has risen to 270 -- out of which 222 were in Kashmir and 48 in Jammu. Four patients have died in Jammu and Kashmir and 16 have recovered.
Indore recorded 56 new COVID-19 cases on Monday night, taking the city count to 362. With this, 647 cases have been detected in Madhya Pradesh so far: Pravin Jadia, Indore Chief Medical and Health Officer.
As many as 49 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Indore, taking the city count to 411. While 35 patients have died of the disease, 37 have recovered from it in the city: Pravin Jadia, Indore Chief Medical and Health Officer.
- Sidharth Yadav
6 new COVID-19 cases, including 2 deaths in Dharavi
Six new coronavirus cases, including two deaths, were reported from Dharavi on Tuesday, taking the total number of people affected by the disease in Mumbai’s slum area to 55.
New cases were found in Muslim Nagar, Kalyanwadi, Janata Society andRajiv Nagar localities of Dharavi. - PTI
45 new COVID-19 cases in Gujarat
The number of coronavirus cases in Gujarat rose to 617 as 45 more people tested positive for the disease.
Among the new cases, 31 were reported from Ahmedabad, nine from Surat, two from Mehsana, and one each from Bhavnagar, Dahod and Gandhinagar, according to the State Health Department bullettin. - PTI
SAI extends suspension of camps till May 3
All training camps at Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres across the country will remain suspended till May 3 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an extension of the ongoing national lockdown to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The athletes who are there in SAI Bengaluru and Patiala will continue to remain there,” PTI has reported.
CIC, ICs take pay cut
Chief Information Commissioner R.K. Mathur. File
Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners at the Central Information Commission have decided to voluntarily take a pay cut of 30% for one year in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Press Information Bureau has tweeted the resolution of CIC in this regard.
Coronavirus infection cases rise to 657 in Uttar Pradesh
As many as 657 people have tested positive so far for coronavirus, which has claimed five lives in Uttar Pradesh till now.
Joint Director-cum-State Surveillance Officer Vikasendu Agrawal of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) on Tuesday said, “A total of 657 corona-positive cases have been reported from the state. Till now, the state has reported five deaths -- one each in Basti, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Varnasi and Agra.”
One more tests positive for COVID-19 in Assam, count 31
One more person, who had come in contact with those who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi, tested positive for novel coronavirus in Assam on Tuesday, taking the state’s tally to 31, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
The 31 cases include one person who had died due to the virus.
Lockdown extended till May 3
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended the lockdown till May 3 as coronavirus cases in the country surpassed 10,000. Mr. Modi said the lockdown will be implemented even more stricter and some relaxations may be considered after April 20.
Mr. Modi also urged the people to follow the saptapadi (seven sacred vows):
1. Take care of the elderly
2. Strictly follow guidelines of lockdown
3. Increase immunity, follow Ayush ministry guidelines
4. Download Arogya Setu App
5. Help poor families
6. Don't take away jobs of your employees
7. Respect Corona warriors
China’s imported coronavirus cases climb to 1,464
China continued to grapple with imported cases of coronavirus after stamping out the disease from its epicentre Wuhan as it reported 89 infections on Monday and the rise in asymptomatic patients posed serious concern for authorities, health officials said on Tuesday.
India will emerge victorious in the fight, says Sonia Gandhi in video message
Hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the nation on the completion of the three week lockdown, the Congress party released a video in which party president Sonia Gandhi lauded the citizens for showing patience and restraint in staying inside their houses.
IMF approves debt relief for 25 countries
The International Monetary Fund on Monday announced immediate debt relief for 25 poor countries to help them free up funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Airlines prepare for take-off in post-coronavirus world
Airlines have started conducting mock drills to educate and prepare staff for the new social distancing normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which will promote a safe flying experience as and when commercial flights take to the skies again.
