The West Bengal government announced that the lockdown will continue till the end of May , but will allow small shops and selective sectors to resume business from Monday in the green zone.
As the four-day complete lockdown came to an end in Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore Municipal Corporations, huge crowds were seen from early in the day at vegetable markets.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in its April 30 update said that 33,050 have been tested positive for COVID-19 . There have been 1074 deaths and 8,324 have been cured. Reports from States, however, put the figure of persons tested positive at 33,090 and death toll at 1079.
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 is a collection of our daily cartoons on COVID-19 .
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:
76 new COVID-19 cases reported in Delhi
Three deaths and 76 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Delhi on Wednesday, taking the total number of deaths to 59 and cases to 3,515, according to the Delhi government.
Of the 3,515 cases, 1,094 people have recovered and there are 2,362 active cases.
16 more COVID-19 positive cases from Rohtas, Patna and Munger districts taking the total number of cases in Bihar to 425.
Russian Prime Minister tests positive
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin says he has tested positive for the new coronavirus and has told President Vladimir Putin he will self-isolate.
First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov will temporarily perform Mishustin’s duties, but the prime minister said Thursday that he would stay in touch on key issues.
Mr. Mishustin, 54 ,was named prime minister in January.
During a video call, Mr. Putin voiced hope that Mishustin would continue taking part in drafting policies to shore up the Russian economy, which has been hurt by the virus pandemic.
AP govt. releases over ₹140 crore to fight COVID-19
The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday released ₹141.46 crore to combat COVID-19.
The amount would be spent on Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness to eradicate the disease under the National Health Mission, Finance Special Secretary K V V Satyanarayana said in an order.
Also, a sum of Rs 18.99 crore has been released through the Disaster Management Department for procurement of disinfectants and personal protection equipment for sanitary workers and also for containment of the contagion in rural local bodies
PM discusses potential economic reforms in mines and coal sectors to boost economy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a “detailed” meeting to discuss the potential economic reforms in the mines and coal sectors to give a boost to the economy in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The discussions involved ensuring easy and abundant availability of mineral resources from domestic sources, upscaling exploration, attracting investment and modern technology to generate large-scale employment through transparent and efficient processes, according to an official statement.
In the meeting with top officials, the prime minister laid special focus on improving the country’s self-reliance in production of minerals and their in-country processing.
Madhya Pradesh recorded 65 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking the tally to 2,625. Whereas, four deaths owing to the illness were reported on the day. This takes the State's toll to 137. Bhopal, Ujjain, Khandwa and Hoshangabad reported one death each. As many as 21 persons were discharged from hospitals after recovering from the illness. So far 482 persons have been cured, says State Directorate of Health Services.
Telangana reports a spurt in Covid-19 cases on Thursday, taking the total cases to 1,038. Three persons succumbed due to co-morbidities taking death toll to 28. Thirty-three persons were discharged total taking the total to 44. Active cases in the State is 568.
Maharashtra cumulative tally crosses 10,400
Maharashtra reported 583 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday to breach the 10,000-case mark as the State's cumulative tally soared to 10,498 cases. 27 deaths were reported from the State to take the total death toll to 459 thus far. Of these, 20 deaths were reported from Mumbai, three from Pune, two from Thane, and one each in Nagpur city and Raigad. As many as 180 persons were discharged today, taking the total number of discharged till date to 1773.
105 Covid positive dead in Bengal, 33 due viral infections, 72 due to commodities says Bengal govt.
More than 100 persons who tested positive for COVID-19 in West Bengal have died since the outbreak of pandemic few months back, of which 33 deaths are due to Coronavirus and 72 because of other 'co-morbidities', West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha said on Thursday. Meanwhile, number of testing went up hugely — 13% — in last 24 hours from 14620 to 16525.
"Altogether 105 cases they have examined this expert committee out of 33 they have are due to COVID infections and 72 due to co-morbidities, where COVID was incidental cause of death," Mr Sinha said, referring to a report by audit committee formed by the State government to look into deaths of COVID positive cases.
The audit committee was set up by on April 3, for “conducting audit of the suspected deaths due to COVID-19”. It was only after a nod from the committee that a death was reflected in the official tally of deaths in the State Department's official bulletin. If after investigation, the committee felt that death was due to "severe co-morbidities" - or due to other ailments — then the death was excluded from the list of people dying of COVID-19 in the State. Today's statement indicated 72 died of "co-morbidities." However people with "co-morbidities", also contracted the novel coronavirus.
Till Wednesday the number of deaths due COVID- 19 was 22. When asked whether the 11 deaths added to the official tally occurred within the past 24 hours, Mr Sinha denied such claims. He said that only two deaths, have occurred in the past 24 hours and the additions were because the audit committee recent report that has approved 11 more deaths due to COVID-19.
Chief Secretary added that another role of the audit committee was to look into "treatment protocol" of COVID-19 patients. Questions about setting up of such a committee was raised from several quarters including political parties in the opposition. Leaders of the Left parties hit the streets during the day raising questions about the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks on Wednesday that she had no role in setting up of the audit committee.
-- Shiv Sahay Singh
Governor Koshyari requests EC to declare elections for 9 vacant Coucil seats in State
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to declare elections to the 9 vacant seats of the Maharashtra Legislative Council ‘at the earliest’.
The Governor has made the request to the Election Commission to fill the 9 seats in the legislative council, that have been lying vacant from 24th April, with a view to end the current uncertainty in the State.
In his letter, the Governor has stated that the Central Government has announced many relaxation measures regarding the enforcement of lockdown in the country. As such the elections to the council seats can be held with certain guidelines, he has said.
Since Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray is not a member of either house of the State Legislature, he needs to get elected to the the Council before 27th May 2020.
The Election Commission had withheld the election process for these 9 seats following the Corona crisis.
Karnataka death toll rises to 22
Dakshina Kannada on Thursday registered its third Covid 19 death with the demise of 67-year-old woman from Bantwal.
The 67-year-old woman with severe acute respiratory illness was undergoing treatment under ventilator at the Goverment Wenlock Hospital. She was tested postive of COVID-19 on April 21. She is the neighbour of 50-year-old postive woman from Bantwal who died on April 19.
The total number of COVID-19 deaths reaches 22.
Gujarat reports 17 deaths taking total to 214
Gujarat adds 313 new infections and 17 deaths, bringing the total numbers to 4395 cases and 214 fatalities. Today, 89 patients have recovered and discharged, taking the total recovery to 613.
Arunachal gets its first COVID-19 testing lab
Arunachal Pradesh Health Minister Alo Libang on Thursday inaugurated the state’s first laboratory at a hospital near here for conducting COVID-19 tests, making it the third state after Assam and Mizoram in the north-east region to have such facility.
The laboratory was inaugurated at the state-run Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIMHS) in Naharlagun, which was designated as a dedicated centre for treating coronavirus-infected patients.
The new facility can conduct 100-120 COVID-19 tests per day, and now there is no need to send samples to Guwahati or Dibrugarh, the minister said.
A similar laboratory will also be set up at Pasighat General Hospital, he said, adding that the government is building infrastructure to set up a temporary healthcare centre at Midpu, about 20 km from here, for treating COVID-19 patients.
Two migrants test positive; active cases four in Chhattisgarh
Two migrant labourers from Jharkhand tested coronavirus positive in Chhattisgarh on Thursday, taking the number of such patients in the state to 40, of whom 36 have been discharged so far, health officials said.
Talking to PTI , public relations officer of AIIMS- Raipur, said that total nine people, including some migrant labourers from Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh, had tested positive in the rapid-testing method and were kept in the isolation ward at the hospital, where their RT-PCR tests were conducted.
“Two of them, a 26-year-old and another aged 25 years, tested positive this afternoon. With this, total four active cases are currently being treated in the COVID-19 ward of AIIMS,” he said.
Their condition is stable and they are getting treatment as per the guidelines of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
25 new COVID19 cases reported in Dharavi on Thursday. The total number of positive cases in Dharavi is now 369, death toll 18, says Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
60,000 foreign nationals evacuated from India in view of COVID-19: MEA
About 60,000 foreign nationals from 72 countries were evacuated from India in the midst of the coronavirus lockdown, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.
Anurag Srivastava, the spokesperson in the ministry, said the issue of evacuation of Indians stranded abroad is also under discussion and that all the Indian missions are extending all possible assistance to the diaspora community.
Indian missions are making exceptional efforts to provide assistance to stranded Indians, he said at an online briefing.
It is learnt that the government is working on a mega plan to deploy a raft of naval ships as well as military and commercial aircraft to evacuate thousands of Indians stranded in the Gulf and other regions after the nationwide lockdown ends.
Essential to maintain supply chain of goods and services, says MHA
Ministry of Home Affairs reiterated on Thursday that separate passes are not required for trucks and goods carries to move across States.
In a letter to all States and Union Territories Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla asked to ensure free movement of trucks, including empty trucks. MHA had earlier written to April 3 and April 12 stating the same.
"It is now reiterated that no separate passes are required for through traffic of trucks and goods carriers, including empty trucks etc. This is essential for maintaining the supply chain of goods and services across the country during the lockdown period," MHA said.
MHA asked States to inform district authorities and field functionaries so that there is no ambiguity at the ground level. The ongoing lockdown imposed first on March 24 in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to end on May 3.
-- Vijaita Singh
Punjab confirmed cases total reach 480
105 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Punjab on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 480 out of which 356 cases are active. 104 patients have been cured of the infection while 20 other lost their lives, says Punjab Health Department
TN reports 161 new cases
Tamil Nadu on Thursday reported 161 new cases of COVID-19 in the State. With his, the total count rises to 2323. Out of which 48 were discharged today. Total persons discharged is 1258. Tamil Nadu reported no deaths on Thrusday.
11 more die of COVID-19 in West Bengal, death toll reaches 33
Eleven more people died of COVID-19 in West Bengal, taking the death toll in the state to 33, Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha said on Thursday.
In the last 24 hours, Mr. Sinha said, 37 fresh coronavirus cases have been reported in the State, and 15 people were discharged from hospitals following their recovery.
Currently, West Bengal has 572 active cases. At least 139 people have recovered, he said.
Since Wednesday, 1,905 samples have been tested for the virus. The total number of samples examined so far stands at 16,525, the senior officer said.
According to the state health department, West Bengal has reported a total of 744 COVID-19 cases. The Union health ministry, however, stated that the total was 758.
30 new cases in Karnataka
30 new cases have been detected in the State on Thursday. With this the total number of cases touched 565. These include 21 Covid deaths and one non-Covid death.
Two more hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients in Delhi
The Delhi government on Thursday declared two more private hospitals, Maha Durga Charitable Trust Hospital and Sir Gangaram City Hospital, as COVID-19 treatment facilities, as there is a “shortage” of isolation beds in private hospitals, according to an official order.
Modi holds meeting to discuss strategies to attract foreign investments
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a comprehensive meeting to discuss strategies to attract more foreign investments into India as well as to promote local investments in order to give a boost to the economy against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, says Prime Minister's Office
During the meeting, Mr. Modi directed that the action should be taken for a more proactive approach to handhold the investors, to look into their problems and help them in getting all the necessary Central and State clearances in a time-bound manner.
It was discussed that a scheme should be developed to promote more plug and play infrastructure in existing industrial lands/plots/estates in the country and provide necessary financing support.
14 new cases detected in Odisha
Total number of COVID-19 cases in Odisha climbed to 142 on Thursday after detection of 14 new cases with West Bengal links in Jajpur district of the State on Thursday, the State government said. Three new cases were reported from the district earlier in the day.
MP brings back over 20,000 stranded migrant workers
The Madhya Pradesh government on Thursday said it has brought back over 20,000 migrant labourers, who were stranded in other states due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Additional chief secretary I C P Keshari, who is in- charge of the state control room, said at least 20,000 migrant labourers, who were stranded in other states, were brought back to Madhya Pradesh so far.
Labourers travelling in 200 buses from Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Jodhpur and Jaipur cities had reached Neemuch, Agar-Malwa, Sheopur and Guna entry points in Madhya Pradesh, he said.
These migrant workers will be sent to their home districts after they undergo a health check-up, he said.
States whose doubling rate is better than the National Average are
Between 11 days to 20 Days
- - Delhi - 11.3 days,
- - UP - 12 days,
- - J&K - 12.2 days,
- - Odisha - 13 days,
- - Rajasthan - 17.8 Days,
- - Tamil Nadu - 19.1 Days,
- - Punjab - 19.5 Days,
Between 20 days to 40 Days
- - Karnataka-21.6 days,
- - Ladakh -24.2 days,
- - Haryana 24.4 Days,
- - Uttarakhand-30.3 Days,
- - Kerala -37.5 Days
Above 40 days
- - Assam - 59 days,
- - Telangana - 70.8 Days,
- - Chattisgarh - 89.7 Days,
- - Himachal Pradesh - 191.6 Days
COVID-19 patient escapes from isolation ward, found dead in Gujarat
A 50-year-old coronavirus patient, who allegedly ran away from the COVID ward of a civil hospital in Gujarat’s Surat city two days back, was found dead on a bench outside the medical facility on Thursday morning, police said.
A probe is underway into the matter, they said.
Preliminary inquiry and CCTV footage of the hospital indicate that the man did not go outside the hospital campus, located in Khatodara area, during the last two days, an official from Khatodara police station said.
The official further said the man “secretly” walked out of the COVID ward on the night of April 28 and disappeared.
Reliance cuts employees’ salary by 10-50%; Ambani to forgo entire salary
With coronavirus lockdown hitting businesses hard, India’s largest company Reliance Industries has decided to cut the salary of most of its employees by 10 to 50 per cent with firm’s chairman and richest Indian Mukesh Ambani agreeing to forgo all his remuneration.
Also, the oil-to-technology conglomerate has deferred annual cash bonus and performance-linked incentives that are normally paid in the first quarter, according to an employee communique.
The nationwide lockdown that began on March 25 had led to evaporation of demand as factories shut down, offices closed, air flights suspended, trains stopped and restrictions on the movement of people and goods placed.
3 more COVID-19 deaths, 118 new cases in Rajasthan
The death toll due to the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 58 in Rajasthan with three fatalities on Thursday, while the number of cases climbed to 2,556 after 118 more people tested positive in the state, an official said.
Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said of the three deaths, two occurred in Jaipur and one in Chittorgarh.
Jaipur alone has reported 32 deaths due to the pandemic so far.
As many as 118 new cases, including 83 in Jodhpur and 21 in Jaipur, have been reported. Four infections were detected in Ajmer, three in Chittorgarh, two each in Tonk and Kota and a case each in Alwar, Baran, Dholpur districts, the Health Department official said.
20-day-old baby boy tests positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra
A 20-day-old baby boy tested positive for COVID-19 in Kalyan town of Maharashtra’s Thane district on Thursday, a civic official said.
At least six more persons, including the baby boy, tested positive for coronavirus in Kalyan Dombivli Municipal limits, taking the count in the region to 162, including three deaths, said Dr Raju Lawangare, medical officer of health at the KDMC.
The infant’s mother had tested positive earlier and was being treated at a hospital, he said.
The six new COVID-19 patients include two workers of the APMC market in Vashi, a health department worker and an employee of a private hospital in Mumbai, he said.
Bihar appeals for special non-stop trains to bring back stranded migrants
A day after central government passed order to the state governments to bring back those students, migrants and tourists stranded in other states due to lockdown, Bihar government on Thursday appealed to the central government to run special non-stop trains to bring back as many as 27 lakh people of the state stuck up in distant places like Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi and Gujarat.
“Since the central government has passed order for the states to bring back those people who are stranded in other states, I’ll appeal to the central government to run special non-stop trains to bring back those people from far off places like Surat and Porbandar in Gujarat, Chennai, Bangalore, Maharashtra, Delhi and other places”, Deputy chief minister and senior state BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said.
Mr Modi in a two minute video released to the journalists also said that it was not “possible to bring back such a large number of stranded people by bus as it will take months time”.
“Over five lakh people stranded in Delhi, 2.68 lakh in Maharashtra, over two lakh in Gujarat…over one lakh in Karnataka have applied for the relief to the office of the chief minister”, he said.
The State government has appointed principal secretary of state Disaster Management Department, Prataya Amrit as the nodal officer to bring back the stranded people, he added. -- Amarnath Tewary
69 fresh COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh, total climbs to 2,203
Uttar Pradesh reported 69 fresh coronavirus cases on Thursday, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 2,203, a senior official said. The state has reported 39 deaths due to the virus — one each in Bareilly, Basti, Bulandshahar, Lucknow, Varanasi, Aligarh, Mathura, Shravasti, five in Meerut, six in Moradabad, two in Firozabad, 14 in Agra and four in Kanpur.
“Total number of cases reported in the state is 2,203 of which 513 have been treated and discharged. Thirty-nine deaths have been reported so far in the state due to the virus. The number of active cases are 1,651,” Additional Chief Secretary, Information, Awanish Kumar Awasthi told reporters.
Multiple organisations are coordinating a large number of trials, several vaccine candidates have been identified all over the world. Development of vaccines is time taking process, trials are at different stages, nothing conclusive has come so far: Health Ministry spokesperson.
Current doubling rate in COVID-19 cases is 11 days, before lockdown it was 3.4 days: Health Ministry.
Overall recovery rate now stands at 25.19%, says Health Ministry spokesperson Luv Agarwal. There is a progressive trend in recovery rate, 14 days ago it was 13.06%.
Doubling rate is now 11 days, he says. 78% deaths were those with comorbities.
IMCT Chennai reviewed the working of various control rooms, conducted surveys in the hospitals, shelter/old age homes and other infrastructure facilities, it found that there the recovery rate is 57%. Test reports are being provided in 24 hours, which is commendable.
The State government has also taken commendable action against cases of domestic violence. The team has suggested that more measures be taken to ensure proper lockdown.
Two of the Inter-Ministerial Central Teams visited Hyderabad and Chennai, says Health Ministry spokesperson.
Hyderabad team conducted surveys and found that there were adequate arrangements for PPEs and other medical supplies. It also visited hospital for COVID-19 test centre and found that all protocols are being followed. The hospital has treated 93% of the tests in the State, it also has a lab for 300 tests per day. After treatment, patients are dropped home by hospital vehicles, he adds.
Team also visited Humayun Nagar containment zone, it found that essentials are being provided to people door-to-door. Surveillance has been kept using drones, teams also visited shelter home.
MHA spokesperson at daily media briefing:
"Yesterday MHA issued directive for allowing travel of all the stranded persons. State governments should appoint nodal officers to develop standard protocols, respective State governments should arrive at an understanding on allowing the travels.
"For group travel, buses should be used while observing social distancing, buses should be sanitised. After reaching destinations, people should be checked to provide any medical assistance if necessary."
Not considering withdrawal of lockdown now: Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has said the State government is not considering withdrawal of the ongoing lockdown in near future but will weigh options to relax some restrictions in a phased manner.
“It is impossible to resume inter-state bus, train or air services after May 3. People have to accept the lockdown.
All the political parties in the state were briefed about the COVID-19 situation in the state,” Mr. Deb said after an all-party meet, adding that “no political party” has stressed on immediate withdrawal of the lockdown.
2 more deaths in Rajasthan
The death toll due to the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 57 in Rajasthan on Thursday with two more fatalities, while the number of cases climbed to 2,524 after 86 people tested positive.
Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said the two deaths occurred in Jaipur, which accounted for 32 of the total 57 fatalities in the state.
The state now has 2,524 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), out of which 592 have been discharged from hospitals. There are 1,662 active cases. - PTI
COVID-19 death toll in Indore rises to 68
The death toll due to coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh’s worst-hit Indore rose to 68 after three more people succumbed to the disease.
Three men, aged 40, 64 and 69, died of complications due to COVID19 in different hospitals of the district in last 12 days, Indore’s Chief Medical and Health Officer Praveen Jadia said. - PTI
Industries in Karnataka to resume activities from May 4
The State Cabinet decided to grant permission to industries located across the state, except in containment areas, to resume their production activities from May 4.
Only industries located in containment zones would not be allowed, Law and Parliamentary Minister J C Madhuswamy said after a cabinet meeting.
Two COVID-19 patients recover in Chhattisgarh
Two COVID-19 patients, including a pregnant woman, were discharged from Chhattisgarh’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Raipur on Thursday, after recovering from the illness.
As many as 36 persons have recovered from the deadly infection in the state, which now has only two active cases left.
At present, two patients, including a male nursing officer of AIIMS, are undergoing treatment. - PTI
Four more COVID-19 cases have been reported in Bihar. All of them are from Sitamarhi district. This takes the total number of cases in the State to 407. - Amarnath Tewary
Chennai ambulance driver tests positive after Tripura trip
The driver of an ambulance that travelled more than 3,100 km from Chennai to drop five people in Tripura has tested positive for COVID-19.
The test result came after the ambulance had already left Tripura on their return trip. The vehicle was stopped at Siliguri on northern West Bengal late Wednesday evening. - Rahul Karmakar
71 fresh cases in Andhra
Seventy-one fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 1,403, the government said on Thursday.
The toll remained at 31 in the last six days while 34 more patients got cured and were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, the latest COVID-19 bulletin said.
Temporary vegetable market at Broadway bus stand in Chennai closed after one person tested postive on Thursday.
Pune district reports over 120 new cases in 12-hour span
The district reported a record 12-hour surge of 127 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, taking the district’s cumulative tally of active positive cases to 1368, said health officials on Thursday.
“As many as 87 new cases were reported between 9 p.m. Wednesday and midnight, while a further 40 have been reported since then,” said District Health Officer (DHO) Bhagwan Pawar.
The district, which includes Pune city, the Pune rural and Pimpri-Chinchwad areas, has witnessed a surge of more than 300 new coronavirus cases since Monday this week, while its total death toll stands at 86, including three in the city on Wednesday. - Shoumojit Banerjee
Maharashtra issues strict directives to all hospitals
With the number of COVID-19 cases inching closer to 10,000-mark, Maharashtra government has issued strict directives to all hospitals regarding treatment of such patients.
This includes sending asymptomatic patients with no co-morbidities to home quarantine, assigning a unique ID to patients, and top priority on swab collection.
In case of death of a COVID-19 patient, the hospital administration should ensure that the body is shifted from ward within 30 minutes of death and and the body disposed within 12 hours, the directive said. - Alok Deshpande
UP police orders 10,000 PPE kits as 28 cops test positive
The Uttar Pradesh police has ordered over 10,000 personal protective equipments and asked cops above the age of 55 years with history of ill-health to stay off the frontline duty after 28 of them tested positive.
Directives have been issued to ensure that frontline police personnel, especially in hotspot areas, follow all security protocols using PPE kits, masks, gloves and sanitisers, according to DGP Hitesh Chandra Awasthi.
“We have given money, material, direction and guidance to local police chiefs to save our personnel,” he said. “The districts have to access and purchase things required and give it to their men.”
Meghalaya declares 10 of 11 districts as ‘green zones’
The Meghalaya government on Thursday declared 10 of the state’s 11 districts as ‘green zones’ and allowed inter-district movement there.
The decision was taken as no COVID-19 case was reported from these districts.
All the 12 COVID-19 cases in the state, including one death, have been reported in the state capital that falls under East Khasi Hills district.
4 more traders from Azadpur Mandi test positive
Four more traders from Azadpur Mandi, Asia’s largest vegetables and fruits market, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to authorities.
The total number of traders associated with the Mandi to be infected by COVID-19 now stands at 15, officials from the Azadpur Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) said.
Maldives reports first COVID-19 death
Maldives has reported its first death to the COVID-19 with the total number of positive cases standing at 280.
Health Minister Abdulla Ameen said Thursday that the victim was an 83-year-old woman from the capital Male.
Kasaragod Collector in quarantine
Kasaragod Collector D. Sajith Babu is in self-quarantine after the Health Department added him to the list of people who came into contact with a journalist who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on Wednesday.
The journalist, working in a visual media organisation, had interviewed the District Collector on April 19. The Health Department has details of the people whom the journalist met in the past 14 days.
The Collector’s gunman and driver have also been instructed to be in home quarantine.
Trump says he won’t extend social distancing guidelines, hopes to hold mass campaign rallies
President Donald Trump said Wednesday the federal government will not be extending its COVID-19 social distancing guidelines once they expire Thursday, and his son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, predicted that by July the country will be “really rocking” again.
To underscore his confidence, Mr. Trump said he plans to resume out-of-state travel after spending more than a month mostly cooped up in the White House, starting with a trip to Arizona next week.
No new domestic cases, no transmission from election
South Korea on Thursday reported no new domestic coronavirus cases for the first time since February, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.
KCDC reported four new infections, all imported cases, taking the national tally to 10,765. The death toll rose by one to 247, while 9,059 have been discharged.
Three more cases with West Bengal links, were reported from Jajpur district taking Odisha’s total 128, State Health Department said on Thursday.
With recovery of 39 and death of one so far, 88 patients are under treatment at COVID hospitals.
‘So what?’: President Bolsonaro asks as COVID-19 death toll soars
Brazilian right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, who has downplayed the gravity of the virus, calling it a “little cold,” came under new criticism for his remarks on the soaring deaths .
“So what? I'm sorry, but what do you want me to do?” Mr. Bolsonaro told reporters on Tuesday, saying he could not “work miracles.”
Nearly half of global workforce at risk of losing livelihoods due to COVID: ILO
Almost 1.6 billion workers in the informal economy, nearly half of the global workforce, face an immediate danger of losing their livelihoods due to the continued sharp decline in working hours because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the International Labour Organization has said.
More than 430 million enterprises in hard-hit sectors such as retail and manufacturing risk “serious disruption”, the UN agency added.
35 states release formal opening plans
As many as 35 of the 50 American states have released formal opening plans, as U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday exuded confidence that much better days are ahead for the country that has seen more than 61,000 deaths over the past two months due to COVID-19 .
“We mourn, and I have to say this so strongly we mourn every life tragically lost to the invisible enemy. And we are heartened that the worst of the pain and suffering is going to be behind us,” Mr. Trump said, during a White House roundtable with industry executives on “Opening Up America Again”.
Rajasthan launches mission to save people in high-risk groups from COVID-19
A mission to save the lives of people in the high-risk groups has been launched in Rajasthan with the emphasis on identifying people above 60 years, people suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer and pulmonary disease, pregnant women and children below 10 years living in COVID-19 containment zones.
4 new labs raise testing capacity
With four new labs receiving approval to begin sample testing, the city’s daily testing capacity has increased by 400 samples.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which had issued notices to private labs Metropolis and Thyrocare for irregularities, is planning to allow Metropolis to continue testing in a restricted manner.
