COVID-19: Delhi-Noida Border to be Sealed, Some Exceptions Allowed
Catch all the live updates on the COVID-19 pandemic here.
The Delhi-Gautam Buddh Nagar/Noida border will be closed completely as a preventive measure to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the district magistrate of the Uttar Pradesh district tweeted on Tuesday, 21 April. However, some exceptions have been specified.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday revoked lockdown relaxations and exemptions for Mumbai and Pune regions in view of a large number of people found commuting on 20 April. However, the rest of the state will continue to have partial exemptions, according to the chief minister's office.
The number of coronavirus cases in Delhi rose to 2,156 on Tuesday, but no fresh deaths were reported, the authorities said.
- According to the Health Ministry data, there are a total of 18,985 COVID-19 cases across the country, including 15,122 active cases, 603 deaths, 3,259 cured or discharged patients and one migrated patient
- Caregivers of senior citizens residing with them, prepaid mobile recharge utilities and food processing units in urban areas have already been exempted from lockdown measures, the Centre clarified on Tuesday
- A Cabinet meeting is scheduled to be held at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Wednesday
- ICMR has advised states to not use the new rapid testing kits for the next two days, as irregularities are being investigated
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Italy's Current Virus Cases Fall for First Time
Italy reported its first drop on Monday in the number of people currently suffering from the novel coronavirus since it recorded its first infection in February, AFP reported.
Those receiving intensive care treatment also fell to the lowest level in a month as Europe's hardest-hit country began to see the first direct health benefits of its economically devastating lockdown.
The civil protection service said 108,237 people were either being treated in hospital or were recovering at home after testing positive -- 20 fewer than the total reported on Sunday.
US to 'Temporarily Suspend' Immigration Over COVID-19, Trump Tweets
The United States is set to “temporarily suspend immigration” amid rising number of coronavirus cases, President Donald Trump has tweeted.
US Oil Rebounds, Back in Positive Territory
US oil prices rebounded back above zero on Tuesday, a day after futures ended in negative territory for the first time as a coronavirus-triggered collapse in demand leaves the world awash in crude.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for May delivery was changing hands at USD 0.56 a barrel after closing at - USD 37.63 in New York.
Space is scarce to store oil amid the current glut, meaning there have been few buyers for the commodity.
The May WTI contract closes on Tuesday, and the contract for June delivery is now more actively traded. That enjoyed a modest increase on Tuesday after heavy falls a day earlier, rising to above USD 21 a barrel.
China Hoarded PPE, Selling it at High Rates: White House Official
The United States has "evidence" that in January and February, China bought 18 times more amount of masks and personal protective equipment, which they are now selling at high rates, a top White House official has claimed.
Peter Navarro, White House Director of Trade and Manufacturing, alleged on Monday that several countries, including India and Brazil, were not having enough PPE because Beijing was hoarding them.
"China vacuumed up all of the personal protective equipment around the world while it was hiding the virus," Navarro told Fox Business News in an interview.
80-Year-Old Dies from COVID-19, Karnataka's Death Toll Rises to 17
An 80-year-old COVID-19 patient has died in Karnataka's Kalaburagi district, taking the death toll in the state to 17, Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said on Tuesday.
The elderly person was suffering from Parkinson's disease for the last three years and died at a hospital on Monday, the minister said in a tweet.
Cases in India Cross 18,000, Death Toll at 590
The total number of COVID-19 cases in India stood at 18,601, with the death toll rising to 590, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Out of these, 14,759 are active cases, with 3,251 patients being cured/discharged and one is a migrated patient.
BrahMos Aerospace Helps Jabalpur With PPE Kits, N95 Masks
BrahMos Aerospace, the Indo- Russian joint venture known the world over for making missiles, has given 500 PPE kits and 2,500 N95 masks to the Jabalpur district administration in Madhya Pradesh to help in the fight against coronavirus.
“The countrys prestigious BrahMos Aerospace has given 500 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, 2,500 N95 masks and 30 thermal scanners to the Jabalpur district administration,” company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Sudhir Kumar Mishra said.
5 More Test COVID-19 Positive in Odisha; Total Cases Rise to 79
Five more persons tested positive for novel coronavirus in Odisha on Tuesday, taking the total number of such cases to 79 in the state, a health department official told PTI.
All the fresh cases have been reported from Balasore district neighbouring West Bengal, he said.
Sri Lanka Postpones Parliamentary Poll for Nearly 2 Months Due to COVID-19 Outbreak
Sri Lanka's Election Commission has postponed the parliamentary elections for nearly two months in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak that has killed seven people and infected 295 others in the country.
A gazette notice signed by the three members of the National Election Commission announcing 20 June date of the election was issued on Monday.
Family from Tripura Travels Over 3,000 km in Ambulance from Chennai to Reach Home
A family from Gomati district of Tripura, stranded in Chennai due to the ongoing lockdown, has travelled 3,213 km in an ambulance to return home amid the restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Chanchal Majumder along with his wife Ashima, who had gone to the southern metropolis for treatment in a private hospital there, reached home on Sunday evening, and they were sent in a quarantine centre, an official said.
52 Fresh Cases of Coronavirus in Rajasthan
Rajasthan recorded 52 fresh coronavirus cases on Tuesday, taking the state's virus tally to 1,628, an official said. The state has so far seen 25 deaths due to the virus, with Jaipur accounting for 13 deaths.
"52 fresh cases have been reported in nine districts of the state, including 34 in Jaipur," Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said.
UN Calls for Scaling Up All Efforts to Confront Pandemic
The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution calling for global action to rapidly scale up development, manufacturing and access to medicine, vaccines and medical equipment to confront the new coronavirus pandemic.
The Mexican-drafted resolution requests UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to work with the World Health Organization and recommend options to ensure timely and equitable access to testing, medical supplies, drugs and future coronavirus vaccines for all in need, especially in developing countries.
2 More Gas Tragedy Victims Die of COVID-19 in Bhopal
Two more Bhopal gas tragedy victims succumbed to coronavirus, taking the total number of such deaths in the Madhya Pradesh capital to seven, an official said on Tuesday.
A 70-year-old gas mishap survivor died on April 17 while another 60-year-old tragedy victim died on April 14, Rachna Dhingra, of the NGO Bhopal Group for Information and Action which is working for the gas mishap victims, told PTI.
Samples of both the victims came out positive for coronavirus after their death, she said.
127 New COVID-19 Cases in Gujarat, State Tally Climbs to 2,066
The number of coronavirus cases in Gujarat crossed the 2,000-mark and rose to 2,066 after 127 more people tested positive for the infection on Tuesday, a health official said.
Of the new cases, 69 were reported from Surat and 50 from Ahmedabad.
Besides, Rajkot and Valsad reported two cases each while Aravalli, Gir Somnath, Kheda and Tapi reported one case each, the official said.
Out of 1,858 active cases, 19 patients are on ventilator support, while the condition of 1,839 is stable, the official said. So far, 131 patients from the state have been discharged after recovery.
Delhi Govt Will Conduct COVID-19 Test on Mediapersons in National Capital: CM
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said his government will conduct COVID-19 test on mediapersons in the national capital, after 53 scribes tested positive for novel coronavirus in Mumbai.
Responding to a tweet in which a person requested the CM to arrange mass COVID-19 test for mediapersons in Delhi on the lines of the one carried out in Mumbai, Kejriwal said, "Sure. We will do that." However, the chief minister did not elaborate.
35 New COVID-19 Cases Reported in Andhra Pradesh
At least 35 new COVID-19 positive cases reported in Andhra Pradesh today so far - 3 each in Ananthpur and Krishna, nine in Guntur, six in Kadapa, ten in Kurnool and 4 in West Godavari districts. Total number of positive cases rises to 757.
UP CM Adityanath Holds Meeting Over COVID-19 in Lucknow
In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath holds a meeting with senior officials over COVID-19, ANI reported.
COVID-19: Kejriwal Holds Video Conference with Baijal, District Collector & DCP
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal are holding meeting with District Collector and Deputy Commissioner of Police of all districts of Delhi via video conferencing over COVID-19, reported ANI.
Pakistan Reports 16 More Deaths, Confirmed Cases Top 9,000
Pakistan on Tuesday reported 16 more deaths from the coronavirus, taking the country's toll to 192, while the number of confirmed spiked to over 9,000.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said his government was fully cognizant of the problems being faced by the people and making efforts to resolve their issues with the cooperation of the provincial governments.
Police Inspector Dies of Coronavirus in MP
A police inspector died due to coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district on Tuesday, an official told PTI.
The inspector, who was posted at a police station in Ujjain and also suffered from high blood pressure, was initially treated at a hospital there for four days after he contracted the disease.
“After his health condition turned grim, he was rushed to the Indore-based private Aurobindo hospital 10 days ago. Despite all efforts by doctors, he could not be saved,” Ujjain's Additional Superintendent of Police Rupesh Kumar Dwivedi said.
WHO Warns Rush to Ease Virus Rules Could Cause Resurgence
The World Health Organization said Tuesday that rushing to ease coronavirus restrictions will likely lead to a resurgence of the illness, a warning that comes as governments start rolling out plans to get their economies up and running again.
“This is not the time to be lax. Instead, we need to ready ourselves for a new way of living for the foreseeable future,” said Dr. Takeshi Kasai, the WHO regional director for the Western Pacific.
Karnataka Minister Asks CM to Screen Journalists for COVID-19
Alarmed by reports that 53 media persons have contracted coronavirus in Maharashtra, a Minister on Tuesday urged Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to screen all the journalists in Karnataka.
During the regular COVID-19 related briefing on Monday, a reporter had raised the issue of 53 journalists in the neighbouring state testing positive for the disease, with Minister for Primary and Secondary Education S Suresh Kumar.
Housekeeper Employed with Lok Sabha Secretariat Found Positive: Report
A housekeeper working with the Lok Sabha secretariat has been found positive for COVID-19 and admitted to hospital, sources told PTI.
The infected man has not attended office for the last few days. He had symptoms of fever, cough and breathing problems and was found to be COVID-19 positive, sources said.
They said he has been admitted to the special ward at the Safdarjung hospital in Delhi. Eleven members of his family have also been tested for the virus and the results are awaited. Local civic authorities have quaratined his house in central Delhi, the sources said.
TMC Leaders Slam Visit of Central Teams to West Bengal
The TMC on Tuesday dubbed as "adventure tourism" the visit of Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (ICMTs) to West Bengal to monitor some districts over coronavirus cases and questioned why teams were not sent to states with much higher number of cases and hotspots.
Addressing reporters through a zoom conference, TMC MPs Derek O' Brien and Sudip Bandyopadhyay claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was informed about the team's visit three hours after its arrival which was unacceptable.
19 Nurses, 6 Other Staff of Ruby Hall Clinic Contract COVID-19
Nineteen nurses and six other paramedical staff members of the Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune have tested positive for coronavirus, authorities told PTI on Tuesday.
All of them are currently asymptomatic and stable, Ruby Hall Clinic's Chief Executive Officer Bomi Bhote said.
33 Test COVID-19 Positive in Rae Bareli, Authorities Link Surge to Tablighi Event
The number of coronavirus cases in this district jumped from two to 35 with several people testing positive after coming in contact with participants at a Tablighi Jamaat congregation, officials said on Tuesday.
Till Monday, the district had only two coronavirus patients, both had attended the religious congregation in Delhi last month. The area where they lived was turned into a containment zone and people in their neighbourhood were quarantined, the officials said.
Seven Labourers Enroute to Bihar Intercepted by Police
Seven labourers, who were trying to cross Delhi's Jheel Khurd border on bicycles in an attempt to return to their village in Bihar amid the ongoing lockdown, were intercepted by the police on Monday night.
The labourers were staying at a rented accommodation in Gadda colony in Sultanpur village in South Delhi's Fatehpur Beri, they said.
Rahul Slams Govt for Allowing Use of Rice to Make Sanitiser
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a swipe at the government over reports that rice would be used to make sanitisers and asked the poor of the country as to when will they wake up.
He said while the poor are dying of hunger, the government was allowing rice to be used for making sanitisers.
"After all, when will India's poor wake up? You are dying of hunger and they are busy cleaning the hands of the rich by making sanitizers from your portion of rice," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
Most Areas of West Bengal's Hooghly District Declared COVID-19 Containment Zones
Most parts of the Hooghly district in West Bengal was declared as COVID-19 containment zones by the state government, a senior official said on Tuesday.
All wards of the municipalities of Uttarpara Kotrang, Dankuni, Srerampore, Rishra, Konnagar, Baidyabati, Champadani, Chandannagar, Bhadreshwar have been identified as COVID-19 containment zones, he said.
Odisha to Provide Rs 50 Lakh Assitance to Health Staff Who Lose Lives Fighting COVID-19
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday announced a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh each for the families of all health workers and support staff who lose their lives in the fight against COVID-19.
He said the government will treat them as martyrs.
"The state government in convergence with Centre's initiative will ensure that Rs 50 lakh is given to all health personnel, both private and public, and members of all other support services, who lose their precious lives in the fight against COVID-19," the chief minister said in a video message.
Delhi LG Visits Shelter Homes to Take Stock of Arrangements Amid Coronavirus Lockdown
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday took stock of the lockdown implementation in the national capital and visited temporary shelters for migrant workers and the homeless to review arrangements.
According to an official, the lieutenant governor visited two schools at Ludlow Castle Number 2 that have been converted into shelter homes amid the ongoing lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
SC Dismisses Plea Seeking Free Test, Treatment for Coronavirus Infection
The Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking direction to the Centre, all states and Union territories to provide free of cost treatment for coronavirus infection till COVID-19 pandemic is contained, saying it is for the government to take a call on it.
"Government has to decide on who to give free treatment. We do not have any funds with us," a bench headed by Justice N V Ramana said.
HC Notes Steps by Delhi Govt on School Fee Amid, Disposes Plea
The Delhi High Court has noted that the AAP government has barred private schools from demanding any charges except tuition fees which is justified, as teachers are taking online classes and discharging their functions during the lockdown period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disposing of a plea on the issue, the court perused the Delhi government's order that even those students who are unable to pay school fees due to financial crisis, will be provided with course-work and other material and they will be permitted to avail online classes.
Pak Philanthropist's Son Tests Positive for Coronavirus; PM Khan Among People Who Met Him
The son of a well-known Pakistani philanthropist, who met Prime Minister Imran Khan last week, has been tested positive for the coronavirus.
Faisal Edhi, the son of famous philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi and chairman of the Edhi Foundation, started showing symptoms last week soon after meeting with Prime Minister Khan in Islamabad on 15 April, Dawn newspaper reported on Tuesday.
One More COVID-19 Case in Dakshina Kannada District
A 67-year-old woman, neighbour of the woman who died of COVID-19 at a village in Dakshina Kannada district, has tested positive for coronavirus, officials said.
The woman, from Kasba village in Bantwal, was admitted to the Wenlock Hospital on Saturday with respiratory issues and her throat swab was sent for test. Results received on Tuesday turned out positive, Deputy Commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh said in a communique.
With this, the number of persons tested positive in the district has gone up to 16.
First batch of 57 Iran-returned pilgrims reaches Kargil after quarantine in UP
The first batch of 57 Iran-returned pilgrims reached Kargil on Tuesday in a special Indian Air Force (IAF) flight after undergoing quarantine in Uttar Pradesh, officials said.
However, they would not be going home just now as they have to undergo another phase of 14-day administrative quarantine for their own and others' safety, they said.
“The UT administration is happy to announce the homecoming of the first batch of 57 Iran returnees to Kargil post quarantine…,” tweeted the office of the Ladakh Divisional Commissioner and Secretary Saugat Biswas.
Spain Sees Slight Hike in Daily Virus Toll with 430 Deaths
Spain saw a slight increase in the daily death toll from novel coronavirus on Tuesday, with 430 people dying in the past 24 hours, health ministry data showed.
So far, 21,282 people have succumbed to the pandemic in Spain, which has suffered the third-highest number of deaths in the world after the United States and Italy.
Govt Employees in Karnataka May Not Face Pay-Cut This Month
The Karnataka Government may spare its employees from salary cuts this month despite severe resources crunch it faces following steep fall in revenue collection due to the ongoing lockdown to fight the coronavirus, official sources said on Tuesday.
As of now, there is no problem with April salary and we can manage. But if May also turns out to be a wash-out (in terms of revenue collection), then the situation is going to be very tough, a senior Minister told PTI.
Nursing Staff of District Combined Hospital Create Ruckus on Active Quarantine Issue
Infuriated nursing staff of district combined hospital Sanjay nagar yesterday created ruckus inside the hospital premises and raised slogans against the health department officials. They were annoyed on the issue of their testing of CORONA virus and active quarantine facilities.
Some of the doctors are staying in the hotels for saving their families from infection. They also alleged that only the nursing staff is attending patients and doctors are escaping.
Frame Policies to Safeguard Elderly Officials During COVID: AIIMs Doc to PM
A doctor from the Geriatric department at AIIMS has urged the prime minister to frame policies to safeguard elderly officials from coronavirus, noting they are vulnerable to infectious diseases and that there is a direct correlation between mortality and age.
While lauding the tireless efforts of the PM to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, Dr Vijay Kumar Gurjar, an assistant professor said some employees in vulnerable group like healthcare workers, police officials, defence personnel, sanitation workers, administrators and politicians who have conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or kidney ailments do not have a strong immune system and thus are more vulnerable to infectious diseases.
Over 1,300 Firms Get MIDC Nod to Resume Work Amid Lockdown
Over 1,300 companies, including manufacturing units, foundries, textile firms, have received the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation's (MIDC) certification to resume their operations amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
The MIDC is the state government's nodal agency to facilitate industries in terms of land allotment, permissions and policy making.
"We received registration of some 3,000 industries across the state, of which 1,300 have received certification from the state to resume production, processing or manufacturing," a senior MIDC official told PTI.
Health Minister Launches 'COVID India Seva' Interactive Platform
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday launched the 'COVID India Seva', an interactive platform for establishing a direct channel of communication with millions of Indians during the pandemic.
This initiative is aimed at enabling transparent e-governance delivery in real-time and answering citizen queries swiftly, at scale, especially in crisis situations like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an official statement said.
47 Staff Members of AMU Medical College Quarantined
Forty-seven staff members of a medical college attached to Aligarh Muslim University were quarantined after they came in contact with a coronavirus patient, an official said on Tuesday.
Set up Control Room in State Assemblies: LS Speaker
Set up control rooms in assemblies for better coordination between states in helping stranded labourers, students during the lockdown, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Tuesday.
11 Police Officers, 38 Policemen Tested Positive Since 22 March in Maharashtra
Total 11 police officers and 38 policemen tested positive for COVID-19, since 22 March till 4 am today, Maharashtra Police told ANI.
ICMR Advises States to Not Use Rapid Testing Kits for 2 Days
In a press briefing, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that it has advised all states to not use rapid testing kits for the next two days, as irregularities are being investigated.
In the briefing, the health ministry said it issued detailed guidelines to all states that while the focus should remain on COVID19, all other services need to be provided, be it for dialysis, HIV or cancer treatments.
29 New Cases in West Bengal in the Last 24 Hours
29 new COVID-19 cases were reported in West Bengal in the last 24 hours and the total death toll climbed to 15, ANI reported.
Central Teams Restrained From Assessing Ground Situation in Bengal: Health Ministry
In a press briefing, the health ministry said that Central teams were specifically restrained from making visits, interacting with health workers and assessing the ground situation in West Bengal.
Delhi Case Tally at 2081; To Start Testing Mediapersons: Kejriwal
2081 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Delhi. Of these, 431 have recovered & 47 have lost their lives due to the virus. Currently, there are 1603 active cases, CM Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday.
The government will also start COVID-19 testing for mediapersons from Wednesday, and has set up a centre for it, he said.
He said that the Delhi government will provide ration to 30 lakh people who don't have ration cards and will procure 60 more ambulances in the wake of the pandemic.
Kerala Reports 19 New Cases
Kerala recorded 19 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, as quoted by PTI.
Chhattisgarh Asks Centre for Rs 30,000 Cr Financial Assistance
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has written to PM Modi requesting him to provide financial assistance of Rs 30,000 crore to the state in the next 3 months for the operation of relief and welfare schemes and the relaxation in the economic activities related to revenue generation in the state, ANI reported.
Fire Breaks Out at Mumbai Hotel Being Used as Quarantine Centre
A fire has broken out at a hotel which was being used as a COVID-19 quarantine centre in Mumbai''s Nagpada area according to civic officials. Most of the patients were safely relocated, and a search operation is on for any missing persons.
Maharashtra Govt Revokes Lockdown Exemptions for Mumbai, Pune
Maharashtra Government has revoked lockdown relaxations and exemptions for Mumbai and Pune regions as “people are not behaving responsibly”. The rest of the state will continue to have partial exemptions, according to the chief minister's office.
Maharashtra COVID-19 Tally at 5,218; Death Toll at 251
552 new COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths were reported in Maharashtra today, taking the total number of cases to 5218 and deaths to 251 in the State. With 150 patients discharged from hospitals today, the number of cured patients stands at 722, according to the state’s health department.
The number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai has risen to 3,445 and the death toll has reached 150. As many as 355 new COVID-19 patients and 12 deaths were reported in the city on Tuesday.
Number of COVID-19 Cases in Bihar Rises to 126
Thirteen new COVID-19 cases were reported in Bihar on Tuesday, taking the state's total tally to 126, a health official was quoted by PTI as saying.
Delhi-Gautam Buddh Nagar/Noida Border to be Closed Completely
The Delhi-Gautam Buddh Nagar/Noida border will be closed completely as a preventive measure to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the district magistrate of the Uttar Pradesh district tweeted on Tuesday.
However, some exceptions have been specified.
Shops of School Books, Electric Fans Allowed to Open: MHA
The Home Ministry said on Tuesday that shops of schools books and electric fans would be allowed to open during lockdown, as would treatment facilities for seeds and horticulture produce.
Govt Announces Telephonic Survey for Feedback on Prevalence, Distribution of COVID-19 Symptoms
The government on Tuesday announced that it will conduct a telephone survey to garner feedback from citizens on prevalence and distribution of coronavirus symptoms, and urged people to participate in the exercise in good measure.