This Article is From May 02, 2020

Coronavirus Highlights: 83 COVID-19 Deaths In India, Total Cases Reach 3,577 Mark: Health Ministry

Coronavirus India Updates: US President Donald Trump today said that he has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to supply hydroxychloroquine tablets that can be used to treat COVID-19 patients.

Coronavirus Highlights: 83 COVID-19 Deaths In India, Total Cases Reach 3,577 Mark: Health Ministry

Coronavirus cases: Worldwide virus has infected more than 1 million people and killed over 50,000

New Delhi:

The union health ministry today said that 83 people in India have died from the coronavirus infection. The total cases rose to 3,577 tonight. India recorded the highest number of cases (601) and deaths (12) on Friday amid an unprecedented surge in the count over the last week linked to a controversial religious gathering in Delhi. More than 1,000 people who attended the religious held by Islamic group Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi last month have tested positive, the government said on Saturday. 

US President Donald Trump today said that he has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to supply hydroxychloroquine tablets that can be used to treat COVID-19 patients. PM Modi spoke to former president Pratibha Patil and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and other senior leaders to discuss issues related to the deadly COVID-19, news agency PTI reported.

The health ministry today said that there are total 3,374 confirmed coronavirus cases in India with an addition of 472 cases being reported yesterday itself. Total coronavirus deaths in India stood at 79 and 11 died yesterday. The ministry said that over 267 people have recovered from the deadly coronavirus disease, Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary to Health Ministry said.

The number of coronavirus cases in Tamil Nadu saw a sudden jump of eighty six cases. the number of cases in the state now reached to 571, state government said.

Here are the Highlights of the coronavirus (COVID-19) India outbreak:

Apr 05, 2020 22:43 (IST)
People have shown solidarity in this fight against coronavirus: Prakash Javadekar

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday said by lighting lamps and candles and turning off their lights, the people of this country have shown solidarity in the fight against coronavirus.
Apr 05, 2020 22:04 (IST)
Many Tablighi Jamaat returnees from south continue to test postive for COVID-19
Many Tablighi Jamaat returnees from southern states continued to test positive for coronavirus on
Sunday, with Tamil Nadu reporting the bulk of the numbers with 85 such infected persons, PTI reported. 
Apr 05, 2020 21:48 (IST)
Coronavirus News: PM Modi Tweets His Picture And Captions It With A Sanskrit Shloka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today tweeted his image of lighting lamps. He had asked the people to turn off their lights today at 9 pm for nine minutes to fight the darkness of coronavirus.
Apr 05, 2020 20:29 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Mangaluru Residential Complex Quarantined After 1 Mosque Event Attendee Tests COVID-19 Positive
A residential complex at Dakshina Kannada district in Mangaluru has been quarantined and the town sealed since Saturday evening after a 52-year-old man, who attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi, tested positive for coronavirus, police said.

The decision to quarantine the area was taken on the direction of the district health department, they said.

The infected man had attended the recent Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin in Delhi and returned on March 20.

Police have given stern instructions to residents of the apartment complexagainst going out and are tracing the people contacted by him after his arrival in Mangaluru.

He had attended a namaz in a mosque at Chempugudde and
visited some shops, the police said.

He was taken into custody on April 1 after the health department was informed that he had been to the Nizamuddin convention.

He was kept at a private commercial complex for two days and his swab samples were sent for test. As the result turned out positive, he was shifted to the Wenlock COVID-19 hospital, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 20:18 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Pune's COVID-19 Cases Reaches 104 After 21 Tests Positive
Pune's COVID-19 count increased by 21 today to 104, health officials said.

The district also witnessed three deaths from the infection over the past two days, including one today, they added.

"Seventeen cases were reported in Pune Municipal Corporation limits while four were in Pimpri Chinchwad area on Sunday. The total number of deaths in Pune region has now touched five," an official said, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 20:14 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Jharkhand Feeding 1 Lakh People Daily During Lockdown: Hemant Soren
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has said that his government is providing free meals to 1 lakh people on an average every day at 498 special "daal-bhat" centres opened across the state for feeding the needy during the lockdown period.

Besides, 875 regular "daal-bhat" centres are also operational, out of which 388 outlets are serving "khichdi", Mr Soren said in a letter addressed to the MPs and MLAs from the state.

Also, the Jharkhand Police is running community kitchens in 342 police stations, he said.


The state government has allotted Rs 50 lakh each to the deputy commissioners of the 24 districts and Rs 10,000 each to mukhiya of 4,562 panchayats in the state for combating coronavirus, he said.

Necessary funds have been given for distribution of 5,000 "emergency relief packets" in Ranchi district and 2,000 packets in each of the remaining 23 districts, the chief minister said, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 20:09 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Delhi Can Handle Upto 1,000 COVID-19 Cases Per Day: Manish Sisodia
Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia told NDTV that the coronavirus cases in India has jumped to 503, out of these 320 people have been cured from the disease. There are 61 foreigners who have returned from other countries with the disease. He mentioned that the community spread has not happened in Delhi till now.

He aasured that Delhi is prepared to handle 1,000 cases per day if need be. Mr Sisodia said that social distancing should be maintained. He said, "It is not about any religion or community but the instruction should have been maintained."


Apr 05, 2020 19:36 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Andhra Pradesh Reports 26 New COVID-19 Cases, Total Count Reaches 252
26 more coronavirus cases have been reported in Andhra Pradesh, this brings the total number of cases to 252, the state government said, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 19:33 (IST)
Coronavirus News: "Citizens Should Follow All Government Guidelines": President Kovind
Citizens should follow all government guidelines and practice social distancing to contain the spread of coronavirus, President Ram Nath Kovind said today.

In his message on the eve of Mahavir Jayanti, President Kovind said Lord Mahavira''s noble teachings of non-violence, truth and renunciation are relevant in every age and for every person.

"Let us get inspiration from Lord Mahavira's life and his teachings for spreading peace, love, virtue and harmony in the world," he said.

By following these teachings, an inclusive and egalitarian society can be created where everyone gets equal opportunities by promoting mutual coordination and harmony, the president said.

Keeping in mind the spread of COVID-19, he said, "Citizens should follow all government guidelines, including social distancing, to contain it."

According to a statement by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, he also extended greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens, especially the Jain community, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 19:30 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Maharashtra BJP MLA Distributes Ration On His Birthday, Defies Lockdown
A BJP MLA from Wardha district in Maharashtra today allegedly violated the lockdown norms by distributing dry ration to people at his residence to mark his birthday.

Confirming the incident, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Harish Dharmik said the MLA, Dadarao Keche, will face action under the Epidemic Diseases Act.

He said the MLA did not take any permission from administration in view of the ongoing lockdown to check the spread of novel coronavirus.

At least one hundred people gathered outside the MLA's residence to receive free grains before officials and police personnel reached the spot and dispersed them.

The MLA has denied the incident and said it was a "political conspiracy" against him by his opponents, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 19:26 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Congress's UP Unit Opens Community Kitchen To Feed Poor: State Party Chief
In a bid to help hungry people get food during the nationwide lockdown, the Uttar Pradesh Congress has started "Saajhi Rasoi" at its headquarters in Lucknow, the party said today.

In a statement, UP Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu said the party workers are working day and night to help the needy.

"The relief work is being done in the state under the supervision of party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The Congress workers with the help of administration are providing ration at the places, where it is needed. In many districts of the state, "Saajhi Rasoi" have been started. Such a kitchen started in the party's Lucknow office today. At this crucial juncture, we should stand with everyone," news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 19:22 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Coronavirus Deaths Jumps To 83, Total Cases 3,577: Health Ministry
The union health ministry today said that 83 people in India have died from the coronavirus infection. The total cases rose to 3,577 tonight.
Apr 05, 2020 19:11 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Case Against 176 People For Violating Lockdown Orders In Delhi: Police
Over 170 cases were registered and 3,531 people detained in Delhi today for violation of government orders during the lockdown imposed to combat coronavirus, the police said.

According to the data shared by the police, 176 cases were registered under section 188 (for disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code till 5pm.

A total of 3,531 people have been detained under section 65 (persons bound to comply with reasonable directions of police officers) and 388 vehicles impounded under section 66 of the Delhi Police Act, they stated.

A total of 782 movement passes have been issued, the police said, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 19:08 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Coronavirus Cases In Madhya Pradesh Becomes 13
The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Madhya Pradesh climbed to 13 today, after two more persons were infected with coronavirus in Indore, a health official said.

The dead peoson included a 53-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man, said the official at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 19:06 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Tamil Nadu Expects Upto 1,000 Megawatt Power Drop At 9 pm Today
Tamil Nadu's power managers expect a drop of upto 1,000 Megawatt tonight in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to people to turn off lights and instead light lamps, candles or mobile phone torches for nine minutes at 9 pm today.

Arrangements were on to cut down power generation in tune with the expected drop in demand tonight, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distrution Corporation sources said, adding the present electricity demand of approximately 10,000 MW was likely to go down to about 9,000 MW.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the people to show the nation's collective resolve to fight coronavirus by switching off lights for nine minutes starting at 9 pm today and instead light lamps, candles or shine light using mobile phone torches.

Electricity consumption during March-April is usually always on the upswing, with demand hovering around 15,000 MW during the past couple of years.

As electricity consumption has already dropped significantly in view of the lockdown, the expected additional slash in demand has got the power managers to take appropriate measures to maintain normalcy in terms of power generation, distribution and maintenance, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 18:59 (IST)
COVID-19 News: Coronavirus Cases In Gujarat Reaches 126 After 16 Delhi Mosque Event Attendees Return
As 16 more attendees of the religious congregation in Delhi's Nizamuddin were traced in Gujarat today, the number of such people found in the state so far has gone up to 126, of whom eight have tested coronavirus positive, a top police officer said.

Talking to reporters, Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) Shivanand Jha said of that of the 16 persons, 11 were traced in Junagadh district, two in Ahmedabad, and one in Chhota Udepur.

"With this, total 126 people have been traced in Gujarat so far, who had attended the Nizamuddin event and returned to the state. Their medical examination and quarantine process are being carried out," he said.

According to the officer, the video footage provided by around 179 drone cameras and several CCTV cameras across the state are being used extensively by the police to implement the lockdown, with as many as 11,383 first information reports have been lodged so far on the basis of drone footage, leading to the arrest of 3,601 violators news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 18:54 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Minister Tells Ghaziabad Magistrate To Waive Off Fees Of Educational Institutions During COVID-19 Period
Union Minister VK Singh today asked Ghaziabad District Magistrate (DM) Ajay Shankar Pandey to waive off fees of educational institutions for the COVID-19 affected period, using the Uttar Pradesh Disaster Management Act.

"Have asked DM Ghaziabad (Ajay Shankar Pandey) to exercise his powers under the Uttar Pradesh Disaster Management Act to waive off fees of educational institutions for the COVID-19 affected period," said Mr Singh.

This comes in the backdrop of 21-day lockdown imposed by the Central government to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. However, the essential services are still operating, news agency ANI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 18:51 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Telangana Police To Ensure Safety Of Doctors Working To Combat Coronavirus
Telangana Director general of police (DGP) M Mahendar Reddy today said the police force has been directed to ensure the safety and security of all doctors and other healthcare professionals working on the frontlines of COVID-19 pandemic.

The direction comes in the wake of assault on doctors and hospital staff at the state-run hospital in Hyderabad by relatives of a coronavirus patient, who died at the hospital over the last week.

In a release, Mr Reddy said all jurisdictional police officers have been directed to be in touch with doctors and other health care professionals dealing with COVID-19 cases and take stern action against those involved in attacks on them, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 18:46 (IST)
Coronavirus News: 2 New Coronavirus Cases In Odisha, Total Numbers Reach 21
Two more COVID-19 cases were reported in Bhubaneswar today. One is a 70-year-old man, who had returned from Australia and was home quarantined. Another is a 29-year-old man from Bomikhal.

"Two more COVID-19 positive cases in Bhubaneswar - a 70-year-old man of Kapila Prasad Housing Board Colony Phase II who had returned from Australia on 22.3.2020 (home quarantine case), and a 29-year-old male from Bomikhal found during active surveillance," said Department of Health and Family Welfare, Odisha.

As on April 4 at 10 pm, the State Health Department had reported 21 positive cases of coronavirus, news agency ANI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 18:42 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Over 1,000 Delhi Mosque Event Attendees Quarantined In UP
The Uttar Pradesh government today said 1,205 people, who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi's Nizamuddin last month and later returned to the state, have been quarantined so far.

Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said, "A total of 1,499 have been identified from the state so far who had attended the Jamaat. This includes 301 from Meerut zone, 281 from Bareilly zone, 67 from Kanpur zone, 232 from Varanasi zone, 108 from Lucknow zone, 147 from Agra zone, 56 from Prayagraj, and 213 in Gorakhpur. Of the 1,499, as many as 1,205 persons have been quarantined so far."

Among the attendees, 305 people were foreigners with passports of 249 of them seized, he added. Fourty-two first information reports  have been registered in 20 districts of the state and cases registered against 295 foreigners while efforts are on to ascertain the places they had visited since the event took place, Awasthi pointed out, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 18:37 (IST)
Coronavirus News: 86 New COVID-19 Cases In Tamil Nadu, Total Cases Rise To 571
As many as 86 people, including 85 returnees from the Delhi Tablighi Jamat meet today tested positive for coronavirus in Tamil Nadu, taking the total number of cases in the state to 571, a senior official said.

This is the fifth straight day the state has witnessed a sharp surge in the number of positive cases.

While 85 men were attendees of the conference, another man had a travel history to Dubai, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Beela Rajesh said.

The focus of the government at the present juncture was containment of the contagion and preventing community transmission, she said, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 18:33 (IST)
Coronavirus News: 25 In Maharashtra's Jalna Quarantined After Meeting 8 COVID-19 Positive Patients
Twenty-five people in Maharashtra's Jalna district who came in contact with eight people who tested positive for novel coronavirus in Latur have been admitted in the isolation ward of a government hospital in Jalna, officials said today.

The eight, all hailing from Andhra Pradesh, were arrested from a mosque in Latur, where they were staying after returning from a religious event in Ferozepur Jhirka in Haryana, an official said.

The reports of the eight returned positive on Saturday, he added, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 18:29 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Mizoram Celebrates Palm Day Behind Closed Doors Amid Lockdown
For the Christian believers across the world, Palm Sunday is a significant day that marks the beginning of holy week that culminates with Easter Sunday.

But this year it is being celebrated without a congregation due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Mizoram is no exception.

Children from all churches in Mizoram, accompanied by their teachers in Sunday school, would take out Palm Sunday processions early morning carrying palm leaves, and the chant of Hossana would echo across cities, towns and villages.

For the first time the Christians in the state, like their counterparts elsewhere in the world, could not visit churches and remained indoors due to the ongoing lockdown to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 18:24 (IST)
Coronavirus News: 30 30 Delhi Municipality Hospital Staffs Quarantined After Coming In Contact With Patient
New Delhi Municipality Council hospital's 30 workers who came in contact with COVID-19 positive sanitation worker placed under home quarantine, officials said, reported news agency PTI.
Apr 05, 2020 18:20 (IST)
Coronavirus News: 69-Year-Old COVID-19 Patient Dies In Punjab, Death Count Reaches To 6
A 69-year-old COVID-19 positive woman, with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, died at a private hospital in Ludhiana today, bringing the number of coronavirus-related deaths in Punjab to six, a health official said.

Ludhiana Civil Surgeon Rajesh Kumar also said the woman had no recent foreign travel history.

"She was a heart patient and had high blood pressure and sugar. She had earlier tested positive for novel coronavirus," Mr Kumar told PTI over the phone.

The official said she was admitted to a private hospital in Ludhiana in a serious condition on March 31, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 18:17 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Goa's Coronavirus App To Track Patients During Quarantine
The Goa government today introduced a mobile application for tracking suspected and asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 during their quarantine period.

Talking to PTI, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the app has been launched as part of the government's initiative to curb further spread of coronavirus.

"Goa health ministry has collaborated with a company to launch COVIDLocator, a GPS-based location tracker that will help in tracking suspected and asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 when they leave their quarantine zone," he said, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 17:47 (IST)
Coronavirus News: In Madhya Pradesh, 3 Test COVID-19 Positive
Three people, including a 13-year-old girl, tested positive for novel coronavirus in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh today, a senior official said, adding they were kin of a 93-year-old man who had arrived in Barwani from UAE on March 13 and died on March 30.

The elderly man had died in an Indore hospital and it is not known whether his samples were tested for coronavirus at the time, District Collector Amit Tomar said.

"The three who tested positive on Sunday are his relatives. They comprise a 13-year-old girl, two women aged 74 and 40. They were placed in isolation after the 93-year-old man died," he informed, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 17:43 (IST)
Coronavirus News: In Karnataka, Elderly-Couple Tests Covid-19 Positive After Travelling To Dubai
An elderly couple from Bengaluru with a travel history to Dubai joined the list of coronavirus patients in the state, taking the total number of cases to 146, the health department said today.

The list includes four deaths and 11 discharges.

The 68-year-old man and his 62-year-old wife, hailing from Madiwala in the city, had returned from Dubai on March 22.

They were quarantined at a private hospital and have been asymptomatic.

Meanwhile, the government appealed to people who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in New Delhi to contact 080-29711171 Arogya Sahayavani, the medical helpline number, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 17:38 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Air India Tells Travellers Of 4 Flights To Quarantine After 3 Test COVID-19 Positive
Air India has asked passengers who travelled in four of its flights in March to follow necessary isolation or quarantine after three passengers on those flights tested positive for coronavirus.

Two of these flights were from Goa to Mumbai, one from Mumbai to Delhi and another from Delhi to Patna.

In an appeal to passengers who were onboard these flights, the airline said it has got the information that three passengers who travelled with the fights have been found infected with coronavirus.

"As informed by Disaster Management Department of Bihar, one passenger who travelled from Mumbai to Delhi by AI-101 of March 22 and from Delhi-to Patna on AI-415 on March 23 has been found COVID-9 positive on March 31," the airline said in a tweet.


As appealed by the department, passengers who were on this flight are required to follow necessary isolation/quarantine process.

The national carrier also made similar appeals to the passengers of its Mumbai-Goa flights, AI 883 and AI 661, on March 22 and March 19, respectively, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 17:22 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Telangana Eye Doctor Quarantined After Attending Meeting For Delhi Mosque Event
An ophthalmologist at a state-run medical institute has been placed under hospital quarantine in Telagana after he attended the preparatory meeting for the Tablighi Jamat congregation in Delhi last month and his test results are awaited, officials said in Hyderabad today.

The COVID-19 test report of the eye specialist, working at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences at Adilabad, was awaited, they said.

The man, who is also a Jamat functionary and is reportedly an organising committee member,had visited Delhi on March 8, returned to Adialabad on March 10, a senior official said.

He did not disclose that he had taken part in the event and began attending to patients from March 12 to April 1, he told PTI.

However, he was not part of the religious congregation which was held later, the official said.
Apr 05, 2020 17:18 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Scientists, Delhi Police Crime Branch Investigate Delhi Mosque
Teams of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) scientists and Delhi Police Crime Branch visited the Markaz Nizamuddin in Delhi today to carry out an investigation in connection with a congregation in which thousands of people took part between March 13 and March 15.

A first information report (FIR) was earlier filed against Tablighi Jamaat head Maulana Saad and others under the Epidemic Disease Act.

Around 2300 people were brought out from the Markaz on April 1.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that of the 2300 brought out from the Markaz, 500 showed the symptoms of COVID-19 and were admitted to hospitals, whereas the remaining 1800 were sent under quarantine.

The Tablighi Jamaat event has emerged as a hotspot for COVID-19 after several positive cases across India were linked to the gathering, news agency ANI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 17:14 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Chief Of Defence Staff Visits Delhi Quarantine, Interacts With Doctors
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat today visited the Delhi Government's COVID-camp at Narela and interacted with the doctors, volunteers and the military medical team. He expressed satisfaction over the excellent synergy between the civil and military teams and assured all assistance to them.

An Indian Army's medical team consisting of four doctors and eight paramedics is working at the Narela quarantine centre.

This is the first time army doctors have been deployed to help civil administration within the country to help tackle coronavirus, Army sources said, news agency ANI  reported.
Apr 05, 2020 17:10 (IST)
Coronavirus News: No New Coronavirus Cases In Goa
No new coronavirus case has been found in Goa as results of 18 fresh samples have come out negative, an official said today.

The coastal state has so far reported seven COVID-19 cases. There has been no death related to the viral infection.

State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said 18 samples were tested at the Goa Medical College and Hospitals laboratory on Saturday,. "All the tests have come out negative," he said, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 17:08 (IST)
Coronavirus News: 4 Delhi Mosque Event Attendees From Maharashtra's Buldhana Test COVID-19 Positive
Four people who attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Nizamuddin in Delhi last month tested positive for novel coronavirus today in Maharashtra's Buldhana district, some 350 kilometres from Nagpur, Collector Suman Chandra said.

At least 9,000 people participated in a congregation at the organisation's Nizamuddin Markaz last month after which many travelled to various parts of the country for missionary works, news agency PTI reported.

Buldhana's COVID-19 count stands at nine, including one who died of the infection, Ms Chandra informed.
Apr 05, 2020 17:04 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Arunachal Pradesh Self-Help Groups Make Masks For Frontline Workers
Self-help groups in an Arunachal Pradesh district have come forward during the coronavirus pandemic by stiching masks for frontline workers, a senior official said.

Keeping in mind shortage of protective gear in the markets, nearly 100 women members of self-help groups (SHGs) in Changlang district are on the job to prepare three-layered reusable masks to be distributed among sanitary workers and police personnel, at a nominal price.

The move was initiated when on the persuasion of the district administration, Bordumsa Mahila Mandal, headed by Pisilu Singpho agreed to provide 500 masks to the administration at a nominal cost of Rs 40 per mask, Changlang deputy commissioner RK Sharma said.

The self-help group has a capacity of making 150 masks per day and so far it has supplied 700 masks to various agencies, Mr Sharma said, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 16:59 (IST)
Coronavirus News: 10 Out Of 72 Indian Coronavirus Patients Recover In Singapore
Ten of the 72 Indian nationals infected with the novel coronavirus in Singapore have recovered and the rest are mostly in stable condition, India's High Commissioner Jawed Ashraf said today.

Over 700 Indian nationals, including over 70 tourists and students, are stranded in the island nation due to non-availability of flights.

They are being helped by the high commission with their visa extension and where requested with food and accommodation, the envoy told PTI.

"We are working with Singapore's Manpower and Foreign Affairs Ministries to help Indian nationals in every way," said Mr Ashraf, who joined Singapore's Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran, Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad and Member of Parliament Murali Pillai during a visit to an Indian workers dormitory on Saturday.

Many of these infected Indians had travelled to America and Europe. A few of the workers had visited India before being confirmed as COVID-19 patients, though it is not definite where they were infected, according to Mr Ashraf.
Apr 05, 2020 16:54 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Odisha Warns Against Crowding On Streets Afters Lockdown Lifted
The Odisha government has warned people in Bhubaneswar, Bhadrak and Cuttack against venturing out on the streets in large numbers after the 48-hour "total shutdown" imposed on the three cities amid the rise in COVID-19 cases - is lifted today evening.

Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy said sanitisation and surveillance were being conducted from time to time to ensure safety of people.

Dispelling fears of community spread, Tripathy also said that the shutdown was primarily imposed to investigate the COVID-19-positive cases in Surya Nagar and Bomikhal areas of the state capital.

The chief secretary, however, asserted that all restrictions imposed by the centre and the state government would continue to remain in force.

Strict action will be taken against those found flouting the social distancing norms, he stated, news agency PTI reported.

Apr 05, 2020 16:48 (IST)
Coronavirus News: 4 New COVID-19 Cases In Maharashtra's Kalyan Dombivali Area
With four more people, including a minor, testing positive for coronavirus in the areas under Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) in Maharashtra, the number of such patients in the region rose to 28 today, officials said.

All the four new patients are residents of Dombivali.

One of them is a seven-year-old girl. Three other patients are women aged 75, 54 and 24, an official statement said. The 24-year-old woman had returned from Paris recently, it added.

All the four patients are currently being treated at a Mumbai hospital, the statement said, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 16:44 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Bihar Converting Hotels Into Isolation Centres: State Health Minister
Bihar's Principal Health Secretary Sanjay Kumar has tweeted that the state is converting many of its hotels and lodges into quarantine and isolation centres to reduce pressure on hospitals and control the coronavirus pandemic more effectively.
Apr 05, 2020 16:36 (IST)
COVID-19 News: Delhi Man Skips Mother's Last Rights To Feed People Amid Lockdown
Shakeel-ur-Rahman last saw his ailing mother in December when she came to Delhi from Bihar for treatment. It turned out to be their last meeting.

"I thought I would meet her once the lockdown is lifted, but not everything goes as per our plans," the 40-year-old businessman said today as he readied to drive to Ashram chowk with food for labourers battling hunger amid the 21-day lockdown to contain coronavirus.

Mr Rahman, who runs a travel agency in New Delhi, lost his mother on Friday morning. When his friends told him to go home to see his mother one last time, he said, "I am needed here in Delhi. I need to ensure that no one's mother dies of hunger."

"She had not been keeping well for some time. Yes, I wanted to meet her, to see her one last time, lekin saari icchyaein poori nahi hoti (not everything we wish for comes true)," he said, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 16:24 (IST)
COVID-19 News: Coronavirus Not "Airborne Yet": Top Medical Body ICMR
Indian Council of Medical Research said that coronavirus not airborne till now, news agency ANI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 16:17 (IST)
Coronavirus News: 11 Died Of COVID-19 Yesterday: Health Ministry
The health ministry today said that there are total 3,374 confirmed coronavirus cases in India with an addition of 472 cases being reported yesterday itself. Total coronavirus deaths in India stood at 79 and 11 died yesterday. The ministry said that over 267 people have recovered from the deadly coronavirus disease, Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary to Health Ministry said.

Mr Aggarwal said, "Our doubling rate (in how many days the number of #COVID19 cases gets double) at present is 4.1 days. But if additional cases reported due to the Tablighi Jamaat event, had not taken place, then the doubling rate would have been 7.4 days."
Apr 05, 2020 15:43 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Case Against 1,279 In UP's Muzaffarnagar For Violating Lockdown Orders
The police in Muzaffarnagar have charged 1,279 people for violation of lockdown norms since the countrywide restrictions were imposed on March 25, officials said today.

Muzaffarnagar Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Yadav said as many as 247 cases were registered under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) naming 1,279 people till Saturday.

They were found violating the lockdown norms in the district, he said. He has asked people to stay home and help hinder the spread of the coronavirus, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 15:37 (IST)
Coronavirus News: 58-Year-Old Dies Of COVID-19 In Maharashtra's Aurangabad
A 58-year-old man died of coronavirus infection in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district today, an official said.

This is the first COVID-19 death reported from the state's Marathwada region.

The man was admitted to a hospital in Aurangabad as a coronavirus suspect two days back.

His test report came out positive today morning and he died in the afternoon, the hospital's dean said in a release.

The man died of acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19, the official said, adding that he was also suffering from diabetes and hypertension, reported news agency PTI.
Apr 05, 2020 15:33 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Section-144 Till April 30 In UP's Gautam Buddh Nagar Amid COVID-19
Section-144, which prohibits assembly of five or more people at a time, has been extended in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar until April 30, informed Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashutosh Dwivedi today.

The decision has been taken in an effort to contain the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus disease.

The district administration has also ordered all educational institutes to not collect the fee from students during the lockdown.

So far, Uttar Pradesh has recorded a total of 227 COVID-19 cases, out which 19 people have been cured and two have lost their lives, reported news agency ANI.
Apr 05, 2020 15:26 (IST)
COVID-19: PM Modi Speaks To Senior Leaders On Coronavirus Situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to several leaders, including his predecessor Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and former president Pranab Mukherjee, on the situation arising out of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Sources said PM Modi also called up various leaders, including Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's MK Stalin and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal.

PM Modi spoke to former president Pratibha Patil and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda to discuss issues related to the deadly COVID-19, news agency PTI reported.
Apr 05, 2020 15:05 (IST)
Dr Harsh Vardhan visits AIIMS dedicated centre for COVID-19 patients in Jhajjar, Haryana

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan visited the AIIMS dedicated centre for coronavirus in Jhajjar, Haryana on Sunday and interacted with the medical staff deployed in care of the patients there. "There are 162 patients currently here and the condition of all of them is stable. A dedicated facility for COVID-19 patients has been created here in AIIMS, Jhajjar, a total of 310 patients can be treated here," Dr Harsh Vardhan told ANI after his visit. "I also held talks with two patients through video calling and was happy to see their enthusiasm and satisfaction with the facilities being provided here. Their treatment is being done by a very dedicated team of doctors and medical staff in the most scientific manner here," he added. The Health Minister further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation related to coronavirus in the country and added that he himself is in contact with state health ministers and health officials from around the country. "We have given states assurance of our full support and I am in constant touch with them. We are ready to provide them with any help which they want," he said.

Apr 05, 2020 15:02 (IST)
Digvijay Singh urges Madhya Pradesh chief minister to provide mid-day meal to students at home

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday requested Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to provide mid-day meal to the students of government schools at their homes during the lockdown period. In a letter written in Hindi, former Chief Minister, Singh requested the Chouhan to provide food to the children registered under the Midday Meal Scheme in Madhya Pradesh on the lines of Punjab in the time of crisis. Meanwhile, two senior officials of the Madhya Pradesh Health Department on Saturday were tested positive for COVID-19. This came hours after it was announced that people who came in contact with COVID-19 positive J Vijay Kumar, the director of Bhopal Health Department, are being quarantined. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases rose to 3,374 in India on Sunday, as per the data provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Out of these cases, 3030 are active cases, 267 have been cured or discharged, while 77 deaths have been reported so far in the country.
Apr 05, 2020 14:57 (IST)
COVID-19: UK plans 7 special flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Goa for stranded Britons

The UK government on Sunday announced the first seven chartered flights next week to bring home British nationals stranded in India amidst the international travel lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic. An estimated 35,000 British nationals are currently in India, out of whom over 20,000 have contacted the British High Commission to say they wish to return to the UK as soon as possible. A set of 113 of the "most vulnerable" Britons were flown out of Goa on an Irish flight on Saturday. The special flights to London include three scheduled from Goa for next Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and two each from Mumbai and Delhi on Thursday and Saturday, with further flights planned later. The British High Commission told its citizens to check the government travel advisory and visit the booking portal for respective cities to reserve seats. "We know how worrying the past few weeks have been for British nationals in India. I hope this announcement will bring relief, especially to those in greatest need," said Jan Thompson, Acting High Commissioner to India.
Apr 05, 2020 14:49 (IST)
Streets in Bhubaneswar wear a deserted look amid coronavirus lockdown

A total of 21 Coronavirus positive cases have been found in the state so far.
Apr 05, 2020 14:44 (IST)
Third coronavirus case reported in Jharkhand

A woman, who recently returned from Bangladesh, tested positive for coronavirus in Jharkhand's Bokaro district on Sunday, taking the count in the state to three, an official said. A 22-year-old Malaysian woman and man from Hazaribagh had tested positive for coronavirus on March 31 and April 2 respectively, he said. "Three couples from Chandrapura block in Bokaro district had recently returned to their homes from Bangladesh. They were quarantined and their swab samples sent for tests. The result of the woman has returned positive," Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Kumar said. All persons suspected to have come in contact with the woman are being screened, he added.
Apr 05, 2020 14:28 (IST)
COVID-19 cases climb to 76 in Haryana

The number of COVID-19 cases in Haryana on Sunday rose to 76, with six fresh cases being reported in Nuh and Gurugram districts. There are 61 active cases in the state, according to the state health department''s afternoon bulletin. It said that among the fresh cases, five were reported from Nuh and one from Gurugram.  Haryana has so far reported one death due to COVID after a 67-year-old man from Ambala district passed away at PGIMER. Of the total 76 cases, four are Sri Lankan nationals and one is from Nepal while 20 are from other states of India, the bulletin said. Of the total positive cases, at least 23 were stated to be Tablighi Jamaat members. Haryana's Home and Health Minister Anil Vij had said that Tablighi Jamaat members, who entered the state before the lockdown, account for the majority of over 30 cases reported during the past two days. Earlier, as many as 652 of the 1300 Tablighi members had been traced from Nuh district alone, he had said.
Apr 05, 2020 14:22 (IST)
COVID-19: China donates 1,000 ventilators to New York

China donated 1,000 ventilators to New York, the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic in the US, as the authorities grappled with an insufficient supply of the life-saving equipment amid a surge in the number of coronavirus cases that has crossed 1,00,000 in the state. Governor Andrew Cuomo on Saturday said New York had ordered 17,000 ventilators from the federal government, which had a stockpile of about 10,000 ventilators for the nation. He said demand for the life-saving medical equipment surges across the US, which now has more than 3,12,100 COVID-19 cases. "China is remarkably the repository for all of these orders. Ventilators, PPE, it all goes back to China. Long term, we have to figure out why we wound up in this situation where we don't have the manufacturing capacity in this country.
Apr 05, 2020 13:59 (IST)
Coronavirus cases rise to 2,880 in Pakistan

The number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan rose to 2,880, on Sunday, officials said. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 45 people have died so far due to the viral infection in the country and 130 have recovered. While Punjab recorded 1,163 cases, Sindh reported 864, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) 372, Balochistan 185, Gilgit-Baltistan 206, Islamabad 78 and 12 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The ministry made slight adjustments in the data from the KP province. Yesterday the ministry had said that there were 383 coronavirus cases in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. However, it revised the number to 372 in the latest update. The Pakistan government has taken several measures to curtail the spread of the viral infection, but without much success, officials said.
Apr 05, 2020 13:49 (IST)
People purchase earthen lamps in Moradabad to light them at 9 PM today as urged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a gesture to win over darkness in this time of despair due to coronavirus pandemic.
Apr 05, 2020 12:58 (IST)
Rajasthan government taking measures against COVID-19: Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said the state government continuously monitoring the situation and taking measures to combat COVID-19. "State govt is committed to save lives of all in #Rajasthan. We are continuously monitoring the situation and taking measures accordingly. From providing treatment, medical facilities to taking care of needs of vulnerable, we are doing everything possible for your safety," Gehlot tweeted. "My appeal to all is, please stay at home. During #lockdown your home is the safest place, which can keep you protected from #Corona infection. Follow lockdown rules strictly. #StayHomeStaySafe," he said in another tweet. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are a total of 200 COVID-19 positive cases in Rajasthan including 21 cured/discharged. 
Apr 05, 2020 12:56 (IST)
"Test, detect, isolate and treat": P Chidambaram on testing for virus

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday urged the government to start aggressive testing as lockdown for coronavirus will be effective only if "we test, detect, isolate and then treat". He also welcomed the ICMR''s advice to the government for starting antibody tests in hotspots, as it was overdue. "CWC in its resolution pointed out that limited testing was a flawed strategy. Epidemiologists have demanded extensive and aggressive testing. Let the government start aggressive testing today.

Apr 05, 2020 12:39 (IST)
Water quality of River Ganga in Kanpur improves as industries are shut due to Coronavirus lockdown.
Apr 05, 2020 12:36 (IST)
COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra jump to 661; 26 new patients

As many as 26 new coronavirus patients were reported from Maharashtra on Sunday, taking the total such cases in the state to 661, a health official said. Out of the 26 cases, 17 were reported from Pune, four from its neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad township, three from Ahmednagar and two from Aurangabad, he said. Asked about any new cases from Mumbai, the official said, The figures are being verified, hence Mumbai figures will be released later." So far, 32 people in the state have died of coronavirus while 52 people have been discharged after recovery. 
Apr 05, 2020 11:48 (IST)
Coronavirus: Restrictions in Kashmir Valley tightened

Restrictions on the movement and assembly of people in Kashmir to contain the spread of coronavirus were tightened on Sunday - a day after 14 cases - the highest increase in a single day -- were detected in the valley, the officials said. Security forces sealed off the main roads in the valley and erected barriers at several places to check the unwanted movement of the people and to enforce the lockdown, the officials said. The markets across the valley were shut and public transport was off the roads with only pharmacies and groceries allowed to open, they added. Educational institutions across Kashmir have been closed, while all public places including gymnasiums, parks, clubs and restaurants have been shut down more than a week before the nationwide lock down announced by the Prime Minister. While the Prime Minister announced the country-wide lockdown on the evening of March 24, the union territory administration here had on March 22 announced a lockdown across Jammu and Kashmir till 31 March as part of its efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The administration said essential services including healthcare personnel have been exempted from the restrictions.
Apr 05, 2020 11:44 (IST)
Sadar area in Lucknow cantonment out of bound for soldiers: Army after COVID-19 cases found

The Army's Central Command has directed its soldiers here not to visit Sadar Bazaar, which comes under the Lucknow Cantonment Board after police sealed the area when a group of Tablighi Jamaat members who had been to the Nizamuddin event and tested COVID-19 positive were found staying in a mosque here. Lucknow Police Commissioner Sujit Pandey had said that 12 members of Tablighi Jamaat were found staying in a mosque in Sadar area on Friday. "They had tested positive for coronavirus. As soon as, the information was received, Sadar was turned into a sterile zone to prevent the spread of the virus." Public announcements were made in the area asking people to stay in their homes. A Defence PRO said, "Following directions of the government, there has been lockdown in cantonment. After getting COVID-19 cases in Sadar, it is out of bound for soldiers. Directions have been given to soldiers to not go to the Sadar area." She added that in a dedicated COVID-19 cell is functioning in the Central Command to provide help to its personnel. Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Avanish Awasthi has said that the area has been sealed as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Apr 05, 2020 11:30 (IST)
PM Modi, Trump discuss yoga and ayurveda during call on COVID-19

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have agreed to ensure smooth functioning of the global supply chains for critical pharmaceuticals and medical goods to fight the coronavirus pandemic and discussed the significance of Yoga and Ayurveda for the physical and mental well-being of people during the major global health crisis. A White House readout of the call between the two leaders said on Saturday that the US President spoke with Prime Minister Modi to discuss how the two countries can work together to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The telephonic discussion came at a time when both the countries are in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. The US so far has recorded over 311,000 coronavirus cases, the highest in the world, and more than 8,400 deaths. India has reported over 3,370 COVID-19 cases and more than 75 deaths due to the disease.
Apr 05, 2020 11:23 (IST)
New York continues to record highest number of daily deaths from COVID-19

New York State, the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic in the US, continued to record the highest count of daily deaths from COVID-19 as a staggering number of 630 people died in a 24-hour period and Governor Andrew Cuomo said the outbreak in the state could peak in about seven days. The state had recorded the highest single increase in the number of deaths from novel coronavirus in a single day between April 2 and 3 when 562 people had died, one person dying from the viral infection almost every two-and-a-half minutes. In the 24 hours since April 4, the death toll grew to 630, "all-time increase" up to a total of 3,565, up from 2,935 on Friday morning, Cuomo said. The daily death toll in New York continues to grow at record numbers as the state remains the most impacted in the US from coronavirus. Coronavirus cases in New York State now stand at 113,704, out of the country's total number of 312,146. New Jersey, the second most impacted state in the US, has about 30,000 COVID-19 cases. New York City alone has 63,306 coronavirus patients, up from 57,169 the previous 24 hours, and 2,624 deaths.
Apr 05, 2020 11:22 (IST)
Manipur Chief Minister urges people to switch off lights at 9pm

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday urged people to switch off lights for nine minutes at 9 pm and illuminate home and surroundings with candles and lamps, as advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Taking to Twitter, the CM also emphasised the importance of social distancing, amid the spurt in COVID-19 cases across the country. "To defeat the darkness of despair & light our lives with hope, let''s switch off all lights for 9 mins at 9 pm tonight & illuminate our surroundings with Candles, Diyas, Torch or Flashlights. Let''s maintain social distancing & do it carefully as advised by PM @narendramodi ji, he tweeted. Meanwhile, a senior official here said that the third consignment of medical essentials - required in the state's effort to combat COVID-19 - has reached Imphal. The chief minister had on Saturday stated that the consignment comprises personal protective equipment, sanitisers, and gloves, among other things.
Apr 05, 2020 11:03 (IST)
PM tweets #9pm9minute to remind people to light up diyas on Sunday night

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reminded people to light up lamps on Sunday night to show the country's collective resolve to fight coronavirus. "#9pm9minute", the prime minister tweeted to remind people of the exercise. PM Modi had on Friday urged people to switch off the lights at their homes and light up lamps, candles or mobile phone torches for nine minutes at 9 pm on April 5 to display the country's "collective resolve" to defeat coronavirus.
Apr 05, 2020 11:01 (IST)
61-year-old COVID-19 patient dies in Surat; Gujarat count reaches 11

A 61-year-old woman who tested positive for coronavirus died at a hospital in Surat on Sunday, taking the total number of COVID-19 deaths in Gujarat to 11, a senior health official said. "The woman was admitted to hospital on Saturday in a condition where it was difficult to save her," Principal Secretary (Health) Jayanti Ravi said. On Saturday, a 67-year-old woman died at a hospital in Ahmedabad, while on Friday, two coronavirus patients succumbed, including a 78-year-old man in Vadodara and a 67- year-old man in Ahmedabad.
Apr 05, 2020 11:00 (IST)
COVID-19: Gujarat firm makes low-cost ventilators in 10 Days

As the world is facing a shortage of medical equipment to fight the coronavirus, a Rajkot-based company has developed low-cost ventilators in just 10 days and will deliver 1,000 of these machines to the Gujarat government-run hospitals in next few days. The ventilator, developed by a private company, was tested at a medical lab of the Ahmedabad civil hospital and given approval on Friday night, an official said. The locally developed ventilator is being used for patients from Saturday, he said, adding that the machine is working fine. The entire world is fighting the silent enemy coronavirus and is facing a shortage of equipment like ventilators, N95 masks and PPE suits for doctors, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on Saturday.
Apr 05, 2020 10:38 (IST)
Not enough COVID-19 testing kits, protection equipment for medical workers: Akhilesh Yadav

Taking a veiled jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi call to light candles to fight the darkness spread by the pandemic, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said that there are not enough COVID-19 testing kits for people and personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers. "Not enough testing kits for people. Not enough Personal Protective Equipment for health care workers. Not enough meals to feed the poor. These are the real challenges today. Think who has been able to get light outside by extinguishing the light inside," Yadav tweeted. Amid a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, Prime Minister Modi on Friday appealed to countrymen to light diyas and candles on April 5 at 9 pm to fight the darkness spread by the pandemic. He asked the people to turn off all lights in their homes and stand at doors or balconies and light candles or diyas, torches or mobile flashlights for 9 minutes on April 5. Last month, the Prime Minister had asked people to come out in their balconies and clap and beat utensils to show appreciation for doctors, nurses and others helping fight coronavirus.
Apr 05, 2020 10:21 (IST)
241 Tablighi Jamaat attendees traced in Punjab, 6 test positive for coronavirus

A total of 241 Tablighi Jamaat attendees have been traced in Punjab and among them, six have tested positive for novel coronavirus. Samples of 180 people were collected in which 92 have tested negative and the reports 82 people are awaited. The Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi has emerged as a hotspot for COVID-19 after several positive cases from across India were linked to the gathering including deaths in Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana. Earlier, Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that a total of 1,023 COVID-19 positive cases linked to Tablighi Jamaat have been found. 
Apr 05, 2020 09:57 (IST)
Lucknow Cantonment area sealed for 48 hours

Lucknow Cantonment area was sealed for 48 hours after 12 Tablighi Jamaat returnees in Sadar Bazaar area tested positive for COVID-19. Only Quick Response Teams and medical teams will be allowed entry into the area. A total of 1,302 people, who attended Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi''s Nizamuddin area, have been identified in Uttar Pradesh and around 1,000 of them have been quarantined, said Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Avnish Awasthi on Saturday. Earlier, Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that a total of 1,023 COVID-19 positive cases linked to Tablighi Jamaat have been found. 
Apr 05, 2020 09:42 (IST)
UP Chief Minister to chair COVID-19 review meeting today

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will chair a meeting of officers of the 11 committees constituted to oversee the situation following the enforcement of lockdown and 12 nodal officers, at 10 am on Sunday. Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary and other senior officers will be present at the meeting. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister on Saturday announced the creation of ''UP COVID-Care Fund'' to boost the healthcare system in the state. "We have set up the ''UP COVID-Care Fund'' for the strengthening of the healthcare system in the state. This will help in the establishment of more testing labs. We also aim to start manufacturing unit for PPE kits, N95 masks, and ventilators. I appeal to all including all MLAs to contribute to the fund," Adityanath said. India's tally of coronavirus positive cases rose to 3374, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday morning. Out of the total cases, 3030 are active cases, 266 have been cured or discharged, one has migrated, while there are 77 deaths. 
Apr 05, 2020 09:33 (IST)
23 coronavirus cases in Ghaziabad

The total number of coronavirus positive cases in Ghaziabad has reached 23, informed Ghaziabad Chief Medical Officer Narendra Gupta on Sunday. Speaking to ANI, Ghaziabad Chief Medical Officer stated that out of 23, three people have recovered and rest are undergoing treatment at the medical centres. "The total number of coronavirus cases in the district is 23 including three discharged/cured patient," he said. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday said that there are 3,072 coronavirus positive cases in India, including 2,784 active cases, 213 cured/discharged/migrated people and 75 deaths. 
Apr 05, 2020 09:26 (IST)
Priyanka Gandhi tweeted saying, "Dear Ananya Patel, what you are doing is true patriotism. There are thousands of Indians like you who are playing their role for the country in the war against Corona - we are proud of you."
Apr 05, 2020 09:23 (IST)
77 dead in India after being infected with coronavirus

Seventy-seven people have died across India after being infected with novel coronavirus. This takes the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 3,374. The spike in cases has been linked to a religious gathering held by the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi last month, with nearly 30 per cent of all known COVID-19 patients in the country connected to the controversial event. Worldwide, the COVID-19 virus has infected more than 1 million people and killed over 50,000 others.
Apr 05, 2020 09:12 (IST)
India to turn off lights for 9 minutes tonight on PM's COVID-19 appeal

Eleven days into a total lockdown to control the spread of novel coronavirus or COVID-19, India will turn off lights for nine minutes at 9 pm tonight after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Thursday morning and gave a call for unity to "fight the darkness of coronavirus pandemic". In a video message on Thursday, PM Modi made an appeal to the nation: "On April 5, Sunday, at 9 pm, I want 9 minutes from all of you. Turn off all the lights in your homes, stand at your doors or balconies and light candles, diya (lamp) or mobile flashlights for 9 minutes." "No one is alone during the lockdown, the collective superpower of 130 crore Indians is with every citizen," he said. This was his third address to the nation on coronavirus that has been spreading fast across the world and has infected over a million people, killed over 50,000. In India, the COVID-19 count crossed 3,000-mark on Saturday, number of deaths rose to 75.
Apr 05, 2020 09:04 (IST)
8 more COVID-19 cases in Noida, count in district reaches 58

Noida city of Gautam Buddh Nagar district has reported eight new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the tally in the district to 58. According to officials, four people were found positive in the JJ Colony of Sector 5 of the city, three victims are the residents of Designer Park Society of Noida Sector 62 and one from Vajipur village. Out of the total, eight people have recovered so far and the remaining 50 are undergoing treatment for the infection. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday said that there are 3,072 coronavirus positive cases in India, including 2,784 active cases, 213 cured/discharged/migrated people and 75 deaths. 
Apr 05, 2020 09:04 (IST)
8 more COVID-19 cases in Noida, count in district reaches 58

Noida city of Gautam Buddh Nagar district has reported eight new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the tally in the district to 58. According to officials, four people were found positive in the JJ Colony of Sector 5 of the city, three victims are the residents of Designer Park Society of Noida Sector 62 and one from Vajipur village. Out of the total, eight people have recovered so far and the remaining 50 are undergoing treatment for the infection. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday said that there are 3,072 coronavirus positive cases in India, including 2,784 active cases, 213 cured/discharged/migrated people and 75 deaths. 
Apr 05, 2020 08:55 (IST)
3 more COVID-19 cases in Madhya Pradesh

Three more COVID-19 cases have been reported from the Sendhwa area of Barwani district, a state health official informed. The Block Medical Officer further told ANI that the three victims fell prey to COVID-19 after coming in contact with a 90-year-old man, who had recently travelled to Saudia Arabia."They are kin of a 90-year-old person who had died after returning from Saudia Arabia. However, his report of coronavirus is awaited," he added. The medical officer also said that they will soon collect the samples of those people who came in contact with the three men who have recently developed a virus. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday said that there are 3,072 coronavirus positive cases in India, including 2,784 active cases, 213 cured/discharged/migrated people and 75 deaths. 
Apr 05, 2020 08:52 (IST)
Dubai tightens measures amid coronavirus outbreak

Dubai authorities on Saturday announced tighter measures to combat the novel coronavirus, as the number of cases in the United Arab Emirates surpassed 1,500. For two weeks the movement of people and vehicles will be further restricted, with only one person per residence allowed to leave for "essential needs" such as food and medicine, according to the Dubai Media Office. People working in "vital sectors" -- including healthcare, media and delivery -- are allowed to go out and supermarkets and pharmacies will remain in service. Metro and tram services, however, will also be suspended. 
Apr 05, 2020 08:48 (IST)
3 more tests positive for COVID-19 in Agra

Three more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Agra, taking the total number of positive cases in the district to 48, District Magistrate Prabhu N Singh said. These new coronavirus patients are contacts of people, who had earlier tested positive for COVID-19. According to the Union Health Ministry, the total positive cases in Uttar Pradesh jumped to 174 including 14 cured/discharged and two deaths.
Apr 05, 2020 08:45 (IST)
COVID-19: People beat lockdown blues with online skill development courses

In search of ways to engage themselves while they are forced to spend time inside their homes due to the COVID-19 lockdown, people are tapping into the internet where a vast variety of free online courses are being offered to hone their talents and also possibly to pick up a new skill-set. Babitha Marina Justin, an academician, did not think twice before starting an online creative writing course when one of her students prompted her. "When I put a Facebook post asking for takers, the response was tremendous. Due to the lockdown, all of us are staying at home. Nature has given us an opportunity to look into ourselves. A lot of people say they are bored and cutting jokes about it. But many are also exploring their hobbies and creative energy within them. So I thought it is the right moment. I have taken 20 students in my first batch," said Babitha, who is a poet and an artist. Various online skill development courses are available, from ''English Meditation'' for creative writing to E-Book production for housewives, helping children develop their designing talents to violin lessons online - more people are coming out to lend their support to fellow beings to realize their inherent creative potential.

Apr 05, 2020 08:25 (IST)
Assam Police deploy drones to monitor situation in Guwahati amid lockdown

Assam Police have deployed drone cameras in Guwahati to monitor the situation amid lockdown due to COVID-19. MP Gupta, Police Commissioner of Guwahati, said, "We have arrested 75 people and seized around 2,000 vehicles for violation of lockdown orders." The 21-day lockdown was imposed to curb the spread of highly contagious novel coronavirus which has wreaked havoc across the globe. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases stands at 26 and the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country has surged to 3,072 including 75 deaths, 212 cured/discharged, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 
Apr 05, 2020 08:24 (IST)
Principal Secretary Health tested positive for coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh Principal Health Secretary and a deputy director, both women, were tested positive to novel coronavirus on Saturday. On Thursday, IAS officer J Vijay Kumar has tested positive for coronavirus, Vijay Kumar is chief executive officer of the Ayushman Niramayam Society and the managing director of the MP Public Health Corporation.  
Apr 05, 2020 08:11 (IST)
COVID-19 patient dies in Gujarat's Surat

A 61-year-old woman, who had tested positive for coronavirus passed away in Surat on Sunday. The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country has surged to 3,072 including 75 deaths, 212 cured/discharged, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In Gujarat, COVID-19 positive cases climbed to 105 including 14 cured and 10 deaths. 
Apr 05, 2020 08:10 (IST)
CRPF officer tests positive for COVID-19

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer has tested positive for COVID-19. "All personnel in contact with the officer have been quarantined. The Director-General of CRPF had indirect contact with the officer. As per protocol, DG is observing quarantine," CRPF said in a release. In another case, an Indian Air Force personnel who was in the Nizamuddin area during the Tablighi Markaz congregation has been put under precautionary quarantine while two other officials who came in contact with him were home quarantined. As per the sources, "An Indian Air Force personnel who was in the Nizamuddin Area during the Tablighi Markaz congregation has been put under precautionary quarantine by the service. The airman is posted in Delhi," In an update to the above development, sources told ANI, "Two more Air Force personnel who came in contact with the individual during the last two days have also been placed under home quarantine. The matter is under investigation by the Indian Air Force (IAF) authorities."
Apr 05, 2020 08:02 (IST)
Assam coronavirus-infected man met 111, search for "silent carrier" on

The health authorities in Assam have identified 111 people who had come in contact with a coronavirus positive businessman. The patient, a resident of Guwahati's posh Spanish Garden locality, had a Delhi travel history, but he reportedly got the virus from a local "silent carrier". The search for the spreader has been launched, and the residential area is being sanitised. "We are of the opinion that he did not get infected in Delhi because it has been a month since he returned; he might have got infected in Guwahati itself. Since he tested positive after 28 days of travel, there might be a silent carrier," Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Apr 05, 2020 08:00 (IST)
Donald Trump warns Americans of "tough week" ahead

US President Donald Trump warned Americans on Saturday to brace for a "very horrendous" number of coronavirus deaths in the coming days as the total number of global fatalities from the pandemic soared past 60,000. As confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States surpassed 300,000 with more than 8,300 deaths, there was some encouraging news in Italy and Spain. Europe continues to bear the brunt of the epidemic, however, accounting for over 45,000 of the worldwide deaths, and Britain reported a new daily high in fatalities. There are now more than 1.17 million confirmed coronavirus cases around the world and there have been 63,437 deaths since the virus emerged in China late last year.
Apr 05, 2020 07:54 (IST)
Child, 5, announced as Youngest victim as virus deaths rise record high in UK

Britain on Saturday reported a record 708 daily deaths from COVID-19, including a five-year-old child, who is thought to be the country's youngest victim. The health ministry said 4,313 people who tested positive for the virus in hospital had died as of 1600 GMT Friday while there were 41,903 confirmed cases as of 0800 GMT Saturday, up 3,735. The toll has been steadily increasing by more than 500 deaths a day this week and the country is bracing for an expected peak in the next week to 10 days. A total of 637 of the latest deaths were in England, the National Health Service (NHS) said.
Apr 05, 2020 07:41 (IST)
Farmers in Karnataka's are facing issues due to coronavirus

Watermelon farmers in Karnataka's Vijayapura are facing issues in finding buyers and transporting the fruit due to coronavirus lockdown
Apr 05, 2020 07:36 (IST)
75 people dead after being infected with coronavirus

Seventy-five people have died across India after being infected with novel coronavirus, the Health Ministry said today, as the country recorded 525 fresh cases and 13 deaths in the last 24 hours. This takes the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 3,072.
.