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Telangana reports 7 fresh positive cases; state's tally stands at 13

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Published : Mar 18, 2020, 10:38 AM IST

Updated : Mar 19, 2020, 9:19 AM IST

08:59 March 19

7 more Indonesians test positive for Covid-19 in Telangana

Telangana on Wednesday reported eight Covid-19 positive cases, including seven Indonesians, taking the total number of cases in the state so far to 13 and prompting Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar to call an emergency meeting on Thursday.

An Indonesian had tested positive on Tuesday.

The eight Indonesians were part of a 10-member group which had come to Telangana's Karimanagar town earlier this week for a religious meeting.

Telangana's health department released a special media bulletin on Wednesday night to announce that seven more have tested positive.

Earlier in the day, it was announced that a man who returned from the UK recently has tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).

All the patients have been admitted to the isolation ward of the government-run Gandhi Hospital here. Their condition is stated to be stable.

The state has been reporting a positive case every day since last Saturday. However, Wednesday turned out to be the worst so far with eight people testing positive.

A techie, who tested positive on March 2, was discharged on March 13. All others are undergoing treatment at the Gandhi Hospital.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Wednesday night urged the people to be on alert after the Indonesians who travelled to Karimnagar tested positive for coronavirus.

He decided to convene a high-level emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, the meeting will discuss the preventive measures to be taken and regulations to be followed.

"Since coronavirus is spreading through those coming from abroad, all those coming from foreign countries should undergo tests. People should also be on alert and inform the authorities about those coming from abroad. People should also take measures for their personal health," the statement said.

The Chief Minister has instructed the officials concerned to allow people coming from abroad to go home only after going through the complete check-up routine.

In the emergency meeting scheduled on Thursday, some more preventive measures will be decided.

The Chief Minister has urged people to stay away from festivals and celebrations involving group activities.

04:19 March 19

Assam government issues advisory over closure of night clubs, parlours

Government of Assam has issued an advisory over closure of all liquor bars (county bar), night clubs, beauty parlous, and salons in the state, as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19.

03:05 March 19

Over 2 lakh Indian students studying in top 15 COVID-19 effected countries 

According to a 2018 data of Ministry of External Affairs, there are 7,52.725 Indian students studying in 90 foreign countries, out of which, 2,83,250 are studying in top 15 COVID-19 effected countries.

The Indian government has brought back students from Wuhan, the epicenter of COVID-19 and other countries like Iran and Italy, but a lot of more efforts are required to be made by it to bring back all the students.

Indian students studying in foreign countries (as on 18.07.2018)  TOP 15 COVID -19 Effected countries:

  • China- 18171
  • Italy- 2348
  • Iran- 1200
  • Spain- 709
  • Germany- 15308
  • S. Korea- 1230
  • France- 6000
  • USA- 211703  
  • Switzerland- 1555
  • UK (2016-17)- 16550  
  • Netherlands- 2500
  • Austria- 300
  • Norway- 286  
  • Belgium- 680
  • Sweden- 3200
  • Denmark- 274
  • Japan- 1236
  • Total- 283250

02:29 March 19

Dr Harsh Vardhan

Health minister visits IGI airport to take stock of preparedness

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday night visited Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport (T-3) to take stock of preparedness in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

"I reviewed the arrangements we have made here to ensure everything is running smoothly. We are doing our utmost to ensure that we take care of what is required to manage the situation in a scientific & professional manner," he said.

02:27 March 19

All examinations rescheduled & postponed till 31st March: MHRD

"We have decided that all examinations - CBSE, NIOS, & University are rescheduled & postponed till 31st March," said Amit Khare, secy, Ministry of Human Resource Development.

The new date for JEE Main exam will also be announced on 31st March, after assessing the situation.

02:21 March 19

02:18 March 19

PM chairs meeting to review ongoing efforts to contain COVID-19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, chaired a high-level meeting to review the ongoing efforts to contain COVID-19. Ways to further strengthen India’s preparedness, including the further enhancement of testing facilities, were discussed in the meeting.

Also, PM Modi has expressed gratitude to all those at the forefront of combating the coronavirus including the various state governments, medical fraternity, paramedical staff, armed and paramilitary forces, those associated with aviation sector, municipal staff and others.

23:49 March 18

IIT Delhi: All remaining students (except international students and students with special needs) are requested to vacate the hostels at the earliest. Hostels will function with skeleton staff and packed food will be provided for remaining students.

23:47 March 18

Out of 47 samples, one tested positive for COVID-19 in Odisha

The government of Odisha on Wednesday said that out of the 47 samples sent for testing for COVID-19 in the state, one person has tested positive and is doing well.

"Till now in Odisha, a total of 47 samples have been sent for testing for COVID-19 out of which 46 have tested negative and one positive. The lone person tested positive is doing well hopefully he will recover soon. Contacts of case the positive have been traced and advised home isolation," Subroto Bagchi, Chief Spokesperson of Odisha Government told reporters.

"All district headquarters hospitals and Medical College hospitals have isolation facilities available. Currently, 540 isolation beds are in readiness across the state in Government and private hospitals," he added.

23:30 March 18

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Seven more positive cases reported in Telangana

Seven more cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Telangana, all of which are Indonesian nationals.

The patients have currently been kept in isolation wards, said an official from Telangana government.

22:58 March 18

Consider refund of fare for advance booking to curb travel: Centre to states

To restrict travel by people through public transport, the Centre on Wednesday asked states to consider refund of fare to passengers for advance bookings done by them.

The states and UTs have been requested to minimise transport numbers among the people, and also if it is not unavoidable, refund of fare may be considered against advance bookings, the Road Transport and Highways Ministry said in a release.

Reliance initiates work from home protocol; to man critical services with minimum workforce

Reliance Industries Ltd, India's most valuable company, has initiated work from home for all its staff in wake of the outbreak of coronavirus but will keep open consumer-facing businesses of hospital, retail stores and telecom connectivity by manning them with a small workforce.

The oil-to-telecom conglomerate initiated a work from home protocol for all its employees across the country and overseas in response to the evolving coronavirus situation. This protocol will be effective until March 31.

It, however, will maintain minimum strength at the workplace to ensure business continuity.

22:56 March 18

Mathura: Suspected coronavirus patient leaves hospital without informing authorities  

A man suspected of suffering from coronavirus left a Mathura hospital without informing the authorities, an official said on Wednesday.

He had returned from Mumbai on March 6.

He was admitted to KD Medical College and went home after his sample was taken and sent to the medical college at Aligarh Medical University for testing, the official said.

22:55 March 18

Entry of passengers from 36 countries banned temporarily; 11 others to be quarantined

India has temporarily banned entry of passengers from 36 countries while people travelling from 11 countries will be mandatorily quarantined in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the Home Ministry said on Wednesday.

The ministry also said Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders, except from the restricted countries, will be required to obtain fresh visa from the Indian mission and allowed to enter India.

22:54 March 18

MP declares coronavirus 'notified infectious disease'

The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday declared the coronavirus as a notified infectious disease, said an official.

The health department issued a notification declaring coronavirus as a "notified infectious disease" in the entire state, said a Public Relations Department officer.

22:53 March 18

Corona Warning: 80 people register every hour

The whole world is worried about the coronavirus. In India, the number of people suffering from coronary heart disease is on the rise. State government spokesman Subrata Bagchi told a news conference that the government was preparing to fight Corona in such a situation.  

State government spokesman Subrata Bagchi said three of the 148people infected with the coronavirus in India had died. In Odisha, four blood samples were tested and four were negative.  

The condition of the state's only affected patients is stable. The state has 570 beds for coronary artery disease. Extensive arrangements have been made in various district hospitals. Similarly, 5202 calls were received in 24 hours through the call center. This means that 80 people are registering every hour. To date, a total of 2,131 people have registered through call centers and websites.  

The highest number of people registered are from the UAE, four from the US, one from South Korea and one from Italy, while people from 40 countries are returning to Odisha, according to the registry.  

Most of them are from Bhubaneswar, Khordha district, 38 per cent, Cuttack 11 per cent, Ganjam 7 per cent and Kendrapara 7 per cent. In Malkangiri, 29 people are returning from abroad, but most of them are between the ages of 40 and 60.  

According to the report, there are four people in this age group. So far, 14,183 people in 16 countries have been infected with the coronavirus. Germany is one of the most affected countries in the world.
 

22:52 March 18

22:50 March 18

HRD Ministry orders CBSE, all educational institutions to postpone ongoing exams till March 31

All ongoing examinations of CBSE for Classes 10th & 12th, scheduled between 19th March and 31st March, shall be rescheduled after 31st March: Anurag Tripathy, CBSE Secretary

JEE mains examination should be rescheduled and new date will be announced on March 31 after re-assessment of the situation since the examination may require travel by examinees to different towns & the dates may clash with rescheduled CBSE, other board exams: MHRD 


 

22:37 March 18

 3 people test positive for Coronavirus in Rajasthan

Section 144 (prohibiting assembly of more than 4 people in an area) has been imposed across the state, to avoid gathering of people in view of Coronavirus Pandemic.

22:37 March 18

Kashmir records its first case of coronavirus: Officials

Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary Planning, Jammu & Kashmir: First positive case in Kashmir-Khanyar, Srinagar. The patient has history of foreign travel, arrived on 16 March; has been put in isolation.

21:54 March 18

Coronavirus suspect commits suicide in New Delhi

A coronavirus suspect committed suicide by jumping from Safdarjung Hospital building.

21:51 March 18

Jaipur airport cancels 9 flights amid COVID-19 scare

21:45 March 18

Section 144 imposed in New Delhi's Gautam Budh Nagar amid coronavirus outbreak

Police Commissionerate,Noida: In view of emergency situation arising out of threat of Coronavirus and following section 144 of CrPC, it is announced that no social,political,cultural,religious,sports and business gatherings shall be allowed in Gautam Buddh Nagar district till April 5.


 

21:38 March 18

44-yr-old Gurgaon resident tests positive of coronavirus

A 44-year-old Gurgaon resident has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Haryana, an official said on Wednesday.

In Haryana, there are 17 cases, which include 14 foreigners, according to Union health ministry data.

"A resident of Gurgaon has tested positive for the coronavirus," said state Director General of Health Suraj Bhan Kamboj on Wednesday evening.

The man's samples were collected at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi and they were found positive for the coronavirus infection. The patient was admitted at the hospital on March 9, he said.

The 44-year-old man is the second confirmed case of coronavirus from Haryana, Kamboj said.


 

21:31 March 18

Workers may lose up to USD 3.4 trillion in 2020 income over virus: UN

The COVID-19 pandemic will push millions more into unemployment, underemployment and working poverty, the United Nations said on Wednesday, warning that workers globally stood to lose up to USD 3.4 trillion in income this year alone.

"Falls in employment... mean large income losses for workers," the International Labour Organisation said, releasing a report showing workers stand to lose between USD 860 billion and USD 3.4 trillion by the end of 2020.

Business worth Rs 5 lakh cr affected due to COVID-19: Tourism ministry to Par panel

The Ministry of Tourism has informed a Parliamentary standing committee that novel coronavirus outbreak has affected business worth Rs 5 lakh crore in the tourism sector, sources said on Wednesday.

The meeting was held by the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture on the preparedness of COVID-19 and officials from the railways, tourism and aviation ministries gave presentations on the steps taken by them to deal with the issue.

The tourism ministry represented by the secretary, Director General Tourism and Additional Director General, gave a detailed presentation in which they said that as much as 70 per cent of the industry had been hit in this calendar year, when half of the summer is gone, a source privy to the meeting said. 


 

21:30 March 18

29 quarantined in Madhya Pradesh test negative for COVID-19

At least 29 persons, who were quarantined for suspected exposure to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), have tested negative for the infection in Madhya Pradesh, a senior official said on Wednesday.

As many as 11,685 persons with travel history to coronavirus-affected countries have been screened in the state, additional director of the health department Dr Veena Sinha said.


 

21:29 March 18

COVID-19 pandemic could make another 25 million jobless: UN

The COVID-19 pandemic will significantly increase global unemployment, pushing up to nearly 25 million more people out of work, the United Nations said.

"The economic and labour crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic could increase global unemployment by almost 25 million," the International Labour Organisation said as it released a fresh study.

It added however that an internationally coordinated policy response could "significantly lower" that number.


 

21:28 March 18

No need to cancel or reschedule ticket, redeem it anytime in next one year: GoAir

Amid coronavirus pandemic, GoAir announced that the passengers who booked their tickets between March 1 and April 15 this year need not cancel or reschedule right now as they can redeem the ticket price on any fresh booking done in next one year.

"If a customer cannot or chooses not to travel, they can simply not show up for the flight and GoAir will protect the PNR for a period of one year," the airline stated in its press release.

"The passenger can contact GoAir at any time over the next one year to redeem this ticket on any GoAir flight on any date between 15th April, 2020 and 15th April, 2021 with no charges being levied (fare difference may be applicable)," it added.

This offer will apply to all existing and new bookings made between March 1 and April 15 – wherein customers who have booked any flight on any route will be "rest assured to not to initiate any rescheduling or cancellation" and will be saved from the "time consuming and tedious efforts to call or email their request", the airline said.


 

21:27 March 18

Section 144 imposed in Rajasthan amid coronavirus outbreak


 

21:21 March 18

Fresh case reported in Maharashtra

Public Health Department, Maharashtra: A 50-year-old person has tested positive for Coronavirus in Ratnagiri today; the person has a travel history to Dubai. Total number of positive cases reaches 45 in Maharashtra.


 

21:13 March 18

Maharashtra Government: It has been decided that offices will continue on a day-to-day basis, accounting for 50% of the workforce. Besides, it has been suggested to try to operate 50% passenger capacity of the public transport system including rail, buses and metro.


 

21:08 March 18

Health Ministry: Passengers coming/transiting through UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait after 12 GMT on March 18 (port of departure) to be quarantined upon arrival for 14 days. Those who have visited China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France and Germany on/after Feb 15 to be quarantined.

Indians coming from South Korea are required to produce negative COVID-19 certificate to come to the country.


 

21:07 March 18

Leh District Magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya issues order to restrict entry of domestic and international tourists within the territorial jurisdiction of the distirct by any means (air, road) till April 30 as a preventive measure against coronavirus.

21:06 March 18

M Raj Kishore, Director, Visakhapatnam International Airport, Andhra Pradesh: One Air Asia flight landed at Visakhapatnam airport today, after evacuating 185 students from Kuala Lumpur. All passengers will be house quarantined for the next 28 days. 

21:04 March 18

A total of 17 people have tested positive for Coronavirus in UP

21:02 March 18

IIT Delhi researcher tests positive for COVID-19

A positive case was reported in IIT Delhi. The researcher who is tested positive has a travel history to Italy.

20:12 March 18

Two women test positive for Covid-19 in Maha, count 43 now

Two women, one each from Pune and Mumbai, tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, taking the number of such cases in the state to 43, officials said.

A 28-year-old woman, who had returned to Pune from the Netherlands via Dubai, tested positive for coronavirus and has been admitted to a local hospital, a government release said.

19:48 March 18

Karnataka report three more COVID-19 cases

Three people have tested positive for coronavirus in the city on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases in Karnataka to 14, the state health department said.

The three patients were a 25-year-old man who returned from Madrid in Spain on March 13, 56-year-old woman and 35-year-old man who returned from the US on March 6 and 10, respectively.

19:46 March 18

10 coronavirus testing facilities to be added in Maha: Tope

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday that around 10 coronavirus testing facilities will be set up in the state in the coming days.

Addressing a press conference here, he also said that 42 persons have tested positive for coronavirus in the state so far.

19:43 March 18

195 Indians brought back from coronavirus-hit Iran, kept at Army facility in Jaisalmer

A batch of 195 Indians stranded in the coronavirus-hit Iran was brought back by a special plane on Wednesday evening, an official said here.

They landed at Rajasthan's Jaisalmer airport and were shifted to an Army's wellness facility after screening, defence spokesperson Col Sombit Ghosh said.

19:36 March 18

No doubt coronavirus will have an impact on economy: CEA K Subramanian

Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) K Subramanian said that COVID-19 outbreak will hit the Indian economy and the impact can only be assessed after the pandemic is over.

"Share markets in several countries including the USA, Brazil, Argentina, and Japan have crashed. There is uncertainty across the world due to coronavirus. Whenever there is uncertainty, an atmosphere of fear comes in share markets, which will result in ups and downs," Subramanian said.

The Chief Economic Advisor added: "There is no doubt it will have an impact on the economy. People have stopped going to restaurants and malls. The impact can be assessed after this is over. There will be uncertainty in stock markets so long as there is uncertainty due to coronavirus."

Subramanian said that global investors should learn from this and diversify their investments. "They should not put all investments in one place," he said.

PPA asks manufacturers, importers to provide information on masks

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) asked manufacturers and importers of surgical and protective masks to furnish information regarding these items by March 20 on account of coronavirus outbreak.

19:36 March 18

Karnataka High Court restricts the entry of litigants and visitors to the precincts of the court. 

19:18 March 18

Starting Friday, Uttarakhand secretariat employees to work from home for a week

The Uttarakhand secretariat will be closed for a week beginning Friday with an advice to employees to work from home during the period to help contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

An order issued by Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi on Wednesday asked secretariat employees and officials to work from home from March 19 to March 24 during which the secretariat will remain closed.

19:11 March 18

Etihad Airways announces reduction in flights to Indian cities

Two days after the Indian government stated that passengers coming from UAE from March 18 onward would be quarantined for 14 days compulsorily, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways on Wednesday announced a reduction in its flights to India.

The full-service carrier, which also announced reduction of flights to various other countries due to coronavirus pandemic, said it would be conducting triple-daily flights on the Abu Dhabi-Delhi route instead of four flights in a day from March 19 to March 28.

Etihad Airways said flights on the Abu Dhabi-Mumbai route would also be reduced from four-daily flights to triple-daily flights from March 19 to April 30.

It said the flights to Bengaluru would be reduced from twice-daily to one flight per day from March 20 to April 30.

19:05 March 18

 68-year-old woman tests positive for coronavirus in Mumbai

A woman tested positive for coronavirus in Mumbai on Wednesday, an official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

With this, the number of coronavirus positive cases in the state has gone up to 43, the official said.

"The woman, who tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, is a close contact of the US-returned person, who was found infected two days ago," Daksha Shah, deputy director of BMC said.

This has taken the number of Covid-19 cases in Mumbai to eight, the official said.

18:10 March 18

Vistara temporarily suspends international flights 

We are temporarily suspending our international operations from March 20 to March 31. We have also temporarily adjusted domestic capacity for March and April in view of reduced demand. Customers booked on the affected flights will be fully refunded. 

18:09 March 18

Second positive case reported in TN

Chennai reports second positive case for COVID-19. The patient hails from Delhi, is in isolation & stable. He is under the observation of expert team: Tamil Nadu Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar

18:01 March 18

Confirmed coronavirus cases in India rises to 151

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Confirmed coronavirus cases in India rises to 151

17:56 March 18

File Photo
File Photo

Mimi imposes 7-day self quarantine after London visit

Bengali film actress and Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty, who returned from England on Tuesday, announced she would remain in home isolation for the next seven days and won't even meet her parents as a precautionary measure in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

Mimi, who touched down at the NSCBI Airport here from London where she had been busy shooting for "Baazi", went through thermal screening and other coronavirus related formalities on landing in Kolkata.

Emerging from the terminal alongside her co-actors including Jeet, she appealed to people to abide by the government directives to prevent any spread of the disease that has been declared a pandemic by World Health Organisation.

"I have returned from a place like UK via Dubai. So all the precautions have been taken. I have told my parents not to meet me at home. My father is above 65 years. First seven days I will be at home," the Lok Sabha member from Jadavpur told the media.

Most quarantines though are being advised for 14 days at least.

17:40 March 18

Close all Delhi govt offices for seven days, employee association to CM Kejriwal

A Delhi government employee association on Wednesday met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and demanded closure of all government offices for a week in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Umesh Batra, general secretary of the Delhi government Welfare Association, said around 2.5 lakh people are employed with the Delhi government and most of them are engaged in public dealings.

17:38 March 18

Film industry braces for financial loss, crowded release calender

With theatres closed, shootings on hold and the release of major films pushed indefinitely, Bollywood is reeling under the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, say industry insiders, pegging the losses at anything between Rs 300 crore to Rs 800 crore.  

While trade analyst Taran Adarsh said losses at the moment could be "Rs 500 crore to Rs 800 crore", another insider said on the condition of anonymity that the industry could lose about Rs 350 crore in the first quarter of the calendar year.

17:35 March 18

South under lockdown; focus shifts to combat spread of virus

Southern states have gone in for a lockdown as part of the country's fight against the novel coronavirus, as the focus shifts to preventing the spread of the deadly virus that has brought the globe to a virtual standstill.

Monitoring and surveillance have been increased in the states, while the respective governments have even asked their citizens to avoid mass gatherings, thus seeking to bring into effect the much-needed social distancing, a key to stem the spread of the virus.

Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana have announced a lockdown of educational institutions, malls and other places that attract people in large numbers, even as some of them have been reporting increase in positive cases.

17:28 March 18

 Schools, colleges shut down in Andhra amid spread of coronavirus

V Ramesh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister: To strengthen ongoing measures to prevent & contain COVID-19 in the state, government has decided to close all educational institutions with immediate effect. 

17:28 March 18

WhatsApp commits $1 mn to fight rumours around COVID-19

Amid the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 on social media platforms, WhatsApp launched a Coronavirus Information Hub and announced a $1 million donation to the Poynter Institute's International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).

Launched in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and UNDP, the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub is designed to provide simple, actionable guidance for health workers, educators, community leaders, nonprofits, local governments and local businesses that rely on WhatsApp to communicate.

It will also offer general tips and resources for users around the world to reduce the spread of rumours.

17:27 March 18

Karnataka to earmark Rs 200 crore to contain coronavirus spread

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announces Corpus Fund of Rs. 200 cores to tackle COVID-19. State govt has also announced partial shutdown for 10 more days in the state. 

17:03 March 18

Health Minister directs teams to visit quarantine facilities to assess and monitor amenities

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday held a review meeting on containment and management of the coronavirus, directing that teams be deputed to regularly inspect and monitor quarantine facilities for ensuring necessary amenities are being provided.

The meeting was attended by senior health ministry officials, the directors or medical superintendents of central government hospitals such as the Safdurjung Hospital, the RML Hospital and the AIIMS-Delhi.

17:02 March 18

Dissent in times of COVID-19: NCPCR seeks report on Shaheen Bagh protest

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Wednesday wrote to the District Magistrate of South East Delhi to submit a report regarding the assembly of people in Shaheen Bagh protest site amidst the coronavirus outbreak.  

In the letter, the NCPCR said it had received a complaint regarding the large gathering at the site which they said was taking place despite an advisory issued by the state and central government regarding safety and prevention for COVID-19.

17:00 March 18

BJP activist arrested for hosting cow urine consumption event to fight COVID-19

A BJP activist has been arrested for organising a cow urine consumption event here, claiming that it will protect people from coronavirus or cure those already infected, leading to a civic volunteer falling ill after drinking it, police said on Wednesday.

He was arrested late Tuesday night following a complaint filed by the victim with the police, they said.

According to police officials, 40-year-old Narayan Chatterjee, a local party worker of Jorasakho area in North Kolkata, had on Monday organised a cow-worship programme at a cowshed and distributed cow urine.

16:58 March 18

  • Quick aggressive action is the answer to tackling the #Coronavirus . India is going to pay an extremely heavy price for our governments inability to act decisively.

    — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 18, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data=" ">

India going to pay heavy price for govt's inability to act decisively on COVID-19: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the country will have to pay a heavy price for the government's inability to act decisively on curbing coronavirus.

"Quick aggressive action is the answer to tackling the #Coronavirus . India is going to pay an extremely heavy price for our governments inability to act decisively," he said on Twitter.

16:55 March 18

4 passengers with 'home quarantine' stamp deboarded from train

Four Germany-returned passengers with 'home quarantine' stamp on their hands were de-boarded from the Bandra Terminus-Delhi Garibrath Express train at

Palghar station, around 100 kms from Mumbai, on Wednesday after co-passengers raised an alarm, the Western Railway said.

The fourpassengers were de-boarded from coach number G4 and G5 of 12216 Garibrath at Palghar station when travel ticket examiner and co-passengers raised an alarm after seeing the stamp on their hands, a Western Railway (WR) spokesperson said.

"They had arrived from Germany and were headed to Surat," the spokesperson said.

16:55 March 18

WB officials to stay at home after coming in contact with officer whose son tested COVID-19 positive

A few senior West Bengal government officials, including Home Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, were asked to stay at home after they came in contact with an officer whose son tested positive for coronavirus, sources said on Wednesday.

The officials came in contact on Monday with the woman officer of the home department whose son tested positive for coronavirus after returning from the UK. They have been asked not to come to office till further instructions.   

16:53 March 18

Entrepreneurs write to PM, suggest 2-3 week lockdown

With increasing number of people getting infected by the novel coronavirus, a group entrepreneurs and venture capitalists have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting a lockdown starting as early as March 20 across the major impacted cities for two to three weeks.

In a presentation prepared by the venture capitalists and founders of 51 startups and businesses, including Abhiraj Singh Bhal, the co-founder of Urban Company, formerly Urban Clap, Kunal Shah (Founder, CRED) and Kunal Bahl (Snapdeal), said that countries which have acted "early and strongly" such as South Korea, Singapore and Japan have been able to somewhat control the spread compared to countries which acted late -- Irab, Italy, France and USA among others.

"Govt should impose 2-3 week lockdown with section 144 across major impacted cities right away, and be prepared for a second lockdown later," said the presentation.

It noted that although the containment activities like travel restrictions should continue, "we might need a lot more, and sooner rather than later."

16:42 March 18

No COVID-19 positive cases in DK: deputy commissioner

A total of 456 people have been screened in Dakshina Kannada district for coronavirus and no one has tested positive for the infection, according to Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh. She said in a release here that 241 people have been kept under home quarantine.

Samples of 14 people with suspected symptoms were sent for testing, of which the results of 10 have been negative.

16:40 March 18

Puducherry govt orders closure of bars till month-end

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Wednesday announced closure of all bars in the union territory as part of steps to prevent spread of coronavirus.

While bars have been ordered to remain closed from Thursday till the month-end, wholesale and retail sales of liquor would however, be permitted, he told reporters here.

16:38 March 18

Odisha hoteliers seek govt help in overcoming crisis due to coronavirus outbreak

Hoteliers in Odisha on Wednesday sought the state government's help in overcoming the financial crisis faced by them in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO), a body of private hotels, has sent a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over the issue.

"We appreciate the steps taken by the state government to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The HRAO pledges full support to the government.

16:35 March 18

Part of MLA Fund be allotted for field of medicine: Gadgil

 Congress MLC Anant Gadgil on Wednesday said some amount from the MLA Fund be earmarked for the field of medicine.

He said novel coronavirus outbreak made people realise the importance of medical preparedness and availability of necessary equipment.

16:34 March 18

Prisoners manufacture masks to overcome shortage

 In a bid to tide over the shortage of masks during the coronavirus outbreak in Maharashtra, prisons in the state have stepped in to manufacture the protective gear.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said in order to meet the increasing demand for masks during the pandemic, inmates in central prisons across Maharashtrahave started manufacturing them.

16:33 March 18

Centre issuing advisory to states after incidents of racial remarks against NE people on coronavirus

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said a strict advisory is being issued to all states to take action after some incidents of racial remarks against people belonging to the North East in some parts of the country were reported in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, also said the issue was taken up with the North East division in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

16:33 March 18

BMW to shut down European factories over virus

German carmaker BMW said it would close European and South African factories accounting for half its output for a month, matching other car giants stricken by coronavirus containment measures.

It also warned that profits this year would be significantly lower as a result of the crisis.

"From today, we will shut down our European car factories and the Rosslyn factory in South Africa," chief executive Oliver Zipse said, adding that the interruption is expected for now to last "until April 19".

15:59 March 18

Centre gives nod to private labs for testing COVID-19 under strict precautions

Health Ministry's top officials: Roche Diagnostics, a private company got Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency approval for COVID-19 tests, yesterday by Indian regulators. They have received license to conduct COVID-19 Diagnostic test.

 BioMerieux Diagnostics, another private company, has also approached Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). It will take 7 days to get approved as officials are making assessment. Once approved, it can conduct the confirmatory test of COVID-19.

15:16 March 18

CBSE issues guidelines for the rest of the board examinations, says each center superintendent should ensure that candidates are seated at a distance of one meter from each other and masks are provided to candidates who cough/sneeze. 

15:12 March 18

Number of Indian citizens infected abroad
Number of Indian citizens infected abroad

Ministry of External Affairs in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha: 276 Indians are infected with coronavirus abroad including 255 in Iran, 12 in UAE, 5 in Italy, and 1 each in Hong Kong, Kuwait, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka.

15:12 March 18

Another 205 Indians arrive from Iran

The government on Wednesday evacuated another batch of 205 Indians from Iran, where 988 people have died due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A flight of the Mahan Air landed in New Delhi this morning with Indian passengers, mostly Shia pilgrims from Ladakh who were stranded in Iran, official sources said.

Of those who returned, 115 are male, 85 female, four children and one infant. Some of them are Non Resident Indians as well.

15:04 March 18

SSB batches commencing from March 20 postponed

The Indian Army said that it has postponed all Services Selection Board (SSB) batches commencing from March 20 due to COVID-19 crisis.

15:02 March 18

Odisha govt asks religious institutions to adhere to COVID-19 prevention norms

The Odisha government on Wednesday asked all religious institutions in the state to "strictly adhere to the coronavirus prevention norms issued by the state government".

"In view of coronavirus situation, Odisha Government gives an advisory to all religious institutions within the state to strictly adhere to the coronavirus prevention norms, given by state government, including social distancing and other measures," an advisory issued by the Chief Minister's office read.

14:59 March 18

Vaishno Devi Yatra suspended amid COVID-18 outbreak

In the wake of coronavirus threat Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra has been suspended on Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said.

"Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra has been closed from today. All interstate buses, incoming and outgoing from J&K banned from today," Kansal tweeted.

This comes a day after the government appealed the pilgrims to postpone their visit to the shrine in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

14:56 March 18

BJP MP Suresh Prabhu
BJP MP Suresh Prabhu

Suresh Prabhu goes into self-quarantine

Former Union minister and BJP MP Suresh Prabhu has self quarantined himself at his residence for the next 14 days, as a precautionary measure following his return from Saudi Arabia to attend a meeting on March 10.

Sources said though Prabhu has tested negative for the coronavirus, he, however has decided to stay in isolation as a precaution.

14:46 March 18

Indian students in the Philippines seek help

Distressed Indian students in the Philippines seek help to get back home

Hundreds of distressed Indian students, stuck in the Philippines, are seeking help through video messages as they are unable to fly back home due to the travel restrictions imposed by India to contain the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus, according to friends and relatives of some of these students in the US.

The Indian government on Tuesday banned the entry of passengers from Afghanistan, Philippines and Malaysia to India with immediate effect amid stepped up efforts against the spread of COVID-19.

In a video message by one of these students Akhil Bala Nair, around 200 Indian students had booked their flight tickets for India in the next few days. But all of them have been cancelled due to the new policy.

14:40 March 18

ISKCON Temples closed till further orders
ISKCON Temples closed till further orders

ISKCON Temples (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) at Rajajinagar and Kanakpura Road in Bengaluru are closed for public from today, till further notice. 

14:39 March 18

Provide information on masks, hand sanitisers, NPPA asks manufacturers

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has asked manufacturers and importers of surgical and protective masks, gloves and hand sanitisers to furnish information regarding these items by the end of the day, failing which it will have to take coercive action.

Last week, NPPA directed all manufacturers and importers of surgical and protective masks, gloves and hand sanitisers to furnish information on these items by March 17, 2020.

It has been observed that very few manufacturers/ importers have submitted the requisite information in the prescribed format, NPPA said in an office memorandum.

14:28 March 18

Kerala Police handwashing dance goes viral

Kerala Police handwashing dance goes viral

Kerala police has released a video advising people to wash hands more often apart from following other precautionary measures. 

The video showing the handwashing dance has gone viral on social media. 

14:22 March 18

Sanitization of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation buses underway

Sanitization of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation buses is being undertaken as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

14:18 March 18

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane
Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane

Goa Health Ministry falls prey to COVID-19 hoax

Minutes after Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Wednesday confirmed Goa's first confirmed case of COVID-19, the Minister flip-flopped saying that his ministry was the victim of a mischievous hoax.

"It was hoax news. People should not be doing such a hoax. People should not be doing this. Calling the hospital and saying the call is from a notified lab (is wrong). The final report is not yet come. We are waiting for the report," Rane told reporters.

"We are trying to locate the number, of the person who tried to create panic in Goa," Rane also said.

14:13 March 18

Japan returnee IIT-R student tests negative

An IIT-Roorkee student (IIT-R) student who returned from Japan earlier this month has tested negative for the novel coronavirus.

The student, a research scholar in the Physics Department, had returned from abroad on March 3.

Meanwhile, four of the eight students quarantined earlier have been released whereas the remaining four are still in isolation since their virus-free status is not yet known, the IIT-R said in a statement on Wednesday.

14:13 March 18

KGMU suspends classes after doctor tests corona positive

The King George's Medical University (KGMU) has suspended all classes, including MBBS, BDS, B.Sc, nursing and paramedical, after a junior doctor tested Coronavirus positive on Wednesday morning.

The junior doctor who tested positive was a part of the medical team that is treating the two Corona positive patients in the KGMU.

The KGMU is the first medical university in the state to suspend classes due to the Corona scare.

14:09 March 18

A person, with a travel history to Indonesia, has tested positive for Coronavirus in Delhi.  

This is the fourth positive case of Coronavirus in Gautam Buddh Nagar.

14:01 March 18

2 more COVID 19 registered in Karnataka

2 more COVID 19 cases have been registered in Bengaluru today, taking the total infected cases to 13 in Karnataka.

A 56 year old male, resident of Bengaluru returned from USA on 6th March.  

Another, 25 yr old female, who tested positive has returned from Spain.  

13:50 March 18

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope

Maha to open seven more labs for coronavirus testing: Tope

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said seven more laboratories will come up across the state for testing suspected novel coronavirus cases.

At present, only three labs are operating in the state at Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune where samples of suspected persons are tested.

"KEM, JJ Hospital and Haffkine Institute will soon get the testing facilities. Most likely they will commence operations in the next five days," Tope told reporters.

Similar laboratories will come up in different parts of the state, he added. 

At 42, Maharashtra has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country. 

13:45 March 18

Soldiers and colleagues of Ladakh Scouts jawan who tested positive for COVID-19 quarantined

Indian Army has quarantined all soldiers and colleagues of the jawan who has tested positive for COVID-19 in Ladakh.  

The jawan was attached to the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre in Leh.

According to senior Army sources, the Lance Naik tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. 

13:38 March 18

Facebook to give $1,000 to each of its 45K employees

Facebook is giving $1,000 as bonus to each of its 45,000 employees to support them with liquid cash amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced in an internal memo that all employees will earn at least their full bonuses for their six-month review, reports The Information.

Some full-time Facebook employees have apparently taken over some of the work done by third-party contractors so that those contractors can stay home.

Facebook has already asked its Seattle and Bay Area employees to work from home.

The social networking giant also announced it is offering $100 million in cash grants and credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries.

13:38 March 18

NRAI urges members to shut down restaurants till Mar 31

The National Restaurant Association of India on Wednesday asked all members to shut down their restaurants till March 31 or till such time when no new cases are reported.

“In view of the serious health risk to employees and patrons in the food service sector amidst ever-worsening situation around COVID-19 in India, we as a responsible industry body, have sent out an advisory to all our members to shut down their restaurant operations from March 18 till March 31 or till such time when there are no new cases reported for a few days,” NRAI said in its advisory.

13:28 March 18

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu got his temperature checked

Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha M Venkaiah Naidu got his temperature checked with the help of thermometer gun, before entering his office as part of precautionary measures being undertaken to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

13:28 March 18

Jewellery industry lose shine as corona scare grips people

Following the coronavirus outbreak, the gems and jewellery sector in the country has come to a standstill with retailers managing to do only 20-25 per cent business due to fewer footfalls amid fear of the virus' spread, according to an industry body.

"There is virtually no footfalls in jewellery stores and retailers are doing only 20-25 per cent business across the country," All India Gem And Jewellery Domestic Council chairman Anantha Padmanaban told media here.

He further noted that there is panic among people due to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). Besides, as a precautionary measure the government has shut malls, theatres and other crowded places. People are mostly venturing out to buy essential commodities.

13:19 March 18

Visuals from Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad

Sixth corona positive case registered in Telangana

Telangana registered another positive case of COVID-19 on Wednesday, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to six.  

Five patients tested positive are being treated in Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad.  

The Gandhi Doctors discharged one person after he recovered. 

13:12 March 18

KGMU doctor tests positive as UP corona cases rise to 16

A junior doctor in the King George's Medical University (KGMU) has tested positive for coronavirus. This is the third COVID-19 case to test positive in the Uttar Pradesh capital, taking the total number reported cases to 16 in the state so far.

The junior doctor has been quarantined in the KGMU. He was a part of the medical team that has been treating COVID-19 patients.

Earlier, a woman doctor and her relative had tested positive for the deadly virus and have been undergoing treatment in the KGMU.

The 16 corona patients in the state have been reported from Agra (8), Lucknow (3), Noida (3) and Ghaziabad (2).

Health officials said that three corona patients had recovered fully and had been discharged while the rest were still under treatment.

13:07 March 18

All UP govt school students of classes 1 to 8 to get promoted without exams

Students of classes one to eight of all government primary schools in Uttar Pradesh will get promoted without having to appear in examinations in view of the coronavirus outbreak, an official said on Wednesday.

Examinations in primary schools were scheduled between March 23 and 28.

 The state government on Tuesday extended the closure of all educational institutions, cinemas, mulitplexes and tourists places in the state till April 2 and implemented work-from-home protocol to the extent possible to contain the coronavirus spread.

Competitive and other examinations too have been postponed till April 2.

13:05 March 18

Partial shutdown in Allahabad HC

The Allahabad High Court has also opted for a partial shutdown in view of the growing COVID-19 scare.

The high court has stated that it will only hear urgent matters till further orders and only lawyers representing these cases would be allowed entry into the court premises.

The court also asked the state government to set up a laboratory in Prayagraj for coronavirus testing.

13:03 March 18

Cyber cops step up vigil against rumour-mongers

Maharashtra Cyber Police has warned of strict action against rumour-mongers who spread misleading and unverified information on social media regarding COVID-19, an official said on Wednesday.

According to the official, police have stepped up online surveillance to identify senders of such fake news and other content.

At 42, Maharashtra has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country so far.

The official said many instances of spreading of false and unverified news regarding coronavirus on various social media platforms have come to the fore.

11:39 March 18

No adverse impact of coronavirus on Indian economy: Anurag Thakur

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday pointed out that the latest data on trade and indicators of domestic output do not suggest any adverse impact of coronavirus on the Indian economy.

"As is true for the world at large, India's near-term macroeconomic outlook also vulnerable to disruption of trade with China and 2nd-round effects arising from an expected slowdown in global growth. However, the latest available data on trade and indicators of domestic output don't suggest any adverse impact on the economy," stated MoS Finance Thakur in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

"Additionally, a positive impact on India's economy may arise from a decline in global oil prices triggered by the outbreak of COVID19," he added. 

11:38 March 18

Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru

Thermal scanning of visitors at Parliament premises

Thermal scanning of visitors is being conducted at all gates of Parliament premises as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus.

While in Karnataka, the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru was sanitised with the spraying of disinfectants, as a precaution against the disease.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India has reached 147, including 122 Indians and 24 foreign nationals, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.

Globally, the virus has infected more than 184,000 people and killed more than 7500, as per the data available on the World Health Organisation website.

Congress' DK Shivakumar: Digvijaya Singh has come to meet our party MLAs. One of the MLAs had contacted him through and requested him to free them. Police do not have right to block him, he wants to request higher authorities as these people are acting on instructions of CM. 

10:57 March 18

Parks and gardens of NMRDA closed

 

All parks and gardens of Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) are closed till 31st March.  

State govt had earlier issued an order that all tiger reserves, sanctuaries & national parks to remain closed till 31st March 2020, in wake of the coronavirus.

10:51 March 18

World Bank increases COVID-19 response fund to USD14 Billion

The World Bank has announced increasing to USD14 billion the amount of fast-track financing to assist companies and countries in their efforts to respond to the rapid spread of COVID-19, adding USD2 billion to the initial package.

The announcement came amid fear of a major global recession in the wake of the coronavirus that has impacted more than 120 countries.

The package will strengthen national systems for public health preparedness, including for disease containment, diagnosis and treatment, and support the private sector, the bank said in a statement on Tuesday.

"It is essential that we shorten the time to recovery. This package provides urgent support to businesses and their workers to reduce the financial and economic impact of the spread of COVID-19," David Malpass, President of the World Bank, said.

The World Bank Group is committed to a fast and flexible response based on the needs of developing countries. Support operations are already underway and the expanded funding tools approved today will help sustain economies, companies and jobs, he said.

10:50 March 18

Amazon prioritizes medical supplies, staples for delivery

Amazon has made a priority of medical supplies and household staples, putting shipments of other goods on hold to focus on key items during the coronavirus outbreak.

"We are seeing increased online shopping and as a result some products such as household staples and medical supplies are out of stock," the e-commerce titan said on Tuesday.

"We are temporarily prioritizing household staples, medical supplies and other high-demand products coming into our fulfilment centres so we can more quickly receive, restock and ship these products to customers," it said.

People hunkered down due to the deadly coronavirus have turned to Amazon for anything from toilet tissue to groceries and pet treats.

Seattle-based Amazon this week boosted pay to hourly workers and set out to hire 100,000 more US workers due to strain on its workforce.

10:42 March 18

IIT Bombay announces closure of activities  

In view of the novel coronavirus outbreak, IIT Bombay has announced a virtual shutdown of its campus at Powai here till March 31.

In the Tuesday night decision, the IIT-B decided to ask students to vacate hostels by March 20 evening.

"An emergency meeting of all heads of departments and other academic and administrative units was called on Tuesday to take stock of the situation on the campus, arising out of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

"This was particularly needed in view of the increasingly stringent measures being taken by MCGM (Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai) and the state administration to control the spread of the virus," said an official statement issued by Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, Indian Institute of Technology B.

10:38 March 18

Bagh-e-Bahu, Bagh-e-Bhour gardens closed in Jammu till March 31

Bagh-e-Bahu and Bagh-e-Bhour gardens in Jammu have been closed for general public till March 31.

Directorate of Floriculture, Parks and Gardens, Jammu said, "Keeping in view the prevailing situation regarding the incidence of COVID19 in Union Territory of J & K, the Bagh-e-Bahu garden, and Bagh-e-Bhour garden, in Jammu are hereby closed for general public from March 17 to 31."

As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the entry of foreign tourists in Kashmir is banned.

10:34 March 18

J P Nadda

BJP not to hold protest for 1 month in view of coronavirus outbreak: J P Nadda

The BJP has decided not to hold any protest or demonstration for a month in view of the coronavirus outbreak, party president J P Nadda said on Wednesday.

The party will not holding public gatherings, he said adding if they have to convey anything, senior party leaders will do so through memorandums.

"All party units have been asked to spread awareness about coronavirus and their dos and don'ts," Nadda said.

The BJP president's statement came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a parliamentary party meeting of the BJP asked MPs to spread awareness among the people in small groups about coronavirus and suggested that they should refrain from launching any mass agitation till April 15.

10:31 March 18

Pune woman tests positive for COVID-19; Maha count climbs to 42

A 28-year-old woman from Pune with a travel history to France and the Netherlands has tested positive for COVID-19, a senior official said on Wednesday.

With this, the number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra has gone up to 42.

Confirming the case, District Collector, Naval Kishore Ram said, "The woman returned India on March 15. She was admitted to hospital here on March 17". 

10:15 March 18

Confirmed coronavirus cases in India rises to 149

New Delhi: The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India has reached 149, including 124 Indians and 24 foreign nationals, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.

Maharashtra is the worst-hit state with 42 cases, followed by Kerala, with 25 cases and Uttar Pradesh with 15.

Karnataka has reported 13 cases, while one person has died in the state; Delhi has reported nine, including a foreign national. The Union Territory of Ladakh reported eight cases while Jammu and Kashmir reported three. Odisha reported its first case on Monday.

A total of 14 people have been discharged from hospitals after being treated for the disease.

Globally, the virus has infected more than 184,000 people and killed more than 7500, as per the data available on the World Health Organisation website. 

Also Read: 40 Indian pilgrims of Umrah stranded in Saudi Arabia

08:59 March 19

7 more Indonesians test positive for Covid-19 in Telangana

Telangana on Wednesday reported eight Covid-19 positive cases, including seven Indonesians, taking the total number of cases in the state so far to 13 and prompting Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar to call an emergency meeting on Thursday.

An Indonesian had tested positive on Tuesday.

The eight Indonesians were part of a 10-member group which had come to Telangana's Karimanagar town earlier this week for a religious meeting.

Telangana's health department released a special media bulletin on Wednesday night to announce that seven more have tested positive.

Earlier in the day, it was announced that a man who returned from the UK recently has tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).

All the patients have been admitted to the isolation ward of the government-run Gandhi Hospital here. Their condition is stated to be stable.

The state has been reporting a positive case every day since last Saturday. However, Wednesday turned out to be the worst so far with eight people testing positive.

A techie, who tested positive on March 2, was discharged on March 13. All others are undergoing treatment at the Gandhi Hospital.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Wednesday night urged the people to be on alert after the Indonesians who travelled to Karimnagar tested positive for coronavirus.

He decided to convene a high-level emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, the meeting will discuss the preventive measures to be taken and regulations to be followed.

"Since coronavirus is spreading through those coming from abroad, all those coming from foreign countries should undergo tests. People should also be on alert and inform the authorities about those coming from abroad. People should also take measures for their personal health," the statement said.

The Chief Minister has instructed the officials concerned to allow people coming from abroad to go home only after going through the complete check-up routine.

In the emergency meeting scheduled on Thursday, some more preventive measures will be decided.

The Chief Minister has urged people to stay away from festivals and celebrations involving group activities.

04:19 March 19

Assam government issues advisory over closure of night clubs, parlours

Government of Assam has issued an advisory over closure of all liquor bars (county bar), night clubs, beauty parlous, and salons in the state, as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19.

03:05 March 19

Over 2 lakh Indian students studying in top 15 COVID-19 effected countries 

According to a 2018 data of Ministry of External Affairs, there are 7,52.725 Indian students studying in 90 foreign countries, out of which, 2,83,250 are studying in top 15 COVID-19 effected countries.

The Indian government has brought back students from Wuhan, the epicenter of COVID-19 and other countries like Iran and Italy, but a lot of more efforts are required to be made by it to bring back all the students.

Indian students studying in foreign countries (as on 18.07.2018)  TOP 15 COVID -19 Effected countries:

  • China- 18171
  • Italy- 2348
  • Iran- 1200
  • Spain- 709
  • Germany- 15308
  • S. Korea- 1230
  • France- 6000
  • USA- 211703  
  • Switzerland- 1555
  • UK (2016-17)- 16550  
  • Netherlands- 2500
  • Austria- 300
  • Norway- 286  
  • Belgium- 680
  • Sweden- 3200
  • Denmark- 274
  • Japan- 1236
  • Total- 283250

02:29 March 19

Dr Harsh Vardhan

Health minister visits IGI airport to take stock of preparedness

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday night visited Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport (T-3) to take stock of preparedness in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

"I reviewed the arrangements we have made here to ensure everything is running smoothly. We are doing our utmost to ensure that we take care of what is required to manage the situation in a scientific & professional manner," he said.

02:27 March 19

All examinations rescheduled & postponed till 31st March: MHRD

"We have decided that all examinations - CBSE, NIOS, & University are rescheduled & postponed till 31st March," said Amit Khare, secy, Ministry of Human Resource Development.

The new date for JEE Main exam will also be announced on 31st March, after assessing the situation.

02:21 March 19

02:18 March 19

PM chairs meeting to review ongoing efforts to contain COVID-19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, chaired a high-level meeting to review the ongoing efforts to contain COVID-19. Ways to further strengthen India’s preparedness, including the further enhancement of testing facilities, were discussed in the meeting.

Also, PM Modi has expressed gratitude to all those at the forefront of combating the coronavirus including the various state governments, medical fraternity, paramedical staff, armed and paramilitary forces, those associated with aviation sector, municipal staff and others.

23:49 March 18

IIT Delhi: All remaining students (except international students and students with special needs) are requested to vacate the hostels at the earliest. Hostels will function with skeleton staff and packed food will be provided for remaining students.

23:47 March 18

Out of 47 samples, one tested positive for COVID-19 in Odisha

The government of Odisha on Wednesday said that out of the 47 samples sent for testing for COVID-19 in the state, one person has tested positive and is doing well.

"Till now in Odisha, a total of 47 samples have been sent for testing for COVID-19 out of which 46 have tested negative and one positive. The lone person tested positive is doing well hopefully he will recover soon. Contacts of case the positive have been traced and advised home isolation," Subroto Bagchi, Chief Spokesperson of Odisha Government told reporters.

"All district headquarters hospitals and Medical College hospitals have isolation facilities available. Currently, 540 isolation beds are in readiness across the state in Government and private hospitals," he added.

23:30 March 18

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Seven more positive cases reported in Telangana

Seven more cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Telangana, all of which are Indonesian nationals.

The patients have currently been kept in isolation wards, said an official from Telangana government.

22:58 March 18

Consider refund of fare for advance booking to curb travel: Centre to states

To restrict travel by people through public transport, the Centre on Wednesday asked states to consider refund of fare to passengers for advance bookings done by them.

The states and UTs have been requested to minimise transport numbers among the people, and also if it is not unavoidable, refund of fare may be considered against advance bookings, the Road Transport and Highways Ministry said in a release.

Reliance initiates work from home protocol; to man critical services with minimum workforce

Reliance Industries Ltd, India's most valuable company, has initiated work from home for all its staff in wake of the outbreak of coronavirus but will keep open consumer-facing businesses of hospital, retail stores and telecom connectivity by manning them with a small workforce.

The oil-to-telecom conglomerate initiated a work from home protocol for all its employees across the country and overseas in response to the evolving coronavirus situation. This protocol will be effective until March 31.

It, however, will maintain minimum strength at the workplace to ensure business continuity.

22:56 March 18

Mathura: Suspected coronavirus patient leaves hospital without informing authorities  

A man suspected of suffering from coronavirus left a Mathura hospital without informing the authorities, an official said on Wednesday.

He had returned from Mumbai on March 6.

He was admitted to KD Medical College and went home after his sample was taken and sent to the medical college at Aligarh Medical University for testing, the official said.

22:55 March 18

Entry of passengers from 36 countries banned temporarily; 11 others to be quarantined

India has temporarily banned entry of passengers from 36 countries while people travelling from 11 countries will be mandatorily quarantined in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the Home Ministry said on Wednesday.

The ministry also said Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders, except from the restricted countries, will be required to obtain fresh visa from the Indian mission and allowed to enter India.

22:54 March 18

MP declares coronavirus 'notified infectious disease'

The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday declared the coronavirus as a notified infectious disease, said an official.

The health department issued a notification declaring coronavirus as a "notified infectious disease" in the entire state, said a Public Relations Department officer.

22:53 March 18

Corona Warning: 80 people register every hour

The whole world is worried about the coronavirus. In India, the number of people suffering from coronary heart disease is on the rise. State government spokesman Subrata Bagchi told a news conference that the government was preparing to fight Corona in such a situation.  

State government spokesman Subrata Bagchi said three of the 148people infected with the coronavirus in India had died. In Odisha, four blood samples were tested and four were negative.  

The condition of the state's only affected patients is stable. The state has 570 beds for coronary artery disease. Extensive arrangements have been made in various district hospitals. Similarly, 5202 calls were received in 24 hours through the call center. This means that 80 people are registering every hour. To date, a total of 2,131 people have registered through call centers and websites.  

The highest number of people registered are from the UAE, four from the US, one from South Korea and one from Italy, while people from 40 countries are returning to Odisha, according to the registry.  

Most of them are from Bhubaneswar, Khordha district, 38 per cent, Cuttack 11 per cent, Ganjam 7 per cent and Kendrapara 7 per cent. In Malkangiri, 29 people are returning from abroad, but most of them are between the ages of 40 and 60.  

According to the report, there are four people in this age group. So far, 14,183 people in 16 countries have been infected with the coronavirus. Germany is one of the most affected countries in the world.
 

22:52 March 18

22:50 March 18

HRD Ministry orders CBSE, all educational institutions to postpone ongoing exams till March 31

All ongoing examinations of CBSE for Classes 10th & 12th, scheduled between 19th March and 31st March, shall be rescheduled after 31st March: Anurag Tripathy, CBSE Secretary

JEE mains examination should be rescheduled and new date will be announced on March 31 after re-assessment of the situation since the examination may require travel by examinees to different towns & the dates may clash with rescheduled CBSE, other board exams: MHRD 


 

22:37 March 18

 3 people test positive for Coronavirus in Rajasthan

Section 144 (prohibiting assembly of more than 4 people in an area) has been imposed across the state, to avoid gathering of people in view of Coronavirus Pandemic.

22:37 March 18

Kashmir records its first case of coronavirus: Officials

Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary Planning, Jammu & Kashmir: First positive case in Kashmir-Khanyar, Srinagar. The patient has history of foreign travel, arrived on 16 March; has been put in isolation.

21:54 March 18

Coronavirus suspect commits suicide in New Delhi

A coronavirus suspect committed suicide by jumping from Safdarjung Hospital building.

21:51 March 18

Jaipur airport cancels 9 flights amid COVID-19 scare

21:45 March 18

Section 144 imposed in New Delhi's Gautam Budh Nagar amid coronavirus outbreak

Police Commissionerate,Noida: In view of emergency situation arising out of threat of Coronavirus and following section 144 of CrPC, it is announced that no social,political,cultural,religious,sports and business gatherings shall be allowed in Gautam Buddh Nagar district till April 5.


 

21:38 March 18

44-yr-old Gurgaon resident tests positive of coronavirus

A 44-year-old Gurgaon resident has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Haryana, an official said on Wednesday.

In Haryana, there are 17 cases, which include 14 foreigners, according to Union health ministry data.

"A resident of Gurgaon has tested positive for the coronavirus," said state Director General of Health Suraj Bhan Kamboj on Wednesday evening.

The man's samples were collected at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi and they were found positive for the coronavirus infection. The patient was admitted at the hospital on March 9, he said.

The 44-year-old man is the second confirmed case of coronavirus from Haryana, Kamboj said.


 

21:31 March 18

Workers may lose up to USD 3.4 trillion in 2020 income over virus: UN

The COVID-19 pandemic will push millions more into unemployment, underemployment and working poverty, the United Nations said on Wednesday, warning that workers globally stood to lose up to USD 3.4 trillion in income this year alone.

"Falls in employment... mean large income losses for workers," the International Labour Organisation said, releasing a report showing workers stand to lose between USD 860 billion and USD 3.4 trillion by the end of 2020.

Business worth Rs 5 lakh cr affected due to COVID-19: Tourism ministry to Par panel

The Ministry of Tourism has informed a Parliamentary standing committee that novel coronavirus outbreak has affected business worth Rs 5 lakh crore in the tourism sector, sources said on Wednesday.

The meeting was held by the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture on the preparedness of COVID-19 and officials from the railways, tourism and aviation ministries gave presentations on the steps taken by them to deal with the issue.

The tourism ministry represented by the secretary, Director General Tourism and Additional Director General, gave a detailed presentation in which they said that as much as 70 per cent of the industry had been hit in this calendar year, when half of the summer is gone, a source privy to the meeting said. 


 

21:30 March 18

29 quarantined in Madhya Pradesh test negative for COVID-19

At least 29 persons, who were quarantined for suspected exposure to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), have tested negative for the infection in Madhya Pradesh, a senior official said on Wednesday.

As many as 11,685 persons with travel history to coronavirus-affected countries have been screened in the state, additional director of the health department Dr Veena Sinha said.


 

21:29 March 18

COVID-19 pandemic could make another 25 million jobless: UN

The COVID-19 pandemic will significantly increase global unemployment, pushing up to nearly 25 million more people out of work, the United Nations said.

"The economic and labour crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic could increase global unemployment by almost 25 million," the International Labour Organisation said as it released a fresh study.

It added however that an internationally coordinated policy response could "significantly lower" that number.


 

21:28 March 18

No need to cancel or reschedule ticket, redeem it anytime in next one year: GoAir

Amid coronavirus pandemic, GoAir announced that the passengers who booked their tickets between March 1 and April 15 this year need not cancel or reschedule right now as they can redeem the ticket price on any fresh booking done in next one year.

"If a customer cannot or chooses not to travel, they can simply not show up for the flight and GoAir will protect the PNR for a period of one year," the airline stated in its press release.

"The passenger can contact GoAir at any time over the next one year to redeem this ticket on any GoAir flight on any date between 15th April, 2020 and 15th April, 2021 with no charges being levied (fare difference may be applicable)," it added.

This offer will apply to all existing and new bookings made between March 1 and April 15 – wherein customers who have booked any flight on any route will be "rest assured to not to initiate any rescheduling or cancellation" and will be saved from the "time consuming and tedious efforts to call or email their request", the airline said.


 

21:27 March 18

Section 144 imposed in Rajasthan amid coronavirus outbreak


 

21:21 March 18

Fresh case reported in Maharashtra

Public Health Department, Maharashtra: A 50-year-old person has tested positive for Coronavirus in Ratnagiri today; the person has a travel history to Dubai. Total number of positive cases reaches 45 in Maharashtra.


 

21:13 March 18

Maharashtra Government: It has been decided that offices will continue on a day-to-day basis, accounting for 50% of the workforce. Besides, it has been suggested to try to operate 50% passenger capacity of the public transport system including rail, buses and metro.


 

21:08 March 18

Health Ministry: Passengers coming/transiting through UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait after 12 GMT on March 18 (port of departure) to be quarantined upon arrival for 14 days. Those who have visited China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France and Germany on/after Feb 15 to be quarantined.

Indians coming from South Korea are required to produce negative COVID-19 certificate to come to the country.


 

21:07 March 18

Leh District Magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya issues order to restrict entry of domestic and international tourists within the territorial jurisdiction of the distirct by any means (air, road) till April 30 as a preventive measure against coronavirus.

21:06 March 18

M Raj Kishore, Director, Visakhapatnam International Airport, Andhra Pradesh: One Air Asia flight landed at Visakhapatnam airport today, after evacuating 185 students from Kuala Lumpur. All passengers will be house quarantined for the next 28 days. 

21:04 March 18

A total of 17 people have tested positive for Coronavirus in UP

21:02 March 18

IIT Delhi researcher tests positive for COVID-19

A positive case was reported in IIT Delhi. The researcher who is tested positive has a travel history to Italy.

20:12 March 18

Two women test positive for Covid-19 in Maha, count 43 now

Two women, one each from Pune and Mumbai, tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, taking the number of such cases in the state to 43, officials said.

A 28-year-old woman, who had returned to Pune from the Netherlands via Dubai, tested positive for coronavirus and has been admitted to a local hospital, a government release said.

19:48 March 18

Karnataka report three more COVID-19 cases

Three people have tested positive for coronavirus in the city on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases in Karnataka to 14, the state health department said.

The three patients were a 25-year-old man who returned from Madrid in Spain on March 13, 56-year-old woman and 35-year-old man who returned from the US on March 6 and 10, respectively.

19:46 March 18

10 coronavirus testing facilities to be added in Maha: Tope

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday that around 10 coronavirus testing facilities will be set up in the state in the coming days.

Addressing a press conference here, he also said that 42 persons have tested positive for coronavirus in the state so far.

19:43 March 18

195 Indians brought back from coronavirus-hit Iran, kept at Army facility in Jaisalmer

A batch of 195 Indians stranded in the coronavirus-hit Iran was brought back by a special plane on Wednesday evening, an official said here.

They landed at Rajasthan's Jaisalmer airport and were shifted to an Army's wellness facility after screening, defence spokesperson Col Sombit Ghosh said.

19:36 March 18

No doubt coronavirus will have an impact on economy: CEA K Subramanian

Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) K Subramanian said that COVID-19 outbreak will hit the Indian economy and the impact can only be assessed after the pandemic is over.

"Share markets in several countries including the USA, Brazil, Argentina, and Japan have crashed. There is uncertainty across the world due to coronavirus. Whenever there is uncertainty, an atmosphere of fear comes in share markets, which will result in ups and downs," Subramanian said.

The Chief Economic Advisor added: "There is no doubt it will have an impact on the economy. People have stopped going to restaurants and malls. The impact can be assessed after this is over. There will be uncertainty in stock markets so long as there is uncertainty due to coronavirus."

Subramanian said that global investors should learn from this and diversify their investments. "They should not put all investments in one place," he said.

PPA asks manufacturers, importers to provide information on masks

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) asked manufacturers and importers of surgical and protective masks to furnish information regarding these items by March 20 on account of coronavirus outbreak.

19:36 March 18

Karnataka High Court restricts the entry of litigants and visitors to the precincts of the court. 

19:18 March 18

Starting Friday, Uttarakhand secretariat employees to work from home for a week

The Uttarakhand secretariat will be closed for a week beginning Friday with an advice to employees to work from home during the period to help contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

An order issued by Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi on Wednesday asked secretariat employees and officials to work from home from March 19 to March 24 during which the secretariat will remain closed.

19:11 March 18

Etihad Airways announces reduction in flights to Indian cities

Two days after the Indian government stated that passengers coming from UAE from March 18 onward would be quarantined for 14 days compulsorily, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways on Wednesday announced a reduction in its flights to India.

The full-service carrier, which also announced reduction of flights to various other countries due to coronavirus pandemic, said it would be conducting triple-daily flights on the Abu Dhabi-Delhi route instead of four flights in a day from March 19 to March 28.

Etihad Airways said flights on the Abu Dhabi-Mumbai route would also be reduced from four-daily flights to triple-daily flights from March 19 to April 30.

It said the flights to Bengaluru would be reduced from twice-daily to one flight per day from March 20 to April 30.

19:05 March 18

 68-year-old woman tests positive for coronavirus in Mumbai

A woman tested positive for coronavirus in Mumbai on Wednesday, an official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

With this, the number of coronavirus positive cases in the state has gone up to 43, the official said.

"The woman, who tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, is a close contact of the US-returned person, who was found infected two days ago," Daksha Shah, deputy director of BMC said.

This has taken the number of Covid-19 cases in Mumbai to eight, the official said.

18:10 March 18

Vistara temporarily suspends international flights 

We are temporarily suspending our international operations from March 20 to March 31. We have also temporarily adjusted domestic capacity for March and April in view of reduced demand. Customers booked on the affected flights will be fully refunded. 

18:09 March 18

Second positive case reported in TN

Chennai reports second positive case for COVID-19. The patient hails from Delhi, is in isolation & stable. He is under the observation of expert team: Tamil Nadu Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar

18:01 March 18

Confirmed coronavirus cases in India rises to 151

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Confirmed coronavirus cases in India rises to 151

17:56 March 18

File Photo
File Photo

Mimi imposes 7-day self quarantine after London visit

Bengali film actress and Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty, who returned from England on Tuesday, announced she would remain in home isolation for the next seven days and won't even meet her parents as a precautionary measure in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

Mimi, who touched down at the NSCBI Airport here from London where she had been busy shooting for "Baazi", went through thermal screening and other coronavirus related formalities on landing in Kolkata.

Emerging from the terminal alongside her co-actors including Jeet, she appealed to people to abide by the government directives to prevent any spread of the disease that has been declared a pandemic by World Health Organisation.

"I have returned from a place like UK via Dubai. So all the precautions have been taken. I have told my parents not to meet me at home. My father is above 65 years. First seven days I will be at home," the Lok Sabha member from Jadavpur told the media.

Most quarantines though are being advised for 14 days at least.

17:40 March 18

Close all Delhi govt offices for seven days, employee association to CM Kejriwal

A Delhi government employee association on Wednesday met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and demanded closure of all government offices for a week in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Umesh Batra, general secretary of the Delhi government Welfare Association, said around 2.5 lakh people are employed with the Delhi government and most of them are engaged in public dealings.

17:38 March 18

Film industry braces for financial loss, crowded release calender

With theatres closed, shootings on hold and the release of major films pushed indefinitely, Bollywood is reeling under the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, say industry insiders, pegging the losses at anything between Rs 300 crore to Rs 800 crore.  

While trade analyst Taran Adarsh said losses at the moment could be "Rs 500 crore to Rs 800 crore", another insider said on the condition of anonymity that the industry could lose about Rs 350 crore in the first quarter of the calendar year.

17:35 March 18

South under lockdown; focus shifts to combat spread of virus

Southern states have gone in for a lockdown as part of the country's fight against the novel coronavirus, as the focus shifts to preventing the spread of the deadly virus that has brought the globe to a virtual standstill.

Monitoring and surveillance have been increased in the states, while the respective governments have even asked their citizens to avoid mass gatherings, thus seeking to bring into effect the much-needed social distancing, a key to stem the spread of the virus.

Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana have announced a lockdown of educational institutions, malls and other places that attract people in large numbers, even as some of them have been reporting increase in positive cases.

17:28 March 18

 Schools, colleges shut down in Andhra amid spread of coronavirus

V Ramesh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister: To strengthen ongoing measures to prevent & contain COVID-19 in the state, government has decided to close all educational institutions with immediate effect. 

17:28 March 18

WhatsApp commits $1 mn to fight rumours around COVID-19

Amid the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 on social media platforms, WhatsApp launched a Coronavirus Information Hub and announced a $1 million donation to the Poynter Institute's International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).

Launched in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and UNDP, the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub is designed to provide simple, actionable guidance for health workers, educators, community leaders, nonprofits, local governments and local businesses that rely on WhatsApp to communicate.

It will also offer general tips and resources for users around the world to reduce the spread of rumours.

17:27 March 18

Karnataka to earmark Rs 200 crore to contain coronavirus spread

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announces Corpus Fund of Rs. 200 cores to tackle COVID-19. State govt has also announced partial shutdown for 10 more days in the state. 

17:03 March 18

Health Minister directs teams to visit quarantine facilities to assess and monitor amenities

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday held a review meeting on containment and management of the coronavirus, directing that teams be deputed to regularly inspect and monitor quarantine facilities for ensuring necessary amenities are being provided.

The meeting was attended by senior health ministry officials, the directors or medical superintendents of central government hospitals such as the Safdurjung Hospital, the RML Hospital and the AIIMS-Delhi.

17:02 March 18

Dissent in times of COVID-19: NCPCR seeks report on Shaheen Bagh protest

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Wednesday wrote to the District Magistrate of South East Delhi to submit a report regarding the assembly of people in Shaheen Bagh protest site amidst the coronavirus outbreak.  

In the letter, the NCPCR said it had received a complaint regarding the large gathering at the site which they said was taking place despite an advisory issued by the state and central government regarding safety and prevention for COVID-19.

17:00 March 18

BJP activist arrested for hosting cow urine consumption event to fight COVID-19

A BJP activist has been arrested for organising a cow urine consumption event here, claiming that it will protect people from coronavirus or cure those already infected, leading to a civic volunteer falling ill after drinking it, police said on Wednesday.

He was arrested late Tuesday night following a complaint filed by the victim with the police, they said.

According to police officials, 40-year-old Narayan Chatterjee, a local party worker of Jorasakho area in North Kolkata, had on Monday organised a cow-worship programme at a cowshed and distributed cow urine.

16:58 March 18

  • Quick aggressive action is the answer to tackling the #Coronavirus . India is going to pay an extremely heavy price for our governments inability to act decisively.

    — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 18, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data=" ">

India going to pay heavy price for govt's inability to act decisively on COVID-19: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the country will have to pay a heavy price for the government's inability to act decisively on curbing coronavirus.

"Quick aggressive action is the answer to tackling the #Coronavirus . India is going to pay an extremely heavy price for our governments inability to act decisively," he said on Twitter.

16:55 March 18

4 passengers with 'home quarantine' stamp deboarded from train

Four Germany-returned passengers with 'home quarantine' stamp on their hands were de-boarded from the Bandra Terminus-Delhi Garibrath Express train at

Palghar station, around 100 kms from Mumbai, on Wednesday after co-passengers raised an alarm, the Western Railway said.

The fourpassengers were de-boarded from coach number G4 and G5 of 12216 Garibrath at Palghar station when travel ticket examiner and co-passengers raised an alarm after seeing the stamp on their hands, a Western Railway (WR) spokesperson said.

"They had arrived from Germany and were headed to Surat," the spokesperson said.

16:55 March 18

WB officials to stay at home after coming in contact with officer whose son tested COVID-19 positive

A few senior West Bengal government officials, including Home Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, were asked to stay at home after they came in contact with an officer whose son tested positive for coronavirus, sources said on Wednesday.

The officials came in contact on Monday with the woman officer of the home department whose son tested positive for coronavirus after returning from the UK. They have been asked not to come to office till further instructions.   

16:53 March 18

Entrepreneurs write to PM, suggest 2-3 week lockdown

With increasing number of people getting infected by the novel coronavirus, a group entrepreneurs and venture capitalists have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting a lockdown starting as early as March 20 across the major impacted cities for two to three weeks.

In a presentation prepared by the venture capitalists and founders of 51 startups and businesses, including Abhiraj Singh Bhal, the co-founder of Urban Company, formerly Urban Clap, Kunal Shah (Founder, CRED) and Kunal Bahl (Snapdeal), said that countries which have acted "early and strongly" such as South Korea, Singapore and Japan have been able to somewhat control the spread compared to countries which acted late -- Irab, Italy, France and USA among others.

"Govt should impose 2-3 week lockdown with section 144 across major impacted cities right away, and be prepared for a second lockdown later," said the presentation.

It noted that although the containment activities like travel restrictions should continue, "we might need a lot more, and sooner rather than later."

16:42 March 18

No COVID-19 positive cases in DK: deputy commissioner

A total of 456 people have been screened in Dakshina Kannada district for coronavirus and no one has tested positive for the infection, according to Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh. She said in a release here that 241 people have been kept under home quarantine.

Samples of 14 people with suspected symptoms were sent for testing, of which the results of 10 have been negative.

16:40 March 18

Puducherry govt orders closure of bars till month-end

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Wednesday announced closure of all bars in the union territory as part of steps to prevent spread of coronavirus.

While bars have been ordered to remain closed from Thursday till the month-end, wholesale and retail sales of liquor would however, be permitted, he told reporters here.

16:38 March 18

Odisha hoteliers seek govt help in overcoming crisis due to coronavirus outbreak

Hoteliers in Odisha on Wednesday sought the state government's help in overcoming the financial crisis faced by them in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO), a body of private hotels, has sent a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over the issue.

"We appreciate the steps taken by the state government to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The HRAO pledges full support to the government.

16:35 March 18

Part of MLA Fund be allotted for field of medicine: Gadgil

 Congress MLC Anant Gadgil on Wednesday said some amount from the MLA Fund be earmarked for the field of medicine.

He said novel coronavirus outbreak made people realise the importance of medical preparedness and availability of necessary equipment.

16:34 March 18

Prisoners manufacture masks to overcome shortage

 In a bid to tide over the shortage of masks during the coronavirus outbreak in Maharashtra, prisons in the state have stepped in to manufacture the protective gear.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said in order to meet the increasing demand for masks during the pandemic, inmates in central prisons across Maharashtrahave started manufacturing them.

16:33 March 18

Centre issuing advisory to states after incidents of racial remarks against NE people on coronavirus

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said a strict advisory is being issued to all states to take action after some incidents of racial remarks against people belonging to the North East in some parts of the country were reported in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, also said the issue was taken up with the North East division in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

16:33 March 18

BMW to shut down European factories over virus

German carmaker BMW said it would close European and South African factories accounting for half its output for a month, matching other car giants stricken by coronavirus containment measures.

It also warned that profits this year would be significantly lower as a result of the crisis.

"From today, we will shut down our European car factories and the Rosslyn factory in South Africa," chief executive Oliver Zipse said, adding that the interruption is expected for now to last "until April 19".

15:59 March 18

Centre gives nod to private labs for testing COVID-19 under strict precautions

Health Ministry's top officials: Roche Diagnostics, a private company got Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency approval for COVID-19 tests, yesterday by Indian regulators. They have received license to conduct COVID-19 Diagnostic test.

 BioMerieux Diagnostics, another private company, has also approached Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). It will take 7 days to get approved as officials are making assessment. Once approved, it can conduct the confirmatory test of COVID-19.

15:16 March 18

CBSE issues guidelines for the rest of the board examinations, says each center superintendent should ensure that candidates are seated at a distance of one meter from each other and masks are provided to candidates who cough/sneeze. 

15:12 March 18

Number of Indian citizens infected abroad
Number of Indian citizens infected abroad

Ministry of External Affairs in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha: 276 Indians are infected with coronavirus abroad including 255 in Iran, 12 in UAE, 5 in Italy, and 1 each in Hong Kong, Kuwait, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka.

15:12 March 18

Another 205 Indians arrive from Iran

The government on Wednesday evacuated another batch of 205 Indians from Iran, where 988 people have died due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A flight of the Mahan Air landed in New Delhi this morning with Indian passengers, mostly Shia pilgrims from Ladakh who were stranded in Iran, official sources said.

Of those who returned, 115 are male, 85 female, four children and one infant. Some of them are Non Resident Indians as well.

15:04 March 18

SSB batches commencing from March 20 postponed

The Indian Army said that it has postponed all Services Selection Board (SSB) batches commencing from March 20 due to COVID-19 crisis.

15:02 March 18

Odisha govt asks religious institutions to adhere to COVID-19 prevention norms

The Odisha government on Wednesday asked all religious institutions in the state to "strictly adhere to the coronavirus prevention norms issued by the state government".

"In view of coronavirus situation, Odisha Government gives an advisory to all religious institutions within the state to strictly adhere to the coronavirus prevention norms, given by state government, including social distancing and other measures," an advisory issued by the Chief Minister's office read.

14:59 March 18

Vaishno Devi Yatra suspended amid COVID-18 outbreak

In the wake of coronavirus threat Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra has been suspended on Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said.

"Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra has been closed from today. All interstate buses, incoming and outgoing from J&K banned from today," Kansal tweeted.

This comes a day after the government appealed the pilgrims to postpone their visit to the shrine in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

14:56 March 18

BJP MP Suresh Prabhu
BJP MP Suresh Prabhu

Suresh Prabhu goes into self-quarantine

Former Union minister and BJP MP Suresh Prabhu has self quarantined himself at his residence for the next 14 days, as a precautionary measure following his return from Saudi Arabia to attend a meeting on March 10.

Sources said though Prabhu has tested negative for the coronavirus, he, however has decided to stay in isolation as a precaution.

14:46 March 18

Indian students in the Philippines seek help

Distressed Indian students in the Philippines seek help to get back home

Hundreds of distressed Indian students, stuck in the Philippines, are seeking help through video messages as they are unable to fly back home due to the travel restrictions imposed by India to contain the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus, according to friends and relatives of some of these students in the US.

The Indian government on Tuesday banned the entry of passengers from Afghanistan, Philippines and Malaysia to India with immediate effect amid stepped up efforts against the spread of COVID-19.

In a video message by one of these students Akhil Bala Nair, around 200 Indian students had booked their flight tickets for India in the next few days. But all of them have been cancelled due to the new policy.

14:40 March 18

ISKCON Temples closed till further orders
ISKCON Temples closed till further orders

ISKCON Temples (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) at Rajajinagar and Kanakpura Road in Bengaluru are closed for public from today, till further notice. 

14:39 March 18

Provide information on masks, hand sanitisers, NPPA asks manufacturers

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has asked manufacturers and importers of surgical and protective masks, gloves and hand sanitisers to furnish information regarding these items by the end of the day, failing which it will have to take coercive action.

Last week, NPPA directed all manufacturers and importers of surgical and protective masks, gloves and hand sanitisers to furnish information on these items by March 17, 2020.

It has been observed that very few manufacturers/ importers have submitted the requisite information in the prescribed format, NPPA said in an office memorandum.

14:28 March 18

Kerala Police handwashing dance goes viral

Kerala Police handwashing dance goes viral

Kerala police has released a video advising people to wash hands more often apart from following other precautionary measures. 

The video showing the handwashing dance has gone viral on social media. 

14:22 March 18

Sanitization of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation buses underway

Sanitization of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation buses is being undertaken as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

14:18 March 18

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane
Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane

Goa Health Ministry falls prey to COVID-19 hoax

Minutes after Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Wednesday confirmed Goa's first confirmed case of COVID-19, the Minister flip-flopped saying that his ministry was the victim of a mischievous hoax.

"It was hoax news. People should not be doing such a hoax. People should not be doing this. Calling the hospital and saying the call is from a notified lab (is wrong). The final report is not yet come. We are waiting for the report," Rane told reporters.

"We are trying to locate the number, of the person who tried to create panic in Goa," Rane also said.

14:13 March 18

Japan returnee IIT-R student tests negative

An IIT-Roorkee student (IIT-R) student who returned from Japan earlier this month has tested negative for the novel coronavirus.

The student, a research scholar in the Physics Department, had returned from abroad on March 3.

Meanwhile, four of the eight students quarantined earlier have been released whereas the remaining four are still in isolation since their virus-free status is not yet known, the IIT-R said in a statement on Wednesday.

14:13 March 18

KGMU suspends classes after doctor tests corona positive

The King George's Medical University (KGMU) has suspended all classes, including MBBS, BDS, B.Sc, nursing and paramedical, after a junior doctor tested Coronavirus positive on Wednesday morning.

The junior doctor who tested positive was a part of the medical team that is treating the two Corona positive patients in the KGMU.

The KGMU is the first medical university in the state to suspend classes due to the Corona scare.

14:09 March 18

A person, with a travel history to Indonesia, has tested positive for Coronavirus in Delhi.  

This is the fourth positive case of Coronavirus in Gautam Buddh Nagar.

14:01 March 18

2 more COVID 19 registered in Karnataka

2 more COVID 19 cases have been registered in Bengaluru today, taking the total infected cases to 13 in Karnataka.

A 56 year old male, resident of Bengaluru returned from USA on 6th March.  

Another, 25 yr old female, who tested positive has returned from Spain.  

13:50 March 18

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope

Maha to open seven more labs for coronavirus testing: Tope

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said seven more laboratories will come up across the state for testing suspected novel coronavirus cases.

At present, only three labs are operating in the state at Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune where samples of suspected persons are tested.

"KEM, JJ Hospital and Haffkine Institute will soon get the testing facilities. Most likely they will commence operations in the next five days," Tope told reporters.

Similar laboratories will come up in different parts of the state, he added. 

At 42, Maharashtra has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country. 

13:45 March 18

Soldiers and colleagues of Ladakh Scouts jawan who tested positive for COVID-19 quarantined

Indian Army has quarantined all soldiers and colleagues of the jawan who has tested positive for COVID-19 in Ladakh.  

The jawan was attached to the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre in Leh.

According to senior Army sources, the Lance Naik tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. 

13:38 March 18

Facebook to give $1,000 to each of its 45K employees

Facebook is giving $1,000 as bonus to each of its 45,000 employees to support them with liquid cash amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced in an internal memo that all employees will earn at least their full bonuses for their six-month review, reports The Information.

Some full-time Facebook employees have apparently taken over some of the work done by third-party contractors so that those contractors can stay home.

Facebook has already asked its Seattle and Bay Area employees to work from home.

The social networking giant also announced it is offering $100 million in cash grants and credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries.

13:38 March 18

NRAI urges members to shut down restaurants till Mar 31

The National Restaurant Association of India on Wednesday asked all members to shut down their restaurants till March 31 or till such time when no new cases are reported.

“In view of the serious health risk to employees and patrons in the food service sector amidst ever-worsening situation around COVID-19 in India, we as a responsible industry body, have sent out an advisory to all our members to shut down their restaurant operations from March 18 till March 31 or till such time when there are no new cases reported for a few days,” NRAI said in its advisory.

13:28 March 18

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu got his temperature checked

Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha M Venkaiah Naidu got his temperature checked with the help of thermometer gun, before entering his office as part of precautionary measures being undertaken to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

13:28 March 18

Jewellery industry lose shine as corona scare grips people

Following the coronavirus outbreak, the gems and jewellery sector in the country has come to a standstill with retailers managing to do only 20-25 per cent business due to fewer footfalls amid fear of the virus' spread, according to an industry body.

"There is virtually no footfalls in jewellery stores and retailers are doing only 20-25 per cent business across the country," All India Gem And Jewellery Domestic Council chairman Anantha Padmanaban told media here.

He further noted that there is panic among people due to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). Besides, as a precautionary measure the government has shut malls, theatres and other crowded places. People are mostly venturing out to buy essential commodities.

13:19 March 18

Visuals from Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad

Sixth corona positive case registered in Telangana

Telangana registered another positive case of COVID-19 on Wednesday, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to six.  

Five patients tested positive are being treated in Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad.  

The Gandhi Doctors discharged one person after he recovered. 

13:12 March 18

KGMU doctor tests positive as UP corona cases rise to 16

A junior doctor in the King George's Medical University (KGMU) has tested positive for coronavirus. This is the third COVID-19 case to test positive in the Uttar Pradesh capital, taking the total number reported cases to 16 in the state so far.

The junior doctor has been quarantined in the KGMU. He was a part of the medical team that has been treating COVID-19 patients.

Earlier, a woman doctor and her relative had tested positive for the deadly virus and have been undergoing treatment in the KGMU.

The 16 corona patients in the state have been reported from Agra (8), Lucknow (3), Noida (3) and Ghaziabad (2).

Health officials said that three corona patients had recovered fully and had been discharged while the rest were still under treatment.

13:07 March 18

All UP govt school students of classes 1 to 8 to get promoted without exams

Students of classes one to eight of all government primary schools in Uttar Pradesh will get promoted without having to appear in examinations in view of the coronavirus outbreak, an official said on Wednesday.

Examinations in primary schools were scheduled between March 23 and 28.

 The state government on Tuesday extended the closure of all educational institutions, cinemas, mulitplexes and tourists places in the state till April 2 and implemented work-from-home protocol to the extent possible to contain the coronavirus spread.

Competitive and other examinations too have been postponed till April 2.

13:05 March 18

Partial shutdown in Allahabad HC

The Allahabad High Court has also opted for a partial shutdown in view of the growing COVID-19 scare.

The high court has stated that it will only hear urgent matters till further orders and only lawyers representing these cases would be allowed entry into the court premises.

The court also asked the state government to set up a laboratory in Prayagraj for coronavirus testing.

13:03 March 18

Cyber cops step up vigil against rumour-mongers

Maharashtra Cyber Police has warned of strict action against rumour-mongers who spread misleading and unverified information on social media regarding COVID-19, an official said on Wednesday.

According to the official, police have stepped up online surveillance to identify senders of such fake news and other content.

At 42, Maharashtra has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country so far.

The official said many instances of spreading of false and unverified news regarding coronavirus on various social media platforms have come to the fore.

11:39 March 18

No adverse impact of coronavirus on Indian economy: Anurag Thakur

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday pointed out that the latest data on trade and indicators of domestic output do not suggest any adverse impact of coronavirus on the Indian economy.

"As is true for the world at large, India's near-term macroeconomic outlook also vulnerable to disruption of trade with China and 2nd-round effects arising from an expected slowdown in global growth. However, the latest available data on trade and indicators of domestic output don't suggest any adverse impact on the economy," stated MoS Finance Thakur in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

"Additionally, a positive impact on India's economy may arise from a decline in global oil prices triggered by the outbreak of COVID19," he added. 

11:38 March 18

Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru

Thermal scanning of visitors at Parliament premises

Thermal scanning of visitors is being conducted at all gates of Parliament premises as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus.

While in Karnataka, the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru was sanitised with the spraying of disinfectants, as a precaution against the disease.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India has reached 147, including 122 Indians and 24 foreign nationals, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.

Globally, the virus has infected more than 184,000 people and killed more than 7500, as per the data available on the World Health Organisation website.

Congress' DK Shivakumar: Digvijaya Singh has come to meet our party MLAs. One of the MLAs had contacted him through and requested him to free them. Police do not have right to block him, he wants to request higher authorities as these people are acting on instructions of CM. 

10:57 March 18

Parks and gardens of NMRDA closed

 

All parks and gardens of Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) are closed till 31st March.  

State govt had earlier issued an order that all tiger reserves, sanctuaries & national parks to remain closed till 31st March 2020, in wake of the coronavirus.

10:51 March 18

World Bank increases COVID-19 response fund to USD14 Billion

The World Bank has announced increasing to USD14 billion the amount of fast-track financing to assist companies and countries in their efforts to respond to the rapid spread of COVID-19, adding USD2 billion to the initial package.

The announcement came amid fear of a major global recession in the wake of the coronavirus that has impacted more than 120 countries.

The package will strengthen national systems for public health preparedness, including for disease containment, diagnosis and treatment, and support the private sector, the bank said in a statement on Tuesday.

"It is essential that we shorten the time to recovery. This package provides urgent support to businesses and their workers to reduce the financial and economic impact of the spread of COVID-19," David Malpass, President of the World Bank, said.

The World Bank Group is committed to a fast and flexible response based on the needs of developing countries. Support operations are already underway and the expanded funding tools approved today will help sustain economies, companies and jobs, he said.

10:50 March 18

Amazon prioritizes medical supplies, staples for delivery

Amazon has made a priority of medical supplies and household staples, putting shipments of other goods on hold to focus on key items during the coronavirus outbreak.

"We are seeing increased online shopping and as a result some products such as household staples and medical supplies are out of stock," the e-commerce titan said on Tuesday.

"We are temporarily prioritizing household staples, medical supplies and other high-demand products coming into our fulfilment centres so we can more quickly receive, restock and ship these products to customers," it said.

People hunkered down due to the deadly coronavirus have turned to Amazon for anything from toilet tissue to groceries and pet treats.

Seattle-based Amazon this week boosted pay to hourly workers and set out to hire 100,000 more US workers due to strain on its workforce.

10:42 March 18

IIT Bombay announces closure of activities  

In view of the novel coronavirus outbreak, IIT Bombay has announced a virtual shutdown of its campus at Powai here till March 31.

In the Tuesday night decision, the IIT-B decided to ask students to vacate hostels by March 20 evening.

"An emergency meeting of all heads of departments and other academic and administrative units was called on Tuesday to take stock of the situation on the campus, arising out of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

"This was particularly needed in view of the increasingly stringent measures being taken by MCGM (Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai) and the state administration to control the spread of the virus," said an official statement issued by Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, Indian Institute of Technology B.

10:38 March 18

Bagh-e-Bahu, Bagh-e-Bhour gardens closed in Jammu till March 31

Bagh-e-Bahu and Bagh-e-Bhour gardens in Jammu have been closed for general public till March 31.

Directorate of Floriculture, Parks and Gardens, Jammu said, "Keeping in view the prevailing situation regarding the incidence of COVID19 in Union Territory of J & K, the Bagh-e-Bahu garden, and Bagh-e-Bhour garden, in Jammu are hereby closed for general public from March 17 to 31."

As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the entry of foreign tourists in Kashmir is banned.

10:34 March 18

J P Nadda

BJP not to hold protest for 1 month in view of coronavirus outbreak: J P Nadda

The BJP has decided not to hold any protest or demonstration for a month in view of the coronavirus outbreak, party president J P Nadda said on Wednesday.

The party will not holding public gatherings, he said adding if they have to convey anything, senior party leaders will do so through memorandums.

"All party units have been asked to spread awareness about coronavirus and their dos and don'ts," Nadda said.

The BJP president's statement came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a parliamentary party meeting of the BJP asked MPs to spread awareness among the people in small groups about coronavirus and suggested that they should refrain from launching any mass agitation till April 15.

10:31 March 18

Pune woman tests positive for COVID-19; Maha count climbs to 42

A 28-year-old woman from Pune with a travel history to France and the Netherlands has tested positive for COVID-19, a senior official said on Wednesday.

With this, the number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra has gone up to 42.

Confirming the case, District Collector, Naval Kishore Ram said, "The woman returned India on March 15. She was admitted to hospital here on March 17". 

10:15 March 18

Confirmed coronavirus cases in India rises to 149

New Delhi: The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India has reached 149, including 124 Indians and 24 foreign nationals, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.

Maharashtra is the worst-hit state with 42 cases, followed by Kerala, with 25 cases and Uttar Pradesh with 15.

Karnataka has reported 13 cases, while one person has died in the state; Delhi has reported nine, including a foreign national. The Union Territory of Ladakh reported eight cases while Jammu and Kashmir reported three. Odisha reported its first case on Monday.

A total of 14 people have been discharged from hospitals after being treated for the disease.

Globally, the virus has infected more than 184,000 people and killed more than 7500, as per the data available on the World Health Organisation website. 

Also Read: 40 Indian pilgrims of Umrah stranded in Saudi Arabia

Last Updated : Mar 19, 2020, 9:19 AM IST

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