89 attendees of the religious congregation at Delhi’s Nizamuddin traced to Nagpur, Ahmednagar in Maharashtra

Officials have reported that at least 89 people who attended the religious congregation at Delhi’s Nizamuddin West area were traced to Nagpur and Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. Fifty-four people were identified in Nagpur and are quarantined as informed by Tukaram Mundhe, Nagpur Municipal Commissioner. Their medical examination is also being done. He appealed to these people, “Apart from these 54 people, I appeal to the other citizens who attended the Tabligh-e-Jamaat congregation in Nizamuddin West in the national capital to come forward and contact us, so that appropriate treatment could be provided to them, if they have any (coronavirus) symptoms.”

In addition to these fifty four people, 35 others have been identified in Ahmednagar, with almost 29 from foreign locations including Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana and several other countries and the rest are locals. Among this group 2 people, a foreigner and a local have been tested to be positive. 

Railways to modify 20, 000 coaches to set up 3.2 lakh beds

Lav Aggarwal from Union Health Ministry has informed that Indian Railways is preparing to set up 3.2 lakh isolation and quarantine beds by modifying 20, 000 coaches. Modification of 5000 coaches is already underway. Lifeline flights to transport essential commodities like testing kits, medicines, and maskshave also started. 

Cargo movement not affected during the national lockdown

Punya Salil Srivastava, spokesperson for health ministry informed the media that it is ensured that the cargo movement is not hampered during the national lockdown. He was holding a press conference to inform the media about the government’s preparedness on novel coronavirus in the country. 

300 foreigners may be blacklisted for violating visa conditions

Officials from home ministry have said that India may blacklist the 300 individuals, who came from 16 countries including Malaysia and Thailand on tourist visa, but attended an Islamic congregation at Nizamuddin in Delhi and have become a key source for the spread of coronavirus in the country. These foreigners were among the 8000 people who attended the Tabligh-e-Jamaat at Nizamuddin Markaz facility in mid-March and many of them have shown symptoms of COVID 19. Thirty individuals of those who attended the congregation have tested positive and at least three of them patients died due to the infection in the last few days. 

Food distribution centers to increase to 2500

Let Governor Anil Baijal has informed that the food distribution centers in Delhi will be increased from existing 500 to 2500 so that social distancing is strictly followed. Home quarantine has been identified for more than 20, 000 homes in Delhi. 

Maharashtra tally reaches 225 with 5 new cases

Maharashtra witnessed 5 new cases of COVID 19 taking the state Coronavirus cases to 225, as per a health official. Among the new cases, 2 cases each were reported from Pune and Buldhana and one from Mumbai. The Mumbai civic did not include about 42 cases testing positive whose final laboratory reports are yet to arrive as per the officials.

COVID-19 tall nears 1200 cases with 50 fresh cases on Monday morning

The total number of coronavirus cases in India has climbed to 1,190 after 50 fresh cases were reported on Monday morning. The death toll due to COVID-19 has crossed the 30 mark. The total number of COVID-19 cases as reported on Monday, 15:00 hours were 1,190, while 110 persons have been either cured or discharged. Follow LIVE UPDATES on coronavirus outbreak

Maharashtra, the worst hit state reported the maximum number of deaths (7) followed by Gujarat (6), Karnataka (3), while Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal reported 2 deaths each. The states of Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh have reported single death due to COVID-19. Maharashtra has had 215 confirmed cases so far with Kerala following closely at 202 cases. Karnataka has reported 83 total cases while Telangana has reported 70 confirmed cases so far. 

FAKE ALERT! No plans to extend 21-day lockdown

The Government on Monday clarified that there are no plans so far to extend the 21-day lockdown which came into force since last Tuesday midnight. As per a tweet from the Press Information Bureau of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba has denied media reports doing the rounds that the government will extend the lockdown. “There are rumors and media reports, claiming that the government will extend the #Lockdown21 when it expires. The Cabinet Secretary has denied these reports, and stated that they are baseless,” the tweet stated.

The 21-day lockdown was enforced to check the spread of the coronavirus. After the lockdown there has been a mass exodus of migrant workers from big cities to their villages as they were rendered jobless owing to the lockdown. The government had on Sunday carried out a detailed review of the situation arising out of coronavirus pandemic including the treatment of affected people, movement of thousands of migrant laborers and supplies of petroleum products and essential commodities across the country under the country-wide lockdown. 

State borders sealed, laborers under quarantine

The Centre instructed the state governments and union territory administrations to effectively seal state and district borders to stop the movement of migrant workers who will be out under 14-day quarantine at destinations.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba and Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla convened a video conference with the state chief secretaries and DGPs, asking them to ensure that there is a complete stop to movement of people across cities or on highways amidst the lockdown. As per an official statement, “there has been movement of migrant workers in some parts of the country. Directions were issued that district and state borders should be effectively sealed.” States were also directed to ensure strict implementation of the lockdown allowing only the movements of goods. Anyone found violating the 

Police resorts to firing in air to calm down public

On Saturday morning police had to resort to opening fire in the air to disperse a mob in a market place in the Bongaigaon district in Assam. The mob became unruly when they were asked to follow the lock down order. An officer told that no one was injured in the melee. People had gathered in large numbers at the meat and poultry shops in Bhawalguri market and were not following norms of social distancing. The public dispersed with the intervention of the police but came back later with machetes and stones to attack the officers on duty.  The police had to resort to lathicharge and opening fire in the air to allay the unrest when pelted with stones.

People crossing Maharashtra-Telangana border in trucks stopped by Yavatmal police

Yavatmal police stopped two trucks carrying people going to home state Rajasthan from Telangana amidst nationwide lockdown called to fight coronavirus pandemic. The trucks were stopped at the border check post on the Maharashtra-Telangana border. 

UP CM asks nodal officers to make arrangements for migrant officers

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath asked nodal officers to ensure proper arrangements were made for migrant workers. On Saturday, he met nodal officers of all states and asked them to make arrangements for migrants in their respective states. He also appealed to the people to abide by the government directives regarding lock down and stay wherever they are. 

UK Prime Minister tests positive for Coronavirus

As per report from Downing Street, Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested positive for coronavirus. He has mild symptoms and will self-isolate himself. 

In a statement it was said, “He was tested for coronavirus on the personal advice of England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty.” 

The test was carried out by NHS staff at Number 10. In a tweet, Prime Minister said, “Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus.” 

UK has had total of 11, 658 COVID-19 cases, with 10,945 active cases and 578 deaths. The number of total recovered cases in UK is 135. The world has been battling against novel coronavirus infection which was declared a pandemic by WHO on 11th March, 2020. 

Separate hospital for COVID-19 affected women: BMC

Brihan Mumbai Corporation (BMC) has come up with an idea of starting separate hospitals for women infected with COVID-19. An official from BMC said, “The hospitals will be near maternity homes which will benefit women.” The official also informed that the hospitals are planned to be a 100-bedded isolation ward as these will be imperative to provide treatment to these women at one place so that they don’t have to travel. 

1200 people identified with travel history in J&K

Almost 1200 individuals in Jammu and Kashmir, who hid their travel history to coronavirus-affected countries, have now been identified and quarantined in health facilities in the Union territory.

World’s city leaders come together to discuss Coronavirus pandemic; Kejriwal to participate

A global meeting of city leaders is being organized by the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group on Friday evening via a video-conference. The group will come together to discuss the pandemic; Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will represent Delhi and India at the conference. 

Hackers stealing data through coronavirus malware

Two more COVID-19 cases test negative in Pune

Two COVID-19 patients who were being treated at Naidu Hospital have tested negative in their repeat samples. Dr Rajendra Hunkare, Chief of Health Department, Pune Municipal Corporation informed that both of them have been discharged from the hospital. 

No one will go hungry in Delhi

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced at a press briefing today that arrangements have been made to provide lunch and dinner at 325 Delhi schools, catering to at least 500 people at each school. Till now, food was being provided to 20, 000 people daily, the number is now being raised to around 4 00,000 from today. 

Finance Minister announces package worth Rs 1, 70, 000 crore: Key takeaways

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a relief package to help the poor, daily wagers in fighting the COVID-19 outbreak. She announced on Thursday that, “A package is ready for the poor who need immediate help like migrant workers and urban & rural poor. No one will go hungry. The package is worth Rs 1.7 Lakh Crore.”

§  A 50 lakh insurance per health care worker as a medical insurance cover for three months; assuming that India is able to curtail the virus in this period

§  Under the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Ann Yojana; 80 Crore poor people will be covered for the next 3 months. In addition to already allotted 5 Kg of rice/wheat per person, an additional 5 Kg will be given free.

§  8.69 Crore farmers will be immediately benefited through direct cash transfers. Installment of Rs 2000 will be transferred in the first week of April

§  Under the MGNREGA, wages will be increased benefitting 5 crore families. An increase of Rs 2000 per worker on average will be increased as additional income.

§  For all the Organizations with less than 100 employees where 90% of employees are earning less than 15, 000 INR, Government of India will pay 24% Employee Provident Fund (EPF) for next three months. The government will pay the employer’s contribution as well as the employee contribution (12%+12%) for the next three months. 

Face legal action if you defy 14-day quarantine norms!

Following a review on the actions taken to curb the spread of coronavirus in India, a Group of Ministers have said that those who have returned from foreign countries and are trying to get away with the quarantine period advised to them will be facing legal charges.

At a press briefing on the current situation of COVID-19 in the country, a senior health official from health ministry emphasized that so far there has been no community transmission of the disease in India even in light of the fact that the total number of cases have risen to 693 with 13 deaths reported across the country. 

PM Modi interacts with the people of his constituency, Varanasi

The total count of positive cases in India is now 678 with 13 deaths and 43 recovered cases as the country entered the second day of the nationwide lockdown of 21 days. The lockdown was announced to curtail the spread of the deadly virus in the country, suggesting that social distancing is the best bet against the viral pandemic in present circumstances. The states of Goa, J&K have reported first deaths due to COVID-19 while Maharashtra reported its fourth death due to the deadly virus.

On 25^th March, PM Modi interacted with the people of his constituency Varanasi through video conferencing to talk to them and allay fears about the growing coronavirus crisis in the country. He reemphasized the need of social distancing during this pandemic to overcome the viral spread.

He said, “As the MP of Varanasi, I should have been among you in times like these. But you know the things which are going on in Delhi. Despite being busy here, I have been taking regular updates about Varanasi from my colleagues.”

Toll collection on national highways suspended to relieve emergency services

On Wednesday, 25^th March, Government suspended toll collection on national highways to relieve emergency services while the country is under lockdown to combat the deadly coronavirus. Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari announced that in view of the COVID-19, toll collection at all toll plazas across the country is being temporarily suspended. This measure was taken to reduce inconvenience to the emergency services and also save critical time.

Haryana orders parole to jail inmates and extension of medical services

Haryana government has decided to send jail inmates on parole; inmates/prisoners already on parole or furlough will get an extension of 4-weeks special parole. Additionally, prisoners who return to jail after only 1 parole or furlough on time in a peaceful manner will also be given 6 weeks of special parole.

Haryana government has also provided an extension in service to medical and para-medical staff and those involved in essential services whose tenure is coming to an end this month. A Crisis Coordination Committee deliberated and took this decision of extending the services. 

WHAT DO LOCKDOWN GUIDELINES SAY?

A 6-page guidelines released by the Ministry of Home Affairs indicates that fair price shops and those dealing with food, groceries, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, fish and animal fodder will continue to operate. It also mentions that any false claim for relief during lockdown could lead to a two-year imprisonment.

"To save India, to save every Indian, there will be a complete ban on people from stepping outside their houses from 12 midnight today," he said. He also showed a poster which mentions corona means 'Koi Road Par Na Nikle' (No one should come out on roads).

"Lockdown is being imposed on every state, union territory, district, village, mohalla and street.

The lockdown is akin to a curfew and will be more stringent than the 'janta curfew' observed on Sunday.

COMPLETE LOCKDOWN IN INDIA FOR 21 DAYS

To try and halt the spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a complete lockdown of the entire country for 21 days on Tuesday.

It was his second address to the nation in less than a week and he said that the lockdown will begin from Tuesday midnight. He also announced a Central allocation of Rs 15,000 crore as a measure to strengthen the health infrastructure to tackle the disease.

There is already fear and apprehension over the Coronavirus spread. This has made governments in the states and union territories to enforce a lockdown till March 31. Till this time, all the road, rail and air services will also remain suspended. However, there will be freight movement for carrying essential commodities across the country.

DEATH TOLL RISES TO 11

The number of Covid-19 deaths has climbed to 11 in India and Tamil Nadu reported its first casualty on Wednesday. The patient was a 54-year-old man infected with coronavirus.

According to the Union Health Ministry,the second death reported in Delhi was tested negative for coronavirus. Official data indicates that about 40 people have so far been cured/discharged/migrated.

5 new Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra; total rises to 112; India total Covid-19 count increases to 581

With India under total lockdown for 21 days in a bid to combat coronavirus spread,the total number of Covid-19 patients has shot over 570on Wednesday. The death toll currently stands at 11. There are 20 new cases across the country as of Wednesday morning, which takes the total count of people infected to 581. There have also been new cases in Mizoram, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

The Health Ministry has stated that there were 52 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday. India also saw the highest surge in infections on Monday, standing at 99.

About five people tested positive for Covid-19 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday morning. Out of these, four are from Indore and one is from Ujjain. The total in Madhya Pradesh is now 14.

InUttar Pradesh,there are35 positive cases in all and this includes a foreign national. In Pilibhit, a 33-year-old resident tested positive on Wednesday. The King George's Medical University in Lucknow claimed that this patient did not have a travel history and is a confirmed contact transmission case.

In Gujarat as well, there are three new coronavirus positive cases and the total confirmed cases now stand at 38.

The count in Maharashtra has increased to 112 with five fresh cases on Wednesday. With the death of a 65-year-old coronavirus patient in Mumbai on Tuesday, the death toll due to the viral infection has climbed to three in the metropolis. With 107 cases, Maharashtra has thus far accounted for the highest number of coronavirus infections. This is followed by Kerala at105.

A resident of Mizoram has alsotested positive for Covid-19 and is admitted at Zoram Medical College.

The first Covid-19 case in the North East is a 23-year-old woman from Manipur whotested positive on Tuesday. There are also 41 cases of Coronavirus in Karnataka and 39 in Telangana. The number of cases in Rajasthan has alsoincreased to 32, which includes 22 foreigners.

The number of cases in Delhi is 29 currently including one foreigner.

There are 30 cases in Haryana, including 14 foreigners. Punjab has 29 cases and Ladakh stands at13 cases. On the other hand,Tamil Nadu has reported 18 cases, which includes two foreigners.

About 9 caseshavebeenreported from West Bengaland Andhra Pradesh has 7 patients. There are six reported cases in Chandigarh.

The tally in Jammu and Kashmirclimbed to 7 with 3 more cases on Tuesday, while five cases have been recorded in Uttarakhand.

Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Odishahave 2 cases while there is 1 each in Puducherry, Manipur and Chhattisgarh.

Uttar Pradesh shuts educational institutions, cinemas till April 2

On Tuesday, the government of Uttar Pradesh announced the closure of all educational institutions in the state till April 2nd, 2020 in order to control the transmission of coronavirus. 

In a press briefing following the meeting of the UP Cabinet, Minister Shrikant Sharma said, "Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that all schools, colleges and educational institutes will remain closed till April 2."

In view of this, even the competitive and other examinations have been postponed till April 2. All tourist places, Cinemas and multiplexes have also been shut down till April 2^nd. Sharma briefed the reporters that the district magistrates have been instructed to spread awareness among public through posters and banners on the viral diseases.

"An appeal has been made to religious leaders to avoid crowding in temples, mosques, gurudwaras and churches and exercise caution," Sharma said.

The chief minister also appealed to the public to not gather in public places, and avoid unnecessary panic.

Women tested positive in Gurugram, Haryana reports its first case

An employee of a Gurgaon-based company tested positive on Tuesday, as per the government officials. The 29-year-old woman had recently travelled to Malaysia and Indonesia, the official said.

"This is the first positive case of the coronavirus in Haryana," state Director General of Health Suraj Bhan Kamboj said.

She has been admitted to a hospital and her condition is stable, he said. Her sample taken on her return from abroad were sent to the Pune-based National Institute of Virology, which confirmed her to be positive of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease),

Uttarakhand declares coronavirus as an epidemic

According to briefing from Pankaj Pandey, Secy Medical, Health & Medical Education Dept., Uttarakhand govt declared Coronavirus as an epidemic. The Medical Stores in the state were advised not to sell medicines to people suffering from cold & cough without medical prescription. Masks & hand sanitizers should be sold only at MRP.

Amazon to hire 1 lakh workers as online orders surge on coronavirus worries

With a surge in online orders due to the coronavirus pandemic, Amazon.com Inc. on Monday said it would hire 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers in the United States. In view of the social distancing and self-isolation, many consumers have turned to the web to cater to their regular needs during the coronavirus outbreak.

Government expands compulsory quarantine for passengers coming from UAE, Qatar, Oman & Kuwait

As per directive from Health Ministry, passengers coming from/transiting through have to undergo compulsory quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days for passengers with effect from 1200 GMT on 18th March at the port of first departure. This will be followed till 31^st March, 2020.

India reports total 126 confirmed coronavirus cases

According to the Union Ministry of Family and Health Welfare, the total number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases has risen to 126 in India by 17^th March, 2020. A state –wise list of confirmed coronavirus cases was given out by the Ministry on 17^th March, 2020.  Maharashtra topped the list with 36 positive cases followed by Kerala at 22. Meanwhile, Delhi has reported 7 confirmed cases so far.

Union Minister V Muraleedharan tests negative for COVID-19

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan has tested negative for the novel coronavirus infection. He had gone on a home quarantine as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19. The minister had attended a meeting in Trivandrum on 14^th March 2020 where a doctor from the same medical college had tested positive for novel coronavirus on March 15, 2020. The doctor had returned from Spain.

Coronavirus impact: COVID-19 likely to be detrimental for output and prices

Global crude oil prices have seen 30% fall and this is anticipated to bring down the petrol prices by INR 12/litre and diesel prices by INR 10/litre in India as per State Bank of India's research report titled Ecowrap. The report of the national bank also suggests that if the Centre and states, do not want to slash fuel prices, they must not raise the excise duty in any case. Further the report adds, "Rather the additional revenue accruing to the Centre can be spent on providing relief to people at the lower strata who will lose income because of shutdown of commercial activity in states as novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads."