COVID-19: Maharashtra Reports Most Cases, 1,152 Deaths in India
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Maharashtra reported 1,008 cases in a single day — highest spike in a day in the state on Friday, 1 May. Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in India rose 35,365 on Friday, including 1,152 deaths, 9,064 patients who have been cured or discharged and one who has migrated.
The nationwide lockdown imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic has been further extended for two weeks post 4 May, the MHA stated on Friday.
The Home Ministry on Friday allowed the use of special trains to ferry people stranded due to the lockdown, including migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons.
Earlier on Friday, a one-off special train was run early to transport 1,200 stranded migrants from Lingampalli in Telangana’s Hyderabad to Jharkhand’s Hatia
- ‘Shramik’ trains have been planned to run from Lingampalli to Hatia, Aluva to Bhubaneswar, Nashik to Lucknow, Nashik to Bhopal, Jaipur to Patna and Kota to Hatia, the Rail Ministry said on Friday
- The Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and three service chiefs will hold a press conference at 6 pm today
- The recovery rate for the coronavirus outbreak in India currently stands at 25.37 percent
- Five personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 48 hours in Delhi, reports said
- At least 73 deaths and 1,993 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours
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35,043 COVID-19 Cases in India, 1,147 Deaths Recorded
The number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 35,043 on Friday, 1 May. According to the Health Ministry data, there are now 25,007 active cases in the country, while 1,147 people have died. As many as 8,888 patients have been cured or discharged and one has migrated.
Centre's List Says 130 Red Zones, 219 Green Zones in India
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Two weeks ago, on 15 April, there were 170 Red Zones and 207 Orange Zones in India.
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WHO Should Be Ashamed, Acting Like China's PR: Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump Thursday said the World Health Organization should be "ashamed of" itself, as he likened it to a public relations agency for China, reported PTI.
The Trump Administration has launched a probe into the role of the WHO on coronavirus. It has temporarily suspended the US' financial assistance to it.
"I think that the World Health Organization should be ashamed of themselves because they are like the public relations agency for China," Trump told reporters in the White House, PTI said.
Asha Worker Assaulted in Madhya Pradesh
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"He hit me with his slipper, pulled my hair and pushed me," said Ramdevi Ahirwar.
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Clash Breaks Out In Godhra Amid Lockdown
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"Barricading of containment area was being done by civic authorities and cops. Some locals protested, pelted stones. We used tear gas and situation under control," said SP leena Patel.
First Train Carrying 1,200 Migrants Leaves from Telangana to Jharkhand
The first train carrying 1,200 migrants from Lingampally in Telangana to Hatia in Jharkhand started at 4:50 am on 1 May, reported PTI.
“It has 24 coaches and is the only train to be deployed so far,” said Railway Protection Force DG to the news agency.
BMC Mandates 100% Attendance of Employees
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has mandated 100 percent attendance for all its employees in offices and on-field, with some relaxation to people over 55 years of age and people with medical conditions.
“All staff over the age of 55 years are advised to either work from home or work in office and not go on field. People in medical department, including doctors, nursing staff and paramedics over the age of 55 years with co-morbidities are advised to stay home for 2 weeks,” the BMC said.
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2,300 Tests Conducted Per 1 Million People: Delhi CM
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that 2,300 tests were being conducted per 1 million people in the national capital. “A total 1,100 people have been cured and discharged till date,” said Kejriwal.
He also added that around 40 buses are leaving Delhi to bring back stranded students from Rajasthan’s Kota.
“Free ration being provided to the needy in Delhi will be doubled to 10 kg from 5 kg,” the chief minister said Kejriwal.
11 New COVID-19 Cases in Karnataka
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Goa CM Credits State's 'Corona Warriors' For Making State Green Zone
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"Don't Panic About COVID-19": Maharashtra CM
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray appealed to people to not panic about COVID-19.
“I want people to not panic about coronvirus. It's only about starting the treatment on time. From few days old babies to 83-year-olds people recovered and gone home. People on ventilators have also recovered well,” said Thackeray.
He added that post 3 May, there will be relaxations in specific areas of the state.
Chhattisgarh CM Writes to PM Seeking Relaxation in Borrowing Limit for State
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in a letter to PM Modi on Friday sought relaxation in the state's borrowing limit to six percent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) this year in view of the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, reported PTI.
Baghel also requested that the fiscal deficit of the state be made equal to five percent of the GSDP as an exception, it further reported.
'Knee-Jerk Reaction; Too Little, Too Late': Congress on Running of Special Train For Migrants
The Congress on Friday slammed the Centre for "mercilessly and without second thought abandoning an entire category of migrant labour".
The party further called the running of a special train for migrants as a "knee-jerk reaction", something that was "too little and too late", PTI reported. A one-off special train was run early on Friday to transport 1,200 stranded migrants from Lingampalli in Telangana's Hyderabad to Jharkhand's Hatia
"The mismanagement of migrant labour shows the approach this government has adopted towards the poor of the country... Fiscal injection, especially designed for the labour class, is the need of the hour," Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi was quoted as saying.
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The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration on Friday decided to arrange special ships between Port Blair and Chennai to ferry stranded migrant workers, students, pilgrims and tourists, officials were quoted by PTI as saying.
Mayawati Asks Centre, State Govt to Take Meaningful Steps for Workers
BSP supremo Mayawati on Friday asked the Centre and state government to take meaningful steps to help labourers hit by the coronavirus lockdown.
In a message on the occasion of Labour Day, the former Uttar Pradesh CM said labourers are facing a threat to their livelihood due to the lockdown and the government should help them come out of the crisis, reported PTI.
Five ITBP Personnel Test Positive for COVID-19
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12 More CRPF Jawans Test Positive
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MHA Allows Use of Special Trains to Ferry Those Stranded Due to Lockdown
The Home Ministry on Friday allowed the use of special trains to ferry people stranded due to the lockdown, including migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons.
'Total Demand of 75,000 Ventilators, 19,398 Available': Centre
The Centre on Friday said that there are about 19,398 ventilators available in India, while the total demand is of 75,000 ventilators.
"Total 19,398 ventilators are available and 60,884 ventilators have been ordered, of which 59,884 will be made by domestic manufacturers," PD Vaghela, chairperson of Empowered Group-3 said during a briefing.
'Special Trains to Run From Point to Point on Request of State Govts': Rail Ministry
With the Centre allowing the use of trains to ferry stranded people, the Rail Ministry on Friday said that the special trains will be run from point to point on the request of both the concerned state governments, as per the standard protocols for sending and receiving such stranded persons.
Senior officials would be appointed as nodal officers by the railways and state government for this effort.
"Passengers to be screened by sending states and only those found asymptomatic will be allowed. Sending state governments will have to bring passengers in batches to the designated railway station in sanitised buses following social distancing norms and other precautions," it added.
"On arrival at the destination, passengers will be received by the state government, who would make all arrangements for their screening, quarantine if necessary," it added.
It will be mandatory for passengers to cover their face. Meals and drinking water will be provided to them by states at the boarding station, the railways said.
PM Modi Meets Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman on COVID-19 Lockdown
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COVID-19: India’s Case Tally Rises to 35,365; Death Toll at 1,152
The number of coronavirus cases in India rose 35,365 on Friday, including 25,148, 1,152 deaths, 9,064 patients who have been cured or discharged and one who has migrated.
MHA Extends Lockdown for Two More Weeks Beyond 4 May
“Ministry of Home Affairs issues order under the Disaster Management Act 2005 to further extend the Lockdown for a further period of two weeks beyond 4 May,” said MHA.
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No New COVID-19 Case Reported in Uttarakhand Today
“No new COVID-19 positive case reported in Uttarakhand today; total number of positive cases stands at 57,” the State Health Department said.
Delhi Appoints 10 Nodal Officers to Coordinate With States for Movement of Stranded People
Delhi government has appointed 10 nodal officers to coordinate with different states for movement of stranded persons, following MHA order, reports ANI.
2 More Cases in Ranchi; Jharkhand's Tally at 113
“Two more cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Hindpiri area of Ranchi, taking the total number of cases to 113 in Jharkhand,” the State Health Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni said.
Maharashtra Reports 1,008 Cases — Highest Spike In a Day
“1,008 new COVID-19 positive cases reported in Maharashtra today, in the highest number of cases recorded in a single day, taking the total number of cases to 11,506,” the State Health Department said.
223 New COVID-19 in Delhi Today
“223 new COVID-19 cases, two deaths reported in Delhi today; the total number of positive cases is now 3,738,” the Delhi Health Department stated.
Mumbai Reports 751 Fresh Cases; Tally at 7,625
“751 new COVID-19 cases reported in Mumbai, taking the number of cases to 7,625,” said the Municipal Corporation Greater Mumbai.
No Fresh Case in Kerala Today, CM Says Good Day for the State
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said that it was a good day for the state as no fresh positive case was reported.
May Day being a public holiday, Vijayan made the announcement through his Facebook account.
“So far 392 people have been cured of the coronavirus and 102 people are currently being treated," he posted, adding, “A total of 21,067 people are under observation at their homes while 432 others have been kept under observation at different hospitals across the state.”
Rajasthan Reports 88 Fresh Cases Today
"Eighty-eight more persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Rajasthan taking the total number of cases to 26,66; 62 deaths due to the virus recorded in state till date,” the Rajasthan Health department said.
Special Train With 1,110 Migrant Workers Departs to Odisha
The first train carrying migrant workers stranded in Kerala due to the nationwide lockdown to check the spread of COVID-19, left for Bhubaneswar in Odisha on Friday night.
The special 24-coach train, carrying around 1,110 migrant workers from Odisha, began its journey at 9.55 pm from Aluva railway station, a southern railway spokesman told PTI in Kochi.