The lockdown that has taken buses off the road and trains off the track.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today announced a 1,70,000-crore food security scheme to help the economically weaker sections to tide over the added challenge of lockdown and job loss during the worldwide outbreak of coronavirus. The Rs 1,70,000-crore scheme, dubbed the "Prime Minister Gareeb Kalyan scheme" will "address the concerns of poor, migrant workers and those who need help", she said, adding that the government would ensure that "no one will go hungry". A special Rs 50 lakh medical insurance cover is being offered to the frontline workers toiling to avert the crisis - the doctors and their support staff - she said.
Two more people die due to coronavirus today, with Maharashtra confirming its fourth death in the outbreak and Kashmir its first. More than a billion people have locked themselves after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown to contain the pandemic in the country.
In Delhi, at least 800 people who came in contact with a coronavirus positive doctor in Delhi have been quarantined for 14 days, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said. "A mohalla clinic doctor and four others have been tested positive after they came in contact with an infected woman who returned from Saudi Arabia. The doctor's wife & daughter have also tested positive," the minister told ANI.
Despite the lockdown that has taken buses off the road and trains off the track, many migrant labourers have started on their way home, willing to risk sealed borders and vigilant policemen, who are tasked with ensuring that people not leave their homes except for most pressing need.
In his televised address to the nation on Tuesday, PM Modi had said "21 days' lockdown may seem to be a long time, but this is the only way to ensure everyone is safe". Staying at home, he had repeatedly said, is now a matter of survival.
Here are the highlights on Coronavirus India Lockdown:
Nitin Gadkari to donate 1 month's salary to PM Relief Fund for COVID-19Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced that he will be donating his one month salary to the Prime Minister Relief Fund for COVID-19
"I have decided to donate my one month salary to Prime Minister Relief Fund for COVID-19. My appeal to all, come forward and contribute for the fight against this pandemic. #IndiaFightsCorona," Mr Gadkari tweeted.
COVID-19 patient dies in Rajasthan
A COVID-19 positive patient, who had comorbid conditions including diseases relating to kidney and blood pressure, has died in Rajasthan''s Bhilwara.
"A COVID-19 positive person has died in Bhilwara, Rajasthan. He had comorbid conditions including diseases relating to kidney and blood pressure," said Rajan Nanda, Principal, Mahatma Gandhi Hospital.
On Thursday, five more people were tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total positive cases in the state to 43, according to Rajasthan Health Department.
Israel thanks Air India for rescuing its stranded nationalsAmid the coronavirus pandemic, An Air India special flight carrying 314 Israelis back to their country landed safely here on Thursday evening with many passengers carrying Indian and Israeli flags while deplaning.
The Israeli embassy had put up a request with the Ministry of External Affairs, which, in turn, asked Air India to operate such a flight.
The national carrier had earlier organised rescue flights for Indians stuck in China, Italy, Iran and Madrid.
According to a senior official of the airline, the Boeing 777 aircraft had departed from Delhi around 4 pm.
Israel''s Ambassador in New Delhi, Ron Malka, came to the airport to see off the passengers and thanked Air India for the selfless service.
"I thank and appreciate the @airindiain flight staff who are responsibly and selflessly ensuring that Israelis get home safe. Dhanyavad from the bottom of our (heart in emoji)", Mr Malka tweeted before the flight took off from India.
235 detained for violating orders in Andhra Pradesh
As many as 235 people were detained on Thursday by Amalapuram police who violated lockdown orders and entered Andhra Pradesh from Telangana.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Shaik Masoom Basha said that lockdown is in enforce in the Amalapuram subdivision.
"Most of the people are cooperating but some are violating. Today many people from Hyderabad have tried to enter East Godavari district at Siddhantam village. 235 members came on 55 bikes and 28 cars. We have intercepted them and sent them to home quarantine at Bommuru. Cases will be filed against them for violating the lockdown. We have seized their vehicles. We will arrest them too," Mr Basha said.
People were caught while crossing the Godavari bridge at Siddhantam and travelling towards Ravulapalem.
Government committed to ensuring supply of essential goods: Piyush Goyal
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said the government is committed to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential goods to the public.
In a series of tweets, the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry said: "Had a video conference with stakeholders from e-commerce & logistics industry regarding the issues faced due to #COVID2019 lockdown & discussed measures to resolve them."
"We are committed to ensuring that essential goods reach the people in the most convenient and safest manner."
The meet was attended by representatives from Snapdeal, Shopclues, Flipkart and others.
Provide food, medical kits to deprived: Congress to state units
The Congress on Thursday appealed to the party workers across the country to distribute food and medicine kits to the deprived people from the state level to the block level in the wake of the 21-day nationwide lockdown to combat the spread of novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
In a letter to all the state Congress unit chiefs, Congress General Secretary K. C. Venugopal said, "As you are aware, the outbreak of Covid-19 has necessitated stringent measures like complete lockdown for containment and management of virus transmission. Following the high chance of community transmission, the Central government and respective state governments have declared total lockdown in the country for 21 days."
He said despite the fact that such a strict measure was the need of the hour, the "hasty implementation" without any proper preparatory protocols has created total chaos in terms of logistic movement of essential supplies across the country.
One more tests positive for Coronavirus in Agra
With one more positive coronavirus case surfacing in the Taj city, the number of Covid-19 cases in Agra has gone up to nine.
District health authorities on Thursday evening confirmed one more positive case, that of a doctor who had returned from the US on March 21.
The son of a nursing home director, the patient has been admitted to the isolation ward of the local medical college.
With this, the number of positive cases in Agra has gone up to nine. Seven members of a business family, who returned from Italy and were treated at Delhi's Safdarjang Hospital, have fully recovered. A female patient who fled from Beangaluru is under treatment.
COVID-19: Jharkhand to give 2 months ration in advanceJharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said his government has decided to provide two months
ration in advance to the beneficiaries of the public distribution system, as the country entered the second day of the lockdown on Thursday to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Around 90 per cent of the families in the state will benefit from this decision, he said.
"Rest assured, your son or brother is continuously making efforts to help the people of Jharkhand," Mr Soren said in a tweet on Wednesday.
He also appealed to the people to abide by the 21-day lockdown order to prevent the spread of the disease.
Jharkhand has not reported any COVID-19 case so far.
Shops selling essential items to remain open 24 hours in GoaThe Goa government on Thursday announced that shops providing essential items like groceries,
milk and vegetables would be kept open round-the-clock in the state during the lockdown period.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said though the government was not in favour of taking such a step, it had to take the decision due to pressure from social media users and other quarters.
He said shops selling groceries, milk and vegetables would be kept open round-the-clock, but people should maintain social distancing while visiting these outlets.
The chief minister said the decision will be implemented keeping in view the central governments
guidelines related to the 21-day nationwide lockdown in force since Tuesday midnight to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Sawant said at least 1,500 people from Goa, who travelled outside the state in recent past, have been home quarantined.
Over 450 held in Kolkata for defying lockdown orderOver 450 people have been arrested in the city in the last 24 hours since Wednesday 5 pm for defying the lockdown order imposed by the West Bengal government to contain the spread of the disease, a senior police officer said.
The arrests were made by the Kolkata Police during naka-checking and patrolling across the city, he said.
A total of 453 people have been arrested by the city police in the last 24 hours till 5 pm on Thursday for violating the Total Safety Restrictions, he said.
Of the 453 apprehended, 112 are from the north division and 75 from the eastern suburban division, the police officer said.
As many as 65 offenders have been arrested from the south suburban and 62 more from the central division, he said.
A total of 42 people have been picked up in the south division of the city police while 40 apprehended from the port area and 30 from the south-east division for violating the rules, the officer said.
Number of coronavirus cases in Madhya Pradesh rises to 27The number of coronavirus cases in Madhya Pradesh rose to 27 on Thursday.
The death toll of COVID patients in the state also increased to two, with a man who had died in Indore on Wednesdsay testing positive for the disease.
So far, 15 coronavirus cases have been reported in Indore, six in Jabalpur, two each in Bhopal and Shivpuri and one each in Gwalior and Ujjain, a senior health department official said.
Ten new cases were found in Indore.
A 26-year old man, who had returned from Hyderabad on March 15, tested tested positive in Shivpuri district.
Relatively stable trend in rate at which coronavirus infection is increasing: Health ministryThere has been no solid evidence of community transmission of COVID-19 in India as yet and the infection appears to be relatively stabilising considering the rate at which it is increasing, the health ministry said on Thursday.
At the same, it said the latest figures do not establish a clear trend and in no way the government is relaxed about anything at this point.
The number of coronavirus cases climbed to 694 in India on Thursday and the death rose to 16, according to the Health Ministry.
Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary in the ministry of health, told a press conference that while the "numbers of COVID-19 cases are increasing, there appears to be relatively a stable trend or even little bit reduction in the rate at which they are increasing".
"This however does not establish a clear trend and in no way are we relaxed about anything at this point," he added.
COVID-19: 4 new cases reported in DelhiThe total number of coronavirus cases in the national capital on Thursday increased to 39, according to the Delhi Health Department.
Out of these cases, 29 are travel-related and 10 contracted the disease through contact, it said.
Out of the total 39 cases, five have been discharged, one had died earlier and one has migrated out of the country.
Thirty-one are admitted at various hospitals in Delhi and one at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon, the department said in a statement.
By Wednesday night, the number of cases of the deadly virus in the city stood at 35.
The COVID-affected patients in Delhi include a Mohalla Clinic doctor, his wife and daughter, health department officials said.
A total of 2,09,567 passengers who have returned from coronavirus-affected countries have been screened at the Delhi airport till March 26 and placed under surveillance, Delhi Health Department authorities said.
As many as 1,173 passengers are quarantined at government facilities.
As many as 12,703 passengers are under home quarantine as on Thursday and 4,513 have completed their 14-day quarantine, they said.
Elderly COVID-19 patient in critical condition in Kolkata hospitalAn elderly man suffering from COVID-19 as been put on ventilator support after his condition deteriorated on Thursday evening, a senior official at the hospital where he is undergoing treatment said.
The 66-year-old from Nayabad in Kolkata, with no history of travelling abroad or outside the state, started experiencing severe breathing problems despite oxygen support, he said.
"He is in very critical condition... and has been put on ventilator. Our doctors are monitoring him round the clock," the official said.
The man tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday night and his family members have been placed under home quarantine, the health department official said, adding that police personnel have been posted outside their residence.
Coronavirus cases in Indore rises to 15, death count 2The number of coronavirus cases in Madhya Pradesh's Indore rose to 15 by Thursday night.
During the day, ten more cases were detected in the city, health officials said.
It included a 65-year-old man who had died on Wednesday. His test reports came out on Thursday.
"This man was admitted with the symptoms of swine flu in a government hospital," said an official of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College.
Indore chief medical and health officer (CMHO) Dr Praveen Jadiya said that the 65-year-old man was the first victim of coronavirus from Indore. He also informed that the victim was also suffering from high blood pressure and other ailments.
Top UN official in India welcomes PM Modi's nationwide lockdown decisionA top UN official in India has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision of a 21-day nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus, saying collective efforts are required to overcome "one of the greatest health threats of our lifetime."
PM Modi on Tuesday announced a nationwide lockdown for three weeks in an attempt to stem the spread of coronavirus in India.
UN Resident Coordinator in India Renata Dessallien "welcomed Prime Minister Modi''s strategy for a nationwide 21-day lockdown to curtail the spread of the virus," spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric said Thursday at the virtual daily press briefing.
Dessallien said the UN system in India is fully mobilized and ready to further step up in support of the government of India to fight COVID-19.
She said that she believed that "if we work together, we can overcome one of the greatest health threats of our lifetime."
404 cases registered for violation of regulations in OdishaThe Odisha Police on Thursday said as many as 404 cases have been registered for violation of regulations and guidelines related to COVID-19 during last 48 hours while the number of novel coronavirus positive case remained static at two in the state.
Out of the 404 cases registered, 380 cases were related to violation of lockdown norms, 10 cases related to violation of home quarantine and 14 cases on other issues related to COVID-19 incidents, said state governments chief COVID-19 spokesperson Subroto Bagchi.
Mizoram woman hid travel history, arrested after Facebook post on Macau tripA 33-year-old woman was arrested in Aizawl for allegedly hiding her foreign travel details amid the coronavirus outbreak, police said on Thursday.
The woman landed at Lengpui airport on March 10 and told the screening team that she returned from Kolkata, Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) John Neihlaia said.
However, it was found on her Facebook profile that she came back from Macau via Kolkata, he added.
She was arrested on Tuesday and was booked underrelevant sections of the IPC, the official said.
Transgenders distribute face masks, food to poor amid lockdown in MathuraSome transgenders in Mathura have started a drive to distribute face masks and food to the poor amid a lockdown in the city to check the spread of coronavirus.
Poonam Chauhan, a resident of Bharatpur area, and three others took this initiative seeing people unable to get masks and food. "I started this drive with my three associates, following the advice of my "guru ji" (spiritual teacher)", Ms Chauhan said.
"We must provide two meals to anyone facing hardship during these times," Ms Chauhan added.
Ms Chauhan's mobile number has also been made public so that people can contact if they need food or face masks.
"We will not let anybody go hungry," Ms Chauhan said, while requesting people to stay indoors during the lockdown.
Coronavirus: CRPF launches helpline to provide assistance to peopleThe CRPF on Thursday launched a WhatsApp-based helpline that will provide medicines and other essential items to the needy in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The assistance has been launched under the umbrella of its Kashmir-based ''Madadgaar'' helpline that operates with the primary number of 14411 and Twitter handle @CRPFmadadgaar.
The force on Thursday issued a message on its social media platforms publicising the new WhatsApp number- 7082814411.
It said the helpline can be specifically used by Kashmiri people living in the Jammu-Kashmir Union Territory and also by those living in the northern part of the country, that is the area of responsibility of its J&K zone.
Officials added that people calling from other parts of the country will also be helped as the force has a nation-wide presence.
"The WhatsApp number can be called by people seeking assistance. The helpline will help them in case of general information sought and in case of specific medical query, experts will be consulted."
Man tests positive for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar IslandsA man, in his mid-30s, tested positive for the COVID-19 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Thursday, the first case in the Union Territory, officials said.
The man, a resident of Mayabunder, had returned from Kolkata on March 24, Chief Secretary Chetan Sanghi said.
He is undergoing treatment at the GB Pant Hospital here, said Avijit Roy, the nodal officer for the disease.
His condition is currently stable, doctors treating him said.
Transport arranged for 700 migrant workers: Gujarat Deputy Chief MinisterGujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said on Thursday that he arranged vehicles for around 700 migrant labourers who had left the city for Rajasthan on foot amid lockdown on account of coronavirus.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, on the other hand, urged migrant workers not to leave and assured that arrangement will be made to provide them food and accommodation.
"Deputy chief minister yesterday night on highway came across a group of 700 migrant workers who were walking back to their native villages in Rajasthan from Ahmedabad," said Mr Patel's Twitter handle.
"He called upon officials and minister of state for home Pradeepsinh Jadeja to the spot on highway, made arrangements for their food and also arranged vehicles so that they can be transported upto Rajasthan border," it added.
Don't evict residents: Telangana to hostel, PG placesThe Telangana government said here on Thursday it had stopped issuing 'no objection certificates' (NOC) to people trying to leave the state.
Speaking to the media, Home Minister Mahmood Ali said the state government would offer necessary support to hostel and paying guest (PG) accommodations to operate their facilities during the 21-day lockdown, which would end on April 14.
Mr Ali's statement comes after the Wednesday night's developments at the AP-Telangana border, when a large number of students, armed with NOCs, tried to cross but were stopped by the AP Police. After intervention by the two state governments, the AP Police took them and lodged them at an isolation centre.
Delhi police receive 1,700 calls on helplineDelhi police received 1,700 calls on Thursday on their 24-hour helpline dedicated to addressing queries related to the 21-day lockdown and some of the callers complained to them that they were running out of essential commodities and sought passes to commute, officials said.
They said a number of queries on the helpline - 011-23469526 - related to circulars, instructions and prohibitory orders issued by the police.
A total of 1,700 calls were received till 5 pm on the helpline, they said.
Delivery boys of e-commerce companies to get passes in PuneThe Pune police have decided to issue passes to delivery boys of e-commerce companies to facilitate easy movement of essential goods and medicines ordered by customers during the ongoing lockdown.
E-commerce companies which are into home delivery of essential goods, groceries, vegetables, meat, food and medicines will get the passes, officials said on Thursday.
"In our prohibitory orders, we had given exemption to e-commerce sites which are into home delivery of essential items.
"But as police force on the ground did not have information about some home delivery sites, some issues had cropped and representatives of all these firms were in touch with us," said Joint Commissioner of Police Ravindra Shisave.
UP Police registers over 2,800 FIRs, collects Rs 1.44 cr from vehicle fines during lockdownIn a bid to strictly implement the nationwide lockdown in the state, the Uttar Pradesh police has registered over 2,800 FIRs, booking close to 8,650 people for violating the prohibitory orders, a senior official said.
Rs 1.44 crore has also been collected by the police after imposing challans or fines on 69,000 vehicles for violating lockdown rules, he said.
"To strictly implement the lockdown in districts, police registered 2,802 FIRs against 8,650 violaters since Monday after the lockdown orders," Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Awasthi told reporters on Thursday.
The FIRs were lodged under IPC section 188 which deals with disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant.
Nurses at Aurangabad hospital demand protection gearNurses at the government hospital in Chikalthana area here, where swab samples of suspected coronavirus patients are collected, demanded protection gear and other facilities on Thursday.
There weren't enough personal protection kits, necessary medicines and sanitizers and handwash facilities at the hospital, they complained in a memorandum submitted to the civil surgeon Dr Sundar Kulkarni.
"These things are available in only few wards. In view of the present situation, they should be provided in every ward," said Jana Munde, secretary of the Aurangabad chapter of the Maharashtra State Nurses Association.
"We also need separate washrooms and changing rooms to avoid infection. Reaching hospital in time is a problem due to lockdown. So we have demanded transportation facility. Answering police's questions while traveling to work causes delay," Mr Munde added.
Prime Minister Na rendra Modi addresses G20 leaders
G-20 countries to inject $ 5 trillion into global economy to counteract impact of COVID-19The G-20 countries on Thursday pledged to inject over USD 5 trillion into the global economy in a bid to counteract the social, economic, and financial impact of COVID 19 that has impacted people in at least 170 countries and caused over 21,400 deaths.
"We are injecting over $5 trillion into the global economy as part of targeted fiscal policy, economic measures, and guarantee schemes to counteract the social, economic and financial impacts of the pandemic," a statement issued after extraordinary G-20 leaders' virtual summit said.
Plea in Delhi High Court for evacuation of students stranded in Bangladesh, hearing on FridayA plea was moved in the Delhi High Court on Thursday seeking direction to the Centre to evacuate around 580 Indian medical students stranded in Bangladesh due to coronavirus pandemic.
The plea sought direction to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to forthwith take steps for safe and secure return on Indian citizens who are stuck in Bangladesh.
Most of the students are residents of Jammu and Kashmir, petitioner-advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal said, adding that the plea was mentioned before the registrar over telephone and it has been listed for hearing on Friday.
Mr Bansal said he has been receiving numerous calls from the Indian students who are studying in Bangladesh and stuck in their hostels without masks, sanitisers and enough food.
Sikh body offers inns to hospitals for utilisation during virus outbreak The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee on Thursday decided to hand over its inns to AIIMS and Safadarjung Hospital for utilisation in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
Forty rooms of Gurudwara Rakabganj have already been given to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after the hospital management contacted DSGMC, its chairman Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.
"In a meeting today, we decided to offer our inns to other hospitals. We have told Union Health minister Harsh Vardhan that 34 rooms of Gurudwara Motibagh could be used by AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital," he said.
It was also discussed in the meeting that coronavirus patients could be kept at the committee's hospital at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. If the health ministry decides for it, the committee can make all the necessary preparations, he said.
Sanitisers sprayed in Tamil Nadu
Madhya Pradesh donates Rs 1 crore for efforts to check COVID-19Congress Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes has granted Rs 1 crore from his MP local area development (MPLAD) fund for the efforts of Udupi district administration against the spread of coronavirus.
Mr Fernandes wrote to Udupi deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha, asking him to release a grant of Rs one crore from his MPLAD fund for schemes in his home district to check covid-19.
The Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation had on Tuesday allowed Members of Parliament to use MPLAD funds for medical testing, screening and other facilities required to fight coronavirus, following request from several MPs.
Haryana increases ex-gratia for those engaged in combating COVID-19Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday said the ex gratia amount for doctors will be Rs 50 lakh, Rs 30 lakh for nurses and Rs 20 lakh for other employees whether government or contractual.
Chief Minister Mr Khattar, in a televised address to the state, also informed the people about the steps being taken by the State government to fight against the coronavirus and appealed to the people not to believe in any rumours being circulated on social media or through any other medium.
Allaying the doubts of the farmers of the State, he said that there is no need for the farmers to worry as each and every grain will be bought. He said that though there might be a delay in the procurement, procurement will be done.
China drastically cuts international flights: governmentChina is set to drastically cut its international flight routes, capping the number at just one route a week to each country, the civil aviation administration said Thursday. Airlines flying into China will face the same restrictions, the authority added as concerns mount over imported cases of the new coronavirus.
Elderly man tests positive for COVID-19 in BengalAn elderly man tested positive for COVID-19 in West Bengal, taking the total number of cases in the state to 10, a senior health official said on Thursday.
The 66-year-old from Nayabad in Kolkata had no history of travelling abroad or outside the state, he said.
He is undergoing treatment at a private hospital''s intensive coronary care unit, especially set up for novel coronavirus patients, the official said.
His family members have been placed under home quarantine, he said, adding that police have been posted outside their residence.
The man recently attended a wedding ceremony at Egra in East Midnapore district, where he might have come in contact with an infected person, sources in the health department said.
The sexagenarian has been given oxygen support and necessary medicines, the doctors added.
Air India pilots' unions assure full support to governmentAir India pilots' unions, IPG an ICPA, have said their members will support the government and will operate any special flight irrespective of the extent of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) and Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) said, Air India pilots note with "admiration" the proactive way in which the government has been working round the clock to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
On Tuesday, Prime Modi announced that the entire country would be going under a 21-day lockdown. He said this lockdown is very important for India to fight against novel coronavirus and control its spread.
"Air India as the national carrier has always been proud to fulfill a myriad of diverse and challenging missions, whenever required by the government to fulfill this obligation," the two pilot unions said a joint letter on Wednesday.
The IPG represents Boeing fleet pilots while the ICPA has its members from the Airbus fleet in the flag carrier.
More than 4000 dead in Spain Spain registered 655 fatalities from the coronavirus over the past 24 hours - down from over 700 on Wednesday, the health ministry reported on Thursday as the total death toll from the epidemic in the country rose to over 4,000.
The overall number of coronavirus cases soared to 56,188 from 47,610 on Wednesday.
The number of reported deaths from the virus rose to 4,089 from 3,434 on Wednesday, the ministry said.
Three more test positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra, count 125Three more persons -one each from Nagpur, Mumbai and Thane -- on Thursday tested positive for coronavirus infection in Maharashtra, taking the number of such patients in the state to 125, health officials said.
On the other hand, 15 coronavirus patients have been discharged in the state so far following their full recovery from COVID-19 (the disease caused by the virus), officials added.
As to the three new patients, health minister Rajesh Tope said their travel history was yet to be ascertained.
19 new COVID-19 cases reported in Kerala, 1.20 lakh under observationKerala reported 19 more positive cases of coronavirus on Thursday, taking the total number of infected people under treatment to 126, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
Kannur accounted for the highest number cases on Thursday with nine, while three cases each were from Kasaragod and Malappuram districts, followed by two from Thrissur and one each from Idukki and Wayanad, he told reporters after a COVID-19 review meeting.
He said more than 1.20 lakh people are under observation in the state. The Chief Minister welcomed the relief package announced by the central government to mitigate the sufferings of people in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
Doctor couple among three test positive for coronavirus in Telangana, total rises to 44A doctor couple are among the three persons who tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 44.
According to a media bulletin, the three new confirmed cases on Thursday were contact (of previous positive cases).
The three cases includes a 49-year old man, a resident of Qutbullapur in Medchal district, who is a contact. He travelled to Delhi and the patient is stable and admitted at the designated hospital, it said.
The two other confirmed cases are of a doctor couple from Hyderabad city pertaining to a 36-year old doctor and her 41-year old husband, also a doctor. Both are contact cases. "Both the patients are stable and admitted at the designated hospital," the bulletin said.
Italian Prime Minister sees Europe in 'hard, severe' recession post-coronavirusItalian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Thursday all of Europe would be hit by a "hard, severe" recession following the coronavirus emergency and special measures were needed to mitigate its impact
In an address to the Senate, Conte said Europe would only be able to "face the shock with extraordinary and exceptional measures".
With Italy in lockdown for the last two weeks and its economy on its knees, Conte on Wednesday promised a second stimulus package in April worth more than the 25 billion euro ($27.35 billion) one he adopted in March to deal with the impact of the health crisis
Army starts process to set up quarantine centres in each station for its personnelThe Indian Army has started the process of identifying additional infrastructure for setting up quarantine centres in each station for its personnel to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak, senior officials said on Thursday.
The Army is also preparing a plan to "sidestep" medical personnel from lesser virus-affected areas to those severely affected by the outbreak, the officials noted.
More than 600 persons have detected positive for novel coronavirus and 13 people have died till now in India, according to the Union health ministry.
The Army is also doing additional training of its medical personnel at various hospitals to be better prepared for COVID-19, the officials stated.
Nagpur reports one more COVID-19 patient; tally in the district reaches 5One more person tested positive for coronavirus in Maharashtras Nagpur district on Thursday, an official said.
With this, the number of COVID-19 cases in the district has gone up to five.
A man admitted to the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) on Wednesday tested positive for coronavirus, a senior government official said.
He recently travelled to Delhi and returned to Nagpur by train on March 18, the official said.
Meanwhile, out of the other four COVID-19 patients in Nagpur, one was discharged from IGGMCH on Thursday after his fresh test reports came out negative, he added.
4 more test positive for coronavirus in UP, count rises to 42, 30,000 under surveillance: OfficialFour more persons have tested positive for coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh, taking the number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 42, a top official said on Thursday.
The official said that 11 of the 42 people have been cured and discharged from hospitals.
"Four fresh cases were found positive for coronavirus on Thursday. The total number of cases have now reached 42, including eight in Agra, three in Ghaziabad, 14 in Noida, eight in Lucknow, two in Pilibhit and one each in Baghpat, Lakhimpur-Kheri, Moradabad, Varanasi, Kanpur, Jaunpur and Shamli," Additional Chief Secretary Information, Awanish Awasthi told reporters.
Those cured include seven from Agra, two from Ghaziabad and one each from Lucknow and Noida. Mr Awasthi said 30,000 people in the state are under surveillance.
NATO foreign ministers to meet by video conferenceA meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) foreign ministers scheduled for next week will be held by video conference because of the coronavirus pandemic, the alliance said on Thursday.
The meeting set for April 2 "will be held by secure teleconference" and will be chaired by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the statement said.
"Precautionary measures are in place at NATO Headquarters to limit the further spread of the COVID-19 virus, including restricted access to visitors, media and non-essential staff," the statement said.
These came following the restrictions on movement imposed by the Belgian government since March 18, the alliance added.
Indian Air Force creates 9 quarantine facilities with 200-300 personnel capacity each, at nodal IAF bases across the country
Senior citizens to get doorstep delivery of essentials in UttarakhandDistrict magistrates in Uttarakhand were on Thursday asked to ensure the delivery of essentials at the doorsteps of senior citizens, the sick and the helpless during the 21-day lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus.
An order issued by Food and Civil Supplies Secretary Sushil Kumar asked the supply inspectors to advertise the phone numbers of the PDS distributors and nodal officers in their areas to facilitate this service.
It also asked the DMs to see to it that items of daily use including packed wheat flour, iodised salt, edible oil, toothpaste, soaps, sanitisers and masks are also available at all ration shops besides rice, wheat, sugar, pulses and kerosene oil.
Two residential buildings in Gautam Budh Nagar sealedGautam Budh Nagar District Magistrate BN Singh on Thursday sealed two residential buildings.
The Ace Golfshire apartments and Hotel Sandal Suit Sector have been sealed till March 28 till 10 am, the district magistrate said.
Distributed vegetables to poor as prices have shot up: Puducherry Congress MLACongress MLA John Kumar on Thursday said that he distributed vegetables to the poor because the prices of essential items post lockdown "have increased."
"I distributed vegetables to the poor because the prices of essential items have increased after the lockdown. Now, FIR has been registered against me for helping the poor," said Mr Kumar.
An FIR has been registered against him for distributing vegetables amid a lockdown in the Union Territory till March 31.
Distributed vegetables to poor as prices have shot up: Puducherry Cong MLACongress MLA John Kumar on Thursday said that he distributed vegetables to the poor because the prices of essential items post lockdown "have increased."
"I distributed vegetables to the poor because the prices of essential items have increased after the lockdown. Now, FIR has been registered against me for helping the poor," said Mr Kumar.
An FIR has been registered against him for distributing vegetables amid a lockdown in the Union Territory till March 31.
Students can return after travel ban is lifted: Indian embassy in PhilippinesHundreds of Indian students, stranded in the Philippines, can fly back to India when the temporary travel ban is lifted, the Indian embassy here said on Thursday, assuring all possible help to the distressed citizens.
On March 17, the Indian government banned the entry of passengers from Afghanistan, the Philippines and Malaysia to India with immediate effect amid stepped up efforts against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
"Embassy is in regular contact with students in Perpetual Help. Shops & essential stores in area open. Indian restaurants are ready to deliver. 16,000 Indian students in Philippines are advised- can travel to India when temporary ban is lifted. Emergency no. 09477836524," the embassy said in a tweet.
Mamata Banerjee appeals to the Chief Ministers to provide basic amenities to them
Odisha allows dhabas, garages to operate along highwaysThe Odisha government, besides intensifying implementation of social distancing in its fight against COVID-19, has decided that dhabas (eateries) and garages adjacent to the state and national highways will remain open during the lockdown.
This has been done to facilitate seamless movement of essential goods and keep the supply chain intact, an official said on Thursday. People transporting goods will be able to have food and repair their vehicles if dhabas and garages are open, he explained.
According to the official, the state government has already issued a letter to all the district collectors and superintendents of police (SPs) in this connection.
The nationwide lockdown to combat COVID-19 is extremely critical for stopping the disease from spreading. "However, during this period of lockdown, the provisioning of essential commodities will be very important to ensure that people remain indoors and do not panic, the letter said.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis: 5 Big Announcements In Finance Minister Nirmana Sitharaman's Coronavirus Relief Package
Finance Minister Nirmana Sitharaman unveiled a fiscal stimulus package worth Rs 1.7 lakh crore to help the poor and migrants tackle the financial difficulties arising from Covid-19 outbreak and the 21-day nationwide lockdown. Announcing the relief package under PM Gareeb Kalyan Scheme, the finance minister said, "No one will go hungry" and the immediate focus was on alleviating the hardships of the migrant workers, urban and rural poor. The relief measures included direct cash transfers (under the DBT or Direct Benefit Transfer scheme) and food security-related steps aimed at giving relief to the poor workers hit by the 21-day countrywide lockdown that began this week."
Finance Minister on construction workers:
- State govts to utilise Welfare fund of about ₹31000 CR to protect them from economic destruction.
- 3.5 CR registered workers to benefit
Widows, senior citizens and differently abled people to receive additional one time amount of Rs. 1000, to benefit 3 crore people": Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister.
"1 kg of preferred pulses for free every month for the next three months
Free of cost 5 kg of rice or wheat for 80 crore Indians for the next three months under 'PM Anna Yojana'"
Just IN: Nirmala Sitharaman announces relief package of Rs. 1,70,000 crore for poor via cash transfer and food subsidy amid lockdown
Coronavirus India Lockdown: Friday's prayers suspended in all mosques across country
All Muslim sects have suspended the Friday prayers in mosques and urged the faithful to follow the government decision for a complete nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus. However, the calls for prayers will continue to be made from mosques at the designated hours.
Jamaat-e-Islami Sharia Council said in a statement: "The Friday prayers (Juma Namaz) should be observed (only by Imams, muezzins, khadims, and administrators of mosques). The prayers and the 'khutbah' (speech) should be completed in the minimum possible period whereas the remaining public should conduct the 'Zohar' prayer at home."
The Shia sect's religious leaders too decided to suspended the Friday prayers across the country and asked the followers to remain indoors.
Pics: Huge Plane Hangar-Like Coronavirus Quarantine Facility In Assam Within A Week
The Assam government is building a massive quarantine centre to keep COVID-19 patients, state minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has tweeted. "A large quarantine centre will be established at the Sarusojai Sports Complex, Guwahati with capacity for about 700 people. This morning visited the site to take stock of preparedness and the facility. It shall be ready in a week's time," Mr Sarma tweeted."
India lockdown: Toll tax collection temporarily stopped at National Highways
The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has temporarily suspended the toll collection at all toll plazas on the national highways from Thursday.
The announcement was made by Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari late Wednesday evening.
India lockdown: Sonia Gandhi writes to PM Modi, supports 21-day lockdown
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi writes to PM Modi; supports 21-day lockdown, seeks measures to protect doctors, paramedics and ease supply chain.
Coronavirus India lockdown: Case against Congress MLA in Puducherry for alleged violation of lockdown
A ruling Congress legislator in Puducherry has been booked for allegedly violating lokcdown rules and distributing dole to people at a village here, Lt Governor Kiran Bedi said on Thursday.
In a WhatsApp message to mediapersons, she said a FIR had been registered against Congress MLA A John Kumar and more than 200 people for allegedly distributing doles to people outside his house in the neighbouring Nellithope on Wednesday.
Coronavirus Outbreak: 3 Abroad Returnees First To Be Infected With Coronavirus In GoaThree people with a history of travel to Spain, Australia and US have tested positive for coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said early on Thursday. These are the first coronavirus cases in the popular holiday destination.
"I have been informed by the state Directorate of Health Services that three individuals have been tested positive for #COVID-19 in Goa. We are providing the best healthcare facility to the diagnosed patients," Mr Sawant tweeted.
"Their condition is stable at present. We have also traced their contacts and we are quarantining them," Mr Sawant said.
They were quarantined at the isolation ward at the Goa Medical College in Panaji, have been now shifted to the Employee State Insurance hospital in South Goa district, which is the designated hospital for COVID-19 treatment.
Coronavirus: 65-Year-Old First To Die Of Coronavirus In KashmirA 65-year-old man hailing from Hyderpora area of the city died today, becoming the first fatality in Jammu and Kashmir due to coronavirus.
"As we share the sad news of our first #Covid19 fatality, my heart goes out to the family of the deceased. We stand with you and share your grief," Mayor of Srinagar Junaid Azim Mattu tweeted.
Government spokesperson Rohit Kansal also confirmed the death via Twitter.
"First death due to Coronavirus- 65 years old Male from Hyderpora Srinagar. Four of his contacts also tested positive yesterday," Mr Kansal said.
Four people had tested positive for coronavirus in Jammu and Kasmir on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases to 11.
Authorities in Kashmir have expressed apprehensions that the cases could be more than reported in the valley as a significant number of people appeared to have concealed their travel history.
Coronavirus: 2 Positive Coronavirus Cases In Maharashtra, Total Numbers Become 124
Two new positive cases of Coronavirus in Mumbai and Than; till now, the total number of positive cases in the state is 124, Maharashtra health department said. (ANI)
Coronavirus Outbreak: Bengal's Transport Shut Amid Coronavirus LockdownBuses, trams, and metros in West Bengal's Kolkata have stopped plying as the city remains under lockdown to control the spread of coronavirus. Total number of positive cases in the state now stand at ten.
Coronavirus Outbreak: In UP, People Practice Social Distancing By Standing At A Distance Near StallPeople at a Mother Dairy booth in Uttar Pradesh's Noida Sector 19 stand at a distance from each other as they practice social distancing.
Despite the lockdown that has taken buses off the road and trains off the track, many migrant labourers have started on their way home, willing to risk sealed borders and vigilant policemen, who are tasked with ensuring that people not leave their homes except for most pressing need.
In his televised address to the nation on Tuesday, PM Modi had said "21 days' lockdown may seem to be a long time, but this is the only way to ensure everyone is safe". Staying at home, he had repeatedly said, is now a matter of survival.
The 21-day lockdown saw anxious people scrambling to nearby shops for essential supplies and services, prompting the government to urge citizens not to panic. E-commerce companies delivering essentials like groceries, medicines and food, however, alleged harassment from law enforcement officials and security guards, leading to severe inconvenience in times of an unprecedented crisis, online retailers have said, calling for an urgent intervention from the government.
More than a billion people locked themselves on Wednesday as governments stepped up their efforts against the coronavirus pandemic which has left 10 dead in the country. The world's largest shutdown was however yet to have an effect as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India went up to 606.