India saw a doubling of the number of COVID-19 cases in the past week, with 328 more cases and 12 deaths reported on April 2.
Data from the State authorities puts the number of positive cases at over 2600 and the death toll at 76.
Worldwide, the number of coronavirus infections has hit 1 million , with more than 50,000 deaths, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.
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 , and a map of confirmed cases in India .
The new 24/7 national helpline numbers are 1075 , 1930, 1944 (dedicated to Northeast), 1800-112-545 and 011-23978046 .
Email: ncov2019-at-gmail.com.
The Prime Minister has announced a WhatsApp helpdesk number : 9013151515 .
Here are the latest updates:
217 perosns at ITBP quarantine centre after evacuation from Italy test negative
A group of 217 Indians evacuated from Italy have been found negative for the coronavirus after spending over a fortnight at an ITBP quarantine facility.
"The batch of 217 members, who arrived from Italy’s Milan town tested negative in COVID test after 14 days of quarantine. The batch has been quarantined at Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Facility Chhawla since their arrival on 15 March, 2020," says ITBP spokesperson.
- With PTI inputs
COVID-19 death toll in Europe passes 40,000
The new coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 40,000 people in Europe, more than three-quarters of them in Italy, Spain and France, according to a report compiled by AFP from official sources on Friday.
With a total of 40,768 deaths (out of 574,525 cases), Europe is the continent hardest hit by COVID-19.
Telangana reports 75 new cases
Telangana records highest single day rise in COVID-19 cases on Friday with 75 new positive cases. Total cases rose to 229 while total deaths reached 11.
Delhi reports sixth COVID-19 death
Two deaths and 93 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Delhi on Friday, taking the total number of deaths to six and total cases to 386, according to the Delhi government.
Of the 93 new COVID-19 positive cases, 77 are people from a centre run by Tablighi Jamaat in Nizamuddin, which has been evacuated by the authorities.
A total of 259 people from the centre have been tested positive for COVID-19 so far just in Delhi alone.
Till Thursday, Delhi had 293 cases of COVID-19.
- Nikhil M Babu
UN chief welcomes adoption of resolution by General Assembly
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday welcomed the adoption of a resolution that has called for intensified international cooperation to defeat the coronavirus, describing it as an important step in the fight against the pandemic and its economic and social consequences.
The General Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted the resolution, co-sponsored by 188 nations including India.
It’s a very important step, gathering all countries of the world in a very strong commitment against COVID19 and its consequences, namely its economic and social consequences,” Mr. Guterres said.
“And of course, the Secretariat and myself will do everything possible to implement the resolution, and to make sure that the UN remains a key factor in the fight against COVID19, Guterres said during a virtual press briefing Friday.
The resolution titled ‘Global solidarity to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)’ was the first such document on the global pandemic to be adopted by the world organization. The UN Security Council is yet to discuss the coronavirus outbreak, even as the total number of coronavirus cases across the world crossed one million.
6 fresh cases in Punjab, 2 of them attended Tablighi Jamaat
Two persons, who had attended Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi last month, are among six people who tested positive for coronavirus in Punjab on Friday, officials said.
With this, the total count of coronavirus cases in the state rose to 53, they said.
Two fresh cases were reported from Mohali, three Amritsar and one Ludhiana, according to a media bulletin.
“Two more positive cases in Mohali district. They had attended a religious congregation in Delhi,” Mohali Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan tweeted.
Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta on Thursday said around 200 people from Punjab had visited Delhi’s Nizamuddin for the congregation, affecting 12 districts in the state.
67-year-old man dies in Ahmedabad
A 67 year old male patient dies in Ahmedabad civil hospital. He was infected with Coronavirus and had comorbid conditions. Today two patients have died in Gujarat, taking the casualties to 9.
- Mahesh Langa
Odisha reports three new cases
Three more COVID-19 positive cases were detected in Bhubaneswar on Friday taking the total number of positive cases in Odisha to nine, according to State Health Department.
- Prafulla Das
Home Minister rolls out ₹11,092 crore to States
Home Minister Amit Shah approves release of ₹11,092 crore under the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF), to all States in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
One more person test positive in Ujjain
A person from Ujjain tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, taking the count to 129 in Madhya Pradesh, said the Chief Medical and Health Officer, Ujjain. The city has recorded seven patients and two deaths so far.
- Sidharth Yadav
Three new cases in Karnataka, count reaches 128
Three persons from Belagavi tested positive for COVID 19. They had all attended the Tablighi Jamaat markaz congregation in New Delhi in March. This takes the state’s total to 128.
They include a 70 year old person numbered patient -126, a 26 year old person named Patient 127 and a 20 year old person named Patient number 128.
They are all being treated at the designated COVID hospital in the district civil hospital in Belagavi, said a release by the State Health department in the evening bulletin.
U.K. reports record 684 COVID-19 new deaths in 24 hours
Britain on Friday reported a record 684 new COVID-19 deaths in its daily update, as the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus climbed by 4,450 on the previous 24 hours.
“As of 9am (0800 GMT) 3 April, a total of 173,784 people have been tested of which 38,168 tested positive. As of 5pm on 2 April, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 3,605 have sadly died,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.
Over 150 FIRs registered, 3,195 detained for violating lockdown norms in Delhi
Over 150 FIRs were registered and 3,195 people detained in the national capital on Friday for violating lockdown norms, the Delhi Police said.
According to data shared by the police, 156 FIRs were registered under Section 188 (for disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code till 5 pm.
A total of 3,195 people have been detained under Section 65 (persons bound to comply with reasonable directions of police officers) and 365 vehicles have been impounded under Section 66 of the Delhi Police Act, the data added.
Ten new cases in Madhya Pradesh
Ten persons from Morena tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, taking the count to 128 in Madhya Pradesh. On Thursday, two persons had tested positive from the district.
- Sidharth Yadav
India’s oldest COVID-19 survivor, wife discharged from Kerala hospital
A 93-year old man, India’s oldest COVID-19 survivor, and his wife were discharged from the government Medical College Hospital here on Friday, days after they fully recovered, in what is being dubbed by the medical community as a “miracle cure”, officials said.
Thomas Abraham and 88-year old Mariyamma have recovered after days of life-and-death battle against the deadly coronavirus since their admission to the hospital on March 9, officials said.
“They are fine now. The decision to discharge them was taken after their latest sample test also turned negative for coronavirus,” a state government official said.
11 new cases in Pune district, count reaches 71
With 11 fresh cases, the tally for Pune Division has risen to 101, with 57 positive cases reported from Pune city, 14 from Pimpri-Chinchwad (Pune district tally at 71), 25 from Sangli district, three from Satara and two from Kolhapur district, informed Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr. Deepak Mhaisekar.
- Shoumojit Banerjee
No decision yet on extending curfew beyond Apr 14: Punjab CM
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday said any decision on extending the curfew imposed in the state beyond April 14 would depend on the prevailing situation.
Mr. Singh was reacting to reports in a section of the media which quoted him as saying that the government would not lift the curfew on April 14.
U.K. PM Boris Johnson continues self-isolation
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday said he would continue his self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, following a week of staying at home and working remotely.
“In my own case, although I’m feeling better and I have done my seven days of isolation, alas, I still have one of the minor symptoms... a temperature, so in accordance with government advice, I must continue my self-isolation until that symptom itself goes,” he said in a video message on Twitter.
- AFP
J&K reports five new cases
Five more COVID-19 cases were detected in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, taking the total number to 75. "The five cases comprise 4 in Kashmir and 1 in Jammu," an official spokesperson said.
President Kovind expresses concern over Anand Vihar situation, Tablighi Jamaat
Taking note of the problems faced by the homeless, the unemployed and the weaker sections of society during this [COVID-19] crisis, President Ram Nath Kovind said that the country would have to be extra sensitive towards their needs. He was speaking at a conference held with Governors and LGs.
He invited participants at the conference to deliberate upon the ways and means to ensure nobody remains hungry. Acknowledging that this was a big challenge, the President said that he was confident the Governors will contribute to the efforts made at the Central and State levels and involve all sections of society.
Stating that people had set an example by "showing exemplary courage, discipline and solidarity in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic", Mr. Ram Nath Kovind expressed concern over two incidents, the gathering of migrant workers in Anand Vihar and the congregation of Tablighi Jamaat in Nizamuddin, both in Delhi, that caused a setback to the efforts.
The President expressed appreciation for his fellow citizens for their patience and cooperation. He thanked the doctors and all officers and employees who have been serving society, the nation and humanity despite grave risk to their lives. He also expressed his full confidence that the people of the country will continue the campaign against the pandemic with full alertness and firm determination.
--Amit Baruah
Four new cases in Assam
Four more have tested positive for COVID-19 in Assam, taking the total to 20, said State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
All four had attended the congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin.
--PTI
91 new cases in Delhi in the last 24 hours
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has said that one more person evacuated from the Markaz has died, taking the total number of deaths to five.
91 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Delhi in the last 24 hours.
"The number of cases may seem high but a majority of these are related to those with travel history; there is no community spread," he said.
"A total number of 1787 centres set up by the Delhi Govt are providing meals every day to those in need; 6.50 lakh people had lunch, 6.30 lakh had dinner at these.
"Delhi Govt. is launching a dedicated helpline number 8800007722 on Whatsapp to provide information about the coronavirus, centres set up for those in need," he added.
--Jatin Anand
Cases in Tamil Nadu climb to 411
State Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar has tweeted that the number of positive cases in Tamil Nadu now stands at 411 .
Out of the 3,684 samples, 2789 have tested negative, 7 have been discharged, 411 are positive and 484 are under process, Mr. Vijayabaskar added.
This is the third straight day the state has witnessed a surge in the number of positive cases.
On Wednesday it had reported 110 positive cases and on Thursday 75 with all but one being returnees from a recent Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin West, the country’s biggest hotspot of the pandemic.
Google Maps offers user location data to health officials
Google Maps is offering user location data to help public health officials spot increase or decrease of movement across high-level categories of places — such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces and residential areas.
47 persons who attended Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi test positive in U.P.
Forty-seven persons who attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi have tested positive in U.P., said Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awasthi Awasthi.
The government has so far identified 1203 people associated with the event in the State.
Positive cases have jumped to 172 with the emergence of these 47 new cases across U.P., said Amit Mohan Prasad, Principal Secretary, Health, U.P.
--Omar Rashid
More than 900 deaths in Spain for second day
More than 900 people died in Spain over the past 24 hours for the second day running, government figures showed on Friday, although the rate of new infections and deaths continued to slow.
647 cases linked to Tablighi Jamaat in 14 States: Health Ministry
Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agrawal said there have been 647 confirmed cases linked to Tablighi Jamaat cluster in 14 States.
"30 lakh people have downloaded the Covid-19 tracking app Aarogya Setu, " Mr. Agrawal said.
"Without physical presence, farmers can sell agri-products through eNam website, through which 585 mandis have been linked, 415 more to be added," he added.
"Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has expressed concern over attacks on health workers engaged in the fight against Covid-19.
"State governments have been ensuring effective lockdown. There have been some incidents of attacks on health workers. The government has asked the State governments concerned to take strict action against those involved," he said.
An ICMR spokesperson said that 8000 samples have been tested since yesterday and 66,000 samples have been tested so far.
960 foreign nationals have been blacklisted, and action being taken under Disaster Management Act and the Indian Penal Code, in connection with the Tablighi Jammat cluster cases, a Home Ministry spokesperson said.
Chief Secretaries of the States have also been asked to make arrangements for smooth disbursal of benefits under the PM Garib Kalyan Yojna, while ensuring social distancing measures, the spokesperson said.
The Home Ministry has also issued directions for initiating action against the 360 foreigners who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat meeting in Delhi and gone back.
-- Devesh Pandey
Kerala allows home delivery of food and essentials
The Kerala government on Friday sanctioned the door-to-door delivery of food from hotels and bakeries till 8 p.m. Shops selling essential supplies can also undertake door delivery till 8 pm.
RBI cuts hours for currency, govt securities markets
The Reserve Bank of India has reduce the timing of market hours from April 7 to April 17 due to the unprecedented situation that has emerged due to the spread of coronavirus.
Call money market, government securities market, currency market, and many others which typically opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. will mostly now be open between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Quarantined migrants attack officials in Bihar villages; run away from centres
Hundreds of thousands of migrants who recently reached their home town in Bihar from different parts of the country, covering over 1,000 km on foot or pedalling ‘thelas’ (cart-wheels) or cycle-rickshaws, have now started either fleeing from State government’s quarantine centres in local government schools or are attacking the officials reaching out to them for their identification.
UP govt. imposes NSA against 6 Tablighi members for misbehaving with nurses
The Uttar Pradesh government has said it will impose the National Security Act against the six persons associated with the Tablighi Jamaat , who are accused of misbehaving with the women staff of the district hospital in Ghaziabad.
OPD services at LNJP, GB Pant hospitals to be shut April 4 onwards
The OPD services at the LNJP Hospital and the GB Pant Hospital will be closed from April 4 onwards, Delhi government authorities have said.
Both these hospitals are among the five facilities in Delhi designated for treatment of COVID-19 patients.
--PTI
India’s power demand falls over 25% to 125.81 GW on April 2
India’s peak power demand slipped over 25% to 125.81 GW on Thursday compared 168.32 GW on April 2 amid the lockdown to contain COVID-19 outbreak , showed power ministry data.
Plea in SC seeks minimum wages for migrant workers
The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the plight of migrant workers , especially in the unorganised sector, during the lockdown and asked the Union government to respond by April 7 to a petition demanding that Central and State governments should pay them minimum wages.
18 Tamil Nadu districts now have designated hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients
A total of 21 hospitals, including four in Chennai, have been notified as designated hospitals for the treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients in Tamil Nadu. Each of these hospitals will cover patients from earmarked districts.
News photographers crowd around a Tiruchi corporation official, on Friday, April 3, 2020.
Ghaziabad police file FIR against six who attended Tablighi congregation
After a complaint was lodged by the woman staff of the MMG district hospital against persons who attended the Tablighi Jamaat’s congregation in Delhi and were admitted to the isolation ward of the hospital, an FIR has been registered by the Ghaziabad police against six persons.
ICMR gives go ahead for COVID-19 testing in labs under DBT, CSIR, DAE
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has given its consent for initiation of COVID-19 testing in laboratories under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
The DBT, DST, CSIR and DAE laboratories have been advised to strictly follow ICMR guidelines before initiation of testing for coronavirus infection, an ICMR official said.
--PTI
Sixth case in Odisha
The sixth COVID-19 positive case of Odisha has been detected in Cuttack. The patient had recently travelled to Delhi.
--Prafulla Das
Private clinical establishments to face action if they close down essential services
The State Appropriate Authority, Clinical Establishments Act and Director of Medical and Rural Health Services has cautioned private establishments that provide maternal and child healthcare, and treatment for chronic illnesses against closing down their establishments and not offering medical services for their regular patients.
First COVID-19 death in A.P.
The Andhra Pradesh government has reported the State's first death due to COVID-19.
The deceased was a 55-year-old man who hailed from Vijayawada city outskirts.
According to a bulletin issued by A. Srikanth, nodal officer for COVID-19 contaiment, the deceased was admitted to the government hospital in Vijayawada at 11.30 a.m. on March 30 and breathed his last within an hour.
-- V. Raghavendra
During lockdown, Chennai police personnel play Good Samaritans
Police personnel are playing the role of the Good Samaritans in feeding hungry migrant labourers, platform dwellers and the wandering mentally challenged on the roads.
Senior official tasked with procuring drugs, equipment in Madhya Pradesh tests positive
A senior official tasked with procuring drugs and equipment for public healthcare institutions in the State tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday night, said sources at the Health Department.
An official, requesting anonymity, confirmed to The Hindu that the patient had contracted the illness which had infected 118 individuals and left eight dead in the State already. The government is yet to officially declare him COVID-19 positive.
-- Sidharth Yadav
Another case in Karnataka
Another case has been detected on Friday morning in Karnataka, taking the total number of cases in the State to 125. This includes three deaths and 11 discharged persons.
The new patient is a 75-year-old male. A detailed investigation is under process. The patient is isolated in a designated hospital.
--Afshan Yasmeen
Odisha announces shutdown in Bhubaneswar, Bhadrak till April 5
Odisha government announces complete shutdown for 48 hours from 8.00 p.m. today to 8.00 p.m. of April 5 in Bhubaneswar city and Bhadrak town to prevent community transmission of coronavirus.
All shops selling essential goods, barring some medicine stores, to remain closed both places during the 48 hour shutdown.
-- Prafulla Das
PM-CARES | Centre sends conflicting signals on foreign donations
Initially, Indian ambassadors were directed to mobilise donations from abroad , with SWIFT code details made available in order to accept such contributions. However, the Centre has now seemed to take a step back, indicating that foreign funds would be accepted only from individuals and foundations, with details for foreign donations unavailable for now.
Pudupet area in Chennai sealed after Tablighi Jamaat attendees traced
The entire Pudupet area is sealed, April 3, 2020.
The entire Pudupet area was sealed after five persons who attended the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi were traced there. They were taken to a hospital for testing last night.
-- Rajasekaran Sivaraman
NSA to be slapped against persons who attack policemen enforcing lockdown in U.P.
The stringent National Security Act (NSA) will be slapped on people who attack policeman enforcing the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Uttar Pradesh government said.
“The police is doing its duty by preventing people to come out during lockdown. There have been incidents in the State in which policemen were attacked by people. To deter such persons, it has been decided to invoke NSA against such persons,” a senior Home Department official told PTI .
Second death in Himachal Pradesh
A woman from Baddi in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district has died due to COVID-19 at the PGIMER in Chandigarh, a senior official said on Friday.
Her case was earlier unreported, Solan Deputy Commissioner KC Chaman told PTI .
With this, the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the hill state has risen to seven.
This is the second death in Himachal Pradesh due to COVID-19.
--PTI
Eight new cases in Uttar Pradesh
The number of COVID-19 cases has risen to 134 in Uttar Pradesh with a total of eight fresh cases reported in Agra and Jaunpur, officials said on Friday. While 6 cases were found to be positive in Agra, two positive cases were found in Jaunpur.
-- PTI
ICMR recommends antibody test for speedy detection of COVID-19 cases
To ensure speedy detection of coronavirus cases, those residing in COVID-19 hotspots or areas which have reported large numbers of cases may have to undergo a rapid antibody blood test for the viral infection.
7 new cases overnight
Seven residents of Indore tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday night, taking the city count to 89, said officials at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore. The number of cases in Madhya Pradesh stands at 118 now.
--Sidharth Yadav
12 new cases in as many hours
The number of cases in Andhra Pradesh continued to rise as 12 persons tested positive in as many hours since 10 p.m. Thursday night.
With this, medical and health officials said, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 went up from 149 to 161 in the State.
Meanwhile, the lockdown is being implemented across the State as per the guidelines issued by the Centre while Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is monitoring the situation arising from the public hazard.
-- V. Raghavendra
One dead in Gujarat
Seven new Coronavirus positive cases recorded in Gujarat while one infected patient has succumbed to the infection, Health Department has said.
Out of the 7 cases reported from Ahmedabad, one person had attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi.
The total number of cases in the State reaches 95 cases, including eight deaths.
All seven cases reported today were from Ahmedabad, which has been identified as one of the hotspots for Coronavirus pandemic.
The deceased was from Godhra.
So far, 10 patients have been discharged after complete sure. 75 are stable while two patients are on ventilators in the State, a State bulletin said.
Twenty one COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Rajasthan today.
This includes seven from Tonk who were contacts of Tablighi Jamaat members found infected earlier.
Others include seven Tablighi Jamaat members - six from Maharashtra and one from Jharkhand - who were already under isolation in Rajasthan University of Health Sciences' hospital.
This takes the total number of cases in Rajasthan to 136.
Second case in Jharkhand
Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, a second COVID-19 positive case has been reported. The man is from Hazaribagh district and has been put under isolation.
Sara Bareilles reveals coronavirus diagnosis, says she has ‘fully recovered’
Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles has revealed that she had contracted coronavirus but has since made a full recovery.
The 40-year-old American musician shared her diagnosis and her recovery on Instagram.
"I had it, just so you know. I’m fully recovered, just so you know. And I am just thinking about all the people who are walking through this really tricky time and sending a lot of love and just being really grateful for every easy breath and every day that I get to be walking around,’" Ms. Bareilles said in a video.
- AP
Odisha's first COVID-19 patient who was being treated at Capital hospital in Bhubaneswar has recovered and tested negative for the disease. He will be discharged today.
The number of active COVID-19 cases in the State is now three, according to the State Health Department.
China to observe April 4 as mourning day for coronavirus victims
China will observe a national day of mourning on Saturday for martyrs, including the “whistleblower” doctor Li Wenliang , who sacrificed their lives in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak and the over 3,300 people who died of the COVID-19 in the country.
During the commemoration, national flags will fly at half-mast across the country and in all Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, and public recreational activities will be suspended across the country, official media reported on Friday.
At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Chinese people nationwide will observe three minutes of silence to mourn the deceased.
PM Modi urges people to light candles, mobile torches for nine minutes at 9 p.m. on April 5
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 3 asked Indians, entering the ninth day of a harsh lockdown , to demonstrate collective will to fight the coronavirus , a token demonstration of which, he said, would be to light candles, lamps, mobile torches for nine minutes on April 5 at 9 p.m. “There is no bigger force than our conviction and resolve. There is nothing we cannot achieve with these forces,” he said.
Addressing the nation via a video conference, Mr. Modi made it very clear that the coronavirus threat could only be combated with the full co-operation of the people, and that the collective strength was what would take the country out of what he termed “darkness that engulfs us” in the form of coronavirus.
South Korea has 86 new cases, total over 10,000
South Korea has reported 86 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing its caseload above 10,000.
South Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday said about half of the new cases came from the densely populous Seoul metropolitan area, where infections linked to international arrivals have been rising.
Another 22 infections were detected at airports where workers have been isolating and testing passengers arriving with fever or respiratory symptoms.
South Korea has been enforcing two-week quarantines on all passengers arriving from overseas since Wednesday to stem a rise in imported infections.
- AP
Singapore reports fifth death
Singapore reported another coronavirus-related death on Friday, raising the city-state's total fatalities from the disease to five.
The latest death was of an 86-year-old female Singapore citizen, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
The country has reported 1,049 coronavirus cases in total. — Reuters
27 persons who attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation test negative
Twenty-seven of the 33 people from the Belagavi district of Karnataka who attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Nizamuddin, Delhi, have tested negative for coronavirus.
The results of six others are awaited.
The district administration had identified 62 persons from Belagavi district who had attended the meeting in new Delhi in March. However, only symptomatic cases are being tested.
Of them, the throat swab samples of 33 suspected cases had been sent for testing. The tests of 27 have proven negative and the results of six are awaited.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Police S.B. Bommanahalli has urged the people to declare if they had attended the meeting.
Members of the general public who have knowledge of anyone from their village attending the meeting have been requested to inform the concerned teheshildar. — Special Correspondent
24 Indian expatriates test positive for Covid-19 in Kuwait
Twenty four Indian expatriates have tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday in Kuwait, signaling that New Delhi will have to keep an eye on the conditions of millions of Indian workers in the Gulf, where the footprint of novel Coronavirus is gradually expanding.
The daily Kuwait Times quoting Kuwaiti Health Ministry, reported on Thursday that 28 new coronavirus cases have been reported beteween April 1 and April 27, of whom are expats, including 24 Indians, two Bangladeshis and one Nepali. This raises the total number of Covid 19 cases in Kuwait to 317. — Atul Aneja
Air India to bring personal protective equipment from Shanghai, Hong Kong
Air India has received China’s clearance to operate cargo flights to Shanghai and Hong Kong to help Indian pharmaceutical companies import personal protective equipment for frontline health workers.
“We have secured requisite approvals from Shanghai for our flights on April 4 and 5 and await clearances for flights on April 6,7 and 8. Permissions have also been obtained for operations to Hong Kong,” Air India Chairman and Managing Director, Rajiv Bansal, said at a press conference.
The flights are being operated on commercial basis following demands from pharmaceutical companies and their intermediaries and will carry cargo on inbound as well as outbound flights.
Chinese figure of 82,000 COVID-19 cases ‘not accurate,’ says Nikki Haley
Indian-American politician Nikki Haley has cast doubt on the accuracy of China’s official coronavirus figures , terming them “clearly not accurate”, amidst reports that the CIA has advised the White House not to trust the data being provided by Beijing.
“China has reported only 82,000 coronavirus cases & 3300 deaths in a nation of 1.5 billion people. This is clearly not accurate,” Ms. Haley, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, said in a tweet on Thursday.
As compared to China, the number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the U.S. on Thursday jumped to 240,000 and the fatalities rose to 5800.
World Bank approves $1 billion emergency funds for India to tackle pandemic
The World Bank on Thursday approved $1 billion emergency financing for India to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, which has claimed 76 lives and infected 2,500 others in the country.
The World Bank’s first set of aid projects, amounting to $1.9 billion, will assist 25 countries, and new operations are moving forward in over 40 nations using the fast-track process, the bank said. The largest chunk of the emergency financial assistance has gone to India — $1 billion.
Six more COVID-19 positive cases have been detected in Bihar, bringing the total tally in the State to 30. More details are awaited.
How T.N. handled Delhi Tablighi Jamaat event fallout
Has Tamil Nadu really got the lid on what it perceived as a big threat to its efforts to control the pandemic? With 1,103 people who attended the Tablighi Jamaat conference in Nizamuddin in Delhi, identified, health authorities do believe that the bulk of cases are under control.
The transformation from apprehension to confidence has been literally overnight. Until Monday, 515 people had been identified and the State government unsure of tracing every single person who attended the event in Delhi. In an initial batch, 16 out of 17 people whose swabs were picked up tested positive.
Dharavi emerges as COVID-19 hotspot
With coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) claiming its first victim in Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum is a hotspot. On Wednesday, Dharavi reported its first case, a 56-year-old garment shop owner from Baliga Nagar, and the person died on the same day.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai Police are checking whether he had come in contact with anyone from Tablighi Jamaat. He had no history of foreign travel. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone V) Niyati Thaker said, “The person had another house in the same area and it seems some members of Tablighi Jamaat were staying there. Some other members of the Jamaat were also staying in a local mosque. We are verifying.”
Published - April 03, 2020 07:50 am IST
