Live: India enters 'total lockdown'; number of cases surge to 562

Karnataka records second death. However, Health Minister says they are awaiting details as to whether it was Covid-19 that killed the patient. 

75-yr-old female from Chikkaballapura had a travel history to Mecca. She was suffering from diabetes, chest pain and hip fracture. She was shifted to Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases and then last night to Bowring Hospital, Bengaluru where she breathed her last.

Coronavirus outbreak in East India: Situation report



 

Coronavirus outbreak in Central India: Situation report

J&K police punish lockdown violators by locking them up in tiny circles 

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19, those who flouted the restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir have been given a novel punishment by the state police.

Number of COVID-19 cases in India rises to 562 (including 40 cured, discharged and 9 deaths)

Total lockdown

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a complete lockdown in India in the wake of the rapid increase in number of confirmed cases of coronavirus. The coronavirus tally has crossed the 500-mark in India with over 30 fresh cases of Covid-19 getting reported from across the country on Tuesday.

The number of positive cases in India have crossed the 500 mark in India. As per data from the Health Ministry, the country currently has 519 cases.

Manipur woman tests corona positive, first in northeast India 

Manipur reported its first case of coronavirus as a 23-year-old woman who returned from the United Kingdom tested positive, making it the first case in the northeast, an official said on Tuesday.

According to the officials of Manipur' s Health and Family Welfare Department, the woman is now undergoing treatment at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal.

Government extends tax deadlines in view of lockdown due to coronavirus

Giving relief to citizens unable to meet deadlines due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the last date for filing of income tax returns for FY2018-19 has been extended to June 30.

Total number of confirmed cases

Europe has recorded 9,197 fatalities

A total of 15,189 deaths have been recorded, the majority in Europe with 9,197 fatalities. Italy is the hardest-hit country with 5,476 deaths, followed by China where the virus first emerged last year with 3,270, and Spain with 2,182. With a total of 1,395 new deaths reported in the past 24 hours out of 172,238 officially declared cases, Europe is now the continent where the virus is spreading the most rapidly.

A complete lockdown has been announced in 19 states and union territories. In six other states and union territories, only some areas have been kept under lockdown, says Lav Agarwal.

Total number of confirmed cases is 415

415 figure also includes 24 people who have been cured, discharged or migrated.

No community spread of coronavirus, 89 positive cases in Maharashtra, says health minister

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday denied community spread in the state and said that there were a total of 89 cases of the disease in the state so far. Read more

Sensex falls 3,500 points as trade resumes;  Nifty loses over 1,000 points

Sell-off continued in the Indian stock markets as the BSE Sensex fell over 3,500 points after trade resumed on the exchanges after a 45-minute halt. Read more
 

Jharkhand becomes fifth state to impose lockdown till March 31.

Essential services to continue, says Chief Minister Hemant Soren after high level meeting. 

Nepal to close its international border with India and China for one week amid coronavirus outbreak. 

Indian Medical Association (IMA) writes to PM Narendra Modi appreciating his 'gesture of motivating the public to show gratitude towards the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who are risking their lives to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

(Image courtesy: ANI)

According to a report by ANI, Supreme Court's two courts will work through video-conferencing on Monday. The judges will sit in their respective courtrooms, whereas lawyers will not argue their cases in courtrooms but from a different location.

In the wake of coronavirus, Delhi, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra to be under Lockdown.

Meanwhile, the Goa government has extended the 'Janata curfew' by three more days, chief minister Pramod Sawant announced today.

Also read: India shows unprecedented solidarity, claps for its essential services amid Janata Curfew

Amid the rising number of coronavirus cases in the United Kingdom, around 60 Indian students held a demonstration outside the Indian High Commission in London demanding a return to their respective homes. Read more

Under the lockdown in Delhi, the state borders will remain sealed, other than for transportation of essential items. Read more

"During the lockdown in Delhi, no document or proof will be sought from a person if they say that they are out on streets to provide or avail any essential service," says Delhi Chief Minister on lockdown.

"Restrictions will cause discomfort; but will help in stopping the transmission and will save lives," say Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal on national capital lockdown.

"All private offices will remain closed but the employees - both permanent and contractual - will be considered to be on-duty. The companies will have to provide them the salary for this duration." 

Delhi Chief Minister puts Delhi under lockdown amid rising coronavirus spread.

"We have decided keeping everyone's health in consideration, from tomorrow 6 am to March 31, lockdown will be in effect in Delhi," says Kejriwal in a press breifing.

India reports seventh death due to coronavirus, first from Gujarat.

The 67-year-old man had been in the hospital for four days. Read more 

Roads deserted as India observes 'Janata curfew' in a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus.

(Courtesy: AFP)

Lockdowns will be enabled in places both having deaths and positive cases, says Lav Agarwal of health ministry

"We have conducted 15,000-17,000 tests so far. We have the capacity to conduct 10,000 tests per day, it means we can conduct 50,000-70,000 per week", says Balram Bhargava of Indian Council of Medical Research during the press briefing.

During a lockdown, services including, hospitals and pharmacies, groceries/fruit/veg shops milk supply booths, cooking gas supplies, bank/ATMs, telecom services, limited public transport will remain active. 

Section 144 of CrPC to be imposed in Delhi over rapidly spreading coronavirus.

It will stay in effect from 9 pm on March 22 to 12 midnight of March 31.

Meanwhile, 75 Indian districts which reported COVID-19 cases will be under lockdown.

As per the latest decision in the fight against coronavirus, Delhi metro services to remain closed til March 31.

The move is aimed at controlling the spread of corona virus by ensuring social distancing and encouraging people to stay at home for the time being.

The Delhi Metro system will however continue to be powered for essential internal operational maintenance activities during this period.

After Union Health Ministry reports 26 new cases, total number rises to 341 in the country.

Trinamool Congress MPs to not attend Parliament from March 23rd to April 3rd, as per the instructions of party leader Mamata Banerjee who has directed them to be present in their respective constituencies to create awareness on Coronavirus.

Only essential services to be allowed in 75 districts where COVID-19 cases reported so far. State governments to issue orders in this direction. 

A 63-year-old COVID19 patient succumbed to illness late Saturday. This is the fifth death in India and second in Maharashtra. 

The coronavirus death toll in Spain rose to 1,002 on Friday after another 235 people died in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said.

The number of cases also soared to 19,980 after another 2,833 infections were confirmed over the same period, the ministry's emergencies coordinator Fernando Simon said.

10,080 deaths have been reported, most of them in Europe (4,932) and Asia (3,431). Italy is the worst affected country with 3,405 fatalities, followed by China with 3,248, the initial epicentre of the outbreak, and Iran with 1,433.

The coronavirus toll in Spain rose to 1,002 on Friday following the deaths of 235 people in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said. 

The number of cases also soared to 19,980, after another 2,833 infections were confirmed over the same period, the ministry's emergencies coordinator Fernando Simon said.

Belgium passes 2,000 coronavirus cases, deaths mount

The number of coronavirus cases recorded in Belgium surged past 2,000 on Friday and the number of deaths attributed to the disease COVID-19 jumped by 16 to 37.

According to the country's national crisis centre, 462 new confirmed cases of the virus have been reported, bringing the total to 2,257 in a country of 11.4 million people.

Spain virus death toll soars past 1,000: Govt

Iran reports 149 new coronavirus deaths, raising total to 1,433 

Iran said Friday that coronavirus has killed 149 more people in the Islamic republic, raising the country's official death toll from the disease to 1,433.

Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said 1,237 more cases have been confirmed over the past 24 hours and 19,644 people are now known to have been infected in Iran, one of the world's worst-hit countries.

Total number of Active COVID-2019 cases across India: 149 
Total number of Discharged/Cured COVID 2019 cases across India: 19 Total number of Migrated COVID-19 Patient: 1 
Total number of Deaths due to COVID 2019 across India: 4

No scheduled international commercial shall be allowed to land in India from March 22, 2020 for one week.

Fourth coronavirus death has been reported in India.

The rescue missions of Indians in Iran and Italy have been completed, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). It also said that the control room to tackle issue related to Coronavirus is functioning 24x7 for the Indians with a strength of 30 people.

Also read: Coronavirus confirmed cases rise to 166 in India

The number of coronavirus cases rose to 166 in the country with 141 Indian nationals affected including 25 foreigners.

Italy reports 475 new virus deaths, highest one-day toll of any nation

Italy on Wednesday reported 475 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, the highest one-day official toll of any nation since the first case was detected in China late last year.

Total deaths in Italy have reached 2,978, more than half of all the cases recorded outside China, while the number of infections reached 35,713.
The previous record high of 368 deaths was also recorded in Italy, on Sunday. 

Covid-19 cases reach 250 in Pakistan

With fresh cases being reported from Sindh, Islamabad and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan rose to 250 on Wednesday. The Sindh province is the worst-hit with 181 cases, followed by 26 in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa reported 19 cases, Islamabad eight, Gilgit-Baltistan three, the Express Tribune reported.

Global death toll from coronavirus tops 8,000

The global death toll from the new coronavirus pandemic topped 8,000 on Wednesday, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

As of 1200 GMT, 8,092 deaths have been recorded, most of them in Europe (3,422) and in Asia (3,384), where the outbreak originated. With 684 new deaths in the past 24 hours out of a total 78,766 cases, Europe is the continent where the pandemic is spreading the most rapidly. 

276 Indians, including 255 in Iran, infected with coronavirus abroad: MEA

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said the total number of Indians infected by coronavirus is 276 -- 255 in Iran, 12 in UAE, five in Italy, and one each in Hong Kong, Kuwait, Rwanda and Sri Lanka.

A fourth batch of 53 Indians returned to India from Iran on Monday, taking the total number of people evacuated from the coronavirus-hit country to 389.

Iran is one of the worst-affected countries by the coronavirus outbreak and the government has been working to bring back Indians stranded there. Over 700 people have died from the disease in Iran and nearly 14,000 cases detected.

India has been taking strict precautionary measures to keep the spread of COVID-19 in the country in check, in the wake of the WHO declaring it as a pandemic.

READ FULL STORY

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday asked individuals to practise social physical distancing, as well as raise awareness level and follow steps undertaken by the government to check the spread of the dreaded novel coronavirus.

READ FULL STORY

The Odisha government on Tuesday extended the period of all regulations in force over the Covid-19 threat from March 31 to April 15, prompting panic-buying of essential items across the state. Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the decision was taken as part of his government’s efforts to prevent the spread of the disease. 

READ FULL STORY

Also read: How to keep your gadgets clean and sanitised

Research shows that both smartphones and keyboards are way dirtier than toilet seats.

Chaotic scenes erupted at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport overnight, as well as New York's John F. Kennedy Airport and in Dallas, as Americans returning from coronavirus-hit countries overwhelmed authorities attempting to process the surge.

President Donald Trump, addressing a daily briefing of the White House task force on the crisis, praised the "phenomenal" action by the Fed.

IPL 2020 suspended till April 15 amid coronavirus outbreak, confirms BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday confirmed that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 has been suspended till April 15 as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus pandemic.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton tested positive for coronavirus

One of Australia's highest-profile ministers, Peter Dutton, who is in charge of home affairs, said he had tested positive for coronavirus on Friday and was admitted to hospital in the northeastern state of Queensland.

Blame game for pandemic: China, US spar over origin of coronavirus

A Chinese government campaign to cast doubt on the origin of the coronavirus pandemic is fuelling a row with the United States, with a Beijing official promoting conspiracy theories and Washington calling it the "Wuhan virus".

Google employee in Bengaluru tests positive for coronavirus

Google said on Friday that an employee at its Bengaluru office has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus and the firm has directed all its employees in that office to work from home today as a precautionary measure.

Indian Embassy in US seeks to address travel advisory concerns, issue multiple helplines

The Indian Embassy here on Thursday (local time) issued multiple 24x7 helplines to address queries regarding the Indian government's recent travel advisory which suspended all visas with some exceptions in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus can live in infected people for weeks longer than first thought

People infected with the coronavirus can remain contagious for a lot longer than the two-week-long quarantine period. According to a new study, patients can keep the pathogen in their respiratory tract for as long as 37 days.

COVID-19: Brazilian government aide who met US President Donald Trump tests positive

The press secretary of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Fabio Wajngarten, who met US President Donald Trump a few days ago, has been tested positive for coronavirus.

World markets plunge deepens as coronavirus panic worsens

Asia’s stock markets crashed on Friday as panic gripping world financial markets deepened, and even haven assets such as gold and bonds were ditched to cover losses in the wipeout. 

Coronavirus pandemic: Governments across the world shutting down offices for disinfection

The deadly coronavirus is officially a pandemic.  It has spread to all continents. Except for Antarctica, infecting over 1,27,000 people.

Also read: Why coronavirus is leading to mass purchase of toilet papers

The coronavirus outbreak has resulted in panic buying of essential items in a lot of parts, from adversely-hit South Korea to Australia. And one of the most-commonly stockpiled items is toilet papers.
 

As the number of coronavirus cases spiked in the country, India's foreign ministry said the immediate concern is to "prevent and control" the virus. 

"There is no need to panic," the ministry spokesman said, adding,"fighting COVID-19 is a collective effort."

Explained: What is the difference between epidemic and pandemic?

Here are the highlights from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar statement in Lok Sabha

• The outbreak of coronavirus matter of concern; we need to respond responsibly.
• 6000 Indians stranded in Iran including 1,100 pilgrims from Maharashtra and J&K and 300 students.
• Initial focus on bringing back pilgrims, mostly stranded in coronavirus-hit Qom in Iran.
• 229 out of 529 samples of Indians stranded in Iran have tested negative for coronavirus.
• There are operational constraints in evacuating Indians as the Iranian system is strict.
• We will continue to track the welfare of all Indians stranded in Iran.
• We will do whatever we must check the spread of coronavirus.
• The medical team is sent to Italy to test Indians; those testing negative will be allowed to travel.
• Govt committed to the welfare of Indians in any part of the world.

Noida man tests positive for coronavirus, India total climbs to 69

A 35-year-old man from Noida has been infected with the coronavirus and is undergoing treatment at a Delhi hospital, according to the Health Department. 

The Noida resident works as a guide and was in contact with tourists from Italy visiting Agra and Jaipur. 

COVID-19 cases in India

COVID-19: IAF plane with 58 Indian pilgrims from Iran lands at Hindon airbase

The first batch of 58 pilgrims who had been stuck in Iran, one of the worst coronavirus-affected nation, arrived at the Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad on Tuesday morning.

3-year-old boy tests positive for COVID-19 in Kerala, total cases in India now 40

A 3-year-old boy in Ernakulam in Kerala has tested positive for coronavirus, taking the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 patients to 40 in India.The boy had returned from Italy with its parents at the Cochin International airport on an EK 503 flight on March 7 morning, officials said.
 

Covid-19: Schools in Leh to remain closed till March 31

As a precautionary measure, all schools in Leh district will remain closed till March 31 amid coronavirus outbreak, informed the District Administration on Sunday.As of now, at least 39 positive confirmed cases of novel coronavirus have been detected in India. This includes a sizable number of Italian nationals.The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases globally has surpassed 101,000, with more than 3,400 deaths and 55,800 recoveries.

In Kerala, 3 people who had a travel history to Italy have tested positive.
On the February 29, the trio flew from Venice to doha and from there to Kochi.

Upon their return, 2 of their relatives also contracted the infection. The crucial thing to note here is that the 3 people managed to evade screening at the airport.

Despite showing symptoms — they did not report to the health desk at the airport nor did they report their travel to Italy. This is something the health ministry spokesperson highlighted when he said the situation could have been avoided. If the advisories had been followed.

Qatar bans arrivals from 14 countries over coronavirus fears

Qatar has temporarily barred travellers from 14 countries from March 9 as a precaution against the rapidly spreading coronavirus, the government announced on Sunday.

The ban covers China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria and Thailand.

Qatar Airways had already suspended flights to and from Italy.Qatar reported three more cases of the virus on Sunday, bringing the total there to 15.

Five new cases of COVID-19 in Kerala, total confirmed cases in India now 39

The government has issued a fresh travel advisory for its citizens. People have been advised to refrain from travelling to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and Japan.
 

Also read: India-EU summit postponed over coronavirus fears

PM Modi was supposed to go for the summit whose main focus was to kick-start talks on India-EU free trade agreement.

Also read: Iranians stranded in India to be taken back on Friday

Many Iranians stranded in India due to cancellation of flights between the two countries over coronavirus fears will be taken back on Friday.

India confirms another case of coronavirus, taking the total to 31.

Patient is stable and being monitored in Delhi.

Also read: MEA says 17 Indians abroad infected with coronavirus

Responding to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said 16 cases were reported from Japan on the cruise ship and one from the UAE.

Explained: Frequently asked questions about coronavirus

The government of India has set up a 24/7 helpline number and email id:

Phone number: +91-11-2397 8046

Email ID: ncov2019@gmail.com

Also read: Parents of Indian students in Iran ask govt to evacuate them immediately

More than 300 Indian students are stuck in Iran. 

Their parents said that their children in Iran are facing shortage of medical supplies and food amidst the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

Also read: Coronavirus Outbreak: 29 people test positive in India; Paytm and Oyo affected

Two each in New Delhi, NCR and Telangana, six in Agra, 17 in Jaipur which includes a group of 16 Italian tourists. The latest infection case is that of a Paytm employee in Gurugram has now been tested positive for novel coronavirus.

At least 25 people suspected of Coronavirus are admitted at Safdarjung hospital. 4 suspected cases of Coronavirus are kept in isolation at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia hospital.

Total 28 COVID-19 cases in India; 1 in Delhi, 6 in Agra, 16 Italians and Indian driver, 1 in Telangana and 3 in Kerala

Highlights from Union Health Minister's press conference

All international passengers to be screened for coronavirus symptoms.

14 Italians, 1 Indian (driver) who had come in contact with the Italian in Jaipur have tested positive for COVID-19.

6 coronavirus cases in Agra, patients are relatives of Delhi-based man who tested positive for the disease.

So far India has reported 28 positive coronavirus cases, this includes 16 Italians.

Also read: 15 Italian tourists test positive for coronavirus; total number rises to 21 in India

Fifteen Italian tourists tested positive in preliminary tests for the novel coronavirus in New Delhi taking the total number of confirmed cases to 21 in India. The authorities have sent the samples to a facility in Pune for final confirmation.

Coronavirus: Harsh Vardhan to hold meeting with Delhi government officials

Six positive cases of deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in India so far, the Union Health Ministry informed on Tuesday.

Amazon confirms first coronavirus case among US employees

Online retailer Amazon.com Inc said on Tuesday an employee in the United States tested positive for the coronavirus.

"We`re supporting the affected employee who is in quarantine," a company spokeswoman said in an email to Reuters.

The spokeswoman confirmed a report by Bloomberg News that all co-workers in contact with the employee, who worked at Amazon`s South Lake Union office complex in Seattle, had been informed.

The company said on Sunday two employees in Milan, Italy, had been infected with the virus and were under quarantine.

120 Umrah pilgrims turned back from RGI Airport in Hyderabad

As many as 120 Umrah pilgrims who were scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia on February 27, were forced to turn back from the Rajiv Gandhi International (RGI) Airport as Saudi authorities have temporarily halted the entry of pilgrims to the country in the wake of rising cases of coronavirus across the world. 

Also read: One Intel employee potentially exposed to coronavirus, under quarantine

The virus outbreak, which has seen cases being registered across the world including South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan, has had a significant impact on businesses across industries.
 

Global cases: At least 91,700, according to the latest figures from the WHO
Global deaths: At least 3,100, according to the latest figures from the WHO

Coronavirus scare hits Noida school: Premises closed, all exams cancelled

A private school in Noida has been shut after it was reported that one of the parents of the student tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

Health authorities are conducting the necessary medical checks at the school premises and school management has cancelled all the exams except boards.