00:14 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Maharashtra Police intercept trucks carrying 300 migrants
PTI quoted Maharashtra Police as saying that two container trucks carrying over 300 migrant workers heading home to Rajasthan from Telangana intercepted in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra: Yavatmal police stopped two trucks carrying people, at a border check post on the Maharashtra-Telangana border. They were going to their home state Rajasthan from Telangana amid #CoronavirusLockdown. (26.03.2020) pic.twitter.com/iQusa0zvCX
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020
23:44 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
COVID-19 toll rises to 16 in India
While the number of positive coronavirus cases in India rose to 694, the toll rose to 16 on Thursday, the health ministry said. 44 people have recovered from the infection. The states of Kerala and Maharashtra are the worst affected by the COVID-19, with 125 and 124 cases, respectively.
23:28 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates
Half-million infected worldwide as economic toll rises
The human and economic toll of the lockdowns against the coronavirus mounted Thursday as India struggled to feed the multitudes, Italy shut down most of its industry, and a record-shattering 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits in a single week.
As the number of infections around the globe reached a half-million and world leaders held a video summit to grapple with how long to keep the economy at a standstill to help flatten the rising curve, the damage to people’s livelihoods and their well-being started to come into focus.
In India, where the country’s 1.3 billion people were under orders to stay home, legions of poor were suddenly thrown out of work, and many families were left struggling for something to eat.
Around the globe, the death toll stood at nearly 8,200 in Italy, more than 4,100 in Spain and over 1,000 in the US, approximately 400 of them in New York State, the worst hotspot in the nation. The United Nations estimated that as many as 25 million jobs could be lost in the economic upheaval, more than during the global financial meltdown of 2008.
(AP)
23:21 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Ambulance services demand Rs 2,000 to take injured woman to hospital
A man carried his injured wife on a bicycle for 12 kilometres from Bharat Nagar to Kanganwal in Punjab to reach a hospital. The woman got injured during an accident which occurred on 20 March while she was working in a factory.
"Nobody was ready to drive us to the hospital due to the lockdown. Ambulance drivers were asking for Rs 2,000 which I could not pay, so I had to carry her on my bicycle," the husband, Devdutt Ram, said.
He added, "When the accident took place, factory workers admitted her to a govt hospital in Bharat Nagar. Doctors there were taking x-rays of her chest instead of treating her leg. They said that her lungs have filled up with water. So I came to Kanganwal."
Ludhiana: A man carried his injured wife on a bicycle for 12 kilometers from Bharat Nagar to Kanganwal to reach a hospital. The woman got injured during an accident which occurred on March 20 while she was working at a factory. #CoronavirusLockdown #Punjab pic.twitter.com/tX9dgxZ14C
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020
23:12 (IST)
Coronavirus in China Latest Updates
Doctors in China to study coronavirus impact on male sex hormone
Doctors in the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan plan to embark on a long-term study of COVID-19 impact on the male reproductive system to verify initial research, indicating that the pathogen could affect sex hormone levels in men, PTI reported.
22:56 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
One COVID-19 case reported in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
A man, in his mid-30s, tested positive for the COVID-19 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Thursday, the first case in the Union Territory, officials said. The man, a resident of Mayabunder, had returned from Kolkata on 24 March, Chief Secretary Chetan Sanghi said.
22:44 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Telangana govt reports 4 new cases, details travel history of patient 42
The Telangana government on Thursday reported four new cases, which brought the total cases of coronavirus in the state to 44, of which one has recovered.
On 14 March, the patient travelled by train to Delhi from Hyderabad and travelled back by train on 17 March. On 18 March, the patient arrived at the Secunderabad station, where he developed cold and fever, after which he went home in an auto with this son, the notification said. The same day, he consulted a doctor at Quthbullapur and was prescribed medicines.
On 25 March, he self-reported for collection of samples for the coronavirus test at the Gandhi hospital, and was tested positive for coronavirus on 26 March.
22:30 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Social workers distribute food to people in Kurla
Social workers on Thursday distributed food to people near the Kurla Terminus in Mumbai.
Maharashtra: Social workers distributed food to the needy people today near the Kurla Terminus in Mumbai. #COVID19 #CoronavirusLockdown pic.twitter.com/cKlBB7iAGe
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020
22:25 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
G20 leaders support strengthening of WHO's mandate
"G20 leaders agreed to take all necessary measures to contain COVID-19 pandemic and protect people. They also supported the strengthening of WHO’s mandate in the fight against pandemics, including delivery of medical supplies, diagnostic tools, treatments, medicines and vaccines," the MEA said on Thursday.
22:19 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates
G20 leaders commit to minimise economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that G20 leaders committed to using all available policy tools to minimise economic and social cost of the COVID-19 pandemic and to restore global growth, market stability and strengthening resilience. G20 countries also committed to injecting over $5 trillion into the global economy.
22:10 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates
At G20, Modi says 90% of COVID-19 cases are in member nations
In his remarks at the G20 virtual summit, Narendra Modi noted the alarming social and economic cost of the coronavirus pandemic. He added that 90 percent of the COVID-19 cases and 88 percent of deaths were in G20 countries, even as they share 80 percent of world GDP and 60 percent of world population, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
22:00 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Maharashtra govt to release 11,000 prisoners on parole
Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh said on Thursday, "Nearly 11,000 convicts and undertrials who are imprisoned for offences with prescribed punishment up to 7 years or less should be released on emergency parole or furlough to reduce overcrowding in prisons & to contain COVID-19 outbreak."
21:46 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
MHA allows inter-state transportation of animal fodder
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday issued a notification allowing inter-state travel of animal fodder, The Indian Express reported. "It is hereby clarified that exceptions under clause 6 covers the transportation/inter-state movement of animal feed and fodder, being the essential items," the notification read.
21:40 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
NCP MLAs donate month's salary
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday said that MPs and MLAs of his party will donate one month's salary for the government's relief measures amid the coronavirus pandemic, News18 reported.
21:23 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Delhi govt withdraws permission for online delivery services to function
The Delhi government on Thursday withdrew the permission it had granted to online delivery services like Zomato to function during the 21-day complete lockdown.
21:08 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
G20 members pledge $5 trillion for global economy
The G20 nations on Thursday pledged $5 trillion for the global economy as the world struggles to combat the global coronavirus pandemic.
20:57 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Rahul Gandhi says FM's measures are 'first step in right direction'
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said, "The government announcement today of a financial assistance package, is the first step in the right direction."
The Govt announcement today of a financial assistance package, is the first step in the right direction. India owes a debt to its farmers, daily wage earners, labourers, women & the elderly who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing lockdown.#Corona
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 26, 2020
20:40 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
India sees highest jump of COVID-19 cases in a day
The health ministry on Thursday said that 88 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in the country in a day, which is the highest jump of infections in a single day. The total number of cases rises to 694, the statement said.
20:32 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Jammu and Kashmir Police mark lockdown violators with indelible ink
The Jammu and Kashmir police is putting stamps reading 'corona lockdown violator' on the hands of people in Ranbir Singh Pura city who are violating the complete lockdown over coronavirus. Shabir Khan, SDPO, RS Pura said, "We are using a permanent ink that takes around 15 days to erase".
Jammu & Kashmir: Ranbir Singh Pura police is putting stamps reading 'corona lockdown violator' on the hands of people in the city who are violating the #CoronavirusLockdown. Shabir Khan, SDPO, RS Pura says, "We are using a permanent ink that takes around 15 days to erase". pic.twitter.com/rZDviUrL8e
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020
20:24 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Chhattisgarh govt takes over to use private hospitals as COVID-19 treatment centres
The Chhattisgarh government has reportedly taken over all the private medical colleges, nursing homes, and hospitals, including RIMS in Ranchi, to use as centres to treat coronavirus patients.
19:57 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
CRPF donates Rs 33 crore to PM relief fund
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Thursday made a donation of Rs 33 crore to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. "We are dutifully committed to stand firmly with our Nation in this challenging time of COVID-19 spread. It’s a unanimous decision and a sincere effort by our personnel. The effort was to make the immediate contribution with the noble intent to keep it unrevealed. The CRPF remains steadfast towards its motto of service and loyalty," the statement said.
It is submitted that CRPF personnel have decided to make a humble contribution of one day salary to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. We are dutifully committed to stand firmly with our Nation in this challenging time of COVID-19 spread: Central Reserve Police Force pic.twitter.com/k9fNQTnvJs
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020
19:46 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Maharashtra essential shops have no restriction of timing
Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh said that there was no restriction on the timings of essential service shops. "I assure that the food delivery boys will face no difficulty in carrying out their duties," he said.
19:43 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Delhi Police distributes food in Majnu ka Tila, Najafgarh
The Delhi Police on Thursday distributed food to people in the Najafgarh and Majnu ka Tila areas of the National Capital, ANI reported.
#WATCH Delhi Police today distributed food to the needy in several parts of the city amid #CoronavirusLockdown, visuals from Majnu ka Tila area pic.twitter.com/ActS3Kyktl
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020
#WATCH Delhi Police today distributed food to the needy in Najafgarh area of Delhi. #CoronavirusLockdown pic.twitter.com/93XheqxAfj
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020
19:40 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
DGCA says international flight services to be suspended till 14 April
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Thursday, "It has been decided that scheduled international commercial passenger services shall remain closed till 18.30 hrs (GMT) of 14 April, 2020. This will not apply to approved international all-cargo operations and flights."
It has been decided that scheduled international commercial passenger services shall remain closed till 18:30 hrs (GMT) of April 14, 2020. This will not apply to approved international all-cargo operations & flights: Directorate General of Civil Aviation pic.twitter.com/NKQAw89rMd
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020
19:29 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Delhi homeless couple go hungry amid COVID-19 lockdown
A homeless couple living near Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Sapna and Sanjay, said that they were worried about sustenance amid the complete lockdown over the coronavirus. Sanjay was quoted by ANI as saying, "We have exhausted our rations and don't know what will happen now. My wife is 8 months pregnant, my heart aches that she has to go hungry."
Delhi: Sapna & Sanjay, a couple has been living on the streets near Jantar Mantar, even as country is under lockdown. Sanjay says, "We have exhausted our rations & don't know what will happen now. My wife is 8 months pregnant, my heart aches that she has to go hungry". #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/3swhgQQl4F
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020
19:14 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Mahindra group teams produce ventilators for COVID-19 patients
Mahindra Group chairperson Anand Mahindra on Thursday congratulated two teams of the company for producing various renditions of a ventilator for coronavirus patients.
So, so proud of our Kandivali & Igatpuri teams who confined themselves to the factories & without sleep produced this in 48hrs. With humility, we will seek guidance from specialists on the usefulness of the device. Whatever the outcome, they have shown India fights back... pic.twitter.com/LrVXm4Acku
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) March 26, 2020
19:11 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Police 'punish' those violating lockdown in Rajasthan, Karnataka
Police personnel in several states like Rajasthan and Karnataka "punished" people for violating the lockdown over the coronavirus. Uttar Pradesh Police apologised for a similar incident in the state's Badaun area after a video of it went viral.
#WATCH Police thrash people for violating #Coronaviruslockdown in Belgaum. The incident happened outside a Mosque when people were leaving after offering prayers. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/tF9Vx4iqV5
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020
#WATCH Rajasthan Police punish youngsters for allegedly violating #CoronavirusLockdown in Pratapgarh. pic.twitter.com/OuLnLNcNF7
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020
18:55 (IST)
Coronavirus in US Latest Updates
US citizens in India might soon be able to return
The US Embassy in India issued an alert for its citizens stranded in India and said, "We urge US citizens to secure and keep your travel documents ready, as flights may be announced on short notice."
More information can be found here: https://in.usembassy.gov/covid-19-health-alert/
18:43 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
UP Police orders action against Badaun police for making migrants crawl
After a video of police personnel in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun making migrant workers crawl on the roads went viral on Thursday, the Uttar Pradesh Police issued an apology for the incident and said that disciplinary action had been initiated.
"Being the police chief of the district, I feel sorry and apologise for this. Investigation is being conducted against the responsible person," said Ashok Kumar Tripathi, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Badaun.
PS सि0लाइन क्षेत्रांतर्गत नवादा चौराहे पर लॉकडाउन के दृष्टिगत पूछताछ व चैकिंग के दौरान प्रशिक्षणाधीन/परिविक्षाधीन आरक्षी द्वारा 2 लोगों को सड़क पर बैठक चाल में चलाने के प्रकरण की जांच SP City #budaunpolice के सुपुर्द किये जाने के सम्बन्ध में SSP @budaunpolice द्वारा दी गयी बाइट । pic.twitter.com/jlT8ICEoDv
— Budaun Police (@budaunpolice) March 26, 2020
18:26 (IST)
Coronavirus in US Latest Updates
Unemployment claims surge to 3.28 million in US
Nearly 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — more than quadruple the previous record set in 1982 — amid a widespread economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus. The surge in weekly applications was a stunning reflection of the damage the viral outbreak is doing to the economy. Filings for unemployment aid generally reflect the pace of layoffs.
The pace of layoffs is sure to accelerate as the U.S. economy sinks into a recession. Revenue has collapsed at restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, gyms, and airlines. Auto sales are plummeting, and car makers have close factories. Most such employers face loan payments and other fixed costs, so they’re cutting jobs to save money.
As job losses mount, some economists say the nation’s unemployment rate could approach 13 percent by May.
(AP)
18:21 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
COVID-19 cases rise to 13 in Jammu and Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday said that a total of 13 people have been tested positive for the novel coronavirus till Thursday in the union territory. 5482 people in contact with possibly infected/positive cases have till now been put under surveillance, the statement added.
18:14 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Mamata Banerjee reviews social distancing practice in Kolkata
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday directed officials and vendors to practice social distancing, in a market in Kolkata.
#WATCH West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seen directing officials and vendors to practice social distancing, in a market in Kolkata. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/dwkDbvcraR
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020
18:11 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Grievance redressal cell set up for food processing industry: Centre
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries on Thursday wrote to state governments to ensure seamless production and distribution of essential food products during the 21-day lockdown over coronavirus. The statement also said that a grievance redressal cell has been set up.
18:07 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest updates
DRDO says over 20,000 N-99 masks produced
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman, Dr G Satheesh Reddy was quoted by ANI as saying, "We have also developed N-99 and three-layered masks, we have produced more than 20,000 masks and supplied to various agencies, including Delhi Police."
He added, "Sanitizers developed by us have been distributed to many people. In the last 15-20 days, we have supplied more than 20,000 sanitizer bottles to various agencies."
17:49 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Social distancing will avoid community transmission, says Centre
"Community transmission phase of COVID-19 will start if the community and we (the government) don't work collectively and follow guidelines. But it would never happen in India if we follow social distancing and treatment properly," said Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry.
He also said that COVID-19 "does not spread through mosquitoes".
17:44 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Mumbai Police issues pass for essential services
The Mumbai Police on Thursday tweeted, "Essential pass, for essential services. Requesting all shops providing essential services & commodities, to reach out to their local police station for these passes, to ensure hassle-free commute and sale."
Essential pass, for essential services. Requesting all shops providing essential services & commodities, to reach out to their local police station for these passes, to ensure hassle-free commute & sale #wEcommerceMumbai #essentialservices #essentialgoods #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/8QIsLtnkmV
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) March 26, 2020
17:22 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
People observe social distancing in Assam
#CoronavirusPandemic: People practice #socialdistancing in various parts of #Assam as the government enforces the 21-day complete lockdown.
— Firstpost (@firstpost) March 26, 2020
Follow LIVE updates: https://t.co/i2wnKJ6uAr pic.twitter.com/ImTarecBD4
17:14 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
State govts reach out to migrants stranded in other states
State governments like Jharkhand and Rajasthan have reached out to native migrants in other states as the 21-day complete lockdown over the coronavirus was imposed on Tuesday.
Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot replied to NC leader Omar Abdullah regarding some Kashmiri students stranded in Rajasthan's Kota district. Pilot said, "Kota district officials and local police are in touch with these students now. Will be provided transport and/or accommodation, meals. And also to all other such stranded students from all over the country."
Meanwhile, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren took note of people stuck in Chennai.
साथियों, मैं आपकी पीड़ा को समझ सकता हूँ। पर अभी आपकी और आपके अपनो की सुरक्षा हेतु आपका जहाँ हैं वहाँ रुकना ही मुनासिब है।
— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) March 26, 2020
आप तक मदद पहुँचाने हेतु हम हर सम्भव प्रयास कर रहे हैं। @jharkhand181 संज्ञान लें। https://t.co/4ossSPPqng
16:58 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Follow precautions to reduce COVID-19 cases: ICMR
R Ganga Ketkar of the Indian Council of Medical Research on Thursday said that the steps taken by the government "are so effective that if we follow them strictly, the coronavirus cases will hardly increase in the country".
16:54 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Migrant workers will get shelter, food: Health ministry
Health ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal addressed concerns of the condition of daily wage workers and migrant workers stranded in cities after the 21-day lockdown was enforced and said that they will be given shelter and food from the government. "We have to stay where we are instead of moving around," he added, reiterating the need for self-isolation.
"Seventeen states are starting to build hospitals dedicated for COVID-19. States have been asked to make dedicated COVID-19 hospitals," he added.
16:45 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Migrants made to crawl by UP Police, says report
CNN-News18 reported that a few migrants were made to crawl by the Uttar Pradesh Police in the Badaun district.
THIS-Heartbreaking!
— Zeba Warsi (@Zebaism) March 26, 2020
Video from Badaun, UP
Poor boys who’re on foot from Gwalior, WERE MADE TO CRAWL by UP Police
Cops been asked to help distressed migrants, not ill treat them like this.
Many cops doing good work but this is unacceptable! @pranshumisraa #CoronavirusLockdown pic.twitter.com/YPllyphTO7
16:42 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Maharashtra daily wage worker walks 135 kms without food
Amid travel restrictions due to the lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus, a 26-year-old daily wager walked over 135 km without food from Nagpur in Maharashtra to reach his home in Chandrapur, PTI reported.
As panic built up over the lockdown and poor people started returning to their homes, Narendra Shelke, who worked as a labourer in Pune, also decided to go back to his native Jambh village in Saoli tehsil of Chandrapur district.
He managed to catch the last train from Pune to Nagpur, but as the government later enforced restrictions on all sorts of travel, he got stranded in Nagpur.
Unable to find any assistance and left with no other option, Shelke started a foot march on the Nagpur-Nagbhid road on Tuesday to reach his village in Chandrapur. He walked for two days without food and survived only on water.
16:30 (IST)
Coronavirus in Iran Latest Updates
Iran announces 157 new COVID-19 casualties
Iran on Thursday announced 157 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, AFP reported on Thursday. The total figure of deaths in the country is now 2,234. The report also said that Iran has imposed a ban on intercity travel to try to curb the spread.
16:27 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Rate of COVID-19 infection seems to be stabilising in India: Centre
Joint Secretary of the health ministry, Lav Aggarwal, said that while cases of coronavirus are increasing in India, the rate at which they are increasing "appears to be relatively stabilising". "However, this is only the initial trend," he said in the daily briefing on Thursday.
16:21 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Production, supply of essentials goods won't get affected during lockdown: Centre
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that the government is taking steps to ensure that production, supply or distribution of essential goods and services do not get affected during the 21-day complete lockdown over coronavirus. "States are working to provide food and shelter to migrant workers," said Punya Salila Srivastava, Joint Secretary, MHA.
16:11 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre says 42 new COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths reported in last 24 hours
Health ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal on Thursday said, "Forty-two fresh coronavirus cases and four deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported in the last 24 hours. Total number of cases stands at 649."
16:01 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Odisha to set up 'largest' COVID-19 hospital, says report
Odisha is to set up the "largest" COVID-19 hospital in the country, ANI reported on Thursday, however, there was no official statement from the state government about the same. "Will be a 1,000 bed hospital and will be functional in a fortnight. Odisha will be the first state in the country to set up such a large scale hospital exclusively to treat COVID-19 patients," the report said.
ANI further added that a tripartite agreement was signed between the Odisha government, corporates, and medical colleges to set up a 1,000-bed exclusive COVID-19 treatment hospital.
15:42 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Apple Supplier Foxconn and Wistron temporarily shut production facility in India
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in India due to coronavirus pandemic, several companies had to suspend or limit their services, whereas some had to close their production facilities, and Apple is one of them. iPhone suppliers Wistron and Foxconn have suspended their production in India.
As reported by Bloomberg, Foxconn also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry has halted its operations for now. It will resume its India facility based on further government announcements.
15:37 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates
Apple's 5G iPhone 12 launch likely to be delayed
With coronavirus disrupting day-to-day life across the world, Apple might postpone the launch of its iPhone 12 series. According to Japanese news portal Nikkei Asian Review, lowered demand and possible lukewarm consumer response might deter the leading tech firm from going ahead with the September 2020 launch of its first 5G iPhones.
The report added that Apple has held “internal discussions” on the probability of delaying the launch by months. Supply chain sources told the website that “practical hurdles” would also be a decisive factor in postponing the launch schedule.
15:35 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Govt support required to restore supply chains or India can run out of stocks in 7-10 days: Britannia MD Varun Berry
Government support and intervention is required to restore supply chains immediately or the country could run out of stocks of packaged foods in the next 7-10 days, biscuits and dairy giant Britannia Industries managing director Varun Berry said on Thursday, as supply chain disruptions continue to be crippled amidst the Covid-19 outbreak.
"If even one link in supply chain is broken, India could run out of stocks of packaged foods in the next 7-10 days. The Centre has issued permissions but we need support at district level," Berry said.
Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: G20 leaders committed to using all available policy tools to minimize economic and social cost of the COVID-19 pandemic and to restore global growth, market stability & strengthening resilience. G20 countries also committed to injecting over $5 trillion into the global economy.
The health ministry on Thursday said that 88 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in the country in a day, which is the highest jump of infections in a single day. The total number of cases rises to 694, the statement said.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Thursday made a donation of Rs 33 crore to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. "We are dutifully committed to stand firmly with our Nation in this challenging time of COVID-19 spread. It’s a unanimous decision and a sincere effort by our personnel. The effort was to make the immediate contribution with the noble intent to keep it unrevealed. The CRPF remains steadfast towards its motto of service and loyalty," the statement said.
After a video of police personnel in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun making migrant workers crawl on the roads went viral on Thursday, the Uttar Pradesh Police issued an apology for the incident and said that disciplinary action had been initiated.
"Being the police chief of the district, I feel sorry and apologise for this. Investigation is being conducted against the responsible person," said Ashok Kumar Tripathi, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Badaun.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman, Dr G Satheesh Reddy was quoted by ANI as saying, "We have also developed N-99 and three-layered masks, we have produced more than 20,000 masks and supplied to various agencies, including Delhi Police."
State governments like Jharkhand and Rajasthan have reached out to native migrants in other states as the 21-day complete lockdown over the coronavirus was imposed on Tuesday.
Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot replied to NC leader Omar Abdullah regarding some Kashmiri students stranded in Rajasthan's Kota district. Pilot said, "Kota district officials and local police are in touch with these students now. Will be provided transport and/or accommodation, meals. And also to all other such stranded students from all over the country."
Meanwhile, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren took note of people stuck in Chennai.
Joint Secretary of the health ministry, Lav Aggarwal, said that while cases of coronavirus are increasing in India, the rate at which they are increasing "appears to be relatively stabilising". "However, this is only the initial trend," he said in the daily briefing on Thursday.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a gazette notification easing the rules to allow the retail sale of drugs to the doorstep of patients during the 21-day nationwide lockdown.
These medicines fall under the schedule H category which means such drugs cannot be purchased without the prescription of a qualified doctor. The new rules allows submission of prescription in electronic forms if it gets delayed in case of acute crisis.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a grant of 100 crores for the coronavirus relief fund which will include shelter and food for labours, rickshaw pullers, roadside vendor and other poor people. He said that shelter camps will also be made along with the health facility.
Kumar had already announced that his state government will bear the treatment costs of coronavirus patients. In a bid to ease the hardships that the poor may face on account of the lockdown necessitated by the coronavirus outbreak, Kumar had also on Wednesday announced that all ration card holding families in the state will get an assistance of Rs one thousand each.
Under Ujjwala scheme women will be given free cylinders for the next three months. 8.3 crore families below poverty line will get free LPG cylinders for three months.
Under the Prime Minister Gareeb Kalyan Yojana (food scheme), 80 crore people will be benfitted, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. "Every one under this scheme will get 5 kg of wheat/rice for free in addition to what they are already getting. We will also give one kg of one choice of pulse to each household under this scheme for the next three months. They can take it in two installments also," said Sitharaman.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Prime Minister Gareeb Kalyan Yojana will include cash transfers to the poor and migrants.The finance minister has announced medical insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh per health worker for three months.
The Centre on Thursday announced the 'Prime Minister Gareeb Kalyan Scheme' for Rs 1.7 lakh crore. "This scheme includes food security and cash transfers," said Nirmala Sitharaman.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to address the media in New Delhi at 1 pm. The finance minister is likely to announce a relief package amid 21-day nationwide shutdown over coronavirus pandemic.
Spicejet has said that it will conduct a special flight to Jodhpur on Sunday to bring Indians returned from Iran yesterday to Delhi. "Will conduct special flight from Delhi to Jodhpur on Sunday to take Indians who have returned from Iran to government quarantine facility," SpiceJet said in a statement.
"The special flight will be operated as per Government of India's request and the airline will deploy its Boeing 737 aircraft for the assignment," the low-cost carrier said in its press release
According to the Union Health Ministry, the number of cases of coronavirus infection has reached 649 across the nation. The number of patients who have recovered and discharged from hospitals are 42. So far, India has reported 13 deaths.
Kashmir recorded its first death due to the novel coronavirus after a 65-year-old man from Soporev who tested positive to COVID-19 passed away at Chest Disease hospital Srinagar on Thursday morning.
According to Kashmir News Observer, the person died due to cardiac arrest and he had a long medical history of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
The Indian indices opened on positive note on Thursday with Nifty above 8,400 level. The Sensex is up 243.93 points or 0.85 percent at 28779.71, while the Nifty up 53.85 points or 0.65 percent at 8371.70.
IndusInd Bank, Tech Mahindra, Axis Bank, Sun Pharma and HDFC are among major gainers on Nifty, while losers are Yes Bank, Grasim, JSW Steel, Adani Ports and Maruti Suzuki.
A three-year-old is among two COVID-19 positive cases reported in Telangana on Wednesday, health officials said. The boy recently returned with his parents from Saudi Arabia. He has been admitted to a hospital where his condition is stated to be stable.
A 43-year-old woman from Hyderabad with no history of international travel has also tested positive. She is the primary contact of a positive case reported earlier.
Amid the worldwide increase in COVID-19 cases, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday said that a nationwide shurdown, which is being implemented by India and many other countries to curb the fast-spreading virus, will not be enough to eradicate the pandemic.
"To slow the spread of Covid-19, many countries introduced "lockdown" measures. But on their own, these measures will not extinguish epidemics. We call on all countries to use this time to attack the novel coronavirus. You have created a second window of opportunity," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a press conference.
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown to contain the coronavirus pandemic, nearly 90 more coronavirus positive cases were reported in India, taking the total number of cases to 606 on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the number of cases was 519.
The death toll due to the virus increased to 10 with another fatality being reported from Maharashtra, according to official data.
Madhya Pradesh reported its first coronavirus death, a woman who succumbed to viral infection, an official was quoted by PTI as saying.
However, in what may be seen as some reassuring news, joint secretary in the health ministry Lav Agarwal told CNN-News18 that no community transmission of the novel coronavirus has been reported in India yet.
State-wise figures
In its updated figures at 6.45 pm on Wednesday, the ministry stated that Maharashtra has reported three deaths and one death each was reported from Bihar, Karnataka, Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi, West Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh.
The ministry said Maharashtra has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases so far at 128, including three foreign nationals, followed by Kerala which has recorded 109 cases, including eight foreign nationals.
Karnataka has reported 41 cases of coronavirus patients, while cases in Gujarat rose to 38, including one foreigner.
Cases in Uttar Pradesh rose to 37, including a foreigner. The number of cases in Rajasthan increased to 36, including two foreigners, while the positive cases in Telangana stood at 35, including 10 foreigners.
Cases in Delhi rose to 31, including one foreigner.
Punjab reported 29 cases while In Haryana, there are 28 cases, including 14 foreigners.
Madhya Pradesh recorded 14 cases, Ladakh has 13, while Tamil Nadu has reported 18 cases, including two foreigners.
West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh have nine cases each.
Chandigarh, as well as Jammu and Kashmir, have reported seven cases each so far.
Uttarakhand has four cases, including one foreigner. Bihar also has four cases.
There are three cases in Himachal Pradesh while there are two cases in Odisha. Puducherry, Mizoram, Manipur, and Chhattisgarh have reported a case each.
People in white coats like God, says Modi
Narendra Modi, noting reports of doctors facing discrimination for treating coronavirus patients in several parts of the country, said that he is very pained with the discriminatory behaviour against the staff of essential services. Warning against discrimination, he said that "people in white coats and doctors are like God right now, they are protecting us".
"I appeal to all the citizens, if you notice any incident where professionals, such as doctors and nurses, are ill-treated then you should take an initiative to make such people (those who are ill-treating healthcare professionals) understand that they are wrong. I have told Home Ministry and DGPs to take strict action against those who are not supporting or not co-operating with doctors, nurses and other professionals who are serving us in this critical time," Modi said in his address to the citizens of Varanasi on Wednesday.
संकट की इस घड़ी में अस्पतालों में सफेद कपड़ों में दिख रहे डॉक्टर-नर्स, ईश्वर का ही रूप हैं। खुद को खतरे में डालकर ये हमें बचा रहे हैं।
इनके साथ बुरा बर्ताव होता दिखे तो आप वहां जाकर लोगों को समझाएं।
डॉक्टर, नर्स, मेडिकल स्टाफ जिंदगी बचाते हैं और हम उनका ऋण कभी नहीं उतार सकते। pic.twitter.com/XGTKx1V2yA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 25, 2020
In a similar vein, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "Some landlords are threatening to evict doctors/nurses from their houses. They're saying they'll (medical personnel) spread the coronavirus. It won't be tolerated. God forbid, if someone gets infected from your house then they, and no one else, will come to your rescue...."
States announce relief measures for underprivileged
Newly sworn-in Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday announced an aid of Rs 1,000 for labourers in the unorganised sector.
He also announced that beneficiaries of the social security pension scheme, widow pension, old-age pension and destitute pension schemes will get two months' pension in advance.
Labourers in the unorganised sector will be given financial assistance of Rs 1,000 each through the Sannirman Karmkar Mandal, said Chouhan who took over as chief minister two days ago.
Further, an advance of Rs 2,000 per family would be provided to members of the Shariya, Baiga, and Bhariya tribal communities, he said.
As schools are closed, some 65.91 lakh students do not get mid-day meals at school. Therefore, Rs 155 would be transferred into the bank account of each primary school student and Rs 232 in the account of each middle-school student, adding up to an aid of total of Rs 156.15 crore, he said.
The Kerala government is planning to come up with 'community kitchen' to cater food to the needy, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The state is also going to come up with 1,000 restaurants that will provide home delivery of food at a subsidised rate.
Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, the Kerala chief minister said that the local self government institutions would ensure the supply of food items to those affected by the lockdown so that there is no starvation in the state.
"We expect people to cooperate and stay where they are as suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They should not violate the conditions enforced during the quarantine," he said.
The state cabinet had decided to come out with the Kerala Epidemic Disease Ordinance 2020.
Earlier in the day, the chief minister tweeted, "Kerala has taken extensive measures to ensure that no one will starve during the lockdown. Will be implemented through Local Self Governments, ward-level committees, and volunteer."
Pakistan suspends domestic flights
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Pakistan, the government suspended all domestic flight operations until 2 April to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus after the country reported nearly 1,000 cases from the COVID-19 infection, authorities said on Wednesday.
The nationwide tally of the COVID-19 patients has soared to 990 with 410 cases in Sindh; 110 in Balochistan; 296 in Punjab; 78 in K-P; 80 in Gilgit-Baltistan; 15 in Islamabad; and one in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, The Express Tribune reported.
The National Disaster Management Authority has said that so far seven people have died due to the novel coronavirus and 18 recovered.
Meanwhile, Spain deputy prime minister Carmen Calvo reportedly tested positive for coronavirus. "She had tested negative in previous tests, the statement said, but doctors didn't think those provided conclusive data. Calvo is receiving medical treatment and progressing favorably, the statement said. She's in quarantine at a hospital," CNN reported.
Spain recorded the world’s second-highest tally of coronavirus deaths after 738 more reportedly died on Wednesday, the country's deadliest toll in one day, according to AP.
With 3,434 coronavirus patients dead, Spain surpassed China’s death toll of 3,285. Italy still has the most deaths of any nation in the world with 6,820. Infections in Spain also rose 20 percent from a day earlier to 47,610.
Meanwhile, in Britain, Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, has tested positive for the new coronavirus. The palace says he has mild symptoms.
With inputs from agencies
from Firstpost India Latest News https://ift.tt/3buCft3
No comments:
Post a Comment