Today is the fifty-seventh day of India’s nationwide lockdown, meant to curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. The lockdown has been extended till May 31. Many restrictions have been eased, especially in non-containment zones, according to the new guidelines.
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in India stand at 1,06,750. The death toll from the outbreak in India is at 3,303. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Delhi have reported the highest number of cases.
Globally, there have been over 49.1 lakh confirmed cases of COVID-19. At least 3.23 lakh people have died so far. The United States, Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Spain are the most-affected countries. Catch the latest updates here:
This LIVE blog session has concluded. Please follow our new LIVE blog for the latest updates on the novel coronavirus pandemic and its socio-economic impact
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates:
Air India Express IX 244, an evacuation flight from Doha (Qatar) with 184 Indians landed today at Hyderabad International Airport under the second phase of
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates:
Railways releases list of 200 trains to be run from June 1, bookings to begin from May 21
Coronavirus in Pune LIVE updates:
14 deaths and 174 new positive COVID-19 cases reported in the last 24 hours in Pune district. The death toll now rises to 235 while total positive cases stand at 4544.
Coronavirus LIVE updates:
All Italian airports can reopen from June 3, news agency AFP has reported.
Coronavirus in Mumbai LIVE updates:
1,372 cases reported in Mumbai today and 41 deaths. This takes the total number of cases in the city to 23,935 and 841 deaths.
Coronavirus in Guajarat LIVE updates:
398 new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Gujarat in the last 24 hours. Total cases in the state stand at 12,539, including 5219 cured/discharged and 749 deaths.
Domestic flights to resume with one-third schedule; 'most airports' to open
Flight operations will resume on May 25 with one-third the schedule, with most airports expected to be open for service, senior officials said.
The government has decided on re-open the skies from May 25. Flights were suspended from March 25, when the first phase of the national lockdown was announced to limit the outbreak of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
"If an airline had 21 flights between Delhi and Mumbai, according to the summer schedule, it will now be able to operate seven," said a senior official from the industry.
But, even with one-third the schedule, it will be logistical challenge for airlines to resume operations within five days.
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7.9 infections per lakh population in India, recovery rate at 39.6%
The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry on May 20 said 7.9 people per lakh population have been infected by the deadly novel coronavirus – which is far lower than the global figures.
Elaborating onthis, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, said at a media briefing held in New Delhi: “If the total population of the world is taken into account, then 62 people per lakh population have been affected due to COVID-19. In India, 7.9 people per lakh population have got affected due to COVID.”
The Health Ministry official also informed that India’s COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 39.62 percent, adding that 42,298 people have already recovered.
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Coronavirus in India LIVE updates:
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) held a special meeting today. The Commission will issue a revised schedule of examinations in its next meeting to be held on June 5. Details of the new calendar of exams will be published on UPSC website, after Commission’s meeting on June 5.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh:
Transport facility has been arranged at Facilitation Centre at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi, to ensure comfortable return of stranded Punjabis andNRIs (who are coming back on special flights from abroad) to their home districts.
Upon their arrival in Punjab, they will be required to stay in quarantine for 14 days andwill be tested for COVID-19. Those found negative would be sent home for 2 weeks of self-quarantine while those testing positive will be shifted to isolation centres.
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LIVE updates:
743 new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Tamil Nadu today; taking the total number of cases to 13,191. Death toll rises to 87 with 3 deaths that have been reported today.
Coronavirus LIVE updates | US Prez Donald Trump:
Some wacko in China just released a statement blaming everybody other than China for the Virus which has now killed hundreds of thousands of people. Please explain to this dope that it was the “incompetence of China”, and nothing else, that did this mass Worldwide killing!
Coronavirus in Mumbai LIVE updates:
25 new coronavirus patients found in Mumbai's Dharavi taking tally of cases in area to 1,378, with no new death reported, toll stands at 56.
The COVID-19 zeitgeist: Notes from China on supply chain realignment
Social media forwards from outside China proclaiming the need to re-shore or nearshore manufacturing and supply chains out of China have been rising in recent weeks.
Yet, the ground reality from within China looks a little different. Last week, a senior executive who manages the supply chain for an automotive major mentioned how ‘there is a huge disconnect between what politicians outside China speak and the business realities on the ground’.
So, exactly what are those business realities on the ground? China retains its steadfast determination to keep its business. Let me start with my own experience.
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Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on economic package:
It was important to give stimulus for businesses to start off. In PM Garib Kalyan scheme - introduced after lockdown, we gave some cash transfer. With that done, we weren't closing the option.
For cash transfer we thought it was far more effective because the way in which we've planned it, we thought there'll be greater multiplier effect and therefore it should be through banks, businesses, through money given for working capital.
(ANI)
Coronavirus in Haryana LIVE updates | Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar:
Total 53 trains have departed from Haryana till now and with 4,257 buses, more than 2 lakh migrant workers have been facilitated to their native homes. We have always helped the migrant workers and will go to any length to help them.
Coronavirus in Kerala LIVE updates:
24 new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Kerala today. Of them, 12 have returned from abroad,11 others have returned from other states and one has been infected by contact. Total positive cases stand at 666 including 161 active cases.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri:
Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from 25 May. All airports & air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from 25 May. SOPs for passenger movement also being separately issued by Ministry.
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LIVE updates:
Till today, total 838 shramik trains have arrived in Uttar Pradesh or will come by evening. Permission for 206 more trains has been given which will come in next 48 hours. Arrangements of total 1,044 trains have been done till now,Awanish Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary(Home) has said.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | Health Ministry Joint Secy Lav Agarwal:
When the first lockdown started, then recovery rate was around 7.1%, the recovery rate during 2nd lockdown was 11.42%, it then rose to 26.59%. Today the recovery rate is 39.62%
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | Health Ministry Joint Secy Lav Agarwal:
It is satisfactory to note that 42,298 people have recovered and the number of active cases are 61,149.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | Health Ministry Joint Secy Lav Agarwal:
If the total population of the world is taken into account then 62 people per lakh population have been affected due to COVID-19. In India, 7.9 people per lakh population of this country got affected due to COVID-19.
4.2 people per lakh population across the world have died due to #COVID19. In India it is 0.2 deaths per lakh population.
Coronavirus behaving differently in China's northeast clusters, expert says
The novel coronavirus is behaving differently in patients in northeast China who have contracted it recently compared with early cases, indicating it is changing as it spreads, a prominent doctor said.
Qiu Haibo, an expert in critical care medicine who is part of a National Health Commission expert group, said the incubation period of the virus in patients in the northeast was longer than that of patients in Wuhan. (Input from Reuters)
Coronavirus News LIVE updates | Confirmed cases in ASEAN countries
> Brunei: 141 cases (includes recoveries and deaths)
> Cambodia: 122 cases
> Indonesia: 19,189 cases
> Laos: 19 cases
> Malaysia: 7,009 cases
> Myanmar: 193 cases
> Philippines: 13,221 cases
> Singapore: 29,364 cases
> Thailand: 3,034 cases
> Vietnam: 324 cases
(Source: Johns Hopkins University CSSE, as of 3.30 pm IST on May 20)
Explained: Is Moderna's vaccine for COVID-19 worth the hype?
In January, just three days after Chinese authorities shared the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus, an infectious disease research team at Moderna Therapeutics, along with experts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), finalised the sequence for mRNA-1273. The mRNA-1273 is Moderna's vaccine candidate against COVID-19. Things moved swiftly thereafter.
Early this week, the Massachusetts-based biotech company announced positive interim phase-1 or early stage clinical trial data.
Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates on the cyclone and its impact
Meanwhile, Cyclone Amphan is set to make landfall along the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast near the Sundarbans in a short while from now. Lakhs of people have been evacuated to safer areas.
Philippines reports 279 additional new coronavirus cases, five deaths
The Philippines' health ministry today recorded 279 additional COVID-19 cases, the highest daily increase in nine days, and five additional deaths.
In a bulletin, the ministry said total deaths had reached 842, while infections have risen to 13,221, with total recoveries rising 89 to 2,932. (Input from Reuters)
Coronavirus in Rajasthan LIVE updates | Health Department:
The state has reported 107 cases of COVID-19 till 2.00 pm today. Confirmed cases in the state stand at 5,952, including 143 deaths.
Union Cabinet has approved the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Package' for allocation of food grains to the migrantsand stranded migrants, DG PIB KS Dhatwalia has said.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates:
COVID-19 death toll in Delhi mounts to 176; highest single-day spike of 534 fresh cases takes tally to 11,088. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Himachal Pradesh LIVE updates | 12 fresh cases in Himachal
Twelve people, who had recently returned from Mumbai, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Himachal Pradesh, taking the virus tally in the state to 105, officials said.
The 12 were among the 697 people, who had returned to Himachal Pradesh from Mumbai in a special train on May 18, they said.
The total number of infected people in the state stands at 105, while 51 of them have been cured. Four people have died due to COVID-19. The active cases in the state now stand at 50. (Input from PTI)
Read: Facing adulthood with an economic disaster’s lasting scars
Saddled with debt, and entering a job market devastated by the pandemic, millions of young adults face an exceptionally dicey future
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE updates |
In a relief to the hotels and restaurants industry, the Maharashtra Excise Department has allowed existing stock of foreign liquor with the industry to be liquidated, according to a CNBC TV-18 report.
Coronavirus News LIVE updates | Confirmed cases in SAARC countries
> India: 1,06,750 confirmed cases (includes recoveries and deaths)
> Afghanistan: 7,653 cases
> Bangladesh: 25,121 cases
> Bhutan: 21 cases
> Maldives: 1,143 cases
> Nepal: 402 cases
> Pakistan: 45,189 cases
> Sri Lanka: 1,027 cases
(Source: News reports and Johns Hopkins University CSSE, as of 1.20 pm IST on May 20)
Workplace sanitation checklist
(Image: News18 Creative)
Coronavirus in Karnataka LIVE updates | Health Department:
63 more COVID-19 cases were reported in Karnataka between 5.00 pm yesterday and 12.00 pm today. Total confirmed cases in the state have risen to 1,458, including 864 active cases and 41 deaths (one due to 'non-COVID-19' cause).
Coronavirus in Thailand LIVE updates | Thailand reports one new case, no new deaths
Thailand today confirmed one new coronavirus case, bringing its total cases to 3,034. There were no additional deaths reported.
There have been 56 deaths overall from coronavirus in Thailand and 2,888 patients have recovered. (Input from Reuters)
Six feet distancing not enough to stop virus transmission in light winds: Study
The current physical distancing guidelines of six feet may be insufficient to prevent COVID-19 transmission, according to a study which says a mild cough in low wind speeds can propel saliva droplets by as much as 18 feet.
Researchers, including those from the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, said a good baseline for studying the airborne transmission of viruses, like the one behind the COVID-19 pandemic, is a deeper understanding of how particles travel through the air when people cough.
Coronavirus impact | Open to further stimulus, have done what is best in my view: FM Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the government is open to taking further measures during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Speaking to a newspaper, the finance minister also responded to India Inc's criticism of the package.
"I heard all of them and then took a decision. I do understand each has a perspective on what is best. I welcome all views. I have done what is best in my view," Sitharaman said.
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE updates | Maharashtra Police:
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in the department have now reached 1,388, including 948 active cases, 428 recoveries and 12 deaths.
How Zoom is now worth more than top airlines combined
(Image: News18 Creative)
Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates on the cyclone and its impact
Meanwhile, the wind speed has picked up significantly in coastal Odisha. Cyclone Amphan is set to make landfall along the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast near the Sundarbans later today. Lakhs of people have been evacuated to safer areas.
Coronavirus in Singapore LIVE updates |
Total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Singapore has risen to 28,794, according to Channel News Asia. The city-state reported 451 new cases yesterday.
While 10,365 patients have been discharged from hospitals so far, 22 have died. Over 17,403 remain in isolation.
Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh LIVE updates | Health Department:
68 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours, taking the total confirmed cases in the state to 2,407.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates |
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that 25,12,388 samples have been tested for COVID-19 in the country till 9.00 am today.
Read: Wearing surgical masks significantly reduces COVID-19 spread, hamster tests show
Wearing a surgical mask may be able to significantly reduce the non-contact transmission of the novel coronavirus, according to a new study conducted by the University of Hong Kong.
Led by Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, one of the world's top coronavirus experts, the study was conducted on hamsters to shed light on an ongoing debate on whether wearing masks would help prevent the transmission of the deadly coronavirus.
Private airlines may repatriate Indians stuck abroad: Report
The Centre may soon allow private airlines to join the Vande Bharat Mission. This may be a welcome move for domestic carriers who earlier sought permission to participate.
An announcement is expected soon as Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola discussed the issue during a ministry meeting today, according to a report.
