COVID-19: 23 Fresh Cases in Delhi in a Day, Total Rises to 72
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The number of novel coronavirus cases in Delhi climbed to 72 on Sunday, 29 March, after 23 fresh cases were reported in a day, the Health Department said. Till Saturday night, the number of cases of the COVID-19 pandemic stood at 49, including two deaths.
Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Sunday, asked all states and Union territories to allow transportation of all goods, without distinction between essential and non-essential, during the nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the coronavirus outbreak.
As per Health Ministry data, there are a total of 1,024 cases across the country, with the death toll at 27.
- The Supreme Court will hear on Monday a petition seeking relief for migrant workers affected by the lockdown
- Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has “appealed to the large number of people, who are returning from cities they work in, to stay wherever they are.”
- ICMR on Sunday said around 35,000 tests have been conducted, with 113 labs functioning and 47 private labs given permission to test
- PM Modi apologised for “taking harsh steps that caused inconvenience to common man” in his first ‘Mann Ki Baat’ under lockdown
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PM Modi to Address Nation Through 'Mann Ki Baat' at 11 AM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation through his radio programme 'MannKiBaat', at 11 AM today. The episode will be focussed on the situation prevailing due to COVID-19.
Three More Test Positive for COVID-19 in West Bengal
Three women from two different parts of West Bengal on Saturday tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of people suffering from the disease in the state to 18, a senior official of the state health department said.
Two women, aged 76 and 56 years, are residents of Egra in south Bengal's East Midnapore district while the third, a 54-year-old, is from Kalimpong in Darjeeling district of north Bengal, reported PTI.
5 Test Positive in UP's Meerut
A person who had come back from Maharashtra's Amravati and four other members of his family have tested positive for coronavirus in Meerut. More details awaited, reported ANI.
275 Indians From Iran Brought to Jodhpur
In Rajasthan, another batch of 275 Indian citizens brought in from Iran, have reached Jodhpur. They would be kept at the Indian army's wellness centre. 277 Indians evacuated earlier this month from Iran are already lodged at this centre.
Indian Students Stranded in UK Due to COVID-19 Travel Ban Urge PM Modi for Rescue Flight
Hundreds of Indian students stranded in the UK have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to organise a rescue flight amid the ongoing travel ban enforced by India to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
A group of at least 380 students from India has started a data chain with their passport details to create a collective voice to lobby the Indian government for action, reported PTI.
US Coronavirus Deaths Surge Past 2,000: Johns Hopkins
Deaths from the new coronavirus in the United States surged past 2,000 on Saturday, doubling in just three days, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
The number of deaths late Saturday was 2,010, about a quarter of them in New York City, the country's hardest-hit region, Johns Hopkins reported, according to AFP.
Confirmed cases in the United States topped 121,000, according to the tally.
5 Patients Test Negative n Pune; to Be Discharged Today
“Five COVID-19 patients from Pune have tested negative in repeat samples and will be discharged today,” said Shravan Hardikar, Municipal Commissioner, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, ANI reported.
Thirty-six positive cases have been reported from Pune till now of which 10 have already been discharged.
45-Y-Old COVID-19 Patient Dies in Ahmedabad
“A 45-year-old COVID-19 patient died today in Ahmedabad. He was suffering from diabetes. A total of five deaths have been reported from Gujarat (cumulative figures till today),” said Health & Family Welfare Department, Gujarat Government, reported ANI.
Jammu & Kasmhir Reports Second Death
“The unfortunate demise of a coronavirus patient has been reported from Srinagar this morning,” said Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary (Planning), Jammu and Kashmir Government, reported ANI.
Two people have died in Jammu and Kashmir till now due to coronavirus.
'Made Camps For Migrant Workers With Food, Water': Telangana Health Min
“There are currently 53 COVID-19 cases in the state. We are making camps for migrant workers with arrangements of food and water. We have setup a control room for it. I request people to not violate the lockdown,” said Telangana Health Minister Etela Rajender, reported ANI.
7 More Cases in Maharashtra; Tally at 193
In Maharashtra, there are seven more COVID-19 cases reported in the state (four from Mumbai, one from Pune and one each from Sangli and Nagpur. Total number of cases in the state rises to 193, reported ANI.
'No Shortage of LPG, No Need to Panic': IOC Chariman
“We assure all our Indian customers that there is currently no shortage of LPG, and domestic cylinders are being supplied as per usual,” said Indian Oil Corporation.
“Enough petrol, diesel, LPG stocks available to service every customer in the country through April,” IOC Chairman Sanjiv Singh to PTI.
He added, “There is absolutely no need for public to panic on LPG supplies. We are servicing 100 pc of refills sought. LPG bottling plants running at 130 pc capacity, all bulk storage points, LPG distributorship, petrol pumps functioning normally.”
COVID-19: Total 979 Positive Cases, 25 Dead
Total number of coronavirus cases in the country rises to 979 (including 86 cured/discharged and 25 deaths), said the Union Health Ministry on Sunday.
'Many Fighting the Virus Outside Their Homes': PM Modi on 'Mann Ki Baat'
In his first ‘Mann KI Baat’ since the lockdown was imposed in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I understand that no one wants to break rules deliberately, but there are some people who are doing so. To them, I will say that if they don’t follow this lockdown, it will be difficult to protect ourselves from the danger of coronavirus.”
He further said, “There are many soldiers who are fighting coronavirus, not from their homes but from outside their homes. These are our front line soldiers-especially our brothers and sisters on duty as nurses, doctors and paramedical staff.”
During his programme, he also spoke to a few people who joined him on call, narrating how they recovered from the virus.
COVID-19: Review Meeting by PM's Principal Secy Begins in PMO
Dr PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister has formed ten groups for tackling various emergencies. Review meeting chaired by Dr Mishra begins in Prime Minister's Office, reported ANI.
CBSE Employees 1-2 Days Salary to PM-CARES Fund
CBSE has decided to contribute Rs 21,00,000 from all employees who have voluntarily come forward to donate their salaries. Accordingly, Group 'A' employees have donated two-day salary and Group 'B' and 'C' employees one day salary to the PM-CARES fund.
Train Coaches Converted into Isolation Wards, Piyush Goyal Tweets
COVID-19 Patient Among 11 Booked for Flouting Quarantine, Prohibitory Orders
Eleven people, including a COVID- 19 patient and two newly married couples, have been booked in Thane in Maharashtra for allegedly flouting quarantine norms and holding marriage functions despite prohibitory orders in view of the coronavirus crisis, police said on Sunday.
SpiceJet Pilot Tests Positive for COVID-19
SpiceJet said on Sunday that one of its pilots who did not fly any international flight in March has tested positive for the coronavirus.
"One of our colleagues, a first officer with SpiceJet, has tested positive for COVID-19. The test report came on 28 March. He did not operate any international flight in March 2020," the airline's spokesperson told The Quint.
“As a precautionary measure, all crew and staff who had been in direct contact with him have been asked to self-quarantine by staying at home for the next 14 days,” the official added.
Cop Writes 'Violated Lockdown, Stay Away From Me' On Labourer's Forehead
In Madhya Pradesh, a police Sub-Inspector writes 'I have violated lockdown, stay away from me' on forehead of a labourer in Gorihar area of Chhatarpur.
SP Kumar Saurabh said, “This is unacceptable. Action is being taken against the police woman as per the law,” reported ANI.
5 New Positive Cases Reported in J&K
Five more people have tested positive in Kashmir- two from Srinagar, two from Budgam and one from Baramulla,” said Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary (Planning), Jammu and Kashmir Government, reported ANI.
Don't Leave for Native Places in Country's Interest: Kejriwal to Migrant Workers
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday appealed to migrant workers not to leave for their native places during the 21-day nationwide lockdown in the interest of the country.
Taking to Twitter, he asked the migrant workers to stay wherever they were as the risk of the coronavirus spreading increases due to large gatherings.
Thousands of migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand have started walking back to their homes due to the lockdown.
Tamil Nadu to Launch Corona Containment Drive Today
In Tamil Nadu, a 7 kilometer-radius buffer zone will be demarcated around the place of every positive case. Every resident will be screened for corona symptoms in the zone and the vulnerable people will be given masks or put in isolation.
40-Yr-Old Who Died On 28 March Confirmed to Have Contracted COVID-19
A 40-year-old woman who died on Saturday has tested positive for coronavirus. A known case of hypertension, she had complaints of breathlessness and chest pain for 3-4 days. This is the seventh death in Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra has gone up to 193 with 12 more people testing positive for coronavirus, a health official said on Sunday.
Delhi Govt Schools Convert Into Temporary Shelter for Migrant Workers, Homeless
A number of Delhi government schools are being converted into temporary shelter homes to accommodate the homeless and migrant workers amid nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
Telangana IPS Association to Contribute 1-Day Salary to CM's and PM's Relief Fund
Telangana IPS Association to contribute a day's salary to the chief minister's relief fund and prime minister's relief fund, reported ANI.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Govt Says Contribution to PM-Cares Fund to Qualify as CSR Spending
Contribution by corporates to PM-CARES fund will be considered as social welfare spending under the companies law, the government has said amid ongoing efforts to deal with the situation arising out of the coronavirus outbreak, reported PTI.
Under the companies law, certain classes of profitable entities have to shell out at least 2 percent of their three-year annual average net profit towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in a particular fiscal year.
Railway Min Piyush Goyal, MoS Suresh Angadi to Contribute A Month's Salary to PM-CARES Fund
“Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, Minister of State Suresh Angadi to donate one month's salary to PM-CARES fund to fight COVID-19,” Railways stated, according to PTI.
AAI's Employees Raise Rs 20 Cr for PM-CARES Fund
“Our employees have raised Rs 20 crore as an initial contribution to the PM-CARES fund to fight the menace of COVID-19,” said the Airports Authority of India, ANI reported.
Delhi Police Feeds Needy at New Delhi Railway Station
Delhi Police continues to distribute food to the needy in different parts of the city, visuals from near New Delhi railway station.
Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah Releases Additonal Rs 1.5 Cr for Srinagar Hospitals
National Conference Party President and MP Dr. Farooq Abdullah today released an additional amount of Rs 1.5 crore to Srinagar based hospitals. “The amount is to be equally distributed among three hospitals,” said National Conference, reported ANI.
JSW Group Donates Rs 100 Crores to PM-CARES Fund
JSW Group commits Rs 100 crores as a direct contribution towards the PMCaresFund to fight COVID-19.
'No Movement of People Across Cities, Only Goods Allowed': Centre
The Centre has directs states to ensure no movement of people across cities. “All arrangements be made for migrant labourers at their place of work including timely payment of wages. Action should be taken against those asking students/labourers to vacate,” the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has stated.
It further sated that “those who have violated the lockdown and traveled during the period of lockdown will be subject to minimum 14 days of quarantine in government quarantine facilities.”
CBI to Donate 1-Day Salary to PM-CARES Fund
CBI officials to donate their one day salary to Prime Minister's citizen assistance and relief in emergency situations fund (PM CARES Fund) to help the Centre in efforts to fight COVID-19.
Sudden Lockdown Created Panic, Confusion: Rahul Writes to PM
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the sudden lockdown has created immense panic and confusion.
In letter to PM, Rahul highlighted plight of poor, says may need steps other than total lockdown as India's conditions unique, reported PTI.
Fresh Cases in Gautam Buddha Nagar; Total Tally At 27
“Man from Dadri, who came in contact with a UK national, tests positive for coronavirus; total cases in Gautam Buddha Nagar 27,” said officials, reported PTI.
Kotak Mahindra Bank, MD Personally Donates Rs 50 Cr to PM-CARES Fund
Kotak Mahindra Bank and Managing Director Uday Kotak personally, commit immediate support of Rs 50 crore to PM-CARES fund (Rs 25crore each),” stated Kotak Mahindra Bank.
Fresh Cases Reported in Rajasthan; Tally at 56
A 21-year-old man has been tested positive for COVID-19 in Jhunjhunu. He returned from Philippines on 18 March and developed symptoms of the disease on 26 March. With this, total number of cases rises to 56 in the state.
Earlier in the day, in Rajasthan, a 53-year-old woman has also tested positive for COVID-19 in Bhilwara, reported ANI.
Singapore Reports 3rd Coronavirus-Linked Death
A 70-year-old man in Singapore on Sunday died of the novel coronavirus after fighting the disease for 27 days, taking the country's death toll in COVID-19 pandemic to three, officials said.
The patient, a Singaporean citizen with no recent travel history to affected countries and regions, died at about 12.12 PM on Sunday, Channel News Asia quoted Ministry of Health as saying.
COVID-19 Scare Hits Poultry Industry, Birds Culled in K'taka
The coronavirus scare has taken a toll on the poultry industry in Karnataka with many poultry farm owners culling the birds, insiders in the poultry industry said.
At least one lakh birds have been culled in the last one week, the sources said, reported PTI.
Salman Khan to Extend Financial Help to 25,000 Daily Wage Workers of Film Industry
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has pledged to financially support 25,000 daily wage workers from the film industry in the wake of the national lockdown, according to Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE), reported PTI.
Woman Tests Positive for COVID-19 in Bihar, Total Count 11
A woman tested positive for COVID-19 in Bihar on Sunday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 11, an official said in Patna, reported PTI.
Among those who have tested positive, as many as six had come into contact with a deceased patient, hailing from Munger district, who died at AIIMS, Patna, on Saturday last week, a day before his test reports confirmed he had COVID 19.
Spain Announces 838 Deaths in 24 Hrs, Sets New Daily Record
Spain on Sunday announced 838 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, setting a new daily record.
Meanwhile, Iran announced 123 more coronavirus deaths in the last 24 hours, raising the country's toll to 2,640, AFP reported.
Punjab Govt Asks Industries, Commercial Establishments to Not Terminate Employees
The Punjab government has issued an advisory to industries and commercial establishments in the state, asking them not to terminate employees or deduct their wages amid the nationwide lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, PTI reported.
Watch: Health Ministry Addresses Media on Coronavirus Outbreak
The Health Ministry, in its briefing on Sunday said that six deaths and 106 positive COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours from six states. Till now, there have been a total of 979 cases and 25 deaths recorded in the country due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Ministry said that they are trying to identify hot-spots and has asked for specific blocks and hospitals for COVID-19 patients, with the process to isolate them from other patients having started.
"Ten groups have been formed to give guidance. The focus areas include medical emergency management, isolation beds, quarantine facility," Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry, Lav Aggarwal, said during the briefing.
47 Pvt Labs Given Permission to Test for COVID-19: ICMR
During the briefing on Sunday, Dr R Ganga Ketkar of the Indian Council of Medical Research said that around 35,000 tests have been conducted, with 113 labs functioning, and permission given to 47 private labs to test for COVID-19.
"Till today we have conducted 34,931 tests. Capacity utilisation in the Indian Council of Medical Research network is around 30 percent. We have increased some labs, 113 have been made functional and 47 private labs have been given approval," DR Ketkar was quoted by ANI as saying.
196 COVID-19 Cases in Maharashtra, 34 Discharged: State Health Minister
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Sunday said that three more people tested positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra, with the total number of cases climbing to 196.
There are 155 active cases in the state, with 34 people having been discharged from respective hospitals.
NIMHANS Launches Toll-Free Helpline Number to Address Mental Health Issues
The Health Ministry said on Sunday that the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) has launched a toll-free helpline number to address mental health issues due to the coronavirus outbreak.
21 COVID-19 Cases in Haryana, 10 from Gurugram
The number of COVID-19 cases rose to 21 in Haryana on Sunday, with the maximum cases (10) reported from Gurugram, the state health department said.
45-Yr Old COVID-19 Positive Man Dies in Maharashtra
A 45-year-old COVID-19 positive man has died in Maharashtra’s Buldhana. However, the exact cause behind his death is yet to be ascertained, the State Health Department was quoted by ANI as saying.
All Paramilitary Forces' Personnel Have Contributed One Day's Salary to PM-CARES Fund: Amit Shah
Defence Minister Approves Proposal for Contribution of One Day's Salary by Employees to PM-CARES Fund
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday approved a proposal to allow Ministry of Defence employees to contribute one day's salary to the PM-CARES fund to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
The employees’ contribution is voluntary and those desirous of opting out will be exempted, the Defence Ministry said.
Meanwhile, the Navy has already issued orders for all its uniformed personnel to donate one day's salary to the fund.
Centre Approves Launch of 'Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19'
The Centre on approved the launch of the 'Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19' as per the announcement made under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package’.
5 Pak Nationals Stranded in Delhi/Noida Return Via Attari-Wagah Border
Five Pakistan nationals successfully returned to Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border on Sunday. They had come to India on medical visas and were stranded in Noida and New Delhi due to the coronavirus outbreak and related restrictions, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi said.
Priyanka Gandhi Writes to Telecom Heads to Make Calls Free for Migrants
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday wrote to Mukesh Ambani (Jio), Kumar Mangalam Birla (Vodafone-Idea), PK Purwar (BSNL) and Sunil Bharti Mittal (Airtel), urging them to make incoming-outgoing calls free on their networks for one month for migrants amid the lockdown over coronavirus.
20 More Positive Cases in Kerala
Twenty more positive cases of coronavirus have been detected in Kerala, with 18 having foreign travel history and two having contact history with them, the Kerala Health Minister's Office said on Sunday.
The total number of cases in the state has risen to 202, of which 181 are active. Four people under treatment tested negative today, it added.
DGCA Suspends Breath-Analyser Tests for Pilots
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Sunday that it's suspending breath-analyser tests, done to detect alcohol, for pilots due to the COVID-19 pandemic
‘Appeal Migrants to Stay Where They Are’: Delhi CM Kejriwal Amid Lockdown
Amid the unprecedented exodus of migrants prompted by the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday “appealed to the large number of people, who are returning from cities they work in, to stay wherever they are.”
“When the PM imposed lockdown, he requested everybody to stay wherever they were. If you don't follow this, the lockdown will fail... If one person in a huge crowd is infected with COVID-19, all can be affected. The virus can reach villages." Kejriwal said.
He claimed that the Delhi government has emptied stadiums and schools to provide shelter to the migrant workers, and is giving free food to 4 lakh people daily, as he urged industrialists, businesspeople and well-to-do families to not let their workers go hungry.
Number of COVID-19 Cases in Karnataka Goes Up To 83
Seven new COVID-19 cases were reported in Karnataka on Sunday, with the tally mounting to 83, the state government said.
Transportation of all Essential, Non-essential Goods Allowed During Lockdown: MHA
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Sunday asked all states and Union territories to allow transportation of all goods, without distinction of essential and non-essential, during the period of the lockdown, imposed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The home secretary made it clear that the newspaper delivery supply chain was also allowed under exemptions given for print media.
In a letter to chief secretaries of the states and the Union territories, Bhalla said the entire supply chain of milk collection and distribution, including its packing materials, has also been allowed during the lockdown period, PTI reported
Groceries, including hygiene products such as hand wash, soaps, disinfectants, oral care items, battery cells and chargers, are also allowed, he said.
The home secretary also included the services of the Indian Red Cross Society under the Establishment of National Disaster Management Authority.
Amid Lockdown, Migrant Workers in Greater Noida Walk to Their Home in Bihar
Army Doctor, JCO Test Positive for Coronavirus
An army doctor and a junior commissioned officer have tested positive for coronavirus, PTI reported on Sunday, citing official sources.
23 Fresh Cases in Delhi in a Day, Total Rises to 72
The number of novel coronavirus cases in Delhi climbed to 72 on Sunday after 23 fresh cases were reported in a day, the Health Department said. Till Saturday night, the number of cases of the COVID-19 pandemic stood at 49, including two deaths.
According to the Delhi Health Department, out of the total 72 cases recorded so far, 64 are admitted at various hospitals.
Out of the total cases, five have been discharged and two have died, while one person had migrated out of the country.
SC to Hear Tomorrow Petition Seeking Relief for Migrant Workers
The Supreme Court will be hearing on Monday the petition filed by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava, seeking food, water and shelter for migrant workers and their families, many of whom are walking on foot to their villages amid the 21-day lockdown over the coronavirus outbreak.
MHA Constitutes 11 Empowered Groups for Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
The Home Ministry has constituted 11 empowered groups for comprehensive and integrated response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Out of these 11 empowered groups, nine are headed by secretary-level officers, one by a member of NITI Aayog and one by the CEO of NITI Aayog.
One More Tests Positive in WB
A 59-year-old resident of Hooghly, West Bengal has been tested positive for COVID-19, raising the total number of cases in the state to 21.
The patient is currently admitted to the ICU of a hospital.
Punjab Reports 2nd COVID-19 Death
A 62-year-old man died in Amritsar on Sunday due to COVID-19, raising the death toll in the state to 2, reported PTI.
RML Staff Sent to Quarantine After Being Exposed to COVID-19 Patient
Around six doctors and four nurses from RML Hospital Delhi have been sent to quarantine after they were exposed to a COVID-19 positive patient, reported ANI, quoting Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, Delhi
Case Registered Against 2 COVID-19 Patients in MP
A case has been registered against two COVID-19 positive patients who had escaped from MRTB Hospital in Indore on 28 March, reported ANI.
The two patients were traced and brought back to the hospital on 29 March.
US Reports 518 New COVID-19 Deaths in 24 Hours
The US recorded 518 new novel coronavirus-linked deaths in the span of 24 hours, according to data published Sunday by Johns Hopkins University.
The record toll, higher than the previous day's increase of 453, brings the country's total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic to 2,409.
The number of cases shot up 21,333 in one day, the data showed.