Coronavirus India Live Updates: The total number of coronavirus cases in Delhi rose to 2,625 on Saturday, with 111 new cases and one death being reported in a day, according to Delhi government authorities. The death count from COVID-19 is now at 54 in the national capital.
The Delhi government on Saturday decided to implement the Centre's guidelines on opening of neighbourhood and stand-alone shops during the lockdown, but said no activity will be allowed in containment zones.
The number of coronavirus cases in India has soared up to 24,942, including 779 deaths, the Union Home Ministry said today, adding that 1,490 cases and 56 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with five recommendations to help the micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSME) sector amid the coronavirus pandemic. Mrs Gandhi said MSMEs contribute close to one-third to India's gross domestic product (GDP) and account for almost 50 per cent of the country's exports. The sector also employs over 11 crore people. But the lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic has put most economic activities to a halt and over 6.3 crore MSMEs "stand on the verge of economic ruin", Mrs Gandhi said in the letter.
"Every single day of the lockdown comes at a cost of Rs 30,000 crore to the sector. Nearly all MSMEs have lost sales orders, seen a complete cessation of their work, and have had their revenue negative impacted by the lockdown," the Congress chief said.
The doubling rate of virus-infected patients has improved to 10 days, from 7.5 days reported earlier this week, the Health Ministry said yesterday, suggesting that the lockdown has been effective.
