Pakistan has extended the suspension of domestic flight operations till May 13 as part of the government's plan to contain the spread of the coronavirus which has claimed 667 lives and infected over 30,000 people in the country.

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) extended the ban until Wednesday as part of the government instructions to minimise travelling of the people. The earlier ban ended on May 10.

"As per the decision of the GoP, the suspension of domestic flight operations as effected earlier has been extended up to Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 2359 hours PST. Remaining provisions as applicable to the suspension of domestic flights reflected in previous orders remain unchanged," PCAA said in a tweet late last night.

According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 1,476 new COVID-19 patients were identified during the last 24 hours.

A total of 28 more people have died in the same period, taking the tally of COVID-19 deaths in Pakistan to 667, it said, adding that 8,212 people have recovered.

(With inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

Pakistan has extended the suspension of domestic flight operations till May 13 as part of the government's plan to contain the spread of the coronavirus which has claimed 667 lives and infected over 30,000 people in the country.

Pakistan has extended the suspension of domestic flight operations till May 13 as part of the government's plan to contain the spread of the coronavirus which has claimed 667 lives and infected over 30,000 people in the country. Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) extended the ban until Wednesday as part of the government instructions to minimise travelling of the people. The earlier ban ended on May 10. "As per the decision of the GoP, the suspension of domestic flight operations as effected earlier has been extended up to Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 2359 hours PST. Remaining provisions as applicable to the suspension of domestic flights reflected in previous orders remain unchanged," PCAA said in a tweet late last night. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 1,476 new COVID-19 patients were identified during the last 24 hours. A total of 28 more people have died in the same period, taking the tally of COVID-19 deaths in Pakistan to 667, it said, adding that 8,212 people have recovered. (With inputs from PTI)

COVID-19: Pakistan extends domestic flights suspension till May 13

The number of positive coronavirus cases globally has crossed the 4 million mark as the total cases reported are nearly 4,026,691.

As many as 276,894 people have lost their lives due to the deadly virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-sent-coronavirus-tests-to-us-for-processing-297776">Also read:&nbsp;Britain sent coronavirus tests to US for processing</a>

United States is one of the worst-hit countries by coronavirus. The total positive cases in America rose to 1,320,413, including 78,644 deaths.

Germany saw a sudden rise in the positive cases which increased the total tally to 168,049 and the total deaths to&nbsp;7,327.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-sees-rapid-spike-in-coronavirus-patients-297693">Also read:&nbsp;Maldives sees rapid spike in coronavirus patients</a>

Italy and Spain are aiming to partially open the lockdown as the cases have slowed down, with Italy having total&nbsp;217,185 positive, including&nbsp;30,201 deaths, and Spain having&nbsp;240,711 positive cases, including 26,299 deaths.

United Kingdom and Russia are struggling to contain the spread of virus as the number of cases rose to 211,364 (31,241 deaths) and&nbsp;198,676 (1,827 deaths) respectively. However, few relaxations in the lockdown of the uK are expected soon.

After months of no new positive case, Wuhan, the alleged epicentre of the virus, has reported new positive cases, taking the total number of coronavirus cases to&nbsp;82,887 and&nbsp;4,633 fatalities.

A total of 201 countries have been infected by the virus in the past 6 months.

The number of positive coronavirus cases globally has crossed the 4 million mark as the total cases reported are nearly 4,026,691. As many as 276,894 people have lost their lives due to the deadly virus.

The number of positive coronavirus cases globally has crossed the 4 million mark as the total cases reported are nearly 4,026,691. As many as 276,894 people have lost their lives due to the deadly virus. Also read: Britain sent coronavirus tests to US for processing United States is one of the worst-hit countries by coronavirus. The total positive cases in America rose to 1,320,413, including 78,644 deaths. Germany saw a sudden rise in the positive cases which increased the total tally to 168,049 and the total deaths to 7,327. Also read: Maldives sees rapid spike in coronavirus patients Italy and Spain are aiming to partially open the lockdown as the cases have slowed down, with Italy having total 217,185 positive, including 30,201 deaths, and Spain having 240,711 positive cases, including 26,299 deaths. United Kingdom and Russia are struggling to contain the spread of virus as the number of cases rose to 211,364 (31,241 deaths) and 198,676 (1,827 deaths) respectively. However, few relaxations in the lockdown of the uK are expected soon. After months of no new positive case, Wuhan, the alleged epicentre of the virus, has reported new positive cases, taking the total number of coronavirus cases to 82,887 and 4,633 fatalities. A total of 201 countries have been infected by the virus in the past 6 months.

Global COVID-19 tally crosses the 4 million mark

Brazil, the hardest-hit Latin American country in the coronavirus pandemic, has now recorded 10,627 deaths and 155,939 confirmed cases, according to figures released Saturday by the Ministry of Health.

Brazil, the hardest-hit Latin American country in the coronavirus pandemic, has now recorded 10,627 deaths and 155,939 confirmed cases, according to figures released Saturday by the Ministry of Health. While Brazil's figures are high, scientists think the real toll could be 15 or even 20 times worse, given the country's inability to carry out widespread testing, according to news agency AFP. Sao Paulo, a state in southeastern Brazil with almost 46 million inhabitants, has seen more than 3,600 deaths and more than 44,400 cases, the report added. Neighbouring Rio de Janeiro state, home to more than 16 million people, follows with 1,653 deaths and 16,929 infections. Less populated states such as Ceara, Pernambuco and Amazonas already have around a thousand dead each. Resisting pressure from President Jair Bolsonaro, who opposes isolation measures due to their impact on the economy, the governors of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states will extend the partial quarantine measures in force since March until the end of May. After Brazil surpassed the 10,000 dead mark, Congress decreed an official mourning period of three days and asked Brazilians to follow health authorities' recommendations to reduce infection rates while the country prepares for "a safe and definitive return back to normal." Worldwide there have been more than 277,000 coronavirus deaths. And there are now at least 4,001,437 cases of coronavirus worldwide, according to an AFP tally at 2145 GMT Saturday, based on official sources.

COVID-19: Brazil records 10,627 deaths, 155,939 confirmed cases

Malaysia has been able to contain the spread of coronavirus. However, the Malaysian government has decided to extend the lockdown by four weeks.

The country has been following partial lockdown with some restrictions being lifted in phases. However, the lockdown will now be extended till June 9.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-indias-flight-from-dhaka-brings-back-129-stranded-indians-297624">Also read:&nbsp;Air India's flight from Dhaka brings back 129 stranded Indians</a>

The current lockdown was scheduled to end on May 12, Tuesday. However,&nbsp;Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that the movement restrictions need to continue to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

As the cases had been decreasing in the country, the government had allowed few businesses to re-open to revive its economy.

However, mass gatherings remain barred. All&nbsp;schools, cinemas and places of worship too will stay shut. In addition it, the travel restrictions are still in place.

Malaysia recorded 67 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases to 6,656, and 108 deaths.

Malaysia has been able to contain the spread of coronavirus. However, the Malaysian government has decided to extend the lockdown by four weeks. The country has been following partial lockdown with some restrictions being lifted in phases.

Malaysia has been able to contain the spread of coronavirus. However, the Malaysian government has decided to extend the lockdown by four weeks. The country has been following partial lockdown with some restrictions being lifted in phases. However, the lockdown will now be extended till June 9. Also read: Air India's flight from Dhaka brings back 129 stranded Indians The current lockdown was scheduled to end on May 12, Tuesday. However, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that the movement restrictions need to continue to contain the spread of the deadly virus. As the cases had been decreasing in the country, the government had allowed few businesses to re-open to revive its economy. However, mass gatherings remain barred. All schools, cinemas and places of worship too will stay shut. In addition it, the travel restrictions are still in place. Malaysia recorded 67 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases to 6,656, and 108 deaths.

Malaysia extends lockdown till June 9; cases decrease

After his military aide tested positive for coronavirus, US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would undergo the COVID-19 test every day.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-coronavirus-cases-surge-to-38-million-death-toll-at-269584-297351">Also read: Global coronavirus cases surge to 3.8 million, death toll at 269,584</a> 
 
A military aide of Trump, whom officials described as a personal vale, tested positive for coronavirus. The president said he had very little contact with him.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-the-covid-19-pandemic-deepens-virus-symptoms-multiply-297322">Also read: As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens, virus symptoms multiply</a>

"I have had very little contact, personal contact, with this gentleman. I know who he is. Good person. But I have had very little contact. (Vice President) Mike (Pence) has had very little contact with him. But Mike was tested and I was tested. We were both tested," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lambasts-us-for-coercing-countries-to-plant-covid-19-accusations-against-it-297110">Also Read: China&nbsp;lambasts US for coercing countries to plant COVID-19 accusations</a>&nbsp;

Responding to questions, Trump said he, the vice president and other staff of the White House would be tested for coronavirus every day.

"I just had a test. I had one yesterday and one today, and it is negative. Mike just had a test and it is negative," he said.

"But they do the tests and it just shows you that the fallacy -- it is what I have been saying -- testing is not a perfect art. No matter what you do, testing is not a perfect art. So we test once a week. Now we are going to go testing once a day. But even when you test once a day, somebody could -- something happens where they catch something," the president said.

After his military aide tested positive for coronavirus, US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would undergo the COVID-19 test every day. Also read: Global coronavirus cases surge to 3.

After his military aide tested positive for coronavirus, US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would undergo the COVID-19 test every day. Also read: Global coronavirus cases surge to 3.8 million, death toll at 269,584 A military aide of Trump, whom officials described as a personal vale, tested positive for coronavirus. The president said he had very little contact with him. Also read: As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens, virus symptoms multiply "I have had very little contact, personal contact, with this gentleman. I know who he is. Good person. But I have had very little contact. (Vice President) Mike (Pence) has had very little contact with him. But Mike was tested and I was tested. We were both tested," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House. Also Read: China lambasts US for coercing countries to plant COVID-19 accusations Responding to questions, Trump said he, the vice president and other staff of the White House would be tested for coronavirus every day. "I just had a test. I had one yesterday and one today, and it is negative. Mike just had a test and it is negative," he said. "But they do the tests and it just shows you that the fallacy -- it is what I have been saying -- testing is not a perfect art. No matter what you do, testing is not a perfect art. So we test once a week. Now we are going to go testing once a day. But even when you test once a day, somebody could -- something happens where they catch something," the president said.

Trump to undergo covid-19 test every day as military aide tests positive for coronavirus

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.8 million worldwide on Friday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-the-covid-19-pandemic-deepens-virus-symptoms-multiply-297322">Also read: As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens, virus symptoms multiply</a>

COVID-19 has now infected 3,846,861 people worldwide and 269,584 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around &nbsp;1,285,807 people of that tally have recovered.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lambasts-us-for-coercing-countries-to-plant-covid-19-accusations-against-it-297110">Also Read: China&nbsp;lambasts US for coercing countries to plant COVID-19 accusations</a>&nbsp;

A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe.

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The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America.

Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment.

As of Friday morning, 1,257,023 people have been infected with the coronavirus across the US, while the death toll has surged to 75,662, according to the Johns Hopkins University.&nbsp;

Some scientific models suggest the figure will rise to 3,000 a day by June.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan.&nbsp;

The disease later identified as COVID-19 was first reported by Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31 and was not previously believed to have spread to Europe until January.

WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that other earlier cases could emerge after retesting samples.

(With inputs from agencies)

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.8 million worldwide on Friday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. Also read: As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens, virus symptoms multiply COVID-19 has now infected 3,846,861 people worldwide and 269,584 people have been killed due to this pandemic.

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.8 million worldwide on Friday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. Also read: As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens, virus symptoms multiply COVID-19 has now infected 3,846,861 people worldwide and 269,584 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around 1,285,807 people of that tally have recovered. Also Read: China lambasts US for coercing countries to plant COVID-19 accusations A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe. The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America. Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment. As of Friday morning, 1,257,023 people have been infected with the coronavirus across the US, while the death toll has surged to 75,662, according to the Johns Hopkins University. Some scientific models suggest the figure will rise to 3,000 a day by June. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan. The disease later identified as COVID-19 was first reported by Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31 and was not previously believed to have spread to Europe until January. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that other earlier cases could emerge after retesting samples. (With inputs from agencies)

Global coronavirus cases surge to 3.8 million, death toll at 269,584

India's COVID-19 tally continued to rise with the total number of confirmed cases touching 56,342 on Friday, data on the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website showed.&nbsp;

Of the total cases in the country, 37,916 are active cases while 16,539 individuals have been cured and discharged from the hospitals. The death toll has mounted to 1,886 while one person has migrated to another country, according to the data released by the Health Ministry.

The total number of cases also include 111 foreign nationals.

Around the world, over 38.45 lakh coronavirus cases have been detected. The most number of COVID 19 positive cases have been detected in the US, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdon and Russia. Over 2.69 COVID 19 related deaths have been reported across the globe. The US, UK, Italy and Spain have recorded more deaths than other countries, as per the information shared by the Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved 21 institutions for participating in a randomised controlled study to assess the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma to limit complications associated with COVID-19. The sample size of the study is 452. Once 400 patients are enrolled, no more sites will be added. The clinical trial liability insurance has been bought centrally by the ICMR, officials said.

(With inputs from agencies)

India's COVID-19 tally continued to rise with the total number of confirmed cases touching 56,342 on Friday, data on the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website showed.

India's COVID-19 tally continued to rise with the total number of confirmed cases touching 56,342 on Friday, data on the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website showed. Of the total cases in the country, 37,916 are active cases while 16,539 individuals have been cured and discharged from the hospitals. The death toll has mounted to 1,886 while one person has migrated to another country, according to the data released by the Health Ministry. The total number of cases also include 111 foreign nationals. Around the world, over 38.45 lakh coronavirus cases have been detected. The most number of COVID 19 positive cases have been detected in the US, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdon and Russia. Over 2.69 COVID 19 related deaths have been reported across the globe. The US, UK, Italy and Spain have recorded more deaths than other countries, as per the information shared by the Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center. Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved 21 institutions for participating in a randomised controlled study to assess the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma to limit complications associated with COVID-19. The sample size of the study is 452. Once 400 patients are enrolled, no more sites will be added. The clinical trial liability insurance has been bought centrally by the ICMR, officials said. (With inputs from agencies)

Total COVID-19 cases in India cross 56,000-mark; 16539 patients cured

The death toll due to deadly coronavirus in India rose to 1,783 while the number of cases climbed to 52,952 on Thursday, registering an increase of 89 deaths and 3,561 cases in the last 24 hours, as per data shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

According to the Union Ministry, 1783 people have died due to coronavirus. There are 35902 coronavirus active cases in the country and 15266 COVID 19 positive patients have been cured or discharged, one patient has been migrated. The total number of coronavirus cases in India is 52,952. 
 
The total number of cases also include 111 foreign nationals.

<img alt="death toll" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1878da72-672c-486b-ae2b-4bf6d98404a4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/corona-watch.jpg" /> 
 
(Picture courtesy: @COVIDNewsByMIB)

"Thus, around 28.83 per cent patients have recovered so far," a senior health ministry official said. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
A total of 89 deaths have been reported since Wednesday morning, of which 34 people died in Maharashtra, 28 in Gujarat, nine in Madhya Pradesh, four each in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, three in Rajasthan, two each from Punjab and Tamil Nadu and one each from Delhi, Haryana and Orissa. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Of the 1,783 fatalities, Maharashtra tops the tally with 651 fatalities, Gujarat comes second with 396 deaths, followed by Madhya Pradesh at 185, West Bengal at 144, Rajasthan at 92, Delhi at 65, Uttar Pradesh at 60 and Andhra Pradesh at 36.

Meanwhile, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved 21 institutions for participating in a randomised controlled study to assess the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma to limit complications associated with COVID-19. The sample size of the study is 452. Once 400 patients are enrolled, no more sites will be added. The clinical trial liability insurance has been bought centrally by the ICMR, officials said. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The death toll due to deadly coronavirus in India rose to 1,783 while the number of cases climbed to 52,952 on Thursday, registering an increase of 89 deaths and 3,561 cases in the last 24 hours, as per data shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The death toll due to deadly coronavirus in India rose to 1,783 while the number of cases climbed to 52,952 on Thursday, registering an increase of 89 deaths and 3,561 cases in the last 24 hours, as per data shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. According to the Union Ministry, 1783 people have died due to coronavirus. There are 35902 coronavirus active cases in the country and 15266 COVID 19 positive patients have been cured or discharged, one patient has been migrated. The total number of coronavirus cases in India is 52,952. The total number of cases also include 111 foreign nationals. (Picture courtesy: @COVIDNewsByMIB) "Thus, around 28.83 per cent patients have recovered so far," a senior health ministry official said. A total of 89 deaths have been reported since Wednesday morning, of which 34 people died in Maharashtra, 28 in Gujarat, nine in Madhya Pradesh, four each in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, three in Rajasthan, two each from Punjab and Tamil Nadu and one each from Delhi, Haryana and Orissa. Of the 1,783 fatalities, Maharashtra tops the tally with 651 fatalities, Gujarat comes second with 396 deaths, followed by Madhya Pradesh at 185, West Bengal at 144, Rajasthan at 92, Delhi at 65, Uttar Pradesh at 60 and Andhra Pradesh at 36. Meanwhile, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved 21 institutions for participating in a randomised controlled study to assess the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma to limit complications associated with COVID-19. The sample size of the study is 452. Once 400 patients are enrolled, no more sites will be added. The clinical trial liability insurance has been bought centrally by the ICMR, officials said. (With inputs from agencies)

53,000 total COVID-19 cases in India now; death toll jumps to 1783

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Every week, it seems, the list of coronavirus symptoms — ranging from disagreeable to the deadly — grows longer. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-the-covid-19-pandemic-deepens-virus-symptoms-multiply-297322">READ MORE</a>

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As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens, virus symptoms multiply Every week, it seems, the list of coronavirus symptoms — ranging from disagreeable to the deadly — grows longer.

As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens, virus symptoms multiply Every week, it seems, the list of coronavirus symptoms — ranging from disagreeable to the deadly — grows longer. READ MORE Kim Jong-un sends 'verbal message' to Xi Jinping for China's success on its handling of COVID-19 North Korea's Kim Jong Un has sent a "warm greetings" to Chinese leader Xi Jinping in a "verbal message", the state news agency of North Korea reported Friday, after weeks of speculation about his health. READ MORE

Morning News Brief: Coronavirus symptoms multiply, Russia reports record increase in cases and more

Every week, it seems, the list of coronavirus symptoms — ranging from disagreeable to the deadly — grows longer.

What began as a familiar flu-like cluster of chills, headaches and fever has rapidly expanded over the last three months into a catalogue of syndromes affecting almost all the body's organs, from the brain to the kidneys. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lambasts-us-for-coercing-countries-to-plant-covid-19-accusations-against-it-297110">Also Read: China&nbsp;lambasts US for coercing countries to plant COVID-19 accusations</a>&nbsp;

The new coronavirus can also push the immune system into overdrive, unleashing an indiscriminate assault -- known as a cytokine storm -- on pathogens and their human hosts alike.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-china-censors-european-unions-friendship-letter-297279">Also Read:&nbsp;Now, China censors European Union's 'friendship letter'</a>

"Most viruses can cause disease in two ways," explained Jeremy Rossman, a senior lecturer in virology at the University of Kent.

"They can damage tissue where the virus replicates, or they can cause damage as a side-effect of the immune system fighting off the disease."

Doctors suspect, for example, that COVID-19 is behind the hospitalisation in recent weeks of several dozen children in New York, London and Paris diagnosed with a rare inflammatory disorder similar to toxic shock syndrome.

Affecting mainly young children, the painful disease attacks artery walls and can cause organ failure.

Dozens of medical studies in recent weeks have detailed other potentially lethal impacts including strokes and heart damage.

Researchers from the urology department of Nanjing Medical University, writing this week in Nature Reviews, described patients developing severe urinary complications and acute kidney injury.

They also observed "dramatic changes" in male sex hormones.

'1-in-10,000 still a lot'

"After recovery from COVID-19, young men who are interested in having children should receive a consultation regarding their fertility," they concluded.

Does that mean that COVID-19 causes a uniquely broad array of symptoms? Not necessarily, virologists and other experts say.

"If it is a common disease, then even rare complications will happen frequently," Babak Javid, a consultant in infectious diseases at Cambridge University Hospitals said.

There are nearly 3.8 million confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world, but the true number of infections -- taking into account undetected and asymptomatic infection — "is going to be in the tens, possibly hundreds of millions," he said.

"So if one-in-1,000, or even one-in-10,000, get complications, that is still thousands of people."

Some of the rarer symptoms associated with COVID-19 are also known to have been triggered by influenza, which kills several hundred thousand people worldwide every year, he noted.

For the new coronavirus, frontline general practitioners across the globe have been the first to look for patterns in the unfolding pandemic.

"At the outset, we were told to watch out for headaches, fever and a light cough," recalls Sylvie Monnoye, a family doctor in central Paris for nearly three decades.

"Then they added a runny nose and a scratchy throat. After that, digestive problems, including stomach aches and severe diarrhoea."

The list kept growing: skin lesions, neurological problems, sharp chest pains, loss of taste and smell.

A feeling of confusion

"We started to think that we should suspect everything," Monnoye said, dressed from head-to-toe in protective wear.

Some patients were so terrified, she added, that they cowered in the corner of her office afraid to touch anything or get too close to her.

An internal US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report with a breakdown of symptoms for 2,591 COVID-10 patients admitted to hospital between March 1 and May 1 chimes with such anecdotal accounts.

Three-quarters of the patients experienced chills, fever and/or coughing, with nearly as many showing shortness of breath.

These are, by far, the most common COVID-19 symptoms.

Nearly a third complained of flu-like muscle aches, while 28 per cent experienced diarrhoea and a quarter nausea or vomiting, according to the internal report, leaked to the media.

Some 18 per cent had headaches, while 10 to 15 per cent were hit by chest or abdominal pain, runny nose, sore throat and/or a feeling of confusion.

Less than one per cent of the CDC cohort had other symptoms, including seizures, rashes and conjunctivitis.

Health authorities have been slow in alerting the public to this panoply of possible impacts.

Loss of smell

Until the end of April, the CDC itself only listed three on its website: coughing, fever and shortness of breath. The update included only a few more: chills, muscle pain, headaches and loss of smell or taste. France's health officials made a similar update on May 5.

A loss of smell and taste was found in only 3.5 per cent of patients included in the CDC report, but experts suspect these symptoms are -- for reasons unknown -- far more prevalent in less severe cases where people were not hospitalised.

Monnoye said it was among the most common of the symptoms she encountered, and agreed that it was "probably linked to a milder form of the disease".

"I don't have any patients with these symptoms who had serious complications," she said.

The loss of taste and smell, experts note, is extremely rare with other types of virus.

Another cluster of symptoms rarely found within flu patients appears to arise from blood clots.

Heart problems, liver thrombosis, lung embolisms and brain damage in COVID-19 patients have been traced to such clots in a flurry of recent studies. Others have described kidney failure and even gummed-up dialysis machines.

"When one is very sick with COVID, you can have a problem with blood clots forming, and that seems to be much, much more common than with other viral infections," added Javid.

"Compared to influenza, you are much more likely to become seriously ill, and to die."

Every week, it seems, the list of coronavirus symptoms — ranging from disagreeable to the deadly — grows longer. What began as a familiar flu-like cluster of chills, headaches and fever has rapidly expanded over the last three months into a catalogue of syndromes affecting almost all the body's organs, from the brain to the kidneys.

Every week, it seems, the list of coronavirus symptoms — ranging from disagreeable to the deadly — grows longer. What began as a familiar flu-like cluster of chills, headaches and fever has rapidly expanded over the last three months into a catalogue of syndromes affecting almost all the body's organs, from the brain to the kidneys. Also Read: China lambasts US for coercing countries to plant COVID-19 accusations The new coronavirus can also push the immune system into overdrive, unleashing an indiscriminate assault -- known as a cytokine storm -- on pathogens and their human hosts alike. Also Read: Now, China censors European Union's 'friendship letter' "Most viruses can cause disease in two ways," explained Jeremy Rossman, a senior lecturer in virology at the University of Kent. "They can damage tissue where the virus replicates, or they can cause damage as a side-effect of the immune system fighting off the disease." Doctors suspect, for example, that COVID-19 is behind the hospitalisation in recent weeks of several dozen children in New York, London and Paris diagnosed with a rare inflammatory disorder similar to toxic shock syndrome. Affecting mainly young children, the painful disease attacks artery walls and can cause organ failure. Dozens of medical studies in recent weeks have detailed other potentially lethal impacts including strokes and heart damage. Researchers from the urology department of Nanjing Medical University, writing this week in Nature Reviews, described patients developing severe urinary complications and acute kidney injury. They also observed "dramatic changes" in male sex hormones. '1-in-10,000 still a lot' "After recovery from COVID-19, young men who are interested in having children should receive a consultation regarding their fertility," they concluded. Does that mean that COVID-19 causes a uniquely broad array of symptoms? Not necessarily, virologists and other experts say. "If it is a common disease, then even rare complications will happen frequently," Babak Javid, a consultant in infectious diseases at Cambridge University Hospitals said. There are nearly 3.8 million confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world, but the true number of infections -- taking into account undetected and asymptomatic infection — "is going to be in the tens, possibly hundreds of millions," he said. "So if one-in-1,000, or even one-in-10,000, get complications, that is still thousands of people." Some of the rarer symptoms associated with COVID-19 are also known to have been triggered by influenza, which kills several hundred thousand people worldwide every year, he noted. For the new coronavirus, frontline general practitioners across the globe have been the first to look for patterns in the unfolding pandemic. "At the outset, we were told to watch out for headaches, fever and a light cough," recalls Sylvie Monnoye, a family doctor in central Paris for nearly three decades. "Then they added a runny nose and a scratchy throat. After that, digestive problems, including stomach aches and severe diarrhoea." The list kept growing: skin lesions, neurological problems, sharp chest pains, loss of taste and smell. A feeling of confusion "We started to think that we should suspect everything," Monnoye said, dressed from head-to-toe in protective wear. Some patients were so terrified, she added, that they cowered in the corner of her office afraid to touch anything or get too close to her. An internal US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report with a breakdown of symptoms for 2,591 COVID-10 patients admitted to hospital between March 1 and May 1 chimes with such anecdotal accounts. Three-quarters of the patients experienced chills, fever and/or coughing, with nearly as many showing shortness of breath. These are, by far, the most common COVID-19 symptoms. Nearly a third complained of flu-like muscle aches, while 28 per cent experienced diarrhoea and a quarter nausea or vomiting, according to the internal report, leaked to the media. Some 18 per cent had headaches, while 10 to 15 per cent were hit by chest or abdominal pain, runny nose, sore throat and/or a feeling of confusion. Less than one per cent of the CDC cohort had other symptoms, including seizures, rashes and conjunctivitis. Health authorities have been slow in alerting the public to this panoply of possible impacts. Loss of smell Until the end of April, the CDC itself only listed three on its website: coughing, fever and shortness of breath. The update included only a few more: chills, muscle pain, headaches and loss of smell or taste. France's health officials made a similar update on May 5. A loss of smell and taste was found in only 3.5 per cent of patients included in the CDC report, but experts suspect these symptoms are -- for reasons unknown -- far more prevalent in less severe cases where people were not hospitalised. Monnoye said it was among the most common of the symptoms she encountered, and agreed that it was "probably linked to a milder form of the disease". "I don't have any patients with these symptoms who had serious complications," she said. The loss of taste and smell, experts note, is extremely rare with other types of virus. Another cluster of symptoms rarely found within flu patients appears to arise from blood clots. Heart problems, liver thrombosis, lung embolisms and brain damage in COVID-19 patients have been traced to such clots in a flurry of recent studies. Others have described kidney failure and even gummed-up dialysis machines. "When one is very sick with COVID, you can have a problem with blood clots forming, and that seems to be much, much more common than with other viral infections," added Javid. "Compared to influenza, you are much more likely to become seriously ill, and to die."

As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens, virus symptoms multiply

Over the last couple of days, Tamil Nadu has been witnessing its highest ever spike in cases with the daily new case figures ranging between 500 and 771. &nbsp;A closer look at the government data also reveals that a little over 5 per cent (273/5409) of Tamil Nadu’s Corona Virus positive cases are children who are aged 12 and below. Nearly 60 children in this age category alone were infected over the last 48 hours. WION spoke to Doctors and Medical experts from the Government and Private sector to understand what these many numbers of Covid-19 cases among children mean.&nbsp;

Dr Subramanian Swaminathan&nbsp;

Infectious Diseases Specialist

This increase in cases among children is very much an expected trend and cases in children will grow in parallel with cases in adults. Initially, the testing was maximum in adults and now as more children are being tested we have more cases turning positive. We must also realize that social distancing doesn’t apply to children, especially in the below 12 age group. Even when we don’t have children stepping out of homes, there is a possibility of transmission from a parent who goes out for work. That is exactly why we have schools being held in abeyance for as long as possible. It is difficult to read patterns from the numbers in children, but certainly, there is no point in mass-testing among children, as children eventually recover and the high-risk category are the elderly and those with other ailments.

Dr K&nbsp;Kolandaisamy&nbsp;

Retired Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine

Our strategy is to delay the spread of the virus, we have been testing and isolating the positive cases and their contacts. It is only natural that children also get infected from their contacts at home, but there is nothing to worry about it. The real risk is for the elderly, cancer patients, those who have undergone organ transplants and those with other medical complications, lifestyle disorders. It is this high-risk portion of our population that needs the maximum protection. When healthy people get affected, they are asymptomatic (no or very fewer symptoms) and have the immunity to recover from it, and this applies to children and those who are maintaining good health, irrespective of age.&nbsp;

Right from the time of the swine flu outbreak, our health department has been following the strategy of posting staff who are between 25-50 years of age in the frontlines. Those who are above 50 and have existing health issues are posted on the desk, data entry jobs that minimize their exposure to risk. We always ensure the frontline staff are aged below 50, besides being non-smokers, non-diabetic and free of co-morbidities. If we save the vulnerable population, then there is no need to worry even when the numbers are rising.&nbsp;

Madhusudhan Reddy, Joint Commissioner (Health), Chennai Corporation&nbsp;

The purpose of the lockdown is to slow the spread of the virus and ensure that the government machinery, infrastructure has adequate time to respond to people’s needs and saves lives. While the lockdown cannot eradicate the virus, it can delay the transmission so that the medical facilities can cope up with the increasing cases. It is certain that an eternal lockdown is also not possible due to the social-economic harm that it can cause. The public must not worry about the spike in numbers, as it is a result of increased testing. For instance, Tamil Nadu had done a total of nearly 3000 tests as on April 1st, but as on date, the total tests have exceeded 2 lakh. Presently we are testing over 13,000 people on a daily basis and this includes entire families as well.

Initially, most of the cases we observed were the middle-aged males who had stepped outside for work, but with time it spread to the women in the house, the elderly and eventually also children. With more testing, gender balance and age balance will be achieved.

Dr K.E.Vivekanandan, Head of the Dept,&nbsp;

Professor of Pediatrics, Govt Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai&nbsp;

We have seen about 30 Pediatric Covid-19 cases in our hospital so far, but there has been no serious case. A good number of them have been discharged and some of them are under quarantine in the hospital post-recovery. We have seen positive cases in newborn babies as well, but even then, with mother’s milk alone and nil medication, we are able to treat them. If they are older than a year we prescribe certain medicines that aid in the recovery. A normal diet along with some vitamin syrups are what we prescribe for the little patients in our care.

All the pediatric cases we have seen in our hospital so far are asymptomatic and the infection was transmitted from their parents. Since the children themselves don’t go out, they get it from their parents and elders. So, when we have a Covid-19 positive child, naturally there would be a positive case in the same house, or perhaps they could have been living in a containment zone with many cases. We have seen a total healing rate in kids and there was no instance of high fever or cough or breathlessness. In the case of mid cold and flu, we provide the usual medication and syrups. If there are children living in containment zones who are exhibiting mild symptoms, it is better for parents to take them to the nearest health centre.

Even for a majority of adults in our hospital, we have seen that there are no symptoms at all. They would be totally normal but they test Covid-19 positive. The way ahead is to intensify testing even further in the risky areas, containment zones in the cities where cases are high.

Over the last couple of days, Tamil Nadu has been witnessing its highest ever spike in cases with the daily new case figures ranging between 500 and 771. A closer look at the government data also reveals that a little over 5 per cent (273/5409) of Tamil Nadu’s Corona Virus positive cases are children who are aged 12 and below.

Over the last couple of days, Tamil Nadu has been witnessing its highest ever spike in cases with the daily new case figures ranging between 500 and 771. A closer look at the government data also reveals that a little over 5 per cent (273/5409) of Tamil Nadu’s Corona Virus positive cases are children who are aged 12 and below. Nearly 60 children in this age category alone were infected over the last 48 hours. WION spoke to Doctors and Medical experts from the Government and Private sector to understand what these many numbers of Covid-19 cases among children mean. Dr Subramanian Swaminathan Infectious Diseases Specialist This increase in cases among children is very much an expected trend and cases in children will grow in parallel with cases in adults. Initially, the testing was maximum in adults and now as more children are being tested we have more cases turning positive. We must also realize that social distancing doesn’t apply to children, especially in the below 12 age group. Even when we don’t have children stepping out of homes, there is a possibility of transmission from a parent who goes out for work. That is exactly why we have schools being held in abeyance for as long as possible. It is difficult to read patterns from the numbers in children, but certainly, there is no point in mass-testing among children, as children eventually recover and the high-risk category are the elderly and those with other ailments. Dr K Kolandaisamy Retired Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Our strategy is to delay the spread of the virus, we have been testing and isolating the positive cases and their contacts. It is only natural that children also get infected from their contacts at home, but there is nothing to worry about it. The real risk is for the elderly, cancer patients, those who have undergone organ transplants and those with other medical complications, lifestyle disorders. It is this high-risk portion of our population that needs the maximum protection. When healthy people get affected, they are asymptomatic (no or very fewer symptoms) and have the immunity to recover from it, and this applies to children and those who are maintaining good health, irrespective of age. Right from the time of the swine flu outbreak, our health department has been following the strategy of posting staff who are between 25-50 years of age in the frontlines. Those who are above 50 and have existing health issues are posted on the desk, data entry jobs that minimize their exposure to risk. We always ensure the frontline staff are aged below 50, besides being non-smokers, non-diabetic and free of co-morbidities. If we save the vulnerable population, then there is no need to worry even when the numbers are rising. Madhusudhan Reddy, Joint Commissioner (Health), Chennai Corporation The purpose of the lockdown is to slow the spread of the virus and ensure that the government machinery, infrastructure has adequate time to respond to people’s needs and saves lives. While the lockdown cannot eradicate the virus, it can delay the transmission so that the medical facilities can cope up with the increasing cases. It is certain that an eternal lockdown is also not possible due to the social-economic harm that it can cause. The public must not worry about the spike in numbers, as it is a result of increased testing. For instance, Tamil Nadu had done a total of nearly 3000 tests as on April 1st, but as on date, the total tests have exceeded 2 lakh. Presently we are testing over 13,000 people on a daily basis and this includes entire families as well. Initially, most of the cases we observed were the middle-aged males who had stepped outside for work, but with time it spread to the women in the house, the elderly and eventually also children. With more testing, gender balance and age balance will be achieved. Dr K.E.Vivekanandan, Head of the Dept, Professor of Pediatrics, Govt Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai We have seen about 30 Pediatric Covid-19 cases in our hospital so far, but there has been no serious case. A good number of them have been discharged and some of them are under quarantine in the hospital post-recovery. We have seen positive cases in newborn babies as well, but even then, with mother’s milk alone and nil medication, we are able to treat them. If they are older than a year we prescribe certain medicines that aid in the recovery. A normal diet along with some vitamin syrups are what we prescribe for the little patients in our care. All the pediatric cases we have seen in our hospital so far are asymptomatic and the infection was transmitted from their parents. Since the children themselves don’t go out, they get it from their parents and elders. So, when we have a Covid-19 positive child, naturally there would be a positive case in the same house, or perhaps they could have been living in a containment zone with many cases. We have seen a total healing rate in kids and there was no instance of high fever or cough or breathlessness. In the case of mid cold and flu, we provide the usual medication and syrups. If there are children living in containment zones who are exhibiting mild symptoms, it is better for parents to take them to the nearest health centre. Even for a majority of adults in our hospital, we have seen that there are no symptoms at all. They would be totally normal but they test Covid-19 positive. The way ahead is to intensify testing even further in the risky areas, containment zones in the cities where cases are high.

Over 5% of Tamil Nadu’s Covid-19 cases are children; health experts say no reason to worry 

More than a third of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Afghan capital have been among doctors and other healthcare staff, two senior health officials said on Thursday, in a sign that the war-torn country is struggling to deal with the pandemic.

The officials cited a lack of protective equipment for medics as well as a lack of awareness among some medical staff of the precautions needed to avoid infection.&nbsp;

The high rate of infection among healthcare workers has sparked alarm among medics and some doctors have closed their clinics.&nbsp;

However, it is not clear whether the disproportionate rate of infection might be at least in part because medical staff are more likely to be tested for the illness. Few people with the classic COVID-19 symptoms of high fever and respiratory problems are being tested in Afghanistan, because of a shortage of testing kits.

The total of 925 confirmed cases in Kabul has included some 346 medical staff, a government health official and an Afghan doctor who is on the board of a government-led pandemic task force said.

As of Thursday, 3,563 people have tested positive and 106 people have died from COVID-19 in Afghanistan, according to official figures.

The two officials, who asked not to be named as they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, said at least 13 doctors had died in different parts of the country last month and in the first week of May.&nbsp;

At least nine of those doctors had been attached to public, private or military hospitals in Kabul, two other health officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The government has said it is providing the best available facilities to deal with the health crisis, which it calls a big challenge.

The rate in Kabul compares with a global rate of infection for medical staff issued on Wednesday by the International Council of Nurses, which said 6% of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 were among healthcare workers, based on data from 30 countries.&nbsp;

Some doctors have closed their clinics, putting a strain on limited health resources in Afghanistan.

"I have decided to suspend my practice for two months, many doctors will not open their clinics and private nursing homes... pregnant women are being told to find midwives instead of coming to hospitals," said a cardiologist in Kabul.&nbsp;

With a population of more than 37 million, Afghanistan has roughly 172 hospitals, and four doctors per 10,000 people, according to a 2019 government report. The healthcare system is dependent on millions of dollars in foreign donor aid for support.

At least six doctors who Reuters spoke with say the government has not made accurate data about COVID-19 cases public, and many hospitals are teetering on the verge of collapse.

"The situation is so bad that it`s best for doctors to sit at home," said a Western doctor who has been working in Kabul for six years.

The health ministry said it is collecting data on confirmed cases but in some cases infections are not reported to the ministry. There are parts of the country that are under the control of the militant Taliban group where it is hard for the government to access data.

The government also says that while it is doing its best to protect people, a large part of the response to the pandemic is dependent on foreign aid. 
Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz has tested positive for the illness, the minister said on Thursday.

More than a third of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Afghan capital have been among doctors and other healthcare staff, two senior health officials said on Thursday, in a sign that the war-torn country is struggling to deal with the pandemic.

More than a third of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Afghan capital have been among doctors and other healthcare staff, two senior health officials said on Thursday, in a sign that the war-torn country is struggling to deal with the pandemic. The officials cited a lack of protective equipment for medics as well as a lack of awareness among some medical staff of the precautions needed to avoid infection. The high rate of infection among healthcare workers has sparked alarm among medics and some doctors have closed their clinics. However, it is not clear whether the disproportionate rate of infection might be at least in part because medical staff are more likely to be tested for the illness. Few people with the classic COVID-19 symptoms of high fever and respiratory problems are being tested in Afghanistan, because of a shortage of testing kits. The total of 925 confirmed cases in Kabul has included some 346 medical staff, a government health official and an Afghan doctor who is on the board of a government-led pandemic task force said. As of Thursday, 3,563 people have tested positive and 106 people have died from COVID-19 in Afghanistan, according to official figures. The two officials, who asked not to be named as they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, said at least 13 doctors had died in different parts of the country last month and in the first week of May. At least nine of those doctors had been attached to public, private or military hospitals in Kabul, two other health officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The government has said it is providing the best available facilities to deal with the health crisis, which it calls a big challenge. The rate in Kabul compares with a global rate of infection for medical staff issued on Wednesday by the International Council of Nurses, which said 6% of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 were among healthcare workers, based on data from 30 countries. Some doctors have closed their clinics, putting a strain on limited health resources in Afghanistan. "I have decided to suspend my practice for two months, many doctors will not open their clinics and private nursing homes... pregnant women are being told to find midwives instead of coming to hospitals," said a cardiologist in Kabul. With a population of more than 37 million, Afghanistan has roughly 172 hospitals, and four doctors per 10,000 people, according to a 2019 government report. The healthcare system is dependent on millions of dollars in foreign donor aid for support. At least six doctors who Reuters spoke with say the government has not made accurate data about COVID-19 cases public, and many hospitals are teetering on the verge of collapse. "The situation is so bad that it`s best for doctors to sit at home," said a Western doctor who has been working in Kabul for six years. The health ministry said it is collecting data on confirmed cases but in some cases infections are not reported to the ministry. There are parts of the country that are under the control of the militant Taliban group where it is hard for the government to access data. The government also says that while it is doing its best to protect people, a large part of the response to the pandemic is dependent on foreign aid. Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz has tested positive for the illness, the minister said on Thursday.

Large number of COVID-19 cases among Afghan medics spark alarm in Kabul

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday urged the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh to provide insurance cover for journalists, asserting that they are performing an important duty of providing information in times of the coronavirus crisis.

Her appeal came over the demise of Pankaj Kulshrestha, a senior journalist from Agra, due to COVID-19.

"My condolences to his family and friends in the journalist community," she said

Journalists are doing an important job of providing information to people in this crisis, the Congress general secretary said.

"Comprehensive financial assistance to Pankaj Kulshrestha ji''s family and an insurance cover for all journalists should be announced by the Uttar Pradesh government," Priyanka Gandhi said.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday urged the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh to provide insurance cover for journalists, asserting that they are performing an important duty of providing information in times of the coronavirus crisis.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday urged the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh to provide insurance cover for journalists, asserting that they are performing an important duty of providing information in times of the coronavirus crisis. Her appeal came over the demise of Pankaj Kulshrestha, a senior journalist from Agra, due to COVID-19. "My condolences to his family and friends in the journalist community," she said Journalists are doing an important job of providing information to people in this crisis, the Congress general secretary said. "Comprehensive financial assistance to Pankaj Kulshrestha ji''s family and an insurance cover for all journalists should be announced by the Uttar Pradesh government," Priyanka Gandhi said.

Provide insurance cover for all journalists amid COVID-19: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urges UP govt

Under lockdown and far apart, Sushen Dang and Keerti Narang went online to say their marriage vows -- and pulled off a spectacular Indian wedding complete with thousands of guests and raucous Bollywood dancing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/total-covid-19-cases-in-india-cross-56000-mark-16539-patients-cured-297349">Also read: Total COVID-19 cases in India cross 56,000-mark; 16539 patients cured</a> 
 
In a country famous for lavish weddings that last for days, the young couple are among a growing number modifying their marriage ceremonies under a virus lockdown that has limited public gatherings.

Eager to go ahead with the arranged marriage on the auspicious date selected for them by a priest, the pair turned to the internet to tie the knot.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/16-migrant-workers-mowed-down-by-goods-train-in-maharashtras-aurangabad-pm-modi-expresses-anguish-297325">Also read: 16 migrant workers mowed down by goods train in Maharashtra's Aurangabad; PM Modi expresses anguish</a>

"We never imagined that even our online wedding would be so grand," Dang, a 26-year-old data analyst who is based in Toronto, said about the April 19 event.

"A hundred guests joined in our celebration on the app. We live-streamed the ceremony on Facebook which was watched by another 16,000 people."

The nuptials spanned the country. Dang, decked out in a turban and traditional sherwani kurta, logged on from Mumbai on the coast of the Arabian Sea, while Narang -- in her red bridal finery -- joined from Bareilly in northern Uttar Pradesh state that borders Nepal.

The priest overseeing proceedings chanted hymns as he sat before a ritual fire at his home in Raipur in the central state of Chhattisgarh, with guests logging in from Delhi, Gurgaon and the southern tech hub of Bangalore.

There were minor hiccups -- some elderly family members were accidentally unmuted and pets photo-bombed screens.

But the energy levels remained high and the occasion was capped off with a fun Bollywood-style dance performance by their cousins.

The wedding video posted on Facebook has so far garnered nearly 260,000 views, making the newly-weds "feel like celebrities".

Wedding blues&nbsp;

The spread of the coronavirus and the nationwide lockdown took place as India's wedding season was in full swing.

In western Rajasthan state alone some 23,000 weddings meant to coincide with the Hindu Akshaya Tritiya festival on April 26 were called off due to the pandemic.

More than 10 million weddings are held annually in the nation of 1.3 billion people, with the marriage industry estimated to be worth some $40-$50 billion, according to advisory firm KPMG.

The sector -- like the rest of the economy -- is reeling from the impact of the virus, with planners, caterers and decorators among those who have incurred huge losses.

"We thought, 'Why don't we be the flag-bearers and drive weddings online?'," said Adhish Zaveri, marketing director at matrimonial website Shaadi.com which facilitated Dang and Narang's wedding.

"A wedding is probably the most important day of somebody's life ... and we thought we have to make it as special and close to a real wedding as possible," he said.

Online nuptials are among a string of weddings in India that have gone ahead amid the lockdown -- with some unusual variations.

One couple in Uttar Pradesh said "I do" inside a police station after more conventional venues like banquet halls, hotels and temples were all ordered closed during the lockdown.

And in Madhya Pradesh in central India, a bride and groom, their faces covered by masks, exchanged garlands -- a key ritual in a Hindu wedding -- with the help of bamboo sticks in a no-contact ceremony.

Home nuptials

Zaveri said the significantly cheaper online ceremonies could become an option for couples amid the uncertainty about how long the pandemic is going to last.

Couples are charged less than 100,000 rupees ($1,300) for the virtual services, Zaveri said, adding 12 more such weddings were in the pipeline.

To give the online ceremonies a professional touch, make-up artists and sari-draping experts are hired to help the bride, while a folk singer is engaged to serenade the guests.

All participants are sent logins and passwords so that strangers can't gatecrash the event.

Kirti Agrawal -- who married her beau Avinash Singh Bagri on April 14 on the balcony of their relative's flat as friends and family watched on a videoconferencing app -- said the digital approach appealed to her.

"Their (groom's) family had planned a guest list of 8,000 to 10,000," Agrawal said.

"I didn't say that I am not a fan of big, fat weddings. But when I heard about the wedding-from-home idea, I was very happy."

Under lockdown and far apart, Sushen Dang and Keerti Narang went online to say their marriage vows -- and pulled off a spectacular Indian wedding complete with thousands of guests and raucous Bollywood dancing.

Under lockdown and far apart, Sushen Dang and Keerti Narang went online to say their marriage vows -- and pulled off a spectacular Indian wedding complete with thousands of guests and raucous Bollywood dancing. Also read: Total COVID-19 cases in India cross 56,000-mark; 16539 patients cured In a country famous for lavish weddings that last for days, the young couple are among a growing number modifying their marriage ceremonies under a virus lockdown that has limited public gatherings. Eager to go ahead with the arranged marriage on the auspicious date selected for them by a priest, the pair turned to the internet to tie the knot. Also read: 16 migrant workers mowed down by goods train in Maharashtra's Aurangabad; PM Modi expresses anguish "We never imagined that even our online wedding would be so grand," Dang, a 26-year-old data analyst who is based in Toronto, said about the April 19 event. "A hundred guests joined in our celebration on the app. We live-streamed the ceremony on Facebook which was watched by another 16,000 people." The nuptials spanned the country. Dang, decked out in a turban and traditional sherwani kurta, logged on from Mumbai on the coast of the Arabian Sea, while Narang -- in her red bridal finery -- joined from Bareilly in northern Uttar Pradesh state that borders Nepal. The priest overseeing proceedings chanted hymns as he sat before a ritual fire at his home in Raipur in the central state of Chhattisgarh, with guests logging in from Delhi, Gurgaon and the southern tech hub of Bangalore. There were minor hiccups -- some elderly family members were accidentally unmuted and pets photo-bombed screens. But the energy levels remained high and the occasion was capped off with a fun Bollywood-style dance performance by their cousins. The wedding video posted on Facebook has so far garnered nearly 260,000 views, making the newly-weds "feel like celebrities". Wedding blues The spread of the coronavirus and the nationwide lockdown took place as India's wedding season was in full swing. In western Rajasthan state alone some 23,000 weddings meant to coincide with the Hindu Akshaya Tritiya festival on April 26 were called off due to the pandemic. More than 10 million weddings are held annually in the nation of 1.3 billion people, with the marriage industry estimated to be worth some $40-$50 billion, according to advisory firm KPMG. The sector -- like the rest of the economy -- is reeling from the impact of the virus, with planners, caterers and decorators among those who have incurred huge losses. "We thought, 'Why don't we be the flag-bearers and drive weddings online?'," said Adhish Zaveri, marketing director at matrimonial website Shaadi.com which facilitated Dang and Narang's wedding. "A wedding is probably the most important day of somebody's life ... and we thought we have to make it as special and close to a real wedding as possible," he said. Online nuptials are among a string of weddings in India that have gone ahead amid the lockdown -- with some unusual variations. One couple in Uttar Pradesh said "I do" inside a police station after more conventional venues like banquet halls, hotels and temples were all ordered closed during the lockdown. And in Madhya Pradesh in central India, a bride and groom, their faces covered by masks, exchanged garlands -- a key ritual in a Hindu wedding -- with the help of bamboo sticks in a no-contact ceremony. Home nuptials Zaveri said the significantly cheaper online ceremonies could become an option for couples amid the uncertainty about how long the pandemic is going to last. Couples are charged less than 100,000 rupees ($1,300) for the virtual services, Zaveri said, adding 12 more such weddings were in the pipeline. To give the online ceremonies a professional touch, make-up artists and sari-draping experts are hired to help the bride, while a folk singer is engaged to serenade the guests. All participants are sent logins and passwords so that strangers can't gatecrash the event. Kirti Agrawal -- who married her beau Avinash Singh Bagri on April 14 on the balcony of their relative's flat as friends and family watched on a videoconferencing app -- said the digital approach appealed to her. "Their (groom's) family had planned a guest list of 8,000 to 10,000," Agrawal said. "I didn't say that I am not a fan of big, fat weddings. But when I heard about the wedding-from-home idea, I was very happy."

India's lavish weddings go online amid coronavirus lockdown

At least 22 migrant labourers, who had returned from Andhra Pradesh, escaped from a COVID-19 quarantine centre in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, police said on Friday.

The labourers escaped from a quarantine facility in Dantewada late on Thursday evening and a search was launched to trace them, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Abhishek Pallava said.

As many as 47 migrant labourers, who had travelled to their home districts from the neighbouring state, were quarantined at a facility in Aranpur police station area, he said.

Of these, 22 labourers, who hail from Nahadi village, fled from the centre, he added.

"They were examined for primary coronavirus symptoms on Thursday and all of them were found to be asymptomatic," Pallava said.

The district administration has informed the sarpanch and secretary of the concerned village panchayat, Pallava said, adding that the police have launched a manhunt to track them down.

So far, no case of COVID-19 has been reported from the Bastar division, which comprises Bastar, Kanker, Sukma Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada and Bijapur districts.

Chhattisgarh has so far reported 59 COVID-19 cases, of which 38 patients recovered from the infection, while 21 are undergoing treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Raipur.

At least 22 migrant labourers, who had returned from Andhra Pradesh, escaped from a COVID-19 quarantine centre in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, police said on Friday.

At least 22 migrant labourers, who had returned from Andhra Pradesh, escaped from a COVID-19 quarantine centre in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, police said on Friday. The labourers escaped from a quarantine facility in Dantewada late on Thursday evening and a search was launched to trace them, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Abhishek Pallava said. As many as 47 migrant labourers, who had travelled to their home districts from the neighbouring state, were quarantined at a facility in Aranpur police station area, he said. Of these, 22 labourers, who hail from Nahadi village, fled from the centre, he added. "They were examined for primary coronavirus symptoms on Thursday and all of them were found to be asymptomatic," Pallava said. The district administration has informed the sarpanch and secretary of the concerned village panchayat, Pallava said, adding that the police have launched a manhunt to track them down. So far, no case of COVID-19 has been reported from the Bastar division, which comprises Bastar, Kanker, Sukma Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada and Bijapur districts. Chhattisgarh has so far reported 59 COVID-19 cases, of which 38 patients recovered from the infection, while 21 are undergoing treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Raipur.

COVID-19: 22 migrants escape from quarantine centre in Chhattisgarh

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.7 million worldwide on Thursday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-analysis-dispels-theory-that-said-covid-19-was-in-circulation-long-before-dec-19-296906">Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19</a>

COVID-19 has now infected &nbsp;3,753,219 people worldwide and 263,843 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around 1,245,560 people of that tally have recovered.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-worse-than-pearl-harbor-911-for-us-says-trump-297102" hreflang="en">Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump</a>

A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe.

The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America.

Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment.

So far, more than 73,000 Americans have died of COVID-19, and Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, predicted the US toll could top 100,000 by the end of May.

Some scientific models suggest the figure will rise to 3,000 a day by June.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan.&nbsp;

The disease later identified as COVID-19 was first reported by Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31 and was not previously believed to have spread to Europe until January.

WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that other earlier cases could emerge after retesting samples.

(With inputs from agencies)

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.7 million worldwide on Thursday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19 COVID-19 has now infected 3,753,219 people worldwide and 263,843 people have been killed due to this pandemic.

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.7 million worldwide on Thursday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19 COVID-19 has now infected 3,753,219 people worldwide and 263,843 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around 1,245,560 people of that tally have recovered. Also read: Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe. The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America. Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment. So far, more than 73,000 Americans have died of COVID-19, and Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, predicted the US toll could top 100,000 by the end of May. Some scientific models suggest the figure will rise to 3,000 a day by June. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan. The disease later identified as COVID-19 was first reported by Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31 and was not previously believed to have spread to Europe until January. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that other earlier cases could emerge after retesting samples. (With inputs from agencies)

Global coronavirus cases surge to 3.7 million, death toll at 263,843

China reported a surge in exports and a plunge in imports after restrictions imposed on movement to contain the novel coronavirus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-worse-than-pearl-harbor-911-for-us-says-trump-297102" hreflang="en">Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump</a>

Exports rose 3.5 per cent whereas imports fell 14.2 per cent in the same period according to data. It was expected that exports would tank 15.7 per cent and imports would fall 11.2 per cent in April from a year earlier.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-keep-coronavirus-task-force-indefinitely-says-trump-amid-rising-us-death-toll-297041" hreflang="en">Will keep coronavirus task force indefinitely, says Trump amid rising US death toll</a>

Chinese exports and imports fell 6.6 per cent and 0.9 per cent respectively in March from the previous year.

China’s medical export rose in April as it shilled goods to various parts of the world, according to Chinese economists.

According to them, the export data was strong in April. The trade surplus of the country for the month of April stood at $45.34 billion compared to the predicted data of $6.35 billion.

China’s trade surplus stood at $19.9 billion in March. With the fall in the number of cases, China is reopening its economy and people are getting back to work.

But the situation is worrisome in the rest of the world as more than 3.74 million people are infected so far according to data. Several economies have stopped their activities due to lockdown, hitting the demand and supply in the market.

Even though China is curbing the virus spread, demand seems to be a major concern for the country, according to economists.

Though there has been some rise in the demand, the low-income group have been the worst hit by the lockdown restrictions on movement.

Services expenditure will be lower compared to last year as people would be reluctant to go to malls, to dine or to move along with family.

China reported a surge in exports and a plunge in imports after restrictions imposed on movement to contain the novel coronavirus. Also read: Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump Exports rose 3.

China reported a surge in exports and a plunge in imports after restrictions imposed on movement to contain the novel coronavirus. Also read: Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump Exports rose 3.5 per cent whereas imports fell 14.2 per cent in the same period according to data. It was expected that exports would tank 15.7 per cent and imports would fall 11.2 per cent in April from a year earlier. Also read: Will keep coronavirus task force indefinitely, says Trump amid rising US death toll Chinese exports and imports fell 6.6 per cent and 0.9 per cent respectively in March from the previous year. China’s medical export rose in April as it shilled goods to various parts of the world, according to Chinese economists. According to them, the export data was strong in April. The trade surplus of the country for the month of April stood at $45.34 billion compared to the predicted data of $6.35 billion. China’s trade surplus stood at $19.9 billion in March. With the fall in the number of cases, China is reopening its economy and people are getting back to work. But the situation is worrisome in the rest of the world as more than 3.74 million people are infected so far according to data. Several economies have stopped their activities due to lockdown, hitting the demand and supply in the market. Even though China is curbing the virus spread, demand seems to be a major concern for the country, according to economists. Though there has been some rise in the demand, the low-income group have been the worst hit by the lockdown restrictions on movement. Services expenditure will be lower compared to last year as people would be reluctant to go to malls, to dine or to move along with family.

China’s export rose and imports plunged amid lockdown restrictions to curb the coronavirus

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-worse-than-pearl-harbor-911-for-us-says-trump-297102">Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/04/30/138688-trump-reuters.jpg?itok=YZZiy1Tk" />Renewing his criticism of China on Wednesday over the global coronavirus pandemic and said it has been worse for the United States than Pearl Harbor and 9/11. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-worse-than-pearl-harbor-911-for-us-says-trump-297102">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-one-out-of-five-children-in-us-left-hungry-since-virus-crisis-study-297103">Nearly one out of five children in US left hungry since virus crisis: Study</a> 
 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/04/30/138687-usa-corona-reuters.jpg?itok=7_Lr0eXU" />

Nearly a fifth of young children in the United States are not getting enough to eat since the coronavirus pandemic erupted, according to research out Wednesday highlighting the broader health impact of the crisis. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-one-out-of-five-children-in-us-left-hungry-since-virus-crisis-study-297103">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lambasts-us-for-coercing-countries-to-plant-covid-19-accusations-against-it-297110">China lambasts US for coercing countries to plant COVID-19 accusations against it</a> 
 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/04/30/138728-xi-jinping.jpg?itok=xdjg2SO3" />

The United States is pressuring its allies and trying to coerce other countries to help it plant accusations against China on issues concerning COVID-19 responsibility, said a spokeswoman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lambasts-us-for-coercing-countries-to-plant-covid-19-accusations-against-it-297110">READ MORE</a> 
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Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump Renewing his criticism of China on Wednesday over the global coronavirus pandemic and said it has been worse for the United States than Pearl Harbor and 9/11.

Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump Renewing his criticism of China on Wednesday over the global coronavirus pandemic and said it has been worse for the United States than Pearl Harbor and 9/11. READ MORE Nearly one out of five children in US left hungry since virus crisis: Study Nearly a fifth of young children in the United States are not getting enough to eat since the coronavirus pandemic erupted, according to research out Wednesday highlighting the broader health impact of the crisis. READ MORE China lambasts US for coercing countries to plant COVID-19 accusations against it The United States is pressuring its allies and trying to coerce other countries to help it plant accusations against China on issues concerning COVID-19 responsibility, said a spokeswoman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. READ MORE

Morning News Brief: China lambasts US, Covid-19 'worse' than 9/11 and more

India's mega repatriation plan to bring back thousands of thousands of its stranded nationals from abroad has started with the first flight to land in Kerala in the night.&nbsp;

1st flight with 175 stranded Indians from abroad will land in Kochi from Abu Dhabi at around 2140 hrs. The Air India Express flight will leave UAE at 1615 local time. The second flight will also be to Kerala, having 175 stranded Indians. It will come from Dubai and land in Kozhikode at around 2230 hr. 
&nbsp; 
India will be bringing back around 14600 of its citizens in 64 flights in the first week of the repatriation process.

Flights will get back stranded Indians from 12 countries—6 from the Gulf, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, 3 from ASEAN--Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, 1 from the neighbourhood which is Bangladesh and US, UK.&nbsp;

Maximum flights will be to Kerala at 15, followed by Tamil Nadu &amp; NCR at 11, Maharashtra and Telangana at 7, Gujarat at 5, Karnataka and J&amp;K at 3 and Punjab and UP at 1.

Focus remains on the gulf where 3 lakh people have registered for repatriation. Of the 64, 25 flights will be coming from the gulf, and of the gulf, 10 flights will come from UAE, which hosts the largest number of Indians globally, many of them blue-collared workers.

The first flight from Saudi Arabia is scheduled to operate from Riyadh to Kozhikode on May 08, 2020, and the other 4 flights would operate on Riyadh-Delhi; Dammam-Kochi; Jeddah-Kochi and Jeddah-Delhi sectors. 
&nbsp; 
7 flights will come each from Bangladesh, UK, Malaysia, US, 5 from Singapore, Philipines, Saudi Arabia, 4 from Kuwait, 2 each from Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Indian Navy's Operation Samudra Setu to evacuate Indians from the Maldives will begin from tomorrow and ahead of that INS Jalashwa has entered Male port.

Indian envoy to Maldives Sunjay Sudhir speaking to WION exclusively on the operation said, "Around midday of 8th of May, the first group of about 700 Indians will set sail back home, back to Kochi, that will be the first lot. After that, we are planning a few other evacuations though Navy ship."

INS Jalashwa Indian Navy's largest Amphibious platform (Landing Platform Dock) can carry 1000 troops. With the current social distancing, norms can carry 500-700 people. The repatriation will be in 2 phases via 2 ships with the first group being taken to Kochi, then Tuticorin. Priority will be given to medical cases, women and those who lost jobs.

The French embassy in a statement said, "During this period of a public health crisis, the Indian and the French navies are fully engaged in the Samudra Setu and Resilience operations respectively to aid people facing the ordeal of the COVID-19 epidemic." 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Last year the 17th edition of Varuna, the Indo-French naval exercise saw both the Navies reaching a decisive phase in interoperability.

This is Independent India's largest repatriation mission to bring back its citizens stranded abroad due to COVID-19 pandemic. India will be getting back 1,92,000 people in the first phase of the mammoth exercise with the focus on the Gulf.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
On Monday India's envoy to UAE Pavan Kapoor speaking exclusively to WION said, "I am glad that we are starting this process of repatriation for those who urgently need to return to India. We look forward to working closely with the UAE authorities to make this process as smooth and efficient as we can."

The largest-ever evacuation carried out by India was the 1990 airlift of Indians from Kuwait during the Gulf War in which 170,000 Indian expatriates were from the west Asian country.

Around 11,000 stranded Indians have registered with Indian mission in Moscow, 1200 in New Zealand, 390 Indian nationals with High Commission of Nairobi, 265 at the Indian mission in Mexico, 2000 at India's mission in Canada and five Indians in Somalia have also registered so that they can get back home. Only asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel and Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for the process had been prepared in this regard. 
&nbsp; 
"State Governments are being advised to make arrangements, including for testing, quarantine and onward movement of the returning Indians in their respective States.", MHA in a statement said.

The facilitation will only be on "compelling grounds" and will be done via planes and naval ships on payment basis and non-scheduled commercial flights would be arranged for air travel. During the process of getting back, all health protocols like social distancing norms will have to be followed.

The evacuees after reaching the destination would have to register on the Indian government's Aarogya Setu app which has been developed to alert about COVID-19 crisis and alerts regarding it.&nbsp;

After being medically screened, they will be quarantined for 14 days in a hospital or an institutional quarantine on payment-basis by the State governments which will be followed by COVID test at the end of the given period.

Earlier this year, India brought back approximately 2500 of its citizens and 48 foreign nationals from China, Japan, Iran and Italy.

2015 Operation Raahat saw India bringing back around 4600 of its citizens while Operation Sankat Mochan of 2016 saw India bringing back 600 of its nationals from South Sudan. 2011 Operation Safe Homecoming to bring back Indians from war-torn Libya saw 15000 Indian nationals being brought back.

The first decade of the century saw Operation Sukoon in which Indian Navy got back 1764 Indians and was the largest evacuation operations conducted by the Navy since World War II.

India's mega repatriation plan to bring back thousands of thousands of its stranded nationals from abroad has started with the first flight to land in Kerala in the night.

India's mega repatriation plan to bring back thousands of thousands of its stranded nationals from abroad has started with the first flight to land in Kerala in the night. 1st flight with 175 stranded Indians from abroad will land in Kochi from Abu Dhabi at around 2140 hrs. The Air India Express flight will leave UAE at 1615 local time. The second flight will also be to Kerala, having 175 stranded Indians. It will come from Dubai and land in Kozhikode at around 2230 hr. India will be bringing back around 14600 of its citizens in 64 flights in the first week of the repatriation process. Flights will get back stranded Indians from 12 countries—6 from the Gulf, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, 3 from ASEAN--Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, 1 from the neighbourhood which is Bangladesh and US, UK. Maximum flights will be to Kerala at 15, followed by Tamil Nadu & NCR at 11, Maharashtra and Telangana at 7, Gujarat at 5, Karnataka and J&K at 3 and Punjab and UP at 1. Focus remains on the gulf where 3 lakh people have registered for repatriation. Of the 64, 25 flights will be coming from the gulf, and of the gulf, 10 flights will come from UAE, which hosts the largest number of Indians globally, many of them blue-collared workers. The first flight from Saudi Arabia is scheduled to operate from Riyadh to Kozhikode on May 08, 2020, and the other 4 flights would operate on Riyadh-Delhi; Dammam-Kochi; Jeddah-Kochi and Jeddah-Delhi sectors. 7 flights will come each from Bangladesh, UK, Malaysia, US, 5 from Singapore, Philipines, Saudi Arabia, 4 from Kuwait, 2 each from Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Meanwhile, Indian Navy's Operation Samudra Setu to evacuate Indians from the Maldives will begin from tomorrow and ahead of that INS Jalashwa has entered Male port. Indian envoy to Maldives Sunjay Sudhir speaking to WION exclusively on the operation said, "Around midday of 8th of May, the first group of about 700 Indians will set sail back home, back to Kochi, that will be the first lot. After that, we are planning a few other evacuations though Navy ship." INS Jalashwa Indian Navy's largest Amphibious platform (Landing Platform Dock) can carry 1000 troops. With the current social distancing, norms can carry 500-700 people. The repatriation will be in 2 phases via 2 ships with the first group being taken to Kochi, then Tuticorin. Priority will be given to medical cases, women and those who lost jobs. The French embassy in a statement said, "During this period of a public health crisis, the Indian and the French navies are fully engaged in the Samudra Setu and Resilience operations respectively to aid people facing the ordeal of the COVID-19 epidemic." Last year the 17th edition of Varuna, the Indo-French naval exercise saw both the Navies reaching a decisive phase in interoperability. This is Independent India's largest repatriation mission to bring back its citizens stranded abroad due to COVID-19 pandemic. India will be getting back 1,92,000 people in the first phase of the mammoth exercise with the focus on the Gulf. On Monday India's envoy to UAE Pavan Kapoor speaking exclusively to WION said, "I am glad that we are starting this process of repatriation for those who urgently need to return to India. We look forward to working closely with the UAE authorities to make this process as smooth and efficient as we can." The largest-ever evacuation carried out by India was the 1990 airlift of Indians from Kuwait during the Gulf War in which 170,000 Indian expatriates were from the west Asian country. Around 11,000 stranded Indians have registered with Indian mission in Moscow, 1200 in New Zealand, 390 Indian nationals with High Commission of Nairobi, 265 at the Indian mission in Mexico, 2000 at India's mission in Canada and five Indians in Somalia have also registered so that they can get back home. Only asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel and Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for the process had been prepared in this regard. "State Governments are being advised to make arrangements, including for testing, quarantine and onward movement of the returning Indians in their respective States.", MHA in a statement said. The facilitation will only be on "compelling grounds" and will be done via planes and naval ships on payment basis and non-scheduled commercial flights would be arranged for air travel. During the process of getting back, all health protocols like social distancing norms will have to be followed. The evacuees after reaching the destination would have to register on the Indian government's Aarogya Setu app which has been developed to alert about COVID-19 crisis and alerts regarding it. After being medically screened, they will be quarantined for 14 days in a hospital or an institutional quarantine on payment-basis by the State governments which will be followed by COVID test at the end of the given period. Earlier this year, India brought back approximately 2500 of its citizens and 48 foreign nationals from China, Japan, Iran and Italy. 2015 Operation Raahat saw India bringing back around 4600 of its citizens while Operation Sankat Mochan of 2016 saw India bringing back 600 of its nationals from South Sudan. 2011 Operation Safe Homecoming to bring back Indians from war-torn Libya saw 15000 Indian nationals being brought back. The first decade of the century saw Operation Sukoon in which Indian Navy got back 1764 Indians and was the largest evacuation operations conducted by the Navy since World War II.

India's mega repatriation plan to bring back stranded citizens begins; first flight to reach Kerala in night

The Chinese laboratory accused by top American officials of being the source of the coronavirus pandemic researches the world's most dangerous diseases. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-secretary-of-state-pompeo-says-enormous-evidence-virus-came-from-wuhan-lab-296446">Also read: US Secretary of State Pompeo says 'enormous evidence' virus came from Wuhan lab</a> 
 
US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have both claimed that there is evidence the pathogen came from the lab in Wuhan — the city where the disease was first detected late last year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lashes-out-at-pompeo-calls-his-coronavirus-origin-theory-insane-296778">Also read: China lashes out at Pompeo, calls his coronavirus origin theory 'insane'</a> 
 
But the World Health Organization said Washington had offered no evidence to support the "speculative" claims, and scientists believe the coronavirus jumped from animals to humans, possibly at a Wuhan market selling wild animals.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/intel-shared-among-us-allies-contradicts-trumps-claims-says-coronavirus-outbreak-more-likely-came-from-market-296696" hreflang="en">Intel shared among US allies contradicts Trump's claims, says coronavirus outbreak more likely came from market</a>

The top US epidemiologist Anthony Fauci has echoed the WHO's statement, telling National Geographic that all evidence so far "strongly indicates" a natural origin.

China has strongly denied the allegations, but speculation and conspiracy theories have persisted.

Here are some key questions about the Wuhan Institute of Virology:

What do its researchers do?

Work by the lab's scientists helped to shed light on the COVID-19 pathogen in the early days of the outbreak in Wuhan.

In February, they published work concluding that the new virus shared a 79.6 per cent sequence identity to the SARS coronavirus and that it was 96 per cent identical at the whole-genome level to a coronavirus found in bats.

The lab's researchers had already conducted extensive investigations on the links between bats and disease outbreaks in China and had highlighted the need to prepare for viruses potentially spreading out of their natural reservoirs into human communities.

Scientists think COVID-19 originated in bats and could have been transmitted to people via another mammal like a pangolin, but there is no definitive answer so far.

What does it handle?

The Wuhan institute houses the largest virus bank in Asia which preserves more than 1,500 strains.

The complex contains Asia's first maximum-security lab equipped to handle Class 4 pathogens (P4) such as Ebola.

The 300-million-yuan ($42 million) P4 lab opened in 2018. A P3 lab has been in operation since 2012.

While the US intelligence community said it had concluded the coronavirus was not human-made, it added that it would continue to investigate if the outbreak started from contact with infected animals or from "an accident" at the Wuhan lab.

Could there be a leak?

US diplomatic cables seen by The Washington Post earlier said that officials were concerned about inadequate safety standards related to researchers' handling of SARS-like bat coronaviruses in the high-security lab.

The institute has said it received samples of the then-unknown virus on December 30, determined the viral genome sequence on January 2 and submitted information on the pathogen to the WHO on January 11.

Shi Zhengli, one of China's leading experts on bat coronaviruses and deputy director of the Wuhan P4 lab, said she would "bet her life that (the new coronavirus) had nothing to do with the lab", according to Chinese state media.

And in an interview with Scientific American, Shi said the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence did not match any of the bat coronaviruses her laboratory had previously collected and studied.

What do scientists know about the virus?

Researchers have noted that while there is no proof for the lab accident theory, there is also no clear evidence that the virus came from the Wuhan market.

A study by a group of Chinese scientists published in The Lancet in January found that the first COVID-19 patient had no connection to the market, and neither did 13 of the first 41 confirmed cases.

Professor Leo Poon of The University of Hong Kong said the scientific community's consensus was that the virus is not human-made.

"We need to look at the origin of this virus. It is important because, from a public health point of view, we want to know how it happened, and (if we can) learn from this," he said.

David Heymann, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, added: "We have a hypothesis that it came from a live animal market, and I haven't seen anybody provide evidence that shows to the contrary."

The Chinese laboratory accused by top American officials of being the source of the coronavirus pandemic researches the world's most dangerous diseases. Also read: US Secretary of State Pompeo says 'enormous evidence' virus came from Wuhan lab US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have both claimed that there is evidence the pathogen came from the lab in Wuhan — the city where the disease was first detected late last year.

The Chinese laboratory accused by top American officials of being the source of the coronavirus pandemic researches the world's most dangerous diseases. Also read: US Secretary of State Pompeo says 'enormous evidence' virus came from Wuhan lab US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have both claimed that there is evidence the pathogen came from the lab in Wuhan — the city where the disease was first detected late last year. Also read: China lashes out at Pompeo, calls his coronavirus origin theory 'insane' But the World Health Organization said Washington had offered no evidence to support the "speculative" claims, and scientists believe the coronavirus jumped from animals to humans, possibly at a Wuhan market selling wild animals. Also read: Intel shared among US allies contradicts Trump's claims, says coronavirus outbreak more likely came from market The top US epidemiologist Anthony Fauci has echoed the WHO's statement, telling National Geographic that all evidence so far "strongly indicates" a natural origin. China has strongly denied the allegations, but speculation and conspiracy theories have persisted. Here are some key questions about the Wuhan Institute of Virology: What do its researchers do? Work by the lab's scientists helped to shed light on the COVID-19 pathogen in the early days of the outbreak in Wuhan. In February, they published work concluding that the new virus shared a 79.6 per cent sequence identity to the SARS coronavirus and that it was 96 per cent identical at the whole-genome level to a coronavirus found in bats. The lab's researchers had already conducted extensive investigations on the links between bats and disease outbreaks in China and had highlighted the need to prepare for viruses potentially spreading out of their natural reservoirs into human communities. Scientists think COVID-19 originated in bats and could have been transmitted to people via another mammal like a pangolin, but there is no definitive answer so far. What does it handle? The Wuhan institute houses the largest virus bank in Asia which preserves more than 1,500 strains. The complex contains Asia's first maximum-security lab equipped to handle Class 4 pathogens (P4) such as Ebola. The 300-million-yuan ($42 million) P4 lab opened in 2018. A P3 lab has been in operation since 2012. While the US intelligence community said it had concluded the coronavirus was not human-made, it added that it would continue to investigate if the outbreak started from contact with infected animals or from "an accident" at the Wuhan lab. Could there be a leak? US diplomatic cables seen by The Washington Post earlier said that officials were concerned about inadequate safety standards related to researchers' handling of SARS-like bat coronaviruses in the high-security lab. The institute has said it received samples of the then-unknown virus on December 30, determined the viral genome sequence on January 2 and submitted information on the pathogen to the WHO on January 11. Shi Zhengli, one of China's leading experts on bat coronaviruses and deputy director of the Wuhan P4 lab, said she would "bet her life that (the new coronavirus) had nothing to do with the lab", according to Chinese state media. And in an interview with Scientific American, Shi said the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence did not match any of the bat coronaviruses her laboratory had previously collected and studied. What do scientists know about the virus? Researchers have noted that while there is no proof for the lab accident theory, there is also no clear evidence that the virus came from the Wuhan market. A study by a group of Chinese scientists published in The Lancet in January found that the first COVID-19 patient had no connection to the market, and neither did 13 of the first 41 confirmed cases. Professor Leo Poon of The University of Hong Kong said the scientific community's consensus was that the virus is not human-made. "We need to look at the origin of this virus. It is important because, from a public health point of view, we want to know how it happened, and (if we can) learn from this," he said. David Heymann, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, added: "We have a hypothesis that it came from a live animal market, and I haven't seen anybody provide evidence that shows to the contrary."

China's Wuhan laboratory at the heart of the Washington-Beijing virus spat

They are fighting on the front lines risking their lives to save others. It is a battle against a deadly enemy but these warriors are not armed.&nbsp;

Doctors across the world do not have enough protective gear and are succumbing to the disease. In Russia, the situation is particularly appalling. Three frontline health care workers have fallen out of hospital windows.&nbsp;

The mysterious incidents took place in just the last two weeks and have aggravated the anger over the working conditions for the frontline workers.

Two of the medics lost their lives while the third one __ an ambulance doctor Alexander Shulepov is now in a serious condition. Shulepov had spoken out about the kind of pressure he and his colleagues were facing. He said he was instructed to work despite testing positive for COVID-19. Just days later, Shulepov jumped out of a hospital window.&nbsp;

Lying on the hospital bed, Shulepov then retracted his claims. The second video triggered speculation that he backtracked under duress. While investigations continue, three incidents have raised question marks over the kind of pressure doctors in Russia are facing. Not just those on the frontlines even students are bearing the brunt. With the crisis intensifying, medical students are being forced to work in hospitals and if they refused, they are threatened with expulsion. It's a tough choice. Fight a virus despite lack of protective equipment Or get expelled from school.

Meanwhile, the numbers are mounting in Russia. The country reported more than 10,000 coronavirus cases for four days in a row. The latest spike takes the total number of cases to over 165,000.

They are fighting on the front lines risking their lives to save others. It is a battle against a deadly enemy but these warriors are not armed. Doctors across the world do not have enough protective gear and are succumbing to the disease.

They are fighting on the front lines risking their lives to save others. It is a battle against a deadly enemy but these warriors are not armed. Doctors across the world do not have enough protective gear and are succumbing to the disease. In Russia, the situation is particularly appalling. Three frontline health care workers have fallen out of hospital windows. The mysterious incidents took place in just the last two weeks and have aggravated the anger over the working conditions for the frontline workers. Two of the medics lost their lives while the third one __ an ambulance doctor Alexander Shulepov is now in a serious condition. Shulepov had spoken out about the kind of pressure he and his colleagues were facing. He said he was instructed to work despite testing positive for COVID-19. Just days later, Shulepov jumped out of a hospital window. Lying on the hospital bed, Shulepov then retracted his claims. The second video triggered speculation that he backtracked under duress. While investigations continue, three incidents have raised question marks over the kind of pressure doctors in Russia are facing. Not just those on the frontlines even students are bearing the brunt. With the crisis intensifying, medical students are being forced to work in hospitals and if they refused, they are threatened with expulsion. It's a tough choice. Fight a virus despite lack of protective equipment Or get expelled from school. Meanwhile, the numbers are mounting in Russia. The country reported more than 10,000 coronavirus cases for four days in a row. The latest spike takes the total number of cases to over 165,000.

COVID-19: Three Russian doctors mysteriously fall from hospital windows

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-accuses-beijing-of-aggressive-behaviour-in-south-china-sea-296896">US accuses Beijing of aggressive behaviour in South China Sea</a> 
 
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The novel coronavirus that broke out in China's Wuhan in December, 2019 has infected more that 3.5 million in the world, and killed 2,50,000. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-accuses-beijing-of-aggressive-behaviour-in-south-china-sea-296896">READ MORE</a>

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The researchers have wrapped up the development phase and moved to patent and mass produce the potential treatment. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-makes-significant-breakthrough-in-developing-antibodies-for-covid-19-296897">READ MORE</a>

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US accuses Beijing of aggressive behaviour in South China Sea The novel coronavirus that broke out in China's Wuhan in December, 2019 has infected more that 3.5 million in the world, and killed 2,50,000.

US accuses Beijing of aggressive behaviour in South China Sea The novel coronavirus that broke out in China's Wuhan in December, 2019 has infected more that 3.5 million in the world, and killed 2,50,000. READ MORE Israel makes 'significant breakthrough' in developing antibodies for COVID-19 The researchers have wrapped up the development phase and moved to patent and mass produce the potential treatment. READ MORE Women hail victory as Sudan moves to ban genital cutting The practice has long been viewed, especially in rural communities, as a "rite of passage" for girls and a way to preserve their chastity. READ MORE

Morning News Brief: Israel develops key Covid antibody, Sudan bans female genital mutilation and more

A day after a driver from the Border Security Force (BSF), South Bengal Frontier headquartered in Kolkata attached to the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) convoy tested positive, five more BSF personnel tested positive on Tuesday. 
&nbsp; 
“The five personnel were escorted to the Central team. They were tested Coronavirus positive today. They have been admitted in MR Bangur Hospital,” said a senior official of BSF South Bengal Frontier. 
&nbsp; 
A day ago, the BSF driver tested positive, later as many as 50 personnel from the unit had been quarantined. Of those 50, 18 personnel were tested. Their reports arrived on Tuesday which revealed that five of them have tested positive. 
&nbsp; 
The driver had reported fever and was immediately removed on April 30, 2020, and sent into quarantine. Later, he tested positive for Covid-19. 
&nbsp; 
Sources reveal that the other remaining personnel will also undergo tests.

The BSF pilot car and personnel were attached to the convoy of Inter-Ministerial Central Team which had been camping in Kolkata for two weeks for on-spot assessment of lockdown violations, violence against frontline healthcare workers and state government’s preparedness to tackle Covid-19.

A day after a driver from the Border Security Force (BSF), South Bengal Frontier headquartered in Kolkata attached to the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) convoy tested positive, five more BSF personnel tested positive on Tuesday.

A day after a driver from the Border Security Force (BSF), South Bengal Frontier headquartered in Kolkata attached to the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) convoy tested positive, five more BSF personnel tested positive on Tuesday. “The five personnel were escorted to the Central team. They were tested Coronavirus positive today. They have been admitted in MR Bangur Hospital,” said a senior official of BSF South Bengal Frontier. A day ago, the BSF driver tested positive, later as many as 50 personnel from the unit had been quarantined. Of those 50, 18 personnel were tested. Their reports arrived on Tuesday which revealed that five of them have tested positive. The driver had reported fever and was immediately removed on April 30, 2020, and sent into quarantine. Later, he tested positive for Covid-19. Sources reveal that the other remaining personnel will also undergo tests. The BSF pilot car and personnel were attached to the convoy of Inter-Ministerial Central Team which had been camping in Kolkata for two weeks for on-spot assessment of lockdown violations, violence against frontline healthcare workers and state government’s preparedness to tackle Covid-19.

Five BSF jawans attached to IMCT convoy in Kolkata test positive for Covid-19

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the White House coronavirus task force would continue "indefinitely" with its work on the pandemic, focusing on vaccines and therapeutics.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the White House coronavirus task force would continue "indefinitely" with its work on the pandemic, focusing on vaccines and therapeutics. "Because of this success, the Task Force will continue on indefinitely with its focus on SAFETY & OPENING UP OUR COUNTRY AGAIN. We may add or subtract people to it, as appropriate. The Task Force will also be very focused on Vaccines & Therapeutics," Trump said in a series of tweets. The White House CoronaVirus Task Force, headed by Vice President Mike Pence, has done a fantastic job of bringing together vast highly complex resources that have set a high standard for others to follow in the future. Ventilators, which were few & in bad shape, are now being.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2020 × Trump's latest tweets came a day after he confirmed that the White House coronavirus task force will be winding down. Trump followed Vice-President Mike Pence who on Tuesday said that the emergency task force he heads will not ''be needed much longer than the end of this month.'' ....gloves, gowns etc. are now plentiful. The last four Governors teleconference calls have been conclusively strong. Because of this success, the Task Force will continue on indefinitely with its focus on SAFETY & OPENING UP OUR COUNTRY AGAIN. We may add or subtract people .... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2020 × The coronavirus task force has spearheaded the complex response to the fast-spreading virus, which has already killed more than 71,000 Americans and infected over 1,205,130 patients. The group headed by Pence and reporting to President Donald Trump coordinates between medical institutes, political staff and state governors, some of whom have spent weeks frantically trying to help overwhelmed hospitals.

Will keep coronavirus task force indefinitely, says Trump amid rising US death toll

French Open organisers are in talks with tennis' governing bodies to adjust the season calendar. These talks are being held amid reports that the French Grand Slam could be postponed by at least a week due to the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/coronavirus-tennis-relief-fund-raises-6-million-297012" hreflang="en">Coronavirus: Tennis relief fund raises $6 million</a>

"We took the decision in mid-March to postpone Roland Garros from September 20 to October 4. Since then, we have been discussing with the international bodies of the various circuits (International Tennis Federation, WTA, ATP) the optimum calendar for the second part of the season, which will be finalised with the various stakeholders very soon," a French tennis federation (FFT) spokesman told Reuters on Tuesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bullish-market-in-nikes-michael-jordan-sneakers-after-the-blockbuster-series-release-online-296987" hreflang="en">Bullish market in Nike’s Michael Jordan sneakers after the blockbuster series release online</a>

The reports of the Grand Slam being postponed by a week were reported by French newspaper Le Parisien and tennis website tennis.com. They suggested that the play could begin a week later that is September 27.&nbsp;

This decision might come as the organizers were criticised for postponing the French Open without any suggestions which led to a cramped up schedule as the dates neared US Open. But if French Open is postponed by a week, it could give players a two-week rest between the tournaments.&nbsp;

French Open organisers are in talks with tennis' governing bodies to adjust the season calendar. These talks are being held amid reports that the French Grand Slam could be postponed by at least a week due to the coronavirus pandemic.

French Open organisers are in talks with tennis' governing bodies to adjust the season calendar. These talks are being held amid reports that the French Grand Slam could be postponed by at least a week due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also read: Coronavirus: Tennis relief fund raises $6 million "We took the decision in mid-March to postpone Roland Garros from September 20 to October 4. Since then, we have been discussing with the international bodies of the various circuits (International Tennis Federation, WTA, ATP) the optimum calendar for the second part of the season, which will be finalised with the various stakeholders very soon," a French tennis federation (FFT) spokesman told Reuters on Tuesday. Also read: Bullish market in Nike’s Michael Jordan sneakers after the blockbuster series release online The reports of the Grand Slam being postponed by a week were reported by French newspaper Le Parisien and tennis website tennis.com. They suggested that the play could begin a week later that is September 27. This decision might come as the organizers were criticised for postponing the French Open without any suggestions which led to a cramped up schedule as the dates neared US Open. But if French Open is postponed by a week, it could give players a two-week rest between the tournaments.

French Open might be rescheduled after talks with tennis' governing body

A Civilian staff working in the kitchen at the Indian Army Officer’s Training Academy(OTA) in Chennai has tested positive for Coronavirus and the individual’s contacts have been quarantined said a statement from the Academy.&nbsp;

The individual was admitted to a government hospital on May 3rd after complaining of chest congestion and the individual tested positive on Monday. People who came in contact with the said individual have been placed under quarantine as a precaution. WION has learnt that that said staffer who tested positive had been reporting for work for nearly all of last month.

The statement from the Academy said that the Academy has been functioning with minimal staff and that adequate precautionary measures are in place.

A source from the Academy revealed to WION that there are no cadets presently in the Academy as one batch had completed their 11-month training and passed out in the second week of March, while the present batch had gone on their term break just after the passing out parade. So the cadets haven’t returned to the academy on account of the lockdown that has been effective since the last week of March.&nbsp;

During the routine functioning of the academy, there are over 200 cadets in the academy and also several serving Officers of the Army and large teams of support staff.&nbsp;

The passing out parade at the academy is a grand event that takes place twice a year- in March and September. About 200 cadets(including foreign cadets) pass out of the Academy as Officers. The event is open to family members, media fraternity and veteran and serving Officers from the Armed forces.

There were 136 Gentlemen cadets and 31 Lady cadets who passed out of the Academy this March, in addition to 11 cadets from friendly foreign countries such as Bhutan, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The parade was reviewed by Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff. The 11-month training at the Academy is offered to candidates aged 21-18 who clear the SSB exam and related interviews. The Academy trains cadets to join the Army as Commissioned Officers under the Short Service Commission(SSC).

A Civilian staff working in the kitchen at the Indian Army Officer’s Training Academy(OTA) in Chennai has tested positive for Coronavirus and the individual’s contacts have been quarantined said a statement from the Academy.

A Civilian staff working in the kitchen at the Indian Army Officer’s Training Academy(OTA) in Chennai has tested positive for Coronavirus and the individual’s contacts have been quarantined said a statement from the Academy. The individual was admitted to a government hospital on May 3rd after complaining of chest congestion and the individual tested positive on Monday. People who came in contact with the said individual have been placed under quarantine as a precaution. WION has learnt that that said staffer who tested positive had been reporting for work for nearly all of last month. The statement from the Academy said that the Academy has been functioning with minimal staff and that adequate precautionary measures are in place. A source from the Academy revealed to WION that there are no cadets presently in the Academy as one batch had completed their 11-month training and passed out in the second week of March, while the present batch had gone on their term break just after the passing out parade. So the cadets haven’t returned to the academy on account of the lockdown that has been effective since the last week of March. During the routine functioning of the academy, there are over 200 cadets in the academy and also several serving Officers of the Army and large teams of support staff. The passing out parade at the academy is a grand event that takes place twice a year- in March and September. About 200 cadets(including foreign cadets) pass out of the Academy as Officers. The event is open to family members, media fraternity and veteran and serving Officers from the Armed forces. There were 136 Gentlemen cadets and 31 Lady cadets who passed out of the Academy this March, in addition to 11 cadets from friendly foreign countries such as Bhutan, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The parade was reviewed by Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff. The 11-month training at the Academy is offered to candidates aged 21-18 who clear the SSB exam and related interviews. The Academy trains cadets to join the Army as Commissioned Officers under the Short Service Commission(SSC).

Civilian staff at Army Officer’s Training Academy in Chennai tests Covid-19 positive

India's coronavirus count crept closer to 50,000 mark with 2,958 new cases and 126 new fatalities till Wednesday morning.

The total number of coronavirus cases in India stood at 49,391, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in its May 6 health bulletin. Of the total cases, 33,514 are active cases while 14,182 individuals have been cured and discharged from the hospitals. The death toll has mounted to 1694 while one person has migrated to another country, according to the data released by the Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, Coronavirus has infected around 548 doctors, nurses and paramedics across the country so far, according to data maintained by the Centre, official sources said.

The figure does not include field workers, ward boys, sanitation workers, security guards, lab attendants, peons, laundry and kitchen staff among others.

According to an official source, it has not been ascertained from where these doctors, nurses and paramedic staff have acquired the infection.&nbsp;

The figure includes doctors, nurses and paramedics from Centre-run and state government-run facilities across states and union territories. 
 
(With inputs from PTI)

India's coronavirus count crept closer to 50,000 mark with 2,958 new cases and 126 new fatalities till Wednesday morning. The total number of coronavirus cases in India stood at 49,391, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in its May 6 health bulletin.

India's coronavirus count crept closer to 50,000 mark with 2,958 new cases and 126 new fatalities till Wednesday morning. The total number of coronavirus cases in India stood at 49,391, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in its May 6 health bulletin. Of the total cases, 33,514 are active cases while 14,182 individuals have been cured and discharged from the hospitals. The death toll has mounted to 1694 while one person has migrated to another country, according to the data released by the Health Ministry. Meanwhile, Coronavirus has infected around 548 doctors, nurses and paramedics across the country so far, according to data maintained by the Centre, official sources said. The figure does not include field workers, ward boys, sanitation workers, security guards, lab attendants, peons, laundry and kitchen staff among others. According to an official source, it has not been ascertained from where these doctors, nurses and paramedic staff have acquired the infection. The figure includes doctors, nurses and paramedics from Centre-run and state government-run facilities across states and union territories. (With inputs from PTI)

India's COVID-19 count rises to 49,391, death toll mounts to 1,694

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.6 million worldwide on Wednesday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-analysis-dispels-theory-that-said-covid-19-was-in-circulation-long-before-dec-19-296906">Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19</a>

COVID-19 has now infected 3,665,912 people worldwide and 257,337&nbsp;people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around 1,202,595 people of that tally have recovered.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-covid-19-timeline-shifts-weeks-earlier-in-wake-of-new-evidence-296722">Also read | France COVID-19 timeline shifts weeks earlier in wake of new evidence</a>

A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe.

The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America.

Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment.

The UnitedStates is the worst-hit country, with more than 70,000 deaths, ahead of Britain where fatalities topped 32,000.

The US-registered 2,333 more deaths over the 24 hours to Tuesday evening, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker, more than twice as many as the day before.

Some scientific models suggest the figure will rise to 3,000 a day by June.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan.&nbsp;

The disease later identified as COVID-19 was first reported by Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31 and was not previously believed to have spread to Europe until January.

WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that other earlier cases could emerge after retesting samples.

(With inputs from agencies)

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.6 million worldwide on Wednesday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19 COVID-19 has now infected 3,665,912 people worldwide and 257,337 people have been killed due to this pandemic.

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.6 million worldwide on Wednesday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19 COVID-19 has now infected 3,665,912 people worldwide and 257,337 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around 1,202,595 people of that tally have recovered. Also read | France COVID-19 timeline shifts weeks earlier in wake of new evidence A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe. The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America. Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment. The UnitedStates is the worst-hit country, with more than 70,000 deaths, ahead of Britain where fatalities topped 32,000. The US-registered 2,333 more deaths over the 24 hours to Tuesday evening, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker, more than twice as many as the day before. Some scientific models suggest the figure will rise to 3,000 a day by June. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan. The disease later identified as COVID-19 was first reported by Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31 and was not previously believed to have spread to Europe until January. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that other earlier cases could emerge after retesting samples. (With inputs from agencies)

Global coronavirus cases surge to 3.6 million, death toll at  257,337

The government on Wednesday said no data or security breach has been identified in Aarogya Setu after an ethical hacker raised concerns about a potential security issue in the app.

The app is the government's mobile application for contact tracing and disseminating medical advisories to users to contain the spread of COVID-19.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, a French hacker and cybersecurity expert Elliot Alderson had claimed that "a security issue has been found" in the app and that "privacy of 90 million Indians is at stake".

Dismissing the claims, the government said "no personal information of any user has been proven to be at risk by this ethical hacker".

"We are continuously testing and upgrading our systems. Team Aarogya Setu assures everyone that no data or security breach has been identified," the government said through the app's Twitter handle.

The tweet gave point-by-point clarification on the red flags raised by the hacker. 
&nbsp; 
"We discussed with the hacker and were made aware of the following... The app fetches user location on a few occasions," it said but added that this was by design and is detailed in the privacy policy. 
&nbsp; 
The app fetches users' location and stores on the server in a secure, encrypted, anonymised manner - at the time of registration, at the time of self-assessment, when users submit their contact tracing data voluntary through the app or when it fetches the contact tracing data of users after they have turned COVID-19 positive, it said. 
&nbsp; 
On another issue that users can get COVID-19 stats displayed on the home screen by changing the radius and latitude-longitude using a script, Aarogya Setu said that all this information is already public for all locations and hence does not compromise on any personal or sensitive data.

"We thank the ethical hacker on engaging with us. We encourage any users who identify vulnerability to inform us immediately...," it said.&nbsp;

Responding to Aarogya Setu's clarification, Alderson tweeted, "I will come back to you tomorrow".

The government on Wednesday said no data or security breach has been identified in Aarogya Setu after an ethical hacker raised concerns about a potential security issue in the app.

The government on Wednesday said no data or security breach has been identified in Aarogya Setu after an ethical hacker raised concerns about a potential security issue in the app. The app is the government's mobile application for contact tracing and disseminating medical advisories to users to contain the spread of COVID-19. On Tuesday, a French hacker and cybersecurity expert Elliot Alderson had claimed that "a security issue has been found" in the app and that "privacy of 90 million Indians is at stake". Dismissing the claims, the government said "no personal information of any user has been proven to be at risk by this ethical hacker". "We are continuously testing and upgrading our systems. Team Aarogya Setu assures everyone that no data or security breach has been identified," the government said through the app's Twitter handle. The tweet gave point-by-point clarification on the red flags raised by the hacker. "We discussed with the hacker and were made aware of the following... The app fetches user location on a few occasions," it said but added that this was by design and is detailed in the privacy policy. The app fetches users' location and stores on the server in a secure, encrypted, anonymised manner - at the time of registration, at the time of self-assessment, when users submit their contact tracing data voluntary through the app or when it fetches the contact tracing data of users after they have turned COVID-19 positive, it said. On another issue that users can get COVID-19 stats displayed on the home screen by changing the radius and latitude-longitude using a script, Aarogya Setu said that all this information is already public for all locations and hence does not compromise on any personal or sensitive data. "We thank the ethical hacker on engaging with us. We encourage any users who identify vulnerability to inform us immediately...," it said. Responding to Aarogya Setu's clarification, Alderson tweeted, "I will come back to you tomorrow".

No security breach in Aarogya Setu app, the government assures after ethical hacker raises privacy concerns

The US Treasury Department on Monday said it plans to borrow nearly $3 trillion in the second quarter of 2020 - a record for any quarter - as the federal government contends with the impact of the coronavirus.

In a statement, Treasury said it would borrow $2.999 trillion during the April-June quarter, $3.055 trillion more than its previous estimate, assuming an end-June cash balance of $800 billion.

“It is larger than what we would typically do in a year,” a senior Treasury official said. The Treasury’s net borrowing last fiscal year, for example, was $1.28 trillion.

In February, Treasury said it expected to pay down $56 billion in net marketable debt in the April-June period.

Treasury said it expects to borrow $677 billion during the July-September quarter, assuming an end-September cash balance of $800 billion.

It borrowed $477 billion through credit markets in the January-March quarter, ending the period with $515 billion in cash.

Additional details of Treasury’s quarterly refunding will be announced at 08:30 a.m (1230 GMT) on Wednesday. In February, Treasury said it would announce details of a planned new 20-year bond in May.

The US Treasury Department on Monday said it plans to borrow nearly $3 trillion in the second quarter of 2020 - a record for any quarter - as the federal government contends with the impact of the coronavirus.

The US Treasury Department on Monday said it plans to borrow nearly $3 trillion in the second quarter of 2020 - a record for any quarter - as the federal government contends with the impact of the coronavirus. In a statement, Treasury said it would borrow $2.999 trillion during the April-June quarter, $3.055 trillion more than its previous estimate, assuming an end-June cash balance of $800 billion. “It is larger than what we would typically do in a year,” a senior Treasury official said. The Treasury’s net borrowing last fiscal year, for example, was $1.28 trillion. In February, Treasury said it expected to pay down $56 billion in net marketable debt in the April-June period. Treasury said it expects to borrow $677 billion during the July-September quarter, assuming an end-September cash balance of $800 billion. It borrowed $477 billion through credit markets in the January-March quarter, ending the period with $515 billion in cash. Additional details of Treasury’s quarterly refunding will be announced at 08:30 a.m (1230 GMT) on Wednesday. In February, Treasury said it would announce details of a planned new 20-year bond in May.

US treasury expects to borrow a record $3 trillion in the second quarter

A group of Democratic Senators on Monday said there has been a surge in hate crime against Asian-Americans amid coronavirus pandemic and urged the Trump administration to take concrete steps to arrest the spike.

In a letter to Assistant Attorney General Eric S Dreiband, the 16 Senators, including Kamala Harris, requested the Trump Administration to address this discrimination like it had been done in the past.

The Senators said hate crimes against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) during the pandemic and the inadequate federal response to address these racist and xenophobic attacks is a sharp break from the efforts of past administrations, Republican and Democratic alike.

There are more than 20 million Americans of Asian descent and two million AAPI individuals are working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, as health care workers, law enforcement agents, first responders, and other essential service providers, they said.

"It is critical that the Civil Rights Division ensure that the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans are protected during this pandemic," the Senators said.

In the last month alone, Asian American organizations received nearly 1,500 incidents of anti-Asian harassment and discrimination against AAPI individuals across the country, they said.

This comes after the FBI assessed in March that hate crime incidents against Asian Americans were likely to surge across the country, endangering AAPI communities, the Democratic Senators said.

They said on March 14 this year, a man stabbed two Asian American children -- aged 2 and 6 -- and their father at a Sam''s Club in Texas because "he thought the family was Chinese, and infecting people with the coronavirus."

Despite warnings that using offensive and stigmatizing language to refer to COVID-19 could stoke anti-Asian bias, President Trump and his administration's officials have referred to the coronavirus as the "Chinese Virus," "Wuhan Virus," and at least one White House official even called it the "Kung Flu," the lawmakers rued.

"Such harmful rhetoric contradicts guidance by public health experts," they said.

The World Health Organization's guidance in naming infectious diseases warns against using names that stigmatize certain communities, the Senators said.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also recognizes the "stigma and discrimination that can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality," they said.

A group of Democratic Senators on Monday said there has been a surge in hate crime against Asian-Americans amid coronavirus pandemic and urged the Trump administration to take concrete steps to arrest the spike.

A group of Democratic Senators on Monday said there has been a surge in hate crime against Asian-Americans amid coronavirus pandemic and urged the Trump administration to take concrete steps to arrest the spike. In a letter to Assistant Attorney General Eric S Dreiband, the 16 Senators, including Kamala Harris, requested the Trump Administration to address this discrimination like it had been done in the past. The Senators said hate crimes against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) during the pandemic and the inadequate federal response to address these racist and xenophobic attacks is a sharp break from the efforts of past administrations, Republican and Democratic alike. There are more than 20 million Americans of Asian descent and two million AAPI individuals are working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, as health care workers, law enforcement agents, first responders, and other essential service providers, they said. "It is critical that the Civil Rights Division ensure that the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans are protected during this pandemic," the Senators said. In the last month alone, Asian American organizations received nearly 1,500 incidents of anti-Asian harassment and discrimination against AAPI individuals across the country, they said. This comes after the FBI assessed in March that hate crime incidents against Asian Americans were likely to surge across the country, endangering AAPI communities, the Democratic Senators said. They said on March 14 this year, a man stabbed two Asian American children -- aged 2 and 6 -- and their father at a Sam''s Club in Texas because "he thought the family was Chinese, and infecting people with the coronavirus." Despite warnings that using offensive and stigmatizing language to refer to COVID-19 could stoke anti-Asian bias, President Trump and his administration's officials have referred to the coronavirus as the "Chinese Virus," "Wuhan Virus," and at least one White House official even called it the "Kung Flu," the lawmakers rued. "Such harmful rhetoric contradicts guidance by public health experts," they said. The World Health Organization's guidance in naming infectious diseases warns against using names that stigmatize certain communities, the Senators said. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also recognizes the "stigma and discrimination that can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality," they said.

Rise in hate crime against Asian-Americans amid pandemic: US senators

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