COVID-19: Govt Sanctions Rs 15,000 Cr Package as Cases Touch 5,865
Catch all live updates regarding COVID-19 here.
The total number of novel coronavirus cases in India shot up to 5,865 on Thursday, 9 April, with the death toll standing at 169. According to the latest health ministry data, there are 5,218 active cases and as many as 487 patients have been cured or discharged.
The Centre on Thursday, 9 April, announced significant investments to the tune of Rs.15,000 crore as an emergency response and health system preparedness package. The funds sanctioned will be utilised for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response (amount of Rs 7,774 crore) and rest for medium-term support (1-4 years) to be provided under mission mode approach.
- Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev has ordered deployment of ACP-rank officers at every quarantine centre
- Delhi University has postponed all examinations until further notice
- The SC has asked the Centre to issue directions to approved labs for conducting COVID-19 tests free of cost
- Several states have suggested an extension of the nationwide lockdown to contain the virus
- The UP government announced that it will be sealing several hotspots in 15 districts across the state
COVID-19: One More Person Dies in Pune, Death Toll at 25
A COVID-19 positive person passed away at Sassoon hospital in Maharashtra's Pune on Thursday, 9 April, taking the total death toll to 25 in the district, ANI reported quoting the district health officer.
UK PM Out of ICU, But Remains in Hospital: UK Media
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved out of intensive care but remains in hospital, ANI reported quoting UK media.
3 Cancer Patients Tested Positive for COVID-19 Admitted to Delhi State Cancer Institute
Three cancer patients who tested positive for coronavirus have been admitted to Delhi State Cancer Institute, said hospital authorities, ANI reported.
More details are awaited.
France COVID-19 Death Toll Crosses 12,200
The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 in France has crossed 12,200, AFP reported.
Seven More COVID-19 Cases in Bihar, Total Now at 58
Seven more COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Bihar on Thursday, 9 April. The total number of cases has now gone upto 58.
Among these seven cases, there are five females with ages 19, 22, 25,19 and 11 years and two males of 19 and 60 years. All of them belong to the same family in Siwan and had come in touch with a patient who had earlier tested positive for COVID-19 and had come from Oman.
Movement of Vehicles Banned From 9:30 am to 6 pm in Lucknow, Only Those Carrying Essential Items Allowed
In another official communique issued by the DM of Lucknow, movement of vehicles other than those carrying essential items has been banned between 9:30 am to 6 pm from Friday,10 April onwards. This order applies to the entire district except the 12 COVID-19 hotspots which have been sealed.
Between 9:30 am and 6 pm, except for doctors, paramedical staff, employees with the state electricity department and police officials, there will be a complete ban on movement of any two-wheeler or four-wheeler.
Bank employees and other government officials with valid duty passes need to ensure that they reach their workplaces by 9:30 am. Shopkeepers, such as owners of medical stores and grocery stores who have due permission need to reach their shops at 9:30 am and can leave only after 8 pm.
Global COVID-19 Death Toll Crosses 90,000
The global death toll due to the COVID-19 pandemic crossed 90,000 on Thursday, with Italy reporting the highest number of deaths at 17,669, reported AFP.
The virus has infected more than 1,500,000 people globally, according to John Hopkins University.
Centre Grants PPE’s, Test Kits Exemption from Import Custom Duty and Health Cess
The Centre on Thursday granted exemption from Basic Customs Duty and health cess, on the import of the following goods, with immediate effect - ventilators, face masks, surgical masks, PPEs, test kits. The exemption are valid till 30 September 2020, reported ANI.
80 More Test Positive in Rajasthan
Eighty more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Rajasthan on Thursday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 463, reported ANI, quoting the state health department.
Delhi University Postpones Exams Amid Virus Outbreak
Delhi University on 9 April sent out a notice announcing that all university examinations (theory and practical) of students of Regular Colleges, School of Open Learning, Non-Collegiate Women Education Board and Ex-Students are hereby postponed till further notice/orders and the various date sheets issued in this regard stands withdrawn. The fresh date-sheet for all the University Examinations shall be notified later.
One More Tests Positive in Assam
A resident of Assam’s Dhubri district tested positive for COVID-19 after coming in contact with a positive patient in the same district. The latest cases raises the total number of cases in the state to 29, reported ANI, quoting Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Minister.
229 More Test Positive in Maharashtra
Two hundred and twenty nine people more tested positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra, tasing the total number of cases in the state to 1,364. The death toll in the state stands at 25.
Haryana Govt to Pay Double Salary to Govt Doctors, Nurses
The Haryana government on Thursday announced that it will pay double salary to doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and others who are at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus.
51 More Test Positive in Delhi
Fifty one more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Delhi on Thursday, raising the total number of cases in the capital to 720, which includes 12 deaths and 25 discharges, reported ANI, quoting the Delhi government.
Thirty five from the latest cases today have a history of foreign travel, four are related to Markaz, three deaths and five discharges.
Aligarh Reports First COVID-19 Case
A 22-year-old man, a resident of Firozabad, tested positive for COVID-19 in Aligarh on Thursday, marking the first case reported in the city. The patient had travelled to Aligarh on 12 March to attend a Jamaat event.
Pune Death Toll Rises to 24
Three more people succumbed to the COVID-19 disease in Pune on Thursday, raising the death toll in city to 24, reported ANI, quoting health officials.
12 More Test Positive in Telangana
Twelve more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Telangana on Thursday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 471, reported ANI, quoting Eatala Rajendra, Telangana Health Minister.
79 More Test Positive in Mumbai
The Bombay Municipal Corporation on Thursday reported seventy nine new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, raising the total number of cases in the city to 775. Nine deaths were also reported, raising the death toll in the city 65.
12 More Test Positive in Kerala
Twelve more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Kerala on Thursday, raising the state total to 357, reported ANI, quoting Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Eleven of the latest cases were through local transmission and one had recently travelled abroad.
The cases were reported in the following districts:
- Kannur: 4
- Kasaragod: 4
- Malappuram: 2
- Kollam: 1
- Thiruvananthapuram: 1
Boris Johnson Continues to Improve in ICU
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's health continues to improve on his fourth day in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a London hospital where he is being treated for the coronavirus, reported PTI, quoting Downing Street on Thursday.
The 55-year-old was moved to the ICU of St Thomas' Hospital in London on Monday night as his condition worsened over 10 days after he had tested positive for the coronavirus and went into self-isolation.
He has since received "standard oxygen treatment" but has not been diagnosed with pneumonia or required a ventilator to aid his breathing.
Strictest Action Against Those Misbehaving with Healthcare Personnel: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday warned of strict action against those misbehaving with healthcare personnel in the city in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The warning comes a day after two women resident doctors of Safdarjung Hospital were assaulted following rumours that they are "spreading COVID-19" in the Gautam Nagar area.
50 More Test Postive in Ahemdabad
Fifty more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Ahemdabad on Thursday, raising the total number of cases in the city to 133, reported PTI, quoting officials.
IMF Anticipates Worst Economic Fallout since Great Depression Amid Virus Spread
The year 2020 could see the worst global economic fallout since the Great Depression in the 1930s with over 170 countries likely to experience negative per capita income growth due to the raging novel coronavirus pandemic, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday.
Observing that the world is faced with extraordinary uncertainty about the depth and duration of this crisis, she said that it is already clear, however, that global growth will turn sharply negative in 2020.
Indore Death Toll Rises to 23
A 44-year-old man, who was tested positive for COVID-19, passed away in Indore on Thursday, raising the death toll in the city to 23, reported ANI, quoting Rahul Rokade, PRO, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore.
12 More Test Positive in WB
Twelve more people tested positive for COVID-19 in West Bengal on Thursday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 80, reported ANI, quoting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
24 More Test Positive in Punjab
Punjab Department of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday reported 24 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, raising the total number of cases in the state to 130. The state also reported 2 deaths due to the pandemic, raising the death toll to 10.
2 More Test Positive in Gautam Buddh Nagar
Two more people tested positive of COVID-19 in Noida and Greater Noida in Gautam Buddh Nagar, raising the total number of cases in the district to 63.
Pune Death Toll Rises to 21
Three more people succumbed to the COVID-19 disease in Pune on Thursday, raising the death toll in city to 21, reported ANI, quoting health officials.
2 More Test Positive in Odisha
Two more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Odisha on Thursday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 44, which includes 41 active cases.
The state currently has 8 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals in 7 districts ready with total capacity of 1597 beds.
12 More Test Positive in Bihar
Twelve more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Bihar on Thursday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 51.
6 More Cases Reported in Karnataka
Six more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Karnataka on Thursday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 197.
7 More Test Positive in Chhattisgarh
Seven more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Chhattisgarh’s Katghora in Korba district, raising the total number of cases in the state to 18, reported ANI, quoting the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur
24 More Test Positive in Kashmir
Twenty four more people tested positive in Kashmir, raising the total number of cases in the state to 184. Thirty two patients are residents of Jammu and the rest are from Kashmir, reported ANI, quoting Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary (Planning), Jammu & Kashmir.
70-Year-Old Passes Away in Dharavi
A 70-year-old COVID-19 positive patient in Dharavi passed away in KEM Hospital due to the disease on Thrusday, raising the death toll in the area to 3. A total of 17 cases have been reported in Dharavi so far.
Four Hotspots Sealed in Uttarakhand
Four areas in Dehradun, two areas in Haridwar and one in Nainital have been sealed in Uttarakhand on Thursday as several cases COVID-19 were reported in these areas reported ANI, quoting Ashok Kumar, Director General of Police (Law and Order).
Rajasthan Reports 17 New Cases, One Death
Rajasthan on Thursday reported 17 new cases, raising the total number of cases in the state to 434. A 76-year-old man also passed away in Jodhpur after testing positive for COVID-19, reports PTI.
Iran Death Toll Crosses 4,000
Iran on Thursday reported 117 new deaths due to COVID-19, raising the death toll in the country to 4,110, AFP reports.
Indore Death Toll Rises to 22
A 62-year-old man who was tested positive for COVID-19, passed away in Indore on Thursday, raising the death toll in the city to 22, reports PTI.
‘COVID-19 Hanging Over Future Like a Spectre’: RBI Report
The COVID-19 pandemic is hanging over the future "like a spectre", the Reserve Bank of India said in its Monetary Police Report released on Thursday, 9 April, according to BloombergQuint.
"Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, the outlook for growth for 2020-21 was looking up... The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered this outlook," the central bank was quoted as saying in its report.
Read the full story here.
Pakistan Trying to 'Score Narrow Political Goals' by Trying to Bring COVID-19 Under SAARC: Report
Pakistan is attempting to score “narrow political goals” by trying to bring COVID-19-related interactions under formal SAARC umbrella, sources told PTI.
India considers initiatives to check COVID-19 as efforts to jointly deal with it in SAARC region without being bound by formalities, they added.
GB Pant Hospital Removed From List of Designated COVID-19 Facilities
According to a Delhi government order, GB Pant Hospital has been removed from the list of designated COVID-19 facilities. Meanwhile, LNJP Hospital has been asked to arrange an additional 500 beds for COVID-19 patients.
India's Fuel Sales Drop 18 Percent
India's fuel sales dropped 18 percent in March; petrol demand fell 16.3 percent and diesel slips 24 percent, PTI said, quoting official data.
464 Cases Registered Against Lockdown Violators in Mumbai on Wednesday
464 cases have been registered against violators of the COVID-19 lockdown in Mumbai on Wednesday. 3,634 cases have been registered against violators since 20 March. 2,850 people have been arrested and released on bail till yesterday, according to Mumbai police.
Maharashtra cyber police has noted an increase in fake news, hate and communal content over coronavirus on social media in the last few days and has registered 132 cases registered so far, PTI reported.
Total Cases in Japan Cross 5,000: NHK
The number of cases of COVID-19 in Japan is at least 5,000, AFP reports, quoting broadcaster NHK.
BMC Declares 381 Areas as 'Containment Zones'
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared 381 areas as containment zones to prevent COVID-19 transmission, ANI reports. The total number of positive cases in Maharashtra is 1297.
Odisha Extends Lockdown Till 30 Apr; Schools, Colleges to Be Shut Till 17 June
Odisha on Thursday, 9 April, extended the COVID-19 lockdown till 30 April, becoming the first state to do so. Schools and colleges in the state will remain closed till 17 June.
Read the full story here.
12 New Cases in Bihar, Total Rises to 51
12 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Bihar on Thursday, taking the total number of positive cases to 51, the state’s principal health secretary Sanjay Kumar told ANI.
High-Level Group of Ministers Meeting Underway
A high-level meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 is being held at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare premises in Delhi, ANI reports.
Maharashtra Records 162 New Cases, Total 1297
162 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Maharashtra on Thursday, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 1297, according to Maharashtra’s health department.
30 New Cases in Rajasthan, Total 413
30 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Rajasthan, taking the total to 413. Of these, 129 cases have been reported from Jaipur, according to the state’s health department, ANI reported.
Karnataka Death Toll Touches 6
An 80-year-old woman diagnosed with COVID-19 after developing severe respiratory problems died of cardiac arrest in Karnataka's Gadag district, ANI reported. The death toll in the state has now touched 6.
'Times Like These Bring Friends Closer': Modi Replies to Trump's Tweet
PM Narendra Modi replied to US President Donald Trump’s tweet, saying, “Times like these bring friends closer. The India-US partnership is stronger than ever.”
“India shall do everything possible to help humanity's fight against COVID-19,“ he added. Trump had thanked India for deciding to supply Hydroxychroloquine to the US.
First COVID-19 Death in Jharkhand
Jharkhand on Thursday, 9 April, reported its first COVID-19 death.
5 More Cases Reported in Madhya Pradesh
5 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa. Contact tracing of positive cases is underway, District Collector Khandwa Tanvi Sundriyal told ANI.
4 New Cases in Bihar, Total Climbs to 43
4 new COVID19 positive cases have been reported from Siwan in Bihar, taking the total number of positive cases to 43, according to the state’s principal secretary.
19 New Cases in Agra District, Total 84
19 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Agra, taking the total number of positive cases in the district to 84, ANI reported, quoting Agra DM Prabhu N Singh.
Brazil Prez Thanks PM Modi for Hydroxychroloquine Supply
Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, in his address to the nation, thanked PM Modi for helping Brazil with Hydroxychroloquine, ANI reported.
He said, "As an outcome of my direct conversation with Indian PM, we'll receive, raw materials to continue our production of Hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19".
One More Case in Chhattisgarh
One more COVID-19 positive case found in the state, taking the total positive cases in the state to 11, including 9 discharged, Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singhdeo said.
Trump Thanks India on HCQ Decision, Says ‘Will Not Be Forgotten’
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, 8 April, thanked India for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to allow the export of malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine to the United States, PTI reported.
“Extraordinary times require even closer cooperation between friends. Thank you India and the Indian people for the decision on HCQ. Will not be forgotten!” Trump said in a tweet, a day after India lifted the hold on the export of the drug to the US.
“Thank you Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) for your strong leadership in helping not just India, but humanity, in this fight!” he said.
Read the full story here.
5 More Test Positive in Jharkhand, State Tally at 9
Five more persons have tested positive for coronavirus in Jharkhand, taking the total number of cases to 9, according to ANI.
Four new cases are from Ranchi's Hindipiri area and 1 from Bokaro; they are family members of earlier positive cases from Ranchi and Bokaro.
Vardhaman Apartments in Mayur Vihar Phase I Extn Identified as Containment Zone by Delhi Govt
Vardhaman Apartments in Mayur Vihar Phase I Extn has been identified as a 'containment zone' by the Delhi Government, ANI reports.
All movements will be completely barred from the apartments, to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Yesterday Delhi Govt identified 20 hotspots and sealed them.
US Reports Nearly 2,000 COVID-19 Deaths For Second Consecutive Day: Johns Hopkins Tracker
US has reported nearly 2,000 COVID-19 deaths for second day in a row, AFP reported quoting Johns Hopkins tracker.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)