In the backdrop of coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, the Centre has earmarked ₹ 1.80 lakh crores for providing wheat at ₹ 2 per kg and rice at ₹ 3 per kg, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/17-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-haryana-288469" hreflang="en">17 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Haryana</a> 
 
Enumerating about the Union Cabinet decision, he said: "Union Cabinet has decided to provide wheat at ₹ 2 per kg which is worth ₹ 27 per kg and rice at ₹ 3 per kg which is worth ₹ 37 per kg. A total amount of ₹ 1 lakh 80 thousand crores is being spent for the cause. The amount will be given in advance to the states for the coming 3 months," Gowda tweeted.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnionCabinet?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UnionCabinet</a> has decided to provide wheat at Rs 2/kg which is worth Rs 27/kg and rice at Rs 3/kg which is worth Rs 37/kg. 
 
A total amount of Rs 1 lakh 80 thousand crores is being spent for the cause. The amount will be given in advance to the states for the coming 3 months.
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) <a href="https://twitter.com/DVSadanandGowda/status/1242787998703312897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence earlier today.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahabharata-battle-won-in-18-days-war-against-covid-19-will-take-21-days-pm-modi-288468" hreflang="en">Mahabharata battle won in 18 days, war against COVID-19 will take 21 days: PM Modi</a>

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in the entire country to deal with the spread of coronavirus, saying that "social distancing" is the only option to deal with the disease, which spreads rapidly.

In the backdrop of coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, the Centre has earmarked ₹ 1.80 lakh crores for providing wheat at ₹ 2 per kg and rice at ₹ 3 per kg, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday.

In the backdrop of coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, the Centre has earmarked ₹ 1.80 lakh crores for providing wheat at ₹ 2 per kg and rice at ₹ 3 per kg, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday. Also read: 17 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Haryana Enumerating about the Union Cabinet decision, he said: "Union Cabinet has decided to provide wheat at ₹ 2 per kg which is worth ₹ 27 per kg and rice at ₹ 3 per kg which is worth ₹ 37 per kg. A total amount of ₹ 1 lakh 80 thousand crores is being spent for the cause. The amount will be given in advance to the states for the coming 3 months," Gowda tweeted. #UnionCabinet has decided to provide wheat at Rs 2/kg which is worth Rs 27/kg and rice at Rs 3/kg which is worth Rs 37/kg. A total amount of Rs 1 lakh 80 thousand crores is being spent for the cause. The amount will be given in advance to the states for the coming 3 months. — Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) March 25, 2020 × The decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence earlier today. Also read: Mahabharata battle won in 18 days, war against COVID-19 will take 21 days: PM Modi On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in the entire country to deal with the spread of coronavirus, saying that "social distancing" is the only option to deal with the disease, which spreads rapidly.

Centre earmarks ₹1.80 lakh crores for providing subsidised wheat, rice

China lifted tough restrictions on the province at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday after a months-long lockdown as the country reported no new domestic cases.

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But there were another 47 imported infections from overseas, the National Health Commission said, as the number of cases brought into the country continued to swell.

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In total, 474 imported infections have been diagnosed in China -- mostly Chinese nationals returning home according to the foreign ministry.

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Four more people died, health officials said Wednesday, three in central Hubei province where the virus first emerged late last year.

China announced Tuesday that the lockdown would be lifted on more than 50 million people in Hubei, with residents now allowed to leave if healthy, with some airports and train stations, opening.

The city of Wuhan -- the initial epicentre of the outbreak -- will allow residents to leave from April 8.

Hubei ordered the shutdown in January but had been gradually easing rules and permitting people to move about within the province and return to work over recent days.

Schools remain closed, however, There have been more than 81,200 cases of COVID-19 in China and 3,281 deaths from the virus.

New cases have slowed dramatically over the last month.

But as nations globally struggle to contain the pandemic, surging numbers of imported cases in China are fuelling anxiety about a possible second wave of infections just as the country seems to be bringing its outbreak under control.

Many cities have brought in tough rules to quarantine arrivals, and all Beijing-bound international flights are being diverted to other urban centres where passengers are screened for the virus.

China lifted tough restrictions on the province at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday after a months-long lockdown as the country reported no new domestic cases.

China lifted tough restrictions on the province at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday after a months-long lockdown as the country reported no new domestic cases. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? But there were another 47 imported infections from overseas, the National Health Commission said, as the number of cases brought into the country continued to swell. Also read: 'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis In total, 474 imported infections have been diagnosed in China -- mostly Chinese nationals returning home according to the foreign ministry. Also read: Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? Four more people died, health officials said Wednesday, three in central Hubei province where the virus first emerged late last year. China announced Tuesday that the lockdown would be lifted on more than 50 million people in Hubei, with residents now allowed to leave if healthy, with some airports and train stations, opening. The city of Wuhan -- the initial epicentre of the outbreak -- will allow residents to leave from April 8. Hubei ordered the shutdown in January but had been gradually easing rules and permitting people to move about within the province and return to work over recent days. Schools remain closed, however, There have been more than 81,200 cases of COVID-19 in China and 3,281 deaths from the virus. New cases have slowed dramatically over the last month. But as nations globally struggle to contain the pandemic, surging numbers of imported cases in China are fuelling anxiety about a possible second wave of infections just as the country seems to be bringing its outbreak under control. Many cities have brought in tough rules to quarantine arrivals, and all Beijing-bound international flights are being diverted to other urban centres where passengers are screened for the virus.

China lifts travel restrictions in Hubei province after months of coronavirus lockdown

When a pre-schooler Harry was told his birthday party would be cancelled due to coronavirus lockdown, a drama group came to the rescue. Using video chat app Zoom, Harry got his "Frozen" celebration with all his friends and family watching via a multiscreen - and he even had "happy birthday" sung to him in unison.

WION Dispatch: Global life moves online amid coronavirus outbreak

The National Capital Territory of Delhi has recorded five new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said today.

With the new addition, the total number of cases in Delhi now stand at 35.

"Five new cases in the last 24 hours in Delhi. Total 35 coronavirus cases so far in Delhi. We have to take steps to ensure that we do not step out of our houses. I request you to follow the lockdown seriously," Kejriwal said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-hc-directs-mea-to-ensure-safety-of-300-indian-students-stranded-in-kazakhstan-288472" hreflang="en">Delhi HC directs MEA to ensure safety of 300 Indian students stranded in Kazakhstan</a>

People across the country have been panicking since the lockdown was enforced yesterday. As part of this, the next 20 days will witness a complete shutdown of services in the country.

However, only essential and emergency services will function.

Kejriwal reassured the citizens that essential services will continue normally, with the government issuing passes to people involved in providing such services.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/17-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-haryana-288469" hreflang="en">17 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Haryana</a>

To make the procurement of passes easier, the Delhi government has set up a dedicated helpline which can be reached at 1031.

Additionally, the CM said that duty passes shall be given to people who are working in the sectors that provide essential services but do not possess formal government identification.

Shopkeepers that are involved in selling essential commodities will receive e-passes, that will primarily be meant for grocery shops, milk plant workers, and others.

"After getting the passes, they will be able to open their shops. The facility to apply online will be provided," the CM said.

As per official data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are currently 512 active cases of coronavirus in the country. Out of these, 40 have been discharged, while nine have succumbed to the virus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahabharata-battle-won-in-18-days-war-against-covid-19-will-take-21-days-pm-modi-288468" hreflang="en">Mahabharata battle won in 18 days, war against COVID-19 will take 21 days: PM Modi</a>

The National Capital Territory of Delhi has recorded five new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said today. With the new addition, the total number of cases in Delhi now stand at 35.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi has recorded five new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said today. With the new addition, the total number of cases in Delhi now stand at 35. "Five new cases in the last 24 hours in Delhi. Total 35 coronavirus cases so far in Delhi. We have to take steps to ensure that we do not step out of our houses. I request you to follow the lockdown seriously," Kejriwal said. Also read: Delhi HC directs MEA to ensure safety of 300 Indian students stranded in Kazakhstan People across the country have been panicking since the lockdown was enforced yesterday. As part of this, the next 20 days will witness a complete shutdown of services in the country. However, only essential and emergency services will function. Kejriwal reassured the citizens that essential services will continue normally, with the government issuing passes to people involved in providing such services. Also read: 17 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Haryana To make the procurement of passes easier, the Delhi government has set up a dedicated helpline which can be reached at 1031. Additionally, the CM said that duty passes shall be given to people who are working in the sectors that provide essential services but do not possess formal government identification. Shopkeepers that are involved in selling essential commodities will receive e-passes, that will primarily be meant for grocery shops, milk plant workers, and others. "After getting the passes, they will be able to open their shops. The facility to apply online will be provided," the CM said. As per official data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are currently 512 active cases of coronavirus in the country. Out of these, 40 have been discharged, while nine have succumbed to the virus. Also read: Mahabharata battle won in 18 days, war against COVID-19 will take 21 days: PM Modi

Delhi records five new COVID-19 cases, total in NCT now at 35

The Delhi High Court Wednesday directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to ensure welfare and safety of around 300 Indian students stranded at Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan for the past 2-3 days without food and medical aid due to coronavirus pandemic. 
 
A bench of justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh, which conducted the hearing through video conferencing, asked the authorities to expeditiously provide the students basic amenities and assistance with regard to food, medical care, lodging and transportation. 
 
The hearing was conducted through video conferencing. The two judges joined from their homes while advocate Fozia Rahman, who appeared for the petitioner, and central government standing counsel Jasmeet Singh, who represented the MEA, were at their offices.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/17-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-haryana-288469" hreflang="en">17 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Haryana</a> 
 
Rahman informed the court that 300 Indian students, who are enrolled for higher studies, including MBBS, at Semey Medical University in Kazakhstan are stranded at the Almaty Airport without food, water, transportation and medical aid. 
 
The petition was filed by Sehla Saira, mother of one of the stranded students. 
 
The court issued notice to the Centre through MEA and granted time to file response to the petition. 
 
"Let this bench be apprised of the brief response/reply on March 28," the court said in its three-page order," it said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahabharata-battle-won-in-18-days-war-against-covid-19-will-take-21-days-pm-modi-288468" hreflang="en">Mahabharata battle won in 18 days, war against COVID-19 will take 21 days: PM Modi</a> 
 
"In the meantime...In view of the unsettled and difficult situation -- emerging from the global COVID-19 pandemic -- in which Indian students find themselves stranded at the Almaty Airport, Kazakhstan, we find it incumbent upon us to direct the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to promptly appoint a nodal officer from the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan to ensure, inter alia, the welfare, well-being and safety of all such Indian students," the bench said. 
 
It also directed the nodal officer to expeditiously facilitate, secure and provide these students will all basic amenities and humanitarian assistance. 
 
The court said the details of the nodal officer, including his name and telephone number, be communicated to the Indian students stranded at the Almaty Airport and be also uploaded on website of Indian Embassy at Kazakhstan and on the website of MEA immediately. 
 
The court listed the matter for further hearing on March 28.

The Delhi High Court Wednesday directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to ensure welfare and safety of around 300 Indian students stranded at Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan for the past 2-3 days without food and medical aid due to coronavirus pandemic.

The Delhi High Court Wednesday directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to ensure welfare and safety of around 300 Indian students stranded at Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan for the past 2-3 days without food and medical aid due to coronavirus pandemic. A bench of justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh, which conducted the hearing through video conferencing, asked the authorities to expeditiously provide the students basic amenities and assistance with regard to food, medical care, lodging and transportation. The hearing was conducted through video conferencing. The two judges joined from their homes while advocate Fozia Rahman, who appeared for the petitioner, and central government standing counsel Jasmeet Singh, who represented the MEA, were at their offices. Also read: 17 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Haryana Rahman informed the court that 300 Indian students, who are enrolled for higher studies, including MBBS, at Semey Medical University in Kazakhstan are stranded at the Almaty Airport without food, water, transportation and medical aid. The petition was filed by Sehla Saira, mother of one of the stranded students. The court issued notice to the Centre through MEA and granted time to file response to the petition. "Let this bench be apprised of the brief response/reply on March 28," the court said in its three-page order," it said. Also read: Mahabharata battle won in 18 days, war against COVID-19 will take 21 days: PM Modi "In the meantime...In view of the unsettled and difficult situation -- emerging from the global COVID-19 pandemic -- in which Indian students find themselves stranded at the Almaty Airport, Kazakhstan, we find it incumbent upon us to direct the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to promptly appoint a nodal officer from the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan to ensure, inter alia, the welfare, well-being and safety of all such Indian students," the bench said. It also directed the nodal officer to expeditiously facilitate, secure and provide these students will all basic amenities and humanitarian assistance. The court said the details of the nodal officer, including his name and telephone number, be communicated to the Indian students stranded at the Almaty Airport and be also uploaded on website of Indian Embassy at Kazakhstan and on the website of MEA immediately. The court listed the matter for further hearing on March 28.

Delhi HC directs MEA to ensure safety of 300 Indian students stranded in Kazakhstan

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday announced that in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak all doctors, paramedical and healthcare staff will be given four months` advance salary for April, May, June and July. 
 
"Our doctors, paramedical and healthcare staff are our first line of defence. In the fight against coronavirus, there is no comparison of their service and allegiance as they are working day and night in a difficult situation, leaving everything. The state stands behind the families of health personnel who are doing Yeoman service for the society in the face of COVID-19 pandemic," he told media persons.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/17-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-haryana-288469" hreflang="en">17 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Haryana</a> 
 
Patnaik further said: "We have sanctioned four months advance salary at one go. We appeal to people to appreciate the sacrifice and efforts of health personnel and treat them with respect and honour. Any misbehaviour with doctors will be treated with an iron hand".

Patnaik had earlier donated his three months salary to the Chief Minister`s Relief Fund to help those affected by COVID-19.

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The Odisha Government had on Tuesday decided to enforce a lockdown in the entire state till March 29 as a precautionary measure. 
 
Two persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Odisha, according to data provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.India has recorded 562 cases positive cases which include 43 foreign nationals. 
 
So far, nine people have died of COVID-19 in the country.&nbsp;

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday announced that in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak all doctors, paramedical and healthcare staff will be given four months` advance salary for April, May, June and July.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday announced that in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak all doctors, paramedical and healthcare staff will be given four months` advance salary for April, May, June and July. "Our doctors, paramedical and healthcare staff are our first line of defence. In the fight against coronavirus, there is no comparison of their service and allegiance as they are working day and night in a difficult situation, leaving everything. The state stands behind the families of health personnel who are doing Yeoman service for the society in the face of COVID-19 pandemic," he told media persons. Also read: 17 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Haryana Patnaik further said: "We have sanctioned four months advance salary at one go. We appeal to people to appreciate the sacrifice and efforts of health personnel and treat them with respect and honour. Any misbehaviour with doctors will be treated with an iron hand". Patnaik had earlier donated his three months salary to the Chief Minister`s Relief Fund to help those affected by COVID-19. Also read: Mahabharata battle won in 18 days, war against COVID-19 will take 21 days: PM Modi The Odisha Government had on Tuesday decided to enforce a lockdown in the entire state till March 29 as a precautionary measure. Two persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Odisha, according to data provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.India has recorded 562 cases positive cases which include 43 foreign nationals. So far, nine people have died of COVID-19 in the country.

Combating COVID-19: Odisha govt sanctions four months' salary in advance for medical staff

A total of 17 positive cases of coronavirus has been confirmed in Haryana, according to a government official.

"A total of 461 samples were sent for COVID-19 testing, of which 17 were found positive and 336 samples were tested negative," said an official.

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Informing about the breakup of the 17 cases, the official added, "In Faridabad, two cases, 10 cases in Gurugram, one in Palwal, two in Panipat and one in Sonepat were confirmed positive for coronavirus.

According to a recent update by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a total of 562 positive cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-union-ministers-follow-social-distancing-protocol-during-cabinet-meeting-288390" hreflang="en">PM Modi, Union ministers follow social distancing protocol during cabinet meeting&nbsp;</a>

A total of 17 positive cases of coronavirus has been confirmed in Haryana, according to a government official. "A total of 461 samples were sent for COVID-19 testing, of which 17 were found positive and 336 samples were tested negative," said an official.

A total of 17 positive cases of coronavirus has been confirmed in Haryana, according to a government official. "A total of 461 samples were sent for COVID-19 testing, of which 17 were found positive and 336 samples were tested negative," said an official. Also read: Mahabharata battle won in 18 days, war against COVID-19 will take 21 days: PM Modi Informing about the breakup of the 17 cases, the official added, "In Faridabad, two cases, 10 cases in Gurugram, one in Palwal, two in Panipat and one in Sonepat were confirmed positive for coronavirus. According to a recent update by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a total of 562 positive cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the country. Also read: PM Modi, Union ministers follow social distancing protocol during cabinet meeting

17 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Haryana

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Mahabharata battle was won in 18 days while the war against coronavirus will take 21 days. He was interacting with the citizens of Varanasi via video conferencing on Wednesday. 
 
"Mahabharata war was won in 18 days, this war the whole country is fighting against #corona will take 21 days. Our aim is to win this war in 21 days," said PM Modi. 
 
In his first public engagement after the announcement of the lockdown, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude towards people for taking out time for the interaction.

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Today is the first day of Navratri, you all must be busy in performing rituals and offering prayers, but still you took out time for this interaction, I`m grateful to all of you. I pray to Goddess Shailputri to give us the strength in the country`s fight against coronavirus," said PM Modi. 
 
"As the MP of Varanasi, I should have been amongst you in times like these. But you are aware of the things that are going on in Delhi. Despite being busy here, I have been taking regular updates on Varanasi from my colleagues," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mha-advises-all-states-uts-to-set-up-control-rooms-during-lockdown-288348" hreflang="en">MHA advises all states, UTs to set up control rooms during lockdown</a> 
 
He also requested people to not believe in rumours and said," At times, people don`t pay attention to things which are important. The same is happening in India. I request people to understand the facts and not believe in rumours. COVID-19 doesn`t discriminate between the rich and the poor. It will not spare anyone just because they perform yoga or exercise daily." 
 
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in the entire country to deal with the spread of coronavirus, saying that "social distancing" is the only option to deal with the disease, which spreads rapidly. 
 
In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Modi said that it is vital to break the chain of the disease and experts have said that at least 21 days are needed for it.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Mahabharata battle was won in 18 days while the war against coronavirus will take 21 days. He was interacting with the citizens of Varanasi via video conferencing on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Mahabharata battle was won in 18 days while the war against coronavirus will take 21 days. He was interacting with the citizens of Varanasi via video conferencing on Wednesday. "Mahabharata war was won in 18 days, this war the whole country is fighting against #corona will take 21 days. Our aim is to win this war in 21 days," said PM Modi. In his first public engagement after the announcement of the lockdown, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude towards people for taking out time for the interaction. Also read: PM Modi, Union ministers follow social distancing protocol during cabinet meeting Today is the first day of Navratri, you all must be busy in performing rituals and offering prayers, but still you took out time for this interaction, I`m grateful to all of you. I pray to Goddess Shailputri to give us the strength in the country`s fight against coronavirus," said PM Modi. "As the MP of Varanasi, I should have been amongst you in times like these. But you are aware of the things that are going on in Delhi. Despite being busy here, I have been taking regular updates on Varanasi from my colleagues," he said. Also read: MHA advises all states, UTs to set up control rooms during lockdown He also requested people to not believe in rumours and said," At times, people don`t pay attention to things which are important. The same is happening in India. I request people to understand the facts and not believe in rumours. COVID-19 doesn`t discriminate between the rich and the poor. It will not spare anyone just because they perform yoga or exercise daily." On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in the entire country to deal with the spread of coronavirus, saying that "social distancing" is the only option to deal with the disease, which spreads rapidly. In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Modi said that it is vital to break the chain of the disease and experts have said that at least 21 days are needed for it.

Mahabharata battle won in 18 days, war against COVID-19 will take 21 days: PM Modi

Pakistan remains under lockdown with no domestic or international flights taking of or landing. The biggest challenge for the government are people who don't want to follow quarantine guidelines. Tableeghi Jamaat went ahead for congregation despite warning.

Pakistan: Tableeghi Jamaat meet took place despite warning

UK's Prince Charles, the first in line for the throne, has tested positive for coronavirus. The Prince has "displaying mild symptoms "but otherwise remains in good health", a spokesman at Clarence House stated. The Prince is 71 years old and his wife Camilla too has tested but the spokesman stated that the Duchess of Cornwall has tested negative.

UK's Prince Charles tests positive of coronavirus

Bangladesh’s ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia was released from prison on Wednesday on humanitarian grounds, her party said.

Khaleda, 74, was jailed in 2018 following her conviction for graft. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had suspended her prison term for six months, her party general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.

Her health has been deteriorating for months and she was moved to a hospital in April last year. 
 
Law and Justice Minister Anisul Huq said the move came after a brother and sister of Zia -- who has been in prison for two years -- appealed to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to let her arch-rival fly to London for treatment. 
 
Hasina and Zia are bitter rivals whose families have dominated Bangladesh's politics since independence in 1971.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/historical-step-bangladesh-maldives-laud-india-for-observing-janata-curfew-over-coronavirus-287948">'Historical step': Bangladesh, Maldives laud India for observing 'Janata curfew' over coronavirus</a> 
 
Huq said, however, the 74-year-old Zia would not be allowed to go to another country. 
 
"On the basis of the application and having been directed by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Begum Khaleda Zia's conviction has been suspended," Huq told AFP. 
 
She is freed "on condition that she remains in her Dhaka residence to receive treatment and does not go abroad". 
 
There was no immediate comment from Zia's family or her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). 
 
Sentenced to 10 years in jail on graft charges, Zia also faces nearly three dozen other outstanding cases. The BNP says the charges are politically motivated to keep her out of politics. 
 
Her lawyers have had repeated bail applications rejected. They have argued that she could die in prison without proper treatment.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/south-asian-governments-impose-coronavirus-curfews-border-controls-287798" hreflang="en">South Asian governments impose coronavirus curfews, border controls</a> 
 
A recent leaked medical report on Zia's health said her rheumatoid arthritis was becoming increasingly serious. She has already had two knee replacement operations. 
 
"As a result of combined active disease and accompanied damage she is, at present, at a crippled state and largely dependent on assistance for her day-to-day activities," the report said. 
 
Hasina took over as prime minister from Zia in 2009 and has ruled since. 
 
The United States, which has warm relations with Bangladesh, said it welcomed the decision to free Zia and pointed to concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus. 
 
The global pandemic "needs leadership that is compassionate and prioritizes national unity," Alice Wells, the top US diplomat for South Asia, wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

Bangladesh’s ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia was released from prison on Wednesday on humanitarian grounds, her party said. Khaleda, 74, was jailed in 2018 following her conviction for graft.

Bangladesh’s ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia was released from prison on Wednesday on humanitarian grounds, her party said. Khaleda, 74, was jailed in 2018 following her conviction for graft. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had suspended her prison term for six months, her party general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said. Her health has been deteriorating for months and she was moved to a hospital in April last year. Law and Justice Minister Anisul Huq said the move came after a brother and sister of Zia -- who has been in prison for two years -- appealed to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to let her arch-rival fly to London for treatment. Hasina and Zia are bitter rivals whose families have dominated Bangladesh's politics since independence in 1971. Also read: 'Historical step': Bangladesh, Maldives laud India for observing 'Janata curfew' over coronavirus Huq said, however, the 74-year-old Zia would not be allowed to go to another country. "On the basis of the application and having been directed by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Begum Khaleda Zia's conviction has been suspended," Huq told AFP. She is freed "on condition that she remains in her Dhaka residence to receive treatment and does not go abroad". There was no immediate comment from Zia's family or her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Sentenced to 10 years in jail on graft charges, Zia also faces nearly three dozen other outstanding cases. The BNP says the charges are politically motivated to keep her out of politics. Her lawyers have had repeated bail applications rejected. They have argued that she could die in prison without proper treatment. Also read: South Asian governments impose coronavirus curfews, border controls A recent leaked medical report on Zia's health said her rheumatoid arthritis was becoming increasingly serious. She has already had two knee replacement operations. "As a result of combined active disease and accompanied damage she is, at present, at a crippled state and largely dependent on assistance for her day-to-day activities," the report said. Hasina took over as prime minister from Zia in 2009 and has ruled since. The United States, which has warm relations with Bangladesh, said it welcomed the decision to free Zia and pointed to concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus. The global pandemic "needs leadership that is compassionate and prioritizes national unity," Alice Wells, the top US diplomat for South Asia, wrote on Twitter.

Bangladesh ex-PM Khaleda freed on humanitarian grounds, her party says

Nepal on Wednesday confirmed the third positive case of the novel coronavirus in less than a week after the second case was reported. 
 
The National Public Health Library of Nepal updated the new number of cases on its website in the Himalayan nation to three from the previously reported tally as on Monday. 
 
Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Information Officer at the National Public Health Laboratory, told ANI over the phone: "The third positive case has been confirmed today.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-announces-nationwide-lockdown-till-march-31-as-coronavirus-infects-two-288117" hreflang="en">Nepal announces nationwide lockdown till March 31 as coronavirus infects two</a> 
 
The patient is currently under isolation at Sukraraj Tropical Infectious Hospital, Teku, Kathmandu,"Gupta didn`t mention any other details about the person, who is confirmed positive. 
 
Nepal to date has tested 687 samples out of which three turned out to be positive while 684 samples have been tested negative.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/coronavirus-outbreak-nepal-seals-borders-with-india-china-288012" hreflang="en">Coronavirus outbreak: Nepal seals borders with India, China</a> 
 
The first patient in Nepal to be tested positive in January, who was also the first case in South Asia, has recovered while the second case confirmed on Monday is also undergoing treatment at Sukraraj Hospital. 
 
In order to prevent further spread of the virus, the Government of Nepal from Tuesday imposed a week-long nationwide lockdown.COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus, was first reported last year in December in Wuhan, China, which has now been reported in over 195 nations with over 16,000 deaths and nearly 400,000 positive cases around the world

Nepal on Wednesday confirmed the third positive case of the novel coronavirus in less than a week after the second case was reported. The National Public Health Library of Nepal updated the new number of cases on its website in the Himalayan nation to three from the previously reported tally as on Monday.

Nepal on Wednesday confirmed the third positive case of the novel coronavirus in less than a week after the second case was reported. The National Public Health Library of Nepal updated the new number of cases on its website in the Himalayan nation to three from the previously reported tally as on Monday. Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Information Officer at the National Public Health Laboratory, told ANI over the phone: "The third positive case has been confirmed today. Also read: Nepal announces nationwide lockdown till March 31 as coronavirus infects two The patient is currently under isolation at Sukraraj Tropical Infectious Hospital, Teku, Kathmandu,"Gupta didn`t mention any other details about the person, who is confirmed positive. Nepal to date has tested 687 samples out of which three turned out to be positive while 684 samples have been tested negative. Also read: Coronavirus outbreak: Nepal seals borders with India, China The first patient in Nepal to be tested positive in January, who was also the first case in South Asia, has recovered while the second case confirmed on Monday is also undergoing treatment at Sukraraj Hospital. In order to prevent further spread of the virus, the Government of Nepal from Tuesday imposed a week-long nationwide lockdown.COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus, was first reported last year in December in Wuhan, China, which has now been reported in over 195 nations with over 16,000 deaths and nearly 400,000 positive cases around the world

Nepal confirms third COVID-19 case in less than a week

The number of confirmed coronavirus infection cases in Pakistan has risen to 1037, including seven deaths, authorities said on Wednesday.

The total number of coronavirus positive case has touched 1,037 in Pakistan with 413 cases in Sindh; 115 in Balochistan; 296 in Punjab; 117 in K-P; 80 in Gilgit-Baltistan; 15 in Islamabad; and one in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, The Express Tribune reported.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Kahn on Sunday had rejected the proposal for the complete lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak, saying that state-imposed curfew is not possible in the country as one-fourth of its population is under the below the poverty line and survives on daily wages.

"A complete lockdown means imposing a curfew administered by state and army, forcing people to stay indoors. Our country`s 25 per cent population lives below the poverty line and survives on daily wages. We are taking steps, keeping our on-ground status in mind," Pakistan Prime Minister's Office wrote on Twitter.

Earlier, In an interview, Khan had said that he fears Pakistan won't be able to cope with a major outbreak, saying the country's health facilities would be overwhelmed and would lack resources.

The country had reported its seventh death on Tuesday, involving a 57-year-old patient who was undergoing treatment at Mayo Hospital in Lahore.&nbsp;

Over 2.3 billion people have been asked to stay at home as governments across the world tackle the World Health Organisation recognised 'pandemic'.&nbsp;

The deadly coronavirus has claimed 18,957 lives and infected 425,902 people globally. Total 109,241 people have been recovered from this deadly virus. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The number of confirmed coronavirus infection cases in Pakistan has risen to 1037, including seven deaths, authorities said on Wednesday. The total number of coronavirus positive case has touched 1,037 in Pakistan with 413 cases in Sindh; 115 in Balochistan; 296 in Punjab; 117 in K-P; 80 in Gilgit-Baltistan; 15 in Islamabad; and one in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, The Express Tribune reported.

The number of confirmed coronavirus infection cases in Pakistan has risen to 1037, including seven deaths, authorities said on Wednesday. The total number of coronavirus positive case has touched 1,037 in Pakistan with 413 cases in Sindh; 115 in Balochistan; 296 in Punjab; 117 in K-P; 80 in Gilgit-Baltistan; 15 in Islamabad; and one in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, The Express Tribune reported. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Kahn on Sunday had rejected the proposal for the complete lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak, saying that state-imposed curfew is not possible in the country as one-fourth of its population is under the below the poverty line and survives on daily wages. "A complete lockdown means imposing a curfew administered by state and army, forcing people to stay indoors. Our country`s 25 per cent population lives below the poverty line and survives on daily wages. We are taking steps, keeping our on-ground status in mind," Pakistan Prime Minister's Office wrote on Twitter. Earlier, In an interview, Khan had said that he fears Pakistan won't be able to cope with a major outbreak, saying the country's health facilities would be overwhelmed and would lack resources. The country had reported its seventh death on Tuesday, involving a 57-year-old patient who was undergoing treatment at Mayo Hospital in Lahore. Over 2.3 billion people have been asked to stay at home as governments across the world tackle the World Health Organisation recognised 'pandemic'. The deadly coronavirus has claimed 18,957 lives and infected 425,902 people globally. Total 109,241 people have been recovered from this deadly virus. (With inputs from agencies)

Coronavirus in Pakistan: Number of case cross 1000, 7 dead

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said that she likely contracted the coronavirus 
 
The teen climate activist said that she had recovered after isolating herself for the last two weeks.&nbsp;

Despite having symptoms, the 17-year-old said she was not tested for Covid-19.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306">Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?</a>&nbsp;

Thunberg urged her followers to heed warnings by health officials to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus, especially in high-risk groups.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cure-cant-be-worse-than-problem-announces-trump-as-he-vows-to-reopen-us-economy-amid-covid-19-crisis-288294" hreflang="en">'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis</a>

"Around ten days ago I started feeling some symptoms... I was feeling tired, had shivers, a sore throat and coughed," she said in the post.

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-HwpQkJqrc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">The last two weeks I’ve stayed inside. When I returned from my trip around Central Europe I isolated myself (in a borrowed apartment away from my mother and sister) since the number of cases of COVID-19 (in Germany for instance) were similar to Italy in the beginning. Around ten days ago I started feeling some symptoms, exactly the same time as my father - who traveled with me from Brussels. I was feeling tired, had shivers, a sore throat and coughed. My dad experienced the same symptoms, but much more intense and with a fever. In Sweden you can not test yourself for COVID-19 unless you’re in need of emergent medical treatment. Everyone feeling ill are told to stay at home and isolate themselves. I have therefore not been tested for COVID-19, but it’s extremely likely that I’ve had it, given the combined symptoms and circumstances. Now I’ve basically recovered, but - AND THIS IS THE BOTTOM LINE: I almost didn’t feel ill. My last cold was much worse than this! Had it not been for someone else having the virus simultainously I might not even have suspected anything. Then I would just have thought I was feeling unusually tired with a bit of a cough. And this it what makes it so much more dangerous. Many (especially young people) might not notice any symptoms at all, or very mild symptoms. Then they don’t know they have the virus and can pass it on to people in risk groups. We who don’t belong to a risk group have an enormous responsibility, our actions can be the difference between life and death for many others. Please keep that in mind, follow the advice from experts and your local authorities and #StayAtHome to slow the spread of the virus. And remember to always take care of each other and help those in need. #COVID #flattenthecurve</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gretathunberg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Greta Thunberg</a> (@gretathunberg) on <time datetime="2020-03-24T15:22:26+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Mar 24, 2020 at 8:22am PDT</time>
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In early March, Thunberg, who spearheaded the "school strike for climate" movement, called for a digital protest so as to avoid large gatherings that could exacerbate the spread of the new coronavirus.

She had invited activists to post photos of themselves with the word #ClimateStrikeOnline every Friday instead of attending demonstrations in the streets.

(With inputs from agencies)

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said that she likely contracted the coronavirus The teen climate activist said that she had recovered after isolating herself for the last two weeks.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said that she likely contracted the coronavirus The teen climate activist said that she had recovered after isolating herself for the last two weeks. Despite having symptoms, the 17-year-old said she was not tested for Covid-19. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? Thunberg urged her followers to heed warnings by health officials to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus, especially in high-risk groups. Also read: 'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis "Around ten days ago I started feeling some symptoms... I was feeling tired, had shivers, a sore throat and coughed," she said in the post. View this post on Instagram The last two weeks I’ve stayed inside. When I returned from my trip around Central Europe I isolated myself (in a borrowed apartment away from my mother and sister) since the number of cases of COVID-19 (in Germany for instance) were similar to Italy in the beginning. Around ten days ago I started feeling some symptoms, exactly the same time as my father - who traveled with me from Brussels. I was feeling tired, had shivers, a sore throat and coughed. My dad experienced the same symptoms, but much more intense and with a fever. In Sweden you can not test yourself for COVID-19 unless you’re in need of emergent medical treatment. Everyone feeling ill are told to stay at home and isolate themselves. I have therefore not been tested for COVID-19, but it’s extremely likely that I’ve had it, given the combined symptoms and circumstances. Now I’ve basically recovered, but - AND THIS IS THE BOTTOM LINE: I almost didn’t feel ill. My last cold was much worse than this! Had it not been for someone else having the virus simultainously I might not even have suspected anything. Then I would just have thought I was feeling unusually tired with a bit of a cough. And this it what makes it so much more dangerous. Many (especially young people) might not notice any symptoms at all, or very mild symptoms. Then they don’t know they have the virus and can pass it on to people in risk groups. We who don’t belong to a risk group have an enormous responsibility, our actions can be the difference between life and death for many others. Please keep that in mind, follow the advice from experts and your local authorities and #StayAtHome to slow the spread of the virus. And remember to always take care of each other and help those in need. #COVID #flattenthecurve A post shared by Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg) on Mar 24, 2020 at 8:22am PDT × In early March, Thunberg, who spearheaded the "school strike for climate" movement, called for a digital protest so as to avoid large gatherings that could exacerbate the spread of the new coronavirus. She had invited activists to post photos of themselves with the word #ClimateStrikeOnline every Friday instead of attending demonstrations in the streets. (With inputs from agencies)

Greta Thunberg says she 'likely' had Covid-19 infection; urges young people to stay home

As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, Chinese students from wealthy families are persuading their parents to pay tens of thousands of dollars for seats on private jets to get home.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306">Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?</a>&nbsp;

The alternative, in a world of locked borders and grounded commercial planes, is 60-hour flights with multiple transits hops over the Pacific. Jeff Gong, a lawyer in Shanghai, asked his daughter, a high school student in Wisconsin if she wanted 180,000 yuan ($25,460) as pocket money or a ticket on a private flight home."My daughter begged me to get her back home. She said 'No papa, I don't want the money, I want to go home'," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-united-states-become-the-next-epicentre-of-covid-19-288258" hreflang="en">Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?</a>&nbsp;

US-based Chinese students are scrambling to get home as U.S infections top 50,000 while new cases in China - where the flu-like virus emerged in humans late last year - have fallen to zero.The sense of urgency is further heightened by the dramatic cutback in flight capacity.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cure-cant-be-worse-than-problem-announces-trump-as-he-vows-to-reopen-us-economy-amid-covid-19-crisis-288294" hreflang="en">'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis</a>

On Tuesday, 3,102 out of 3,800 planned commercial flights to and from China were cancelled, according to aviation data provider VariFlight."(Education) agents and schools are the ones making contact on behalf of the Chinese families looking to group to arrange a private charter, given the lack of airline flights," said Annelies Garcia, commercial director for Private Fly, a global booking service for charter flights.

But even the window for chartered flights is closing fast, further elevating prices. Beijing has banned all chartered flights from overseas and Shanghai is expected to follow suit soon

Hong Kong and Macau have blocked transit flights

US-based Air Charter Service can fly passengers from Los Angeles to Shanghai on a 14-seat Bombardier 6000 for 2.3 million yuan ($325,300), or about $23,000 for a spot

"We have arranged several private jets travelling from the US to China repatriating Chinese nationals with routes including New York and Boston to Shanghai, San Jose to Hong Kong and Los Angeles to Guangzhou," said Glenn Phillips, a PR and advertising manager at Air Charter Service

"The prices range greatly depending on the positioning of the aircraft on the dates and time requested, and the exact route."But even the well-heeled have to wrestle with logistics.Air charter providers have been notified informally that private jets registered in China are not allowed to land in the United States, and those registered in the United States cannot land in China, two sources at such firms told Reuters

"The Chinese government is reluctant to let people abroad to come back, though they cannot make it too obvious. We have received a lot of verbal guidance to restrict chartered flights these days and the door is closing rapidly," one of them said.Jet operators circumvent the restrictions by either getting planes from other countries to run the U.S.-China routes or arranging transfers in Tokyo, they said.

"Operators of U.S or Chinese-registered aircraft are not permitted to land in each other's countries at the moment, so for U.S.-China route inquiries, we are working with operators of long-range jets based elsewhere," said Private Fly's Garcia

The Civil Aviation Administration of China did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, Chinese students from wealthy families are persuading their parents to pay tens of thousands of dollars for seats on private jets to get home.

As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, Chinese students from wealthy families are persuading their parents to pay tens of thousands of dollars for seats on private jets to get home. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? The alternative, in a world of locked borders and grounded commercial planes, is 60-hour flights with multiple transits hops over the Pacific. Jeff Gong, a lawyer in Shanghai, asked his daughter, a high school student in Wisconsin if she wanted 180,000 yuan ($25,460) as pocket money or a ticket on a private flight home."My daughter begged me to get her back home. She said 'No papa, I don't want the money, I want to go home'," he said. Also read: Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? US-based Chinese students are scrambling to get home as U.S infections top 50,000 while new cases in China - where the flu-like virus emerged in humans late last year - have fallen to zero.The sense of urgency is further heightened by the dramatic cutback in flight capacity. Also read: 'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis On Tuesday, 3,102 out of 3,800 planned commercial flights to and from China were cancelled, according to aviation data provider VariFlight."(Education) agents and schools are the ones making contact on behalf of the Chinese families looking to group to arrange a private charter, given the lack of airline flights," said Annelies Garcia, commercial director for Private Fly, a global booking service for charter flights. But even the window for chartered flights is closing fast, further elevating prices. Beijing has banned all chartered flights from overseas and Shanghai is expected to follow suit soon Hong Kong and Macau have blocked transit flights US-based Air Charter Service can fly passengers from Los Angeles to Shanghai on a 14-seat Bombardier 6000 for 2.3 million yuan ($325,300), or about $23,000 for a spot "We have arranged several private jets travelling from the US to China repatriating Chinese nationals with routes including New York and Boston to Shanghai, San Jose to Hong Kong and Los Angeles to Guangzhou," said Glenn Phillips, a PR and advertising manager at Air Charter Service "The prices range greatly depending on the positioning of the aircraft on the dates and time requested, and the exact route."But even the well-heeled have to wrestle with logistics.Air charter providers have been notified informally that private jets registered in China are not allowed to land in the United States, and those registered in the United States cannot land in China, two sources at such firms told Reuters "The Chinese government is reluctant to let people abroad to come back, though they cannot make it too obvious. We have received a lot of verbal guidance to restrict chartered flights these days and the door is closing rapidly," one of them said.Jet operators circumvent the restrictions by either getting planes from other countries to run the U.S.-China routes or arranging transfers in Tokyo, they said. "Operators of U.S or Chinese-registered aircraft are not permitted to land in each other's countries at the moment, so for U.S.-China route inquiries, we are working with operators of long-range jets based elsewhere," said Private Fly's Garcia The Civil Aviation Administration of China did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Chinese students fleeing virus-hit US pay $20,000 for seats on private jets

America and China are playing a rather ugly blame game at the moment. The Trump administration is demanding transparency from Beijing.

They want China to report the right numbers and disclose what they know.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-writer-pat-condell-slams-china-on-coronavirus-calls-it-enemy-of-humanity-288127" hreflang="en">British writer Pat Condell slams China on Coronavirus, calls it enemy of humanity</a>

A Chinese activist has shared that china mobile lost more than eight million users in January and February.

Where did they go?

China mobile is the largest telecom company in China. It is state-owned. Losing more than eight million customers is unprecedented.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/florida-sues-china-for-covering-up-coronavirus-pandemic-288115" hreflang="en">Florida sues China for 'covering up' coronavirus pandemic</a>

Netizens tracking this story have a theory. They say economic numbers from Beijing cannot be trusted.

So, they track data like mobile users and electrical consumption to make an assessment.

A twitter user says that the world needs to do the same if they want to track the coronavirus deaths.

The fact is, all telecom companies in china have lost users. A whopping 21 million users who were active before the outbreak — have disconnected.

Does this mean millions died due to the Wuhan virus in China?

No one can confirm this theory for now. A report in Bloomberg offers some clues. It says growth has dropped to record lows. Factories and businesses were shut due to the outbreak.

Migrant workers, who operated two connections — simply stopped using their work phones and disconnected.

One secretly shot video posted on Twitter shows 8 dead bodies in 5 minutes.

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Bilingual titles added. 8 bodies in 5 minutes! More are lying inside to be moved out. Somebody secretly shot this video from No. 3 Hopital in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wuhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wuhan</a> during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coronarovirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coronarovirus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%AD%A6%E6%B1%89%E8%82%BA%E7%82%8E?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#武汉肺炎</a> 
字幕版 
某網友秘訪武漢第三醫院，五分钟功夫就見到八具屍體拉走去火化場，而且里面还有。 <a href="https://t.co/VBS6U7HIWW">pic.twitter.com/VBS6U7HIWW</a>
— Jennifer Zeng 曾錚 (@jenniferatntd) <a href="https://twitter.com/jenniferatntd/status/1223639844829769734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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There could be several cases that are undocumented. An article in the journal "science" claims that 86 per cent of cases in Hubei were undocumented at the time of the lockdown.

Wuhan is located inside Hubei. There is another reason why we should not trust china's number.

Beijing has a track record of fudging it. Especially when it comes to economic numbers.

It is a well-known fact that Chinese officials are rewarded with promotions and bonuses — if their provinces or cities do well on certain metrics like the GDP, investment and revenues.

To achieve targets, some officials fudge the numbers. So, a cover-up is possible in the case of the coronavirus too.

America and China are playing a rather ugly blame game at the moment. The Trump administration is demanding transparency from Beijing. They want China to report the right numbers and disclose what they know.

America and China are playing a rather ugly blame game at the moment. The Trump administration is demanding transparency from Beijing. They want China to report the right numbers and disclose what they know. Also read: British writer Pat Condell slams China on Coronavirus, calls it enemy of humanity A Chinese activist has shared that china mobile lost more than eight million users in January and February. Where did they go? China mobile is the largest telecom company in China. It is state-owned. Losing more than eight million customers is unprecedented. Also read: Florida sues China for 'covering up' coronavirus pandemic Netizens tracking this story have a theory. They say economic numbers from Beijing cannot be trusted. So, they track data like mobile users and electrical consumption to make an assessment. A twitter user says that the world needs to do the same if they want to track the coronavirus deaths. The fact is, all telecom companies in china have lost users. A whopping 21 million users who were active before the outbreak — have disconnected. Does this mean millions died due to the Wuhan virus in China? No one can confirm this theory for now. A report in Bloomberg offers some clues. It says growth has dropped to record lows. Factories and businesses were shut due to the outbreak. Migrant workers, who operated two connections — simply stopped using their work phones and disconnected. One secretly shot video posted on Twitter shows 8 dead bodies in 5 minutes. Bilingual titles added. 8 bodies in 5 minutes! More are lying inside to be moved out. Somebody secretly shot this video from No. 3 Hopital in #Wuhan during #coronarovirus #武汉肺炎 字幕版 某網友秘訪武漢第三醫院，五分钟功夫就見到八具屍體拉走去火化場，而且里面还有。 pic.twitter.com/VBS6U7HIWW — Jennifer Zeng 曾錚 (@jenniferatntd) February 1, 2020 × There could be several cases that are undocumented. An article in the journal "science" claims that 86 per cent of cases in Hubei were undocumented at the time of the lockdown. Wuhan is located inside Hubei. There is another reason why we should not trust china's number. Beijing has a track record of fudging it. Especially when it comes to economic numbers. It is a well-known fact that Chinese officials are rewarded with promotions and bonuses — if their provinces or cities do well on certain metrics like the GDP, investment and revenues. To achieve targets, some officials fudge the numbers. So, a cover-up is possible in the case of the coronavirus too.

Coronavirus death toll: Is China reporting the right numbers?

A week after millions of Americans began taking shelter at home from the coronavirus, states warned on Tuesday against easing restrictions too soon even though the clampdown is devastating the U.S. economy.

President Donald Trump said on Monday he was considering how to restart business life when a 15-day shutdown ends next week, even as the highly contagious virus spreads rapidly and poorly equipped hospitals struggle with a wave of deadly cases.

A Republican, Trump is seeking to win re-election in November on a promise of economic growth.

Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat whose state of New York has become the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak with 25,665 cases, strongly opposed allowing people to travel, socialize and get back to workplaces too quickly.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cure-cant-be-worse-than-problem-announces-trump-as-he-vows-to-reopen-us-economy-amid-covid-19-crisis-288294" hreflang="en">'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis</a>

"If you ask the American people to choose between public health and the economy, then it's no contest. No American is going to say accelerate the economy at the cost of human life," he said at a convention center in Manhattan that is being repurposed to fit beds for coronavirus patients.

Cuomo said the projected need for hospital beds in New York at the peak of the outbreak has jumped to 140,000, compared with the 53,000 that are available and that the apex of the outbreak could still be 14-21 days away

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, told CNN on Tuesday: "We don't think that we're going to be in any way ready to be out of this in five or six days or so, or whenever this 15 days is up from the time that they started this imaginary clock."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-united-states-become-the-next-epicentre-of-covid-19-288258" hreflang="en">Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?</a>

More than 42,000 people in the United States have contracted COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus, and at least 620 have died. The World Health Organization on Tuesday warned that the United States has the potential to become the global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, citing a "very large acceleration" in infections.

Senior Pentagon leaders said on Tuesday that the outbreak could continue for months.

Trump issued guidelines last week that he said aimed to slow the spread of the disease over 15 days, including curbing unnecessary travel. Economic activity has ground to a halt in major states such as New York and California.

The coronavirus has shuttered thousands of U.S. businesses, thrown millions out of work and led state governors to order about 100 million people - nearly a third of the nation's population - to stay at home.

There were signs that nerves had begun fraying after days of people working from home, looking after children whose schools are shut and severely scaling back on everyday activities.

Steve Rubinstein, a small bottle of hand sanitizer dangling from his belt loop, was juggling his two small children as they played in a New York park. Both he and his wife are working from home.

"It's very challenging, my wife and I both work, we have fulltime jobs," he said. "But it's, yeah, it's nonstop, it's relentless," Rubinstein, 35, added about balancing work demands and keeping their children safe and entertained.

Trump told a White House news conference on Monday that "America will again and soon be open for business," saying the crisis should not "turn into a long-lasting financial problem."

Rapidly reopening the economy might backfire, with higher deaths and people remaining fearful of going out, according to investors who remain anxious about the coronavirus’ uncertain trajectory and its economic toll.

“Markets will react badly because they have learned that this approach doesn’t work,” Axel Merk, chief investment officer of Merk Investments, said. “From a medical point of view, you have to break the exponential growth and you do that with shelter in place policies.”

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-spreading-of-coronavirus-not-fault-of-asian-americans-288166/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Wall street jumps

After taking a beating for most days in recent weeks, Wall Street bounced from three-year lows on Tuesday amid signs that Washington was nearing a deal on a $2 trillion package to rescue the economy from coronavirus. All three main U.S. stock indexes jumped more than 5%.

Negotiators predicted the U.S. Senate could pass the stimulus bill, which includes financial aid for ordinary Americans, small businesses and critically affected industries, as soon as Tuesday.

After criticism from Cuomo and others that Trump was not wielding special powers to force businesses to make medical equipment likes masks and ventilators, the federal government said on Tuesday it would use the Defense Production Act to procure 60,000 coronavirus test kits.

Peter Gaynor, the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator, told CNN the Trump administration had decided to use the act because "there are some test kits we need to get our hands on." It would be the first time the act is being used for the coronavirus crisis.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-state-accounts-for-over-5-of-global-coronavirus-cases-numbers-expected-to-increase-288271" hreflang="en">New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase</a>

For right now, Birx said people in the United States should continue to follow the guidelines of social distancing.

"What the president is doing is looking for the future ... not looking to change what we're doing now," she said.

Stephen Moore, an economic commentator said by Trump's aides to be influencing the president, told Reuters on Monday there was a re-examination in the White House of the wisdom of “a full scale … shutdown of the economy.”

He said there were some who thought that “if we go on too long with the economy shut down, the human toll for that could be greater than the risk of the virus."

Despite the huge changes to daily life, many Americans still say they are willing to make sacrifices.

Christine Schindler, 58, a former receptionist, was alone waiting for a bus on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Tuesday. She said she thought it was dangerous to lift the restrictions too early for the sake of the economy.

“It’s going to come back up anyway, really, once things hit the bottom,” she said. “This is supposed to be the number one economy in the world.”

A week after millions of Americans began taking shelter at home from the coronavirus, states warned on Tuesday against easing restrictions too soon even though the clampdown is devastating the U.

A week after millions of Americans began taking shelter at home from the coronavirus, states warned on Tuesday against easing restrictions too soon even though the clampdown is devastating the U.S. economy. President Donald Trump said on Monday he was considering how to restart business life when a 15-day shutdown ends next week, even as the highly contagious virus spreads rapidly and poorly equipped hospitals struggle with a wave of deadly cases. A Republican, Trump is seeking to win re-election in November on a promise of economic growth. Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat whose state of New York has become the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak with 25,665 cases, strongly opposed allowing people to travel, socialize and get back to workplaces too quickly. Also read: 'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis "If you ask the American people to choose between public health and the economy, then it's no contest. No American is going to say accelerate the economy at the cost of human life," he said at a convention center in Manhattan that is being repurposed to fit beds for coronavirus patients. Cuomo said the projected need for hospital beds in New York at the peak of the outbreak has jumped to 140,000, compared with the 53,000 that are available and that the apex of the outbreak could still be 14-21 days away Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, told CNN on Tuesday: "We don't think that we're going to be in any way ready to be out of this in five or six days or so, or whenever this 15 days is up from the time that they started this imaginary clock." Also read: Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? More than 42,000 people in the United States have contracted COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus, and at least 620 have died. The World Health Organization on Tuesday warned that the United States has the potential to become the global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, citing a "very large acceleration" in infections. Senior Pentagon leaders said on Tuesday that the outbreak could continue for months. Trump issued guidelines last week that he said aimed to slow the spread of the disease over 15 days, including curbing unnecessary travel. Economic activity has ground to a halt in major states such as New York and California. The coronavirus has shuttered thousands of U.S. businesses, thrown millions out of work and led state governors to order about 100 million people - nearly a third of the nation's population - to stay at home. There were signs that nerves had begun fraying after days of people working from home, looking after children whose schools are shut and severely scaling back on everyday activities. Steve Rubinstein, a small bottle of hand sanitizer dangling from his belt loop, was juggling his two small children as they played in a New York park. Both he and his wife are working from home. "It's very challenging, my wife and I both work, we have fulltime jobs," he said. "But it's, yeah, it's nonstop, it's relentless," Rubinstein, 35, added about balancing work demands and keeping their children safe and entertained. Trump told a White House news conference on Monday that "America will again and soon be open for business," saying the crisis should not "turn into a long-lasting financial problem." Rapidly reopening the economy might backfire, with higher deaths and people remaining fearful of going out, according to investors who remain anxious about the coronavirus’ uncertain trajectory and its economic toll. “Markets will react badly because they have learned that this approach doesn’t work,” Axel Merk, chief investment officer of Merk Investments, said. “From a medical point of view, you have to break the exponential growth and you do that with shelter in place policies.” Wall street jumps After taking a beating for most days in recent weeks, Wall Street bounced from three-year lows on Tuesday amid signs that Washington was nearing a deal on a $2 trillion package to rescue the economy from coronavirus. All three main U.S. stock indexes jumped more than 5%. Negotiators predicted the U.S. Senate could pass the stimulus bill, which includes financial aid for ordinary Americans, small businesses and critically affected industries, as soon as Tuesday. After criticism from Cuomo and others that Trump was not wielding special powers to force businesses to make medical equipment likes masks and ventilators, the federal government said on Tuesday it would use the Defense Production Act to procure 60,000 coronavirus test kits. Peter Gaynor, the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator, told CNN the Trump administration had decided to use the act because "there are some test kits we need to get our hands on." It would be the first time the act is being used for the coronavirus crisis. Also read: New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase For right now, Birx said people in the United States should continue to follow the guidelines of social distancing. "What the president is doing is looking for the future ... not looking to change what we're doing now," she said. Stephen Moore, an economic commentator said by Trump's aides to be influencing the president, told Reuters on Monday there was a re-examination in the White House of the wisdom of “a full scale … shutdown of the economy.” He said there were some who thought that “if we go on too long with the economy shut down, the human toll for that could be greater than the risk of the virus." Despite the huge changes to daily life, many Americans still say they are willing to make sacrifices. Christine Schindler, 58, a former receptionist, was alone waiting for a bus on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Tuesday. She said she thought it was dangerous to lift the restrictions too early for the sake of the economy. “It’s going to come back up anyway, really, once things hit the bottom,” she said. “This is supposed to be the number one economy in the world.”

States reject Trump talk of restarting US economy early

Summer is fast-approaching most parts of the world. However, it coincides with one of the biggest pandemics our societies have witnessed: the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

As of figures from today, more than 380,000 cases have been registered worldwide. Additionally, over 16,500 have died. The global tally of the recovered patients so far stands at 100,000.

Will the rise in temperatures across the globe mean a dip in the number of infected cases?

Many Chinese experts claim that high temperature and humidity can significantly reduce the transmission of the virus. The research was undertaken at Beihang and Tsinghua University in China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306">Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?</a>

The focus of the study was 100 Chinese cities. The scientists realised that the transmission rate varied across cities with different weather conditions.

They realised that as the weather became warmer and humid, the rate of transmission fell.

For every degree of rise in temperatures (in Celsius), the rate of transmission fell by 0.0383 points.

Similarly, for every one per cent increase in relative humidity, the transmission rate fell by 0.0224 points.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/study-high-temperature-may-reduce-its-spread-but-wont-kill-coronavirus-covid-19-your-story-288290/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Even though an important development, the rise in temperature is simply not enough to slow down the spread of the virus.

As it turns out, heat weakens all kinds of viruses. The COVID-19 is capable of living on surfaces for many days.&nbsp;

During its initial period, countries that experience lower temperatures and humidity witnessed severe outbreaks. These include South Korea, Japan, and Iran.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-state-accounts-for-over-5-of-global-coronavirus-cases-numbers-expected-to-increase-288271" hreflang="en">New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase</a>

On the other hand, warmer countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand were able to contain it much quickly.

Another study conducted at the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland took a different approach.

The researchers mapped the outbreak in different regions and discovered that the most severe outbreaks happened in countries where the temperature ranged between five and 11 degree Celsius.

The virus was found to be clustered in a narrow band of consistently similar weather conditions across the northern hemisphere.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-united-states-become-the-next-epicentre-of-covid-19-288258" hreflang="en">Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?</a>

This zone included countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, Iran , Italy, France and the US Pacific Northwest.

The study has also indicated that the coronavirus could be a seasonal respiratory virus.

Both studies point out to the same verdict: the forthcoming summers could bring relief, but would it completely stop the virus? The answer remains no!

Many doctors have warned of the virus resurfacing during autumn, and reiterate the importance of maintaining personal hygiene and practicing social distancing.

Summer is fast-approaching most parts of the world. However, it coincides with one of the biggest pandemics our societies have witnessed: the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

Summer is fast-approaching most parts of the world. However, it coincides with one of the biggest pandemics our societies have witnessed: the novel coronavirus COVID-19. As of figures from today, more than 380,000 cases have been registered worldwide. Additionally, over 16,500 have died. The global tally of the recovered patients so far stands at 100,000. Will the rise in temperatures across the globe mean a dip in the number of infected cases? Many Chinese experts claim that high temperature and humidity can significantly reduce the transmission of the virus. The research was undertaken at Beihang and Tsinghua University in China. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? The focus of the study was 100 Chinese cities. The scientists realised that the transmission rate varied across cities with different weather conditions. They realised that as the weather became warmer and humid, the rate of transmission fell. For every degree of rise in temperatures (in Celsius), the rate of transmission fell by 0.0383 points. Similarly, for every one per cent increase in relative humidity, the transmission rate fell by 0.0224 points. Even though an important development, the rise in temperature is simply not enough to slow down the spread of the virus. As it turns out, heat weakens all kinds of viruses. The COVID-19 is capable of living on surfaces for many days. During its initial period, countries that experience lower temperatures and humidity witnessed severe outbreaks. These include South Korea, Japan, and Iran. Also read: New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase On the other hand, warmer countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand were able to contain it much quickly. Another study conducted at the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland took a different approach. The researchers mapped the outbreak in different regions and discovered that the most severe outbreaks happened in countries where the temperature ranged between five and 11 degree Celsius. The virus was found to be clustered in a narrow band of consistently similar weather conditions across the northern hemisphere. Also read: Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? This zone included countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, Iran , Italy, France and the US Pacific Northwest. The study has also indicated that the coronavirus could be a seasonal respiratory virus. Both studies point out to the same verdict: the forthcoming summers could bring relief, but would it completely stop the virus? The answer remains no! Many doctors have warned of the virus resurfacing during autumn, and reiterate the importance of maintaining personal hygiene and practicing social distancing.

Heat kills coronavirus, after all!

At the end of 2019, a viral coronavirus outbreak gripped the Chinese city of Wuhan.

A few days later, the city was placed under a state-imposed lockdown, limiting the movement and daily lives of its 11 million citizens.&nbsp;

Amid the crisis, the Chinese authorities disrupted the flow of information to and from the city, which was cut off from the rest of the world until now.

61 days after the lockdown was imposed, authorities in Wuhan are making claims that the coronavirus pandemic in the city is buried, ie, that it has reached a zero transmission rate.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-state-accounts-for-over-5-of-global-coronavirus-cases-numbers-expected-to-increase-288271" hreflang="en">New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase</a>

Workers have been instructed to return to factories, businesses are attempting to reboot, and most travel bans have been lifted.

Even though China claims that Wuhan has returned to normal, the country has kept mum about what happened in the city during the two-month long lockdown.

<h6><img alt="hhh" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4265bac2-eec8-463d-a343-0db58ec47998" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_113.jpg" /> 
Staff members line up at attention as they prepare to spray disinfectant at Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on March 24, 2020 | AFP 
 
&nbsp;</h6>

Multiple reports and videos clearly showed Chinese authorities dragging citizens out of their homes for testing and containment.

Additionally, there has been no acknowledgment of the intense control exercised by China over what information is shared with the world.

Amid the global outcry against China for withholding initial information and prosecuting medical officials who tried to warn the world, China now claims that the city of Wuhan has recovered.

However, the facts and voices from the ground have a different story to tell.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-wuhan-coronavirus-is-china-downplaying-the-number-of-victims-288137/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

A video posted by Jennifer Zeng on Twitter claims that hospitals in the country are no longer accepting patients to display a zero-case record.

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Hospital refuses to admit <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CCPVirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CCPVirus</a> patient as they want to keep "zero new case" record. Upset family starts a fight with staff, on Mar. 23, Not sure which hospital. 
Click here for more : <a href="https://t.co/fSwmxEsPYp">https://t.co/fSwmxEsPYp</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID2019</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Coronavirus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoronavirusOutbreak?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoronavirusOutbreak</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoronavirusPandemic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoronavirusPandemic</a> <a href="https://t.co/uUGQTEgEgt">pic.twitter.com/uUGQTEgEgt</a>
— Jennifer Zeng 曾錚 (@jenniferatntd) <a href="https://twitter.com/jenniferatntd/status/1242190711732285440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Zeng is a prominent Chinese activist who has ardently recorded Beijing’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

With a state-initiated crackdown on independent reporting, China wants to display to the world their medical prowess.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-united-states-become-the-next-epicentre-of-covid-19-288258" hreflang="en">Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?</a>

Just last week, China expelled American reporters based in the country. The officials have been attempting to plant conspiracy theories regarding the origin of the virus, one of which claimed that the virus was sent to the country by US army.

For now, it’s hard to say what’s really happening in the country.

As of figures from today, more than 380,000 cases have been registered worldwide. Additionally, over 16,500 have died. The global tally of the recovered patients so far stands at 100,000.

At the end of 2019, a viral coronavirus outbreak gripped the Chinese city of Wuhan. A few days later, the city was placed under a state-imposed lockdown, limiting the movement and daily lives of its 11 million citizens.

At the end of 2019, a viral coronavirus outbreak gripped the Chinese city of Wuhan. A few days later, the city was placed under a state-imposed lockdown, limiting the movement and daily lives of its 11 million citizens. Amid the crisis, the Chinese authorities disrupted the flow of information to and from the city, which was cut off from the rest of the world until now. 61 days after the lockdown was imposed, authorities in Wuhan are making claims that the coronavirus pandemic in the city is buried, ie, that it has reached a zero transmission rate. Also read: New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase Workers have been instructed to return to factories, businesses are attempting to reboot, and most travel bans have been lifted. Even though China claims that Wuhan has returned to normal, the country has kept mum about what happened in the city during the two-month long lockdown. Staff members line up at attention as they prepare to spray disinfectant at Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on March 24, 2020 | AFP Multiple reports and videos clearly showed Chinese authorities dragging citizens out of their homes for testing and containment. Additionally, there has been no acknowledgment of the intense control exercised by China over what information is shared with the world. Amid the global outcry against China for withholding initial information and prosecuting medical officials who tried to warn the world, China now claims that the city of Wuhan has recovered. However, the facts and voices from the ground have a different story to tell. A video posted by Jennifer Zeng on Twitter claims that hospitals in the country are no longer accepting patients to display a zero-case record. Hospital refuses to admit #CCPVirus patient as they want to keep "zero new case" record. Upset family starts a fight with staff, on Mar. 23, Not sure which hospital. Click here for more : https://t.co/fSwmxEsPYp#COVID2019 #Coronavirus #CoronavirusOutbreak #CoronavirusPandemic pic.twitter.com/uUGQTEgEgt — Jennifer Zeng 曾錚 (@jenniferatntd) March 23, 2020 × Zeng is a prominent Chinese activist who has ardently recorded Beijing’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. With a state-initiated crackdown on independent reporting, China wants to display to the world their medical prowess. Also read: Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? Just last week, China expelled American reporters based in the country. The officials have been attempting to plant conspiracy theories regarding the origin of the virus, one of which claimed that the virus was sent to the country by US army. For now, it’s hard to say what’s really happening in the country. As of figures from today, more than 380,000 cases have been registered worldwide. Additionally, over 16,500 have died. The global tally of the recovered patients so far stands at 100,000.

Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?

President Vladimir Putin donned a hazmat suit and respirator on Tuesday during a visit to a hospital treating coronavirus patients and the mayor of Moscow said the outbreak in the Russian capital was much worse than official figures showed.

The comments, by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, marked the strongest statement yet by Russian authorities suggesting they do not have a full grasp of how widely the coronavirus has spread throughout the world's largest country by territory.

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Russia has so far reported 495 cases of the virus, a figure that is much lower than in many European countries. One woman, who tested positive for the virus, has also died.

Putin has previously said the situation is under control, but some doctors have questioned how far official data reflects reality, a point taken up by Sobyanin, a close Putin ally, on Tuesday.

"A serious situation is unfolding," Sobyanin told Putin at a meeting, saying the real number of cases was unclear but that they were increasing quickly.

Testing for the virus was at a low level, he said, and many people in the capital were self-isolating at their apartments or at homes in the countryside and not being tested after returning from trips abroad.

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"...In reality there are significantly more of those who are sick," Sobyanin said.

Putin on Tuesday donned a bright yellow full-body protective suit and respirator as he visited a hospital on the outskirts of Moscow that is treating coronavirus patients.

The Russian leader used the visit to praise doctors for their work, saying he had been impressed by what he had seen.

Separately, two senior lawmakers, including Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the lower house of parliament, on Tuesday proposed legislation that would make it an offence punishable by jail time to violate quarantine measures imposed to limit the virus's spread.

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Under their proposals, people who flout mandatory quarantine could be jailed for up to seven years if their actions led to the death of two or more people, or for up to three years if it led to mass infection, the RIA news agency reported.

Pavel Krasheninnikov, a senior lawmaker, said the legislation could be adopted by the lower house of parliament as soon as next week, RIA reported.

President Vladimir Putin donned a hazmat suit and respirator on Tuesday during a visit to a hospital treating coronavirus patients and the mayor of Moscow said the outbreak in the Russian capital was much worse than official figures showed.

President Vladimir Putin donned a hazmat suit and respirator on Tuesday during a visit to a hospital treating coronavirus patients and the mayor of Moscow said the outbreak in the Russian capital was much worse than official figures showed. The comments, by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, marked the strongest statement yet by Russian authorities suggesting they do not have a full grasp of how widely the coronavirus has spread throughout the world's largest country by territory. Also read: Saudi reports first coronavirus death as infections spike Russia has so far reported 495 cases of the virus, a figure that is much lower than in many European countries. One woman, who tested positive for the virus, has also died. Putin has previously said the situation is under control, but some doctors have questioned how far official data reflects reality, a point taken up by Sobyanin, a close Putin ally, on Tuesday. "A serious situation is unfolding," Sobyanin told Putin at a meeting, saying the real number of cases was unclear but that they were increasing quickly. Testing for the virus was at a low level, he said, and many people in the capital were self-isolating at their apartments or at homes in the countryside and not being tested after returning from trips abroad. Also read: Italian coronavirus cases seen '10 times higher' than official tally "...In reality there are significantly more of those who are sick," Sobyanin said. Putin on Tuesday donned a bright yellow full-body protective suit and respirator as he visited a hospital on the outskirts of Moscow that is treating coronavirus patients. The Russian leader used the visit to praise doctors for their work, saying he had been impressed by what he had seen. Separately, two senior lawmakers, including Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the lower house of parliament, on Tuesday proposed legislation that would make it an offence punishable by jail time to violate quarantine measures imposed to limit the virus's spread. Also read: New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase Under their proposals, people who flout mandatory quarantine could be jailed for up to seven years if their actions led to the death of two or more people, or for up to three years if it led to mass infection, the RIA news agency reported. Pavel Krasheninnikov, a senior lawmaker, said the legislation could be adopted by the lower house of parliament as soon as next week, RIA reported.

Putin dons hazmat suit as Moscow says coronavirus outbreak is worse than it looks

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reported its first death from the new coronavirus as the total number of infections spiked to 767, according to the health ministry. 
 
An Afghan resident in the western city of Medina died from the virus, the ministry said, while reporting 205 new infections -– the biggest jump in the kingdom in a single day.

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Saudi Arabia, which has reported the highest number of infections in the Gulf, began implementing a nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew on Monday to limit the spread of the deadly COVID-19. 
 
The Arab world's biggest economy has also closed down cinemas, malls and restaurants, halted flights and suspended the year-round umrah pilgrimage as it steps up efforts to contain the virus. 
 
King Salman warned on Thursday of a "more difficult" fight ahead against the virus, as the kingdom faces the double blow of virus-led shutdowns and crashing oil prices.

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Last week, the kingdom unveiled stimulus measures amounting to 120 billion riyals ($32 billion) to support businesses and said it plans to raise borrowing to 50 percent of GDP. 
 
Similar restrictions and stimulus measures have been reported by other countries in the Gulf, where more than 2,100 coronavirus infections have been reported so far. 
 
Bahrain recorded its third death from the virus on Tuesday, while Oman said it would from March 29 suspend all passenger flights -- except to and from Musandam bordering the United Arab Emirates.

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Meanwhile, Kuwait's cabinet on Tuesday said anyone caught intentionally spreading the virus could face up to 10 years in jail, according to state media. 
 
Kuwait -- which has recorded 191 cases so far -- has taken the strictest measures in the Gulf by largely locking down the country to combat the spread of COVID-19.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reported its first death from the new coronavirus as the total number of infections spiked to 767, according to the health ministry. An Afghan resident in the western city of Medina died from the virus, the ministry said, while reporting 205 new infections -– the biggest jump in the kingdom in a single day.

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reported its first death from the new coronavirus as the total number of infections spiked to 767, according to the health ministry. An Afghan resident in the western city of Medina died from the virus, the ministry said, while reporting 205 new infections -– the biggest jump in the kingdom in a single day. Also read: Italian coronavirus cases seen '10 times higher' than official tally Saudi Arabia, which has reported the highest number of infections in the Gulf, began implementing a nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew on Monday to limit the spread of the deadly COVID-19. The Arab world's biggest economy has also closed down cinemas, malls and restaurants, halted flights and suspended the year-round umrah pilgrimage as it steps up efforts to contain the virus. King Salman warned on Thursday of a "more difficult" fight ahead against the virus, as the kingdom faces the double blow of virus-led shutdowns and crashing oil prices. Also read: New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase Last week, the kingdom unveiled stimulus measures amounting to 120 billion riyals ($32 billion) to support businesses and said it plans to raise borrowing to 50 percent of GDP. Similar restrictions and stimulus measures have been reported by other countries in the Gulf, where more than 2,100 coronavirus infections have been reported so far. Bahrain recorded its third death from the virus on Tuesday, while Oman said it would from March 29 suspend all passenger flights -- except to and from Musandam bordering the United Arab Emirates. Also read: Iceland confirms first death from coronavirus Meanwhile, Kuwait's cabinet on Tuesday said anyone caught intentionally spreading the virus could face up to 10 years in jail, according to state media. Kuwait -- which has recorded 191 cases so far -- has taken the strictest measures in the Gulf by largely locking down the country to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Saudi reports first coronavirus death as infections spike

China's imported virus cases spike as fears grow of second wave

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Nobel-winning peace negotiator Ahtisaari has coronavirus

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US newspapers call on China to reverse expulsion of journalists

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Taiwan says WHO ignored its coronavirus questions at start of outbreak

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Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?

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Emergency G20 summit on Covid-19 on Thursday via video conference

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Man dies from hantavirus on bus in China, other passengers tested positive

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New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase

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Italian coronavirus cases seen '10 times higher' than official tally

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'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy as COVID-19 cases rise

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China's imported virus cases spike as fears grow of second wave Read more here Nobel-winning peace negotiator Ahtisaari has coronavirus Read more here US newspapers call on China to reverse expulsion of journalists Read more here Taiwan says WHO ignored its coronavirus questions at start of outbreak Read more here Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?

China's imported virus cases spike as fears grow of second wave Read more here Nobel-winning peace negotiator Ahtisaari has coronavirus Read more here US newspapers call on China to reverse expulsion of journalists Read more here Taiwan says WHO ignored its coronavirus questions at start of outbreak Read more here Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? Read more here Emergency G20 summit on Covid-19 on Thursday via video conference Read more here Man dies from hantavirus on bus in China, other passengers tested positive Read more here New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase Read more here Italian coronavirus cases seen '10 times higher' than official tally Read more here 'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy as COVID-19 cases rise Read more here

Top 10 world news: US next COVID-19 epicentre, China fears second wave, and more!

The US state of New York currently has over 20,000 positive cases of coronavirus. Statistically, this amounts for five per cent of all global cases so far.

The number of cases saw a sharp spike from 5,700 to over 20,800&nbsp; in the state.

The World Health Organisation had recently warned that the US could become the next epicentre of the virus.

Within the US, New York continues to be the epicentre.&nbsp;Over 46,000 have been infected in the United States alone.&nbsp;

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Recently, the cases have increased tremendously owing to the improved testing mechanisms in the face of a rapid contraction rate.

By Monday, New York City had recorded over 12,300 cases. To begin proper containment measures, around 16,000 tests are being undertaken everyday.

New York City accounts for 25 per cent of all testing happening in the United States, as iterated by the Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo.

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While sharing these numbers with the public and media, Cuomo called for the need to increase hospital capacity in the state, especially in New York City.

“We have a lot of work to do to get that rate down and get the hospital capacity up”, he said during a briefing.

<h6><img alt="ooo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c29b3c5b-2b8d-4a01-ad3a-b3b986942197" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_46.jpg" /> 
An empty New York Subway car is seen on March 23, 2020 in New York City | AFP 
 
&nbsp;</h6>

So far, over 157 people have died in New York owing to the virus. Additionally, 2,653 have been hospitalised in the state. This represents 13 per cent of the total cases recorded in New York state.

Cuomo claimed that a quarter of these patients are under intensive care.

White House has been stepping up efforts to prevent the outbreak from spreading nationally. Yesterday, over 400 ventilators were sent to New York by the Trump administration.

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The Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio thanked the White House, but added that the city requires over thousands of ventilators, with 400 being a start.

New York currently has 53,000 hospital beds. However, to tackle and treat the coronavirus pandemic, the state requires over 113,000 beds.

The city has been struggling to increase its hospital capacity in the face of ever-growing cases. However, the mayor recently announced that Javits Centre and Coler Speciality Hospital will add beds very soon.

The US state of New York currently has over 20,000 positive cases of coronavirus. Statistically, this amounts for five per cent of all global cases so far. The number of cases saw a sharp spike from 5,700 to over 20,800 in the state.

The US state of New York currently has over 20,000 positive cases of coronavirus. Statistically, this amounts for five per cent of all global cases so far. The number of cases saw a sharp spike from 5,700 to over 20,800 in the state. The World Health Organisation had recently warned that the US could become the next epicentre of the virus. Within the US, New York continues to be the epicentre. Over 46,000 have been infected in the United States alone. Also read: Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? Recently, the cases have increased tremendously owing to the improved testing mechanisms in the face of a rapid contraction rate. By Monday, New York City had recorded over 12,300 cases. To begin proper containment measures, around 16,000 tests are being undertaken everyday. New York City accounts for 25 per cent of all testing happening in the United States, as iterated by the Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo. Also read: Couple self-medicates with chloroquine against coronavirus in US, man dies While sharing these numbers with the public and media, Cuomo called for the need to increase hospital capacity in the state, especially in New York City. “We have a lot of work to do to get that rate down and get the hospital capacity up”, he said during a briefing. An empty New York Subway car is seen on March 23, 2020 in New York City | AFP So far, over 157 people have died in New York owing to the virus. Additionally, 2,653 have been hospitalised in the state. This represents 13 per cent of the total cases recorded in New York state. Cuomo claimed that a quarter of these patients are under intensive care. White House has been stepping up efforts to prevent the outbreak from spreading nationally. Yesterday, over 400 ventilators were sent to New York by the Trump administration. Also read: Man dies from hantavirus on bus in China, other passengers tested positive The Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio thanked the White House, but added that the city requires over thousands of ventilators, with 400 being a start. New York currently has 53,000 hospital beds. However, to tackle and treat the coronavirus pandemic, the state requires over 113,000 beds. The city has been struggling to increase its hospital capacity in the face of ever-growing cases. However, the mayor recently announced that Javits Centre and Coler Speciality Hospital will add beds very soon.

New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday said India could show the world the way to deal with pandemics as it came over small-pox and polio in the 1990s.

"There is a need in the number of labs where a surge is seen. India is a very populous country and the future of this virus will be considered in a very highly and densely populated country. India led the world in eradicating two pandemics, small-pox and polio so India has a tremendous capacity," the executive director of WHO, Michael J Ryan, on Tuesday said, during a daily press brief on COVID-19 pandemic.

"There are no easy answers. It is exceptionally important that countries like India show the way to the world as they have done before," he added.

According to WHO, the number of cases worldwide has surpassed 3,30,000, while the number of deaths has exceeded 14,000.

In India, the coronavirus tally has crossed the 500-mark — with the first case coming to the fore from the North East on Tuesday.

Over 30 fresh cases of Covid-19 were reported from across the country on Tuesday, taking the number to&nbsp;536.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday said India could show the world the way to deal with pandemics as it came over small-pox and polio in the 1990s. "There is a need in the number of labs where a surge is seen.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday said India could show the world the way to deal with pandemics as it came over small-pox and polio in the 1990s. "There is a need in the number of labs where a surge is seen. India is a very populous country and the future of this virus will be considered in a very highly and densely populated country. India led the world in eradicating two pandemics, small-pox and polio so India has a tremendous capacity," the executive director of WHO, Michael J Ryan, on Tuesday said, during a daily press brief on COVID-19 pandemic. "There are no easy answers. It is exceptionally important that countries like India show the way to the world as they have done before," he added. According to WHO, the number of cases worldwide has surpassed 3,30,000, while the number of deaths has exceeded 14,000. In India, the coronavirus tally has crossed the 500-mark — with the first case coming to the fore from the North East on Tuesday. Over 30 fresh cases of Covid-19 were reported from across the country on Tuesday, taking the number to 536.

WHO praises India, says it led world in eradicating two pandemics and can again show the way

With the number of coronavirus cases rising rapidly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the United States could become the next epicentre of the pandemic.

“A very large acceleration” in the number of coronavirus cases has been recorded recently.

Out of the new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, 85 per cent came from Europe and the United States. Out of these, 40 per cent cases alone came from the US.

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Margaret Harris, a doctor working with the WHO said that the US has “the potential” to become the next epicentre if the cases continue to rise at the same rate.

“... They [the US] have a very large outbreak and an outbreak that is increasing in intensity,” she told reporters during a briefing.

As of figures from today, more than 380,000 cases have been registered worldwide. Additionally, over 16,500 have died. The global tally of the recovered patients so far stands at 100,000.

The United States currently accounts for more than 46,000 infections, with over 530 deaths, and is expected to overtake Italy, the current epicentre soon in terms of recorded positive cases.

In fact, many researchers believe that the United States could overtake even China’s numbers. Over 82,000 infections were recorded in China.

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The United States President Donald Trump recently admitted that they were facing difficulties in the procurement of healthcare supplies in the midst of the pandemic.

“The world market is crazy”, iterated the president while adding that the process of procuring face masks and ventilators has not been easy.

He additionally reaffirmed his commitment to reopening business in the coming weeks. According to him, prolonged closures of services and borders could kill more people than the pandemic itself.

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“We can’t have the cure be worse than the problem,” Mr Trump told reporters at a briefing Monday.

&nbsp;“We have to open our country because that causes problems that, in my opinion, could be far bigger problems”, he added.

The United States healthcare system is not equipped to deal with a spike in the number of cases. Experts have continuously asserted the need for social distance and self-isolation, with no vaccine or cure in sight.

“Life is fragile, and economies are fragile,” Mr Trump said, while claiming that he will protect both.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-says-who-ignored-its-coronavirus-questions-at-start-of-outbreak-288233" hreflang="en">Taiwan says WHO ignored its coronavirus questions at start of outbreak</a>

If economic closures extended for over a month, there would be “probably more death from that than anything that we’re talking about with respect to the virus”, the president said.

He also said that the warnings of limiting social contact shall be withdrawn in weeks, not months. “I’m not looking at months, I can tell you right now.”

Additionally, he requested the states with less cases to resume work while the hard-hit states should focus on enforcing precautionary measures.

(With inputs from agencies)

With the number of coronavirus cases rising rapidly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the United States could become the next epicentre of the pandemic.

With the number of coronavirus cases rising rapidly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the United States could become the next epicentre of the pandemic. “A very large acceleration” in the number of coronavirus cases has been recorded recently. Out of the new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, 85 per cent came from Europe and the United States. Out of these, 40 per cent cases alone came from the US. Also read: World staring at another epidemic? Man dies from hantavirus in China Margaret Harris, a doctor working with the WHO said that the US has “the potential” to become the next epicentre if the cases continue to rise at the same rate. “... They [the US] have a very large outbreak and an outbreak that is increasing in intensity,” she told reporters during a briefing. As of figures from today, more than 380,000 cases have been registered worldwide. Additionally, over 16,500 have died. The global tally of the recovered patients so far stands at 100,000. The United States currently accounts for more than 46,000 infections, with over 530 deaths, and is expected to overtake Italy, the current epicentre soon in terms of recorded positive cases. In fact, many researchers believe that the United States could overtake even China’s numbers. Over 82,000 infections were recorded in China. The United States President Donald Trump recently admitted that they were facing difficulties in the procurement of healthcare supplies in the midst of the pandemic. “The world market is crazy”, iterated the president while adding that the process of procuring face masks and ventilators has not been easy. He additionally reaffirmed his commitment to reopening business in the coming weeks. According to him, prolonged closures of services and borders could kill more people than the pandemic itself. Also read: Couple self-medicates with chloroquine against coronavirus in US, man dies “We can’t have the cure be worse than the problem,” Mr Trump told reporters at a briefing Monday. “We have to open our country because that causes problems that, in my opinion, could be far bigger problems”, he added. The United States healthcare system is not equipped to deal with a spike in the number of cases. Experts have continuously asserted the need for social distance and self-isolation, with no vaccine or cure in sight. “Life is fragile, and economies are fragile,” Mr Trump said, while claiming that he will protect both. Also read: Taiwan says WHO ignored its coronavirus questions at start of outbreak If economic closures extended for over a month, there would be “probably more death from that than anything that we’re talking about with respect to the virus”, the president said. He also said that the warnings of limiting social contact shall be withdrawn in weeks, not months. “I’m not looking at months, I can tell you right now.” Additionally, he requested the states with less cases to resume work while the hard-hit states should focus on enforcing precautionary measures. (With inputs from agencies)

Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?

A couple from Phoenix, Arizona recently took chloroquine phosphate in a bid to self-medicate against the novel coronavirus COVID-19, CNN reported.

The man has reportedly died while the woman remains in critical condition.

Recently, United States President Donald Trump referred to chloroquine phosphate as a potential treatment for the virus. However, the potion is also used to clean fish tanks at aquariums.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved chloroquine to treat lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and malaria. It’s effectiveness in treating COVID-19 still remains unclear.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-says-who-ignored-its-coronavirus-questions-at-start-of-outbreak-288233" hreflang="en">Taiwan says WHO ignored its coronavirus questions at start of outbreak</a>

Many experts around the world have warned against self-medication. There are rumours floating on the internet: ranging from consumption of alcohol to a combination of anti-viral and an antibiotic. The former has led to at least 194 deaths in Iran due to poisoning.

CNN spoke to Daniel Brooks, the Medical Director at Banner Poison and Drug Information Centre. Brooks asserted that “self-medicating is not the way to [treat the virus]”.

The couple, who were in their 60s, didn’t say how they acquired the combination and where they were treated

They were admitted at a hospital called “Banner Health”. As per the hospital’s statement, the couple started feeling the ill-effects thirty minutes after ingesting the concoction.&nbsp;

<h6><img alt="ppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="007a0d9a-1a9c-4aa5-9838-6138a5754e7f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_111.jpg" /> 
A picture shows a near empty A21 main dual carriageway near Sevenoaks, Kent, south of London on March 24, 2020 after Britain ordered a lockdown to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

The US president has referred to chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as potential game changers in the battle against coronavirus.

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HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE &amp; AZITHROMYCIN, taken together, have a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine. The FDA has moved mountains - Thank You! Hopefully they will BOTH (H works better with A, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents).....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1241367239900778501?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE &amp; AZITHROMYCIN, taken together, have a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine," he <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1241367239900778501?s=20">tweeted</a> Saturday.

However, a lot of research is needed to verify these claims. Even though many researchers claim that the combination could help in treating the virus, there is no proof yet.

After Trump’s claims, three people in Nigeria have so far overdosed on the medicine.&nbsp;

Health care providers have been urged to not prescribe the medicine to patients who have not been hospitalised.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-newspapers-call-on-china-to-reverse-expulsion-of-journalists-288224" hreflang="en">US newspapers call on China to reverse expulsion of journalists</a>

"The last thing that we want right now is to inundate our emergency departments with patients who believe they found a vague and risky solution that could potentially jeopardise their health," Brooks told CNN.

As of figures from today, more than 380,000 cases have been registered worldwide. Additionally, over 16,500 have died. The global tally of the recovered patients so far stands at 100,000.

(With inputs from agencies)

A couple from Phoenix, Arizona recently took chloroquine phosphate in a bid to self-medicate against the novel coronavirus COVID-19, CNN reported. The man has reportedly died while the woman remains in critical condition.

A couple from Phoenix, Arizona recently took chloroquine phosphate in a bid to self-medicate against the novel coronavirus COVID-19, CNN reported. The man has reportedly died while the woman remains in critical condition. Recently, United States President Donald Trump referred to chloroquine phosphate as a potential treatment for the virus. However, the potion is also used to clean fish tanks at aquariums. The Food and Drug Administration has approved chloroquine to treat lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and malaria. It’s effectiveness in treating COVID-19 still remains unclear. Also read: Taiwan says WHO ignored its coronavirus questions at start of outbreak Many experts around the world have warned against self-medication. There are rumours floating on the internet: ranging from consumption of alcohol to a combination of anti-viral and an antibiotic. The former has led to at least 194 deaths in Iran due to poisoning. CNN spoke to Daniel Brooks, the Medical Director at Banner Poison and Drug Information Centre. Brooks asserted that “self-medicating is not the way to [treat the virus]”. The couple, who were in their 60s, didn’t say how they acquired the combination and where they were treated They were admitted at a hospital called “Banner Health”. As per the hospital’s statement, the couple started feeling the ill-effects thirty minutes after ingesting the concoction. A picture shows a near empty A21 main dual carriageway near Sevenoaks, Kent, south of London on March 24, 2020 after Britain ordered a lockdown to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus | AFP The US president has referred to chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as potential game changers in the battle against coronavirus. HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE & AZITHROMYCIN, taken together, have a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine. The FDA has moved mountains - Thank You! Hopefully they will BOTH (H works better with A, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents)..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 21, 2020 × "HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE & AZITHROMYCIN, taken together, have a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine," he tweeted Saturday. However, a lot of research is needed to verify these claims. Even though many researchers claim that the combination could help in treating the virus, there is no proof yet. After Trump’s claims, three people in Nigeria have so far overdosed on the medicine. Health care providers have been urged to not prescribe the medicine to patients who have not been hospitalised. Also read: US newspapers call on China to reverse expulsion of journalists "The last thing that we want right now is to inundate our emergency departments with patients who believe they found a vague and risky solution that could potentially jeopardise their health," Brooks told CNN. As of figures from today, more than 380,000 cases have been registered worldwide. Additionally, over 16,500 have died. The global tally of the recovered patients so far stands at 100,000. (With inputs from agencies)

Couple self-medicates with chloroquine against coronavirus in US, man dies

The IT city of Bengaluru got its first integrated war room to combat the Covid-19 outbreak. The state of Karnataka has so far detected 38 cases, most of which are in the capital city Bengaluru. The war room was built by the BBMP in just 24 hours and will bring all relevant departments under one roof to tackle the virus problem in a more streamlined manner. &nbsp;

'This war room is a tool to track the location of the Covid-19 positive patients, monitor those home quarantined and those who have returned from various foreign countries. The war room will also monitor the primary and secondary contacts of all the positive cases' said Anil Kumar, BBMP Commissioner. &nbsp;

The war room will run 24/7 and will serve as a virtual training centre for health professionals and government officials. The technologies in the war room will enable the integration of the health department with police, hospitals, surveillance teams, Asha workers and Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board. Interactive screens in the war room allow for mapping of each Covid-19 case, positive and suspected, using Geographical Information System. Bengaluru-based pro-digital labs that have set up the war room might also set up one nationally.

'Till today we have been tracking patients manually through excel sheets. But going forward if the data builds up we need to be equipped with the right technologies and infrastructure to tackle the situation. At the command centre, we also have GPS tracking system to track the movement of our health workers and service vehicles. We have plans of purchasing disinfection vehicles to spray disinfectants across the city. The movement of each of these vehicles will be monitored from our command centre. This allows transparency in the administration.' said Upendra Kumar, Director, Pro Digital Labs&nbsp;

The system can also draw up containment plans using Heat Mapping Technologies. The home quarantined cases are tracked using GPS and if they are found to be leaving their homes. 'All the zones are mapped. From Jt Commissioners to Asha workers, everyone will be given the information. Those who are home quarantined and attempt to violate it, we can track it when their phones leave the house. We inform the local police and the local health department. That is how we are managing it.' said Upendra Kumar.&nbsp;

Apart from using the GPS mechanism to restrict home quarantined persons, officials are also employing the physical method where neighbours and RWAs are asked to keep a watch on the person(s). The home quarantined patients are stamped and notice is served to ask them to follow the home quarantine rules prescribed by the GOI. The primary and secondary contacts of confirmed cases are also being stamped to ensure they stay in-home quarantine.&nbsp;

'Once the stamping has been done, as a follow-up measure, every 2-3 days there will be a phone call which will go from the war room to ascertain whether the person has started developing symptoms like cough, cold, fever, sneezing etc. If he/she has developed symptoms we immediately take them for testing. Secondly, we check if any of their family members are showing symptoms and the same protocol is followed. We will do this 3-4 times over 14 days to keep a track if the suspected cases are turning into positive cases. This monitoring is happening from the war room.' said Anil Kumar. &nbsp;

The war room also provides facilities where doctors and healthcare professionals can be apprised of Covid-19 protocols using video conferencing. Most importantly, the war room will be handling the growingly cumbersome data of contact tracing. 'So if a person has been identified as a positive case, the person is shifted to the isolation hospital. Then a 3km radius around the patient's home will be identified as the containment zone. Another 5km radius beyond that is the buffer zone. All houses in this 8km radius will be visited by our teams from the BBMP and Health dept and awareness given to them about coronavirus and what precautionary measures they have to take. These activities are tracked and initiated from the war room' said the BBMP Commissioner.&nbsp;

A team of 40-50 professionals have been working round the clock to build the war room and develop software applications on a war footing. The war room will soon be used for self-reporting and an application is being developed for the same. 27 cases in BBMP limits, 22,600 persons with a travel history and 3000 persons in the primary and secondary contact list are currently being tracked through the war room. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The IT city of Bengaluru got its first integrated war room to combat the Covid-19 outbreak. The state of Karnataka has so far detected 38 cases, most of which are in the capital city Bengaluru.

The IT city of Bengaluru got its first integrated war room to combat the Covid-19 outbreak. The state of Karnataka has so far detected 38 cases, most of which are in the capital city Bengaluru. The war room was built by the BBMP in just 24 hours and will bring all relevant departments under one roof to tackle the virus problem in a more streamlined manner. 'This war room is a tool to track the location of the Covid-19 positive patients, monitor those home quarantined and those who have returned from various foreign countries. The war room will also monitor the primary and secondary contacts of all the positive cases' said Anil Kumar, BBMP Commissioner. The war room will run 24/7 and will serve as a virtual training centre for health professionals and government officials. The technologies in the war room will enable the integration of the health department with police, hospitals, surveillance teams, Asha workers and Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board. Interactive screens in the war room allow for mapping of each Covid-19 case, positive and suspected, using Geographical Information System. Bengaluru-based pro-digital labs that have set up the war room might also set up one nationally. 'Till today we have been tracking patients manually through excel sheets. But going forward if the data builds up we need to be equipped with the right technologies and infrastructure to tackle the situation. At the command centre, we also have GPS tracking system to track the movement of our health workers and service vehicles. We have plans of purchasing disinfection vehicles to spray disinfectants across the city. The movement of each of these vehicles will be monitored from our command centre. This allows transparency in the administration.' said Upendra Kumar, Director, Pro Digital Labs The system can also draw up containment plans using Heat Mapping Technologies. The home quarantined cases are tracked using GPS and if they are found to be leaving their homes. 'All the zones are mapped. From Jt Commissioners to Asha workers, everyone will be given the information. Those who are home quarantined and attempt to violate it, we can track it when their phones leave the house. We inform the local police and the local health department. That is how we are managing it.' said Upendra Kumar. Apart from using the GPS mechanism to restrict home quarantined persons, officials are also employing the physical method where neighbours and RWAs are asked to keep a watch on the person(s). The home quarantined patients are stamped and notice is served to ask them to follow the home quarantine rules prescribed by the GOI. The primary and secondary contacts of confirmed cases are also being stamped to ensure they stay in-home quarantine. 'Once the stamping has been done, as a follow-up measure, every 2-3 days there will be a phone call which will go from the war room to ascertain whether the person has started developing symptoms like cough, cold, fever, sneezing etc. If he/she has developed symptoms we immediately take them for testing. Secondly, we check if any of their family members are showing symptoms and the same protocol is followed. We will do this 3-4 times over 14 days to keep a track if the suspected cases are turning into positive cases. This monitoring is happening from the war room.' said Anil Kumar. The war room also provides facilities where doctors and healthcare professionals can be apprised of Covid-19 protocols using video conferencing. Most importantly, the war room will be handling the growingly cumbersome data of contact tracing. 'So if a person has been identified as a positive case, the person is shifted to the isolation hospital. Then a 3km radius around the patient's home will be identified as the containment zone. Another 5km radius beyond that is the buffer zone. All houses in this 8km radius will be visited by our teams from the BBMP and Health dept and awareness given to them about coronavirus and what precautionary measures they have to take. These activities are tracked and initiated from the war room' said the BBMP Commissioner. A team of 40-50 professionals have been working round the clock to build the war room and develop software applications on a war footing. The war room will soon be used for self-reporting and an application is being developed for the same. 27 cases in BBMP limits, 22,600 persons with a travel history and 3000 persons in the primary and secondary contact list are currently being tracked through the war room.

Bengaluru's war room uses technology to contain covid-19

G20 leaders will meet via video conference on Thursday to discuss the coronavirus crisis. The idea of the summit was discussed by Indian PM Modi with other G20 leaders like Australian PM Scott Morrison &amp; Chair of G20 Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud.&nbsp;

The meet will happen from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Arabian Standard Time (AST) and before that on Wednesday G20 Sherpas will meet.&nbsp;

The Sherpa meet that will take place from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, AST. India will be represented by its G20 Sherpa Suresh Prabhu.

Speaking to WION last week, Suresh Prabhu said, "Our honourable Prime Minister has always taken a lead in dealing with global issues.&nbsp;

G20, the grouping, representing 86% of the global GDP is a forum that can play a leadership role. Coronavirus has become one of the most destabilising factors, economically, socially, politically all over the world. A situation like this must have prevailed during the 2nd-second world war, businesses are shutting down, people are apprehensive."

Other G20 member countries have lauded India's role at the grouping regarding the need for a summit via video conference on coronavirus outbreak.

French envoy Emmanuel Lenain asked about the initiative had said, "We expect a lot from India, India is going to be the chair of G20 in 2022. In the run-up to this big year, we expect India to be very dynamic in raising the issue within G20."

PM Modi had also called for a SAARC video conference on the crisis which took place earlier this month. New Delhi announced a COVID emergency fund and said its rapid response teams are at the disposal of all SAARC countries.

All SAARC countries, barring Pakistan have announced contribution for SAARC COVID Fund. Total contribution by COVID SAARC Fund by India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Maldives &amp; Bhutan stands at $18.3 million.

G20 leaders will meet via video conference on Thursday to discuss the coronavirus crisis. The idea of the summit was discussed by Indian PM Modi with other G20 leaders like Australian PM Scott Morrison & Chair of G20 Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud.

G20 leaders will meet via video conference on Thursday to discuss the coronavirus crisis. The idea of the summit was discussed by Indian PM Modi with other G20 leaders like Australian PM Scott Morrison & Chair of G20 Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud. The meet will happen from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Arabian Standard Time (AST) and before that on Wednesday G20 Sherpas will meet. The Sherpa meet that will take place from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, AST. India will be represented by its G20 Sherpa Suresh Prabhu. Speaking to WION last week, Suresh Prabhu said, "Our honourable Prime Minister has always taken a lead in dealing with global issues. G20, the grouping, representing 86% of the global GDP is a forum that can play a leadership role. Coronavirus has become one of the most destabilising factors, economically, socially, politically all over the world. A situation like this must have prevailed during the 2nd-second world war, businesses are shutting down, people are apprehensive." Other G20 member countries have lauded India's role at the grouping regarding the need for a summit via video conference on coronavirus outbreak. French envoy Emmanuel Lenain asked about the initiative had said, "We expect a lot from India, India is going to be the chair of G20 in 2022. In the run-up to this big year, we expect India to be very dynamic in raising the issue within G20." PM Modi had also called for a SAARC video conference on the crisis which took place earlier this month. New Delhi announced a COVID emergency fund and said its rapid response teams are at the disposal of all SAARC countries. All SAARC countries, barring Pakistan have announced contribution for SAARC COVID Fund. Total contribution by COVID SAARC Fund by India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Maldives & Bhutan stands at $18.3 million.

Emergency G20 summit on Covid-19 on Thursday via video conference

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah’s eight-month detention ended on Tuesday after the administration revoked the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) against him.

The National Conference leader, who turned 50 on March 10, has been under detention since August 5, when the Centre announced the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and its bifurcation into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The order revoking the PSA against him was issued by Home Secretary Shaleen Kabra. Abdullah was booked under the stringent act on February 5, hours before his six-month custody under preventive detention was to end.

The government has revoked his detention with immediate effect, the order stated.

Abdullah’s mother was the first to arrive at the makeshift detention centre after news came in that her son was about to be released. He was kept at the state guesthouse Hari Nivas, just a few hundred metres from his official residence.

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Had lunch with my mum &amp; dad for the first time in almost 8 months. I can’t remember a better meal even though I’ve been in a bit of a daze &amp; don’t remember what I ate ☺️ <a href="https://t.co/W4duuhCVjI">pic.twitter.com/W4duuhCVjI</a>
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/1242372950692528129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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His father, former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, was also charged under the PSA and released on March 13 after 221 days in detention. PDP leader and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti continues to be under detention.

On February 5, Omar Abdullah, who was junior foreign minister and commerce minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led Cabinet in 2000, was served with a three-page dossier that was challenged in the Supreme Court by his sister Sara Abdullah Pilot.

The Supreme Court last week asked the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to inform by this week if it was releasing him.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and M R Shah told the counsel appearing for the Centre that Abdullah’s sister’s plea against his detention would be heard on merit if he was not released soon.

The petition, which may now become infructuous, could have come up for hearing on Wednesday or later this week.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah’s eight-month detention ended on Tuesday after the administration revoked the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) against him.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah’s eight-month detention ended on Tuesday after the administration revoked the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) against him. The National Conference leader, who turned 50 on March 10, has been under detention since August 5, when the Centre announced the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and its bifurcation into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The order revoking the PSA against him was issued by Home Secretary Shaleen Kabra. Abdullah was booked under the stringent act on February 5, hours before his six-month custody under preventive detention was to end. The government has revoked his detention with immediate effect, the order stated. Abdullah’s mother was the first to arrive at the makeshift detention centre after news came in that her son was about to be released. He was kept at the state guesthouse Hari Nivas, just a few hundred metres from his official residence. Had lunch with my mum & dad for the first time in almost 8 months. I can’t remember a better meal even though I’ve been in a bit of a daze & don’t remember what I ate ☺️ pic.twitter.com/W4duuhCVjI — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 24, 2020 × His father, former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, was also charged under the PSA and released on March 13 after 221 days in detention. PDP leader and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti continues to be under detention. On February 5, Omar Abdullah, who was junior foreign minister and commerce minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led Cabinet in 2000, was served with a three-page dossier that was challenged in the Supreme Court by his sister Sara Abdullah Pilot. The Supreme Court last week asked the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to inform by this week if it was releasing him. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and M R Shah told the counsel appearing for the Centre that Abdullah’s sister’s plea against his detention would be heard on merit if he was not released soon. The petition, which may now become infructuous, could have come up for hearing on Wednesday or later this week.

Omar Abdullah released after 8 months in detention, PSA charges revoked

The government of India on Tuesday has asked states to impose curfew wherever necessary as people continue to venture out despite coronavirus lockdown order.

Multiple new positive cases have been reported from various parts of the country. As Maharashtra remains the worst-affected in India, section 144 has been imposed in the state from Monday.

The number of positive cases in India jumps to 509 and the death toll stands at 10, the lockdown comes into effect in 32 states and Union Territories in the country.&nbsp;

Over 1.5 billion people have been asked to stay at home as governments across the world tackle the World Health Organisation recognised 'pandemic'.&nbsp;

The deadly coronavirus has claimed 16,524 lives and infected 379,080 people globally. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, as many as 30 states/UTs have been placed under complete lockdown.

The Centre has also decided to restrict all domestic transport services—railways, flights and interstate buses—across the country on a massive scale that has never been witnessed by the country.

All domestic flights from midnight on March 24 have been cancelled. However, these restrictions will not apply to cargo flights.

The government of India on Tuesday has asked states to impose curfew wherever necessary as people continue to venture out despite coronavirus lockdown order. Multiple new positive cases have been reported from various parts of the country.

The government of India on Tuesday has asked states to impose curfew wherever necessary as people continue to venture out despite coronavirus lockdown order. Multiple new positive cases have been reported from various parts of the country. As Maharashtra remains the worst-affected in India, section 144 has been imposed in the state from Monday. The number of positive cases in India jumps to 509 and the death toll stands at 10, the lockdown comes into effect in 32 states and Union Territories in the country. Over 1.5 billion people have been asked to stay at home as governments across the world tackle the World Health Organisation recognised 'pandemic'. The deadly coronavirus has claimed 16,524 lives and infected 379,080 people globally. Meanwhile, as many as 30 states/UTs have been placed under complete lockdown. The Centre has also decided to restrict all domestic transport services—railways, flights and interstate buses—across the country on a massive scale that has never been witnessed by the country. All domestic flights from midnight on March 24 have been cancelled. However, these restrictions will not apply to cargo flights.

Impose curfew wherever necessary: Centre tells states

The government of India has decided to cover Covid-19 treatment of in private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat — the central government’s health insurance scheme for the deprived.

According to the National Health Authority (NHA) all Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries will be included in the scheme.

According to health ministry data, there are 492 confirmed cases in the country at present; this number has been rising continuously.

Currently, the Ayushman-PMJAY scheme, which does not deal with preventive healthcare cover, offers hospitalisation packages for intensive care units, high-dependency units and normal wards.&nbsp;

There’s no provision for isolation wards under the universal health assurance scheme, which caters to underprivileged citizens with an annual cover of Rs 5 lakh per family.&nbsp;

Since isolation wards, a necessity for patients infected with the virus will be like private wards, the cost, to be borne by PMJAY, will be significantly higher.

Over 1.5 billion people have been asked to stay at home as governments across the world tackle the World Health Organisation recognised 'pandemic'.&nbsp;

The deadly coronavirus has claimed 16,524 lives and infected 379,080 people globally.&nbsp;

The government of India has decided to cover Covid-19 treatment of in private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat — the central government’s health insurance scheme for the deprived.

The government of India has decided to cover Covid-19 treatment of in private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat — the central government’s health insurance scheme for the deprived. According to the National Health Authority (NHA) all Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries will be included in the scheme. According to health ministry data, there are 492 confirmed cases in the country at present; this number has been rising continuously. Currently, the Ayushman-PMJAY scheme, which does not deal with preventive healthcare cover, offers hospitalisation packages for intensive care units, high-dependency units and normal wards. There’s no provision for isolation wards under the universal health assurance scheme, which caters to underprivileged citizens with an annual cover of Rs 5 lakh per family. Since isolation wards, a necessity for patients infected with the virus will be like private wards, the cost, to be borne by PMJAY, will be significantly higher. Over 1.5 billion people have been asked to stay at home as governments across the world tackle the World Health Organisation recognised 'pandemic'. The deadly coronavirus has claimed 16,524 lives and infected 379,080 people globally.

Ayushman Bharat to cover coronavirus treatment as number of cases rise in India

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