23:56 (IST)
Coronavirus in Europe Latest Updates
Almost half of COVID-19 casualties in Europe were residents in long-term care facilities
The WHO on Thursday estimated that half of the people who succumbed to COVID-19 in Europe were residents of long-term care facilities.
“This is an unimaginable human tragedy,” CNN quoted WHO's Europe Director Hans Kluge as saying during a press conference Thursday.
“This pandemic has shone a spotlight on the overlooked and undervalued corners of our society. Across the European Region, long-term care has often been notoriously neglected. But it should not be this way,” said Kluge, calling the workers employed in these facilities as “the unsung heroes of this pandemic.”
23:47 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Vegetable hawker in Delhi's Mehrauli tests positive
South Delhi district magistrate on Thursday said, "A vegetable hawker in Ward-3, Mehrauli found to be COVID-19 positive. From the investigation, it seems he had stopped setting up his cart after he developed symptoms. He was not a part of the shifted mandi that has been set up at DTC Terminal.
"We are screening all vendors but vigil by everyone will deter someone who is sick and still running such shop or 'thela'. Kindly in this process do not abuse or misbehave with vendors."
23:33 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Delhi Police makes 6 teams to assess protection for personnel against COVID-19
The Delhi Police constitutes six committees to assess and bring improvements in the preventive measures against COVID-19 for the protection of police personnel.
Delhi Police constitutes 6 committees to assess and bring improvements in the preventive measures against #COVID19 for the protection of police personnel. pic.twitter.com/ne0RkCJjB7
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
23:12 (IST)
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
UP reports 61 more COVID-19 cases
Uttar Pradesh has reported 61 more coronavirus cases on Thursday. The total cases in the state are now 1,510, including 1,280 active cases.
22:59 (IST)
Toll in France rises to 21,896 with 516 fatalities in past 24 hours
AFP has quoted an official as saying that France's coronavirus toll has hit 21,896, with 516 fatalities in the past 24 hours.
22:53 (IST)
Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates
56 people quarantined after dietician associated with LJNP hospital tests positive
At least 56 people have been sent to quarantine in Delhi after a dietician associated with Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital mess tested positive for coronavirus, ANI quoted the hospital's medical superintendent as saying.
22:18 (IST)
Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates
75-year-old woman who tested positive for COVID-19 passes away in Dakshina Kannada
A 75-year-old woman from Bantwal, who had tested positive for Covid-19, passed away at Wenlok District Hospital in Dakshina Kannada, News18 quoted the health department of Karnataka as saying. The woman had a history of hypertension, stroke and pneumonia.
22:06 (IST)
Coronavirus in Bihar Latest Updates
Bihar reports nine new cases
ANI quoted the health department of Bihar as saying that nine more coronavirus positive cases have been reported in Bihar in the past day; taking the total number of positive cases to 162.
21:59 (IST)
Coronavirus in Telangana Latest Updates
Telangana reports 27 cases, 1 death in past 24 hours
Telangana has reported 27 new cases and one death in the past day. Also, 58 people have been discharged in the past 24 hours.
21:48 (IST)
Coronavirus in Gujarat Latest Updates
Three army personnel test positive for COVID-19 in Vadodara
ANI has quoted Indian Army sources as saying that three army personnel tested positive for coronavirus in Vadodara,Gujarat. As per initial findings, an ATM booth seems to be the common source as they all had withdrawn money from it on same day. Their 28 close contacts have been quarantined, the agency reported.
21:39 (IST)
Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir Latest Updates
Cases in Jammu and Kashmir rise to 434
The total number of cases in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 434 after seven more cases were reported in Kashmir.
In total, 57 cases have been reported from the Jammu division, and 377 from the Kashmir division.
21:31 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
'Strong friendships thrive even virtually': S Jaishankar
The changing world of #corona era diplomacy. Strong friendships thrive even virtually.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 23, 2020
A busy day talking to Foreign Ministers of Russia, Brazil, United States, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
21:24 (IST)
Coronavirus in Rajasthan Latest Updates
Rajasthan reports 76 new cases
Rajasthan has reported 76 new coronavirus cases in the past day, out of which 15 are from Jaipur. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the state has risen to 1,964.
21:20 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
128 new cases reported in Delhi
In Delhi, 128 new cases have been reported, taking the total to 2,376. Two people have died to the coronavirus in the past day.
However, 84 people have recovered from COVID-19 till now.
20:59 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
778 new COVID-19 patients, 14 deaths reported in Maharashtra today
Reports said that 778 new coronavirus cases were reported in Maharashtra on Thursday in addition to 14 new deaths. This takes the total number of cases in the state to 6,427 and the toll to 283.
In Mumbai, one of the worst-hit cities in the country, 4,205 cases have been reported, along with 167 deaths.
20:55 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Modi writes to minister over National Panchayati Raj Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday wrote to Panchayati Raj Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, ahead of National Panchayati Raj Day on Friday (24 April).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to Panchayati Raj Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today, ahead of National Panchayati Raj Day tomorrow (24th April). pic.twitter.com/viWNBdENEJ
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
20:50 (IST)
Coronavirus in Haryana Latest Updates
Six new COVID-19 cases in Haryana today
Six new COVID-19 cases were reported in Haryana on Thursday. The number of COVID-19 cases stands at 270, including 24 linked to foreign nationals. 170 patients have been cured, 97 are undergoing treatment whereas three people have lost their lives due to the infection.
20:44 (IST)
Coronavirus in Tripura Latest Updates
Second COVID-19 patient in Tripura tests negative
Tripura chief minister Biplab Deb said that the the second coronavirus patient in the state has been found negative after consecutive tests.
📌UPDATE!
— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) April 23, 2020
The Second corona patient of Tripura has been found NEGATIVE after
consecutive tests.
Hence our State has become Corona free.
I request everyone to maintain Social distancing and follow Government guidelines.
Stay Home Stay Safe.
Update at 08:20 PM, 23th April
20:35 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Three new containment zones added in Delhi, total now 92
Three new containment zones in Delhi were on Thursday added to the list, taking the total to 92. The three new hotspots identified are Lake View Apartment in Mehrauli, Raj Nagar in Dwarka and Dayanand Vihar.
Samshi Talab in Mehrauli including A-3 Lake view apartment, gali number 1 band of Raj Nagar 2 in Dwarka & house number 15 to 101 in Dayanand Vihar have been identified as a containment zone, taking total number of the containment zones to 92: Government of NCT of Delhi pic.twitter.com/jRg72ty1ll
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
20:29 (IST)
Coronavirus in Assam Latest Updates
Assam Police says 137 people arrested for not wearing masks in Guwahati
Guwahati Police Commissioner MP Gupta on Thursday said that 137 people were arrested for not wearing face masks in public in Guwahati on Wednesday.
"We are strictly implementing the wearing of face masks by people at public places," he added.
20:25 (IST)
Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates
Kerala govt says all Tablighi attendees have been traced and tested
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that all those who attended the Tablighi conference in Delhi from Kerala have been traced and tested.
"I am particularly mentioning this because there is a conscious attempt to spread rumours about it," he added.
20:14 (IST)
Coronavirus in Odisha Latest Updates
Odisha govt announces 60-hour shutdown in 3 districts
The Odisha government has announced a 60-hour complete shut down in Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts from 10 pm on Thursday till 26 April, in view of rise in COVID-19 cases, said Asit Tripathy, Chief Secretary, Odisha.
19:55 (IST)
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand Latest Updates
One person tests positive for COVID-19 in Uttarakhand today
One person tested positive for COVID-19 in Uttarakhand on Thursday, taking the total cases in the state to 47, the state control room said.
19:46 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
46 new COVID-19 cases reported in Delhi's Jahangirpuri
46 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from three lanes in the H Block of Delhi's Jahangirpuri, the district Magistrate (North), said.
19:33 (IST)
Coronavirus in West Bengal Latest Updates
West Bengal govt tells private COVID-19 centres to provide free treatment
The West Bengal government on Thursday directed private hospitals which have been requisitioned by the government for COVID-19 treatment, to provide free treatment to COVID-19 patients, ANI reported. "The government has decided to reimburse charges to the hospitals for treatment of patients," the notification read.
West Bengal Govt directs the private hospitals, which have been requisitioned by the govt for #COVID19 treatment, to provide free treatment to COVID-19 patients. "Govt has decided to reimburse charges to the hospitals for treatment of patients," the notification reads. pic.twitter.com/NofkDQ74Q8
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
19:26 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
25 new cases reported in Dharavi today
The BMC on Thursday said that 25 new coronavirus cases and one casualty were reported in Mumbai's Dharavi. The total number of cases in the area rose to 214, toll 13.
19:08 (IST)
Coronavirus in Punjab Latest Updates
Punjab reports 26 new COVID-19 cases today
The Punjab health department said that 26 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the state on Thursday. The total number of cases in the state stand at 283.
19:00 (IST)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates
Tamil Nadu artist modifies rickshaw into coronavirus
An artist modified an autorickshaw on the theme of coronavirus to spread awareness about the disease in Chennai.
Tamil Nadu: An artist modifies an autorickshaw on the theme of #coronavirus to spread awareness about the disease in Chennai. pic.twitter.com/Zj3XITAFCm
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
18:48 (IST)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates
54 new cases reported in Tamil Nadu
Fifty-four more COVID-19 cases reported in Tamil Nadu on Thursday. Total number of cases in the state is at 1,683, including 908 active cases and 20 deaths.
18:46 (IST)
Coronavirus in Jharkhand Latest Updates
Four more people test positive for COVID-19 in Jharkhand
Four more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Ranchi on Thursday, the state health secretary said. The total number of positive cases in the state rose to 53.
18:38 (IST)
Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates
Karnataka reports 18 new COVID-19 cases
The Karnataka government said that 18 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the state in the last 24 hours. The total number of cases in the state stands at 445, which includes 17 deaths and 145 discharges.
18:29 (IST)
Coronavirus in Gujarat Latest Updates
45 COVID-19 patients recover in Vadodara
In Gujarat's Vadodara, 45 people who had tested positive for COVID-19, were discharged on Thursday from the Ebrahim Bawany Industrial Training Institute quarantine centre, after recovering. A doctor of the institute was quoted by ANI as saying, "All of them have agreed to donate blood plasma, as they have developed antibodies."
18:23 (IST)
Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates
10 new COVID-19 cases reported in Kerala
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that 10 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the state. The total number of cases in the state stands at 447, of which 129 are active cases.
18:07 (IST)
Coronavirus in West Bengal Latest Updates
West Bengal chief secy says asymptomatic patients will be big challenge post lockdown
West Bengal chief secretary Rajiva Sinha on Thursday said, "In India, close to 70 percent cases are asymptomatic and doctors are also worried as to how to identify them. If lockdown opens on 4 May then this will be a big challenge."
18:02 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Health ministry says 1,229 new COVID-19 cases reported in 24 hours
The Union health ministry's daily 5 pm update on number of coronavirus cases on Thursday said that 1,229 new cases had been reported in 24 hours, taking the total to 21,700. However, in the ministry's press briefing at 4 pm, health ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal said that 1,409 cases had been reported in 24 hours.
The 5 pm update was quoted by ANI as saying, "1,229 new COVID-19 cases and 34 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. Total number of cases rises to 21,700, including 16,689 active cases, 4,325 cured and 686 deaths."
17:54 (IST)
Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir Latest Updates
20 new COVID-19 cases reported in J&K today
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday said that 20 new cases were reported in the union territory, one from Jammu Division and 19 from Kashmir.
The total cases stand at 427, including 57 in Jammu and 370 in Kashmir.
17:46 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
AIIMS says use of plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients has begun
Delhi AIIMS director Randeep Guleria on Thursday said that at various centres, "we've started using convalescent plasma that is the blood of COVID-19 patients who have recovered. A large number of patients who have become alright have come forward and volunteered to donate their blood."
17:35 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
AIIMS says important to reach out to people fearing stigma
AIIMS director Randeep Guleria on Thursday said that it was "important to reach out to patients who are missing out of treatment because of the stigma and panic", adding adding, "It is important to encourage more and more people to get tested, get treated."
#WATCH: Dr Randeep Guleria, AIIMS Director says,"...it (stigma) is actually causing increase in morbidity and mortality. Because of the stigma that is happening many patients who have #COVID19 or flu like symptoms are not coming to health care facilities." pic.twitter.com/ibwUfsBqE1
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
17:27 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
ICMR says difficult to predict onset of COVID-19 peak in India
ICMR's Balram Bhargava on Thursday said that "it is very difficult" to predict that when the peak of COVID-19 pandemic will arrive in India.
#WATCH: It is very difficult to tell that peak will arrive by 3rd May or when it will come. But it is very stable. Positivity rate has been 4.5% throughout, one can say we have been able to flatten the curve. However, difficult to predict it(peak): Dr Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR pic.twitter.com/DyyAUvMxJn
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
17:19 (IST)
Coronavirus in West Bengal Latest Updates
58 new COVID-19 cases reported in Bengal
West Bengal 58 government on Thursday said that 58 new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in last 24 hours. There are 334 active cases in the state now.
17:09 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre's COVID-19 team says must evolve strategy for the future
CK Mishra, Environment secretary and Chairman of Empowered Group 2 on Thursday said, "Right at the bottom, the yellow line is India's story. We have deliberately taken 400th case on 23 March (as the benchmark). It shows what was the position, when each of these countries had 400th case and how they have moved beyond.
"This graph clearly tells us where we stand. This is the current story and based on this current story and future projection we need to evolve a strategy in this country."
Right at the bottom, the yellow line is India's story. We have deliberately taken 400th case on 23rd March (as benchmark). It shows what was the position, when each of these countries had 400th case&how they have moved beyond:CK Mishra,Environment Secy&Chairman,Empowered Group-2 pic.twitter.com/9tFIIpCP6Y
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
16:56 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
MHA reiterates list of services exempted from lockdown restrictions
Punya Salila Srivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday said that the ministry has clarified to state governments that in-house care-givers of senior citizens, prepaid mobile recharge utilities and food processing units in urban areas are exempted from lockdown restrictions.
16:44 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Current level of testing not enough, says chairman of Centre's COVID-19 response team
CK Mishra, Environment Secretary and chairman of the Empowered Group 2, on Thursday said, "On 23 March we had done 14,915 tests across the country and on 22 April, we have done more than 5 lakh tests. If a rough calculation is done it is about 33 times in 30 days. This is not enough and we need to ramp testing in this country."
The 'empowered groups' are described by CNBC-TV18 as, "The groups of officers have been empowered to identify problems, and provide solutions for time bound implementation, delineate policy, formulate plans as well as strategies operations."
16:37 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
COVID-19 growth isn't exponential in India, says Centre
"We have been able to cut transmission, minimise spread and increase doubling rate. We have utilized this time to prepare ourselves for future. Growth has been more or less linear, not exponential," said CK Mishra, Environment secretary and Chairman of the Empowered Group 2.
16:22 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
India reports 1,409 new COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours, total is at 21,393
The Union health ministry on Thursday said that in last 24 hours 1,409 positive cases have been reported, which takes the total confirmed cases to 21,393.
"As on today, we have 12 districts that did not have a fresh case in the last 28 days or more. There are now 78 districts (23 states/UTs) that has not reported any fresh cases during the last 14 Days," said Health ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal.
16:15 (IST)
Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh Latest Updates
80 new COVID-19 cases reported in Andhra Pradesh
COVID-19 cases rose by 80 in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 893 in the state, reports said. Additionally, three deaths were reported on Thursday, two in Kurnool and one in Krishna district.
15:57 (IST)
Coronavirus in Haryana Latest Updates
Haryana govt to give insurance Rs 10 lakh to journalists covering COVID-19
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the state government has decided to provide insurance of Rs 10 lakh each to all journalists who are reporting during coronavirus pandemic.
15:49 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
SpiceJet to fly sportsman Dingko Singh to Dehi for liver cancer treatment
SpiceJet on Thursday on said, "(Our) air ambulance will fly Asian Games Boxing Gold Medallist Dingko Singh from Imphal to Delhi to help him resume his treatment for liver cancer. The air ambulance service will be provided free of charge to the Padma awardee."
15:43 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Anil Baijal instructs authorities to set up COVID-19 facility for Delhi Police personnel
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Thursday directed authorities to create a dedicated COVID-19 facility for Delhi Police personnel. Baijal also directed setting up an exclusive testing center for Delhi Police personnel on duty amid the coronavirus pandemic.
15:25 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Entire Muslim community cannot be liable for one group's 'crime': Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
The entire Muslim community cannot be held responsible for one group’s "crime", Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Thursday while reacting to instances of Muslims being blamed for the spurt in COVID-19 cases after Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi's Nizamuddin Markaz, and asserted that most of the minority community members have condemned the group’s action.
In an interview to PTI, Naqvi also expressed confidence that Muslims will abide by lockdown guidelines during the holy month of Ramzan.
Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: In Delhi, 128 new cases have been reported, taking the total to 2,376. Two people have died to the coronavirus in the past day.
However, 84 people have recovered from COVID-19 till now.
Reports said that 778 new coronavirus cases were reported in Maharashtra on Thursday in addition to 14 new deaths. This takes the total number of cases in the state to 6,427 and the toll to 283.
In Mumbai, one of the worst-hit cities in the country, 4,205 cases have been reported, along with 167 deaths.
The Odisha government has announced a 60-hour complete shut down in Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts from 10 pm on Thursday till 26 April, in view of rise in COVID-19 cases, said Asit Tripathy, Chief Secretary, Odisha.
West Bengal chief secretary Rajiva Sinha on Thursday said, "In India, close to 70 percent cases are asymptomatic and doctors are also worried as to how to identify them. If lockdown opens on 4 May then this will be a big challenge."
CK Mishra, Environment Secretary and chairman of the Empowered Group 2, on Thursday said, 'On 23 March we had done 14,915 tests across the country and on 22 April, we have done more than 5 lakh tests. If a rough calculation is done it is about 33 times in 30 days. This is not enough and we need to ramp testing in this country."
The 'empowered groups' are described by CNBC-TV18 as, "The groups of officers have been empowered to identify problems, and provide solutions for time bound implementation, delineate policy, formulate plans as well as strategies operations."
AIIMS director Randeep Guleria on Thursday said that it was "important to reach out to patients who are missing out of treatment because of the stigma and panic", adding adding, "It is important to encourage more and more people to get tested, get treated."
'As on today, we have 12 districts that did not have a fresh case in the last 28 days or more. There are now 78 districts (23 states/UTs) that has not reported any fresh cases during the last 14 Days," said Health ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal.
The Union health ministry on Thursday said that in last 24 hours 1,409 positive cases have been reported, which takes the total confirmed cases to 21,393.
"As on today, we have 12 districts that did not have a fresh case in the last 28 days or more. There are now 78 districts (23 states/UTs) that has not reported any fresh cases during the last 14 Days," said Health ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal.
The entire Muslim community cannot be held responsible for one group’s "crime", Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Thursday while reacting to instances of Muslims being blamed for the spurt in COVID-19 cases after Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi's Nizamuddin Markaz, and asserted that most of the minority community members have condemned the group’s action.
With 49 individuals testing positive for the novel coronavirus on Thursday, Rajasthan reported a total of 1,937 positive COVID-19 cases, said the state health department.
The state has recorded 27 deaths so far, while the recovery rate was at 21 percent with 407 COVID-19 patients being cured.
The Rajasthan Health Department said that 134 patients have since been discharged.
IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta on Thursday rolled back the pay cuts that were earlier announced by the budget airline. "In deference to our Government's wishes of not reducing pay during the lockdown, we have decided not to implement the previously announced pay cuts during the month of April," CEO Ronojoy Dutta told employees in an email on 23 April.
The chief ministers of the Congress-ruled states on Thursday hit out at the Centre for not providing enough financial assistance to the states to strengthen its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The chief ministers of Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry, demanded a financial package for the states to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
A group of non-resident physicians, health scientists, and healthcare providers have written to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee raising concerns over the "gross under-testing" and "misreporting of data" on the cause of death of COVID-19 patients.
In an open letter on Wednesday, the medical professionals said that while they have concerns about inadequate testing across India, they find the situation in West Bengal particularly grave.
As many as 70 areas in Palghar district of Maharashtra have been notified as containment zones after several COVID-19 positive cases were detected.
The containment zones fall under the Vasai-Virar municipal limits, and Dahanu and Palghar talukas, district Collector Kailas Shinde said in an order on Wednesday evening. Only essential services will be operational in the containment zones, he said.
Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid on Thursday appealed to all Muslims to follow the government's orders during lockdown imposed in view of the novel coronavirus. He further urged them to offer prayers at home during the month of Ramzan.
“If we follow govt instructions, we'll be able to eradicate COVID-19 soon. The holy month of Ramzan is about to begin. Prayers have to be offered at home itself and social distancing has to be maintained. By following it, we'll be able to protect everyone,” he said.
Telangana government has advised its officials to only send the primary contacts of COVID-19 positive cases to government identified quarantine centers, while the asymptomatic secondary contacts will be ordered to undergo home quarantine for 28 days instead of 14 days.
Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi addressed the CWC meet on Thursday saying, 'I offered our constructive cooperation and suggestions. Unfortunately, they have been acted upon only partially and in a miserly way. The compassion, large-heartedness and alacrity from the Centre is conspicuous by its absence.'
Four more COVID-19 patients in Jharkhand have recovered on Thursday, taking the recovery rate in the state to 16.32 percent with eight individuals being cured in total.
So far, the state has recorded 49 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, while three patients have succumbed to the infectious disease.
As the nation continued to reel under the novel coronovirus outbreak, Maharashtra and Gujarat faced the brunt of the crisis the maximum. The two western states accounted for 37 percent of the total 8,059 confirmed cases recorded in both so far.
With 229 fresh cases recorded in the last 24 hours, Gujarat on Wednesday emerged as the second worst affected state after Maharashtra, which reported 431 new cases.
The Maharashtra government has decided to aggressively evacuate suspected coronavirus patients from Dharavi and other hotspots and put them in institutional quarantine, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday.
The densely populated Dharavi slum area has reported close to 190 cases of coronavirus infection so far.
"Houses in Dharavi are very small and 10-12 people live in a house. Even if we advise home quarantine, the shortage of space defeats the purpose," he said.
The total number of novel coronavirus cases in India climbed to 21,393 on Thursday, according to the latest Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data. The toll stood at 682, it said.
So far, India has 16,454 active cases. While, the recovery rate of COVID-19 patients is at 19.8 percent.
Assam Director General of Police GP Singh on Wednesday said that a total number of 2,326 people were arrested and 17,872 vehicles were detained for violating lockdown rules.
He further tweeted that a total of Rs 1,02,41,400 fine was realised during the lockdown.
Sharing details regarding FIR registered for spreading fake news on social media/rumour related to COVID-19, he said, "Of 85 cases that were registered, 46 people were arrested, of which 12 people were later released on bail."
The total number of novel coronavirus cases in India surged past 20,000 on Wednesday. At least 1,486 fresh cases emerged in the last 24 hours, taking the COVID-19 count in the country to 20,471, according to the latest Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data.
With 49 deaths recorded since Tuesday, the toll now stands at 652, it said.
The countrywide COVID-19 toll rose to 652 while the number of cases jumped to 20,471 on Wednesday, an increase of 49 fatalities and 1,486 cases since Tuesday evening, according to the Union Health Ministry.
The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 15,859, while 3,959 people have been cured and discharged, the ministry said, adding that one patient has migrated.
Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet approved Rs 15,000 crore for "India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package" for setting up dedicated treatment facilities and laboratories as part of an urgent response to contain the pandemic.
The Cabinet also approved an ordinance aimed at preventing violence against health workers after several cases of assaults on doctors were reported during the coronavirus outbreak.
Maharashtra, Gujarat report most deaths
Of the 49 deaths reported since Tuesday evening, 19 were from Maharashtra, 18 from Gujarat, four from Madhya Pradesh, three from West Bengal, two from Andhra Pradesh and one each from Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, the ministry said.
Of the total 652 deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 251, followed by Gujarat at 95, Madhya Pradesh at 80, Delhi at 47, Rajasthan at 25, Andhra Pradesh at 24 and Telangana at 23, according to the ministry.
The death toll reached 21 in Uttar Pradesh, 18 in Tamil Nadu while Karantaka has reported 17 cases.
Punjab has registered 16 deaths, while West Bengal has reported 15 fatalities due to coronavirus infection so far.
The disease has claimed five lives in Jammu and Kashmir, while Kerala, Jharkhand and Haryana have recorded three COVID-19 deaths each.
Bihar has reported two deaths, while Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Assam have reported one fatality each, according to the ministry data.
According to the health ministry''s data updated in the evening, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country are from Maharashtra at 5,221, followed by Gujarat at 2,272, Delhi at 2,156, Rajasthan at 1,801, Tamil Nadu at 1,596 and Madhya Pradesh at 1,592.
The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 1,412 in Uttar Pradesh, 945 in Telangana and 813 in Andhra Pradesh.
The number of cases has risen to 427 in Kerala, 425 in Karnataka, 423 in West Bengal, 380 in Jammu and Kashmir, 254 in Haryana and 251 in Punjab.
Bihar has reported 126 coronavirus cases, while Odisha has 82.
Forty-six people have been infected with the virus in Uttarakhand while Jharkhand has 45 cases.
Himachal Pradesh has 39 cases, Chhattisgarh has 36, while Assam has registered 35 infections so far.
Chandigarh has 27 COVID-19 cases, Ladakh 18, while 17 cases have been reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Meghalaya has reported 12 cases, while Goa and Puducherry have seven COVID-19 patients each. Manipur and Tripura have two cases each, while Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have reported a case each.
"Our figures are being reconciled with the ICMR," the ministry said on its website.
It further said that one case of Jharkhand has been reassigned to Bihar after reconciliation.
Cabinet approves ordinance making attacks on doctors non-bailable offence
The Union government proposed making attacks on health workers non-bailable with maximum punishment of seven years in jail and Rs 5 lakh fine.
Javadekar said a person can be sentenced to anywhere between three months and five years in jail, besides a fine between Rs 50,000 and Rs 2 lakh, for crimes against healthcare workers under the new provision. In cases where injuries are serious, the punishment will range from six months to seven years, and carry fine between Rs 1-5 lakhs, the minister told reporters.
"Our government has zero tolerance against violence and harassment targeting doctors, nurses, paramedics and ASHA workers when they are doing their best to fight the pandemic," Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said after a Union cabinet meeting.
It was not clear whether these provisions would continue even after the COVID-19 crisis.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) called off its proposed ''white alert'' and ''black day'' protests scheduled for 22 and 23 April following a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah through video conference on Wednesday. The doctors' body has been demanding that the Centre bring a law to protect healthcare workers from rising attacks at a time when they are battling COVID-19.
The Union Health Ministry also advised chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories to adopt adequate measures in ensuring the safety of health workers involved in COVID-19 services.
In a letter, Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan said amongst all professionals, the skills and services of these health workers place them in a unique position of saving lives.
Meanwhile, official sources told PTI that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers via video conferencing on 27 April morning on the way ahead in the fight against coronavirus. This will be the third such video conference.
In the last interaction on 11 April, several chief ministers had recommended extension of the 21-day lockdown by two weeks, which was slated to end on 14 April earlier. Modi then extended it to 3 May.
Centre, West Bengal govt continue to be at loggerheads
A political stand-off continued between the BJP-headed Central Government and the Trinamool Congress-led government in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that the Centre had dispatched faulty testing kits to her state.
"Canards are being spread every day that only a few are getting tested in Bengal for COVID-19. This is absolutely false. Faulty kits were sent to Bengal which have now been withdrawn. We didn't even get adequate testing kits," she told a press conference.
The state government, however, assured it will abide by all the Central Government orders on the nationwide lockdown and said "it is not a fact" that it was not cooperating with the central team deputed to assess the COVID-19 situation in the West Bengal.
The assurance followed the Centre's allegation that the West Bengal government was obstructing the central team's work.
West Bengal has so far reported 15 deaths and 385 confirmed cases, though at least 79 people have been cured of COVID-19 in the state.
Rahul Gandhi seeks suggestions for MSME stimulus package
The Congress party on Wednesday has sought suggestions from the public on what a MSME economic stimulus package should cover. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweets, "COVID-19 has devastated our micro, small and medium businesses."
#COVID19 has devastated our micro, small & medium businesses (MSME). The Congress party needs your help. Send us suggestions & ideas for what a MSME economic stimulus package should cover on: https://t.co/kP2NZ6TNUK
or our social media platforms. #HelpSaveSmallBusinesses pic.twitter.com/UwLEPrnWdB
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 22, 2020
With inputs from agencies
from Firstpost India Latest News https://ift.tt/2VURh53
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