The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic has spread across 180 countries. Today is the ninth day of India's 21-day lockdown. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India stands at 1,965. The Union Health Ministry has said that 50 people have died due to the virus.
Globally, there have been over 9.4 lakh confirmed cases of COVID-19. At least 47,500 people have died so far. The United States, Italy, France and Spain have registered more deaths than China, where the outbreak started. The outbreak is having a major impact on global economy and the stock market. Catch the latest updates here:
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates:
India's premier defence research institution DRDO has developed a "bio-suit" to protect doctors and paramedics engaged in treating coronavirus-affected people from the infection.
Scientists at several DRDO laboratories were involved in developing the "bio-suit" which will act as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the healthcare personnel, officials said.
They said considering the high demand of PPEs across the country, steps are being taken to produce at least 15,000 suits per day.
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Global coronavirus deaths top 50,000, total cases near 1 million
Global coronavirus deaths topped 50,200 on April 2as the pandemic continued to ravagethe United States and Europe, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
Reported cases of the COVID-19 respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus were approaching 1 million with the most cases in the United States, followed by Italy and Spain.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | BREAKING:
Global COVID-19deaths top 50,000, as perJohnHopkins tally
New York City crematories work overtime as coronavirus brings backlog of bodies
New York City crematories are extending their hours, burning bodies into the night. The state has started a running tally of all cremations and burials. City officials are surveying upstate cemeteries for temporary interment sites.
The destructive spread of the coronavirus through New York has not yet reached its peak, but those who put the dead to rest have never been busier.
Funeral homes and cemetery directors described a surge in demand unseen in decades from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus that has infected tens of thousands and killed roughly 1,400 in New York City.
A majority of New Yorkers choose cremation over burial, but the most-populous U.S. city has only four crematories: one in the Bronx, one in Brooklyn and two in Queens. Directors at two of those locations said their daily workload has jumped from around 10 bodies to 15 or more, straining resources.
– Reuters
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Government of Delhi:
Total COVID-19 positive cases in Delhi rises to 293 including 182 positive cases from Markaz Nizamuddin.
-ANI
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:
Increase of 235 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. Total number of COVID-19 positive cases rise to 2,069 in India (including 1,860 active cases, 155 cured/discharged/migrated people and 53 deaths)
-ANI
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates:
Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL franchise co-owned by Shahrukh Khan, Gauri Khan, Juhi Chawla Mehta and Jay Mehta, has committed to contributing to the PM Cares Fund.
Red Chillies Entertainment owned by Gauri Khan and Shahrukh Khan has committed to contributing to the Maharshtra CM's relief Fund.
KKR and Meer Foundation will work with the West Bengal and Maharashtra governments and contribute 50,000 PPE kits.
-ANI
Coronavirus LIVE Updates:
More than 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, double therecord of 3.3 million reported for the previous week. The layoffs have led many economists to envision as many as 20 million lost jobs by the end of April. (AP)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates:
Delhi Government writes to Commissioner of Delhi Police for deployment of adequate police force at hospitals and quarantine center.
Delhi Govt in its letter to CP Delhi said, "Medical Superintendents of designated COVID19 hospitals reported that patients, particularly those transferred from Markaz,are creating law and order problems and commotion in hospitals which is becoming difficult for the hospital staff to handle."
– ANI
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates:
In the case of Tablighi Jamaat, Nizamuddin, Ministry of Home Affairshas directed Delhi Police and DGPs of other concerned states to take necessary legal action against 960 foreigners for violating the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
In the case of Tablighi Jamaat,Nizamuddin, 960 foreigners have been blacklisted and their tourist visas cancelled after they were found involved in activities related to Tablighi Jamat.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Udates | Health Ministry:
400 COVID-19 cases with linkage to Tablighi Jamaat found
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates:
Govt launches mobile app Aarogya Setu to help people assess themselves the risk of catching coronavirus infection, alert authorities if they have come in close contact with person infected with deadly virus.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates:
Boeing announces voluntary layoff plan, says it hopes to avoid "other workforce actions". (AFP)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates:
British Airways may suspend around 32,000 staff, after it warned it will need to slash costs if it is to survive the coronavirus pandemic that has battered the global aviation industry. (Reuters)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates:
81 fresh COVID-19 positive cases reported in Maharashtra; Total number positive cases in the state rises to 416, 19 deaths.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | BREAKING:
USjobless claims rose to 6,648,000 for March 28 week (consensus 3,500,000) from 3,307,000 prior week (Reuters).
US unemployment claims hit 6.6 million –another record high –as layoffs accelerate in face of coronavirus.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates:
Virus deaths in New York double in 72 hours to 1,900.Spain reports 950 deaths in 24 hours.WHO says 95 percentof the people who died of coronavirus in Europe were older than 60. (Associated Press)
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | Air India CMD Rajiv Bansal:
Air India to operate 18 flights for citizens of Germany,Canada, France,Ireland stranded in India,on request of concerned embassies. AI has entered into commercial contracts with these countries to run charter flights for their citizens. Flights to return to India empty.
We are providing all the essentials things like sanitisers, gloves, personal protective equipment to the cockpit crew, cabin crew and the ground staff. Our cabin crew has been advised to quarantine themselves after flights.
Approval has been received for Apr 4-5thto operate a cargo flight from Delhi to Hong Kong to bring back medical equipment (especially PPE). For cargo movement to Shanghai from Apr 6, permission is awaited.
– ANI
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar:
We are ensuring availability of food and other essential commodities throughout the country. Agriculture is prime activity in our country,so sale of related items like pesticides, fertilizers, seeds are exempted from the lockdown.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has allowed harvesting of the crops on the condition that social distancing is practised by the farm workers. Transportation of harvesting machines have also been exempted during the lockdown.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Health Ministry:
Around 50 members of medical staff (including doctors, nurses and paramedics) across the country have tested positive for Coronavirus.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates | Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal:
Rs 5000 each will be transferred into the accounts of auto, taxi, e-rickshaw, RTV andGramin Sewa drivers and all those plying public service vehicles. This might take between a week and 10 days to implement.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | PM Modi:
At 9 AM tomorrow morning, I’ll share a small video message with my fellow Indians.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates | Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal:
Till now, there are 219 COVID-19 positivecases in the city, including 108 people from Markaz Nizamuddin; Total 4 deaths including 2 people from Markaz Nizamuddin have been reported.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Technology Advisor to DRDO Chairman Sanjeev Joshi:
DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) is helping in production of 7,000 body protection suits per day for helping medical professionals. Within one week, the capacity would be increased to 15,000 per day. (ANI)
Coronavirus in Spain LIVE Updates | BREAKING:
Death toll tops 10,000 after a record 950 people died overnight, reports Reuters quoting Spain's Health Ministry
Coronavirus in Mumbai LIVE Updates | Maharashtra Minister and Dharavi MLA, Varsha Gaikwad:
I visited Dharavi and took stock of the situation after the first COVID-19 positivecase was reported here. Also, held meetings with the police and municipal officers. There is no need to panic, but the lockdown should be strictly followed (ANI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Union Home Miniser Amit Shah:
Under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s efforts to fight Coronavirus are being lauded domestically and globally. 130 crore Indians are united to defeat COVID-19.Yet, Congress is playing petty politics. High time they think of national interest and stop misleading people.
Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir LIVE Updates:
First COVID-19 patient from Kashmir discharged from hospital; total positive cases in J&K are now 70. (ANI)
'Shoot them dead' - Philippine Prez says won't tolerate lockdown violators
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has warned violators of coronavirus lockdown measures they could be shot for causing trouble and said abuse of medical workers was a serious crime that would not be tolerated.
“It is getting worse. So once again I’m telling you the seriousness of the problem and that you must listen,” Duterte said late on Wednesday.
“My orders to the police and military ... if there is trouble and there’s an occasion that they fight back and your lives are in danger, shoot them dead.”
“Is that understood? Dead. Instead of causing trouble, I will bury you,” he said.
– Reuters
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Home Ministry Joint Secy Punya Salila Srivastava:
Home Ministry has identified 9000 Tablighi Jamat workers andtheir contacts, and placed them in quarantine. Out of these 9000 people, 1306 are foreigners and the rest are Indians.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Health Ministry Joint Secy Luv Agarwal
on reports of Delhi's HinduRaohospital doctors resigning over demand for personal protection equipment:We've placed orders for more than 1.5cr PPEs and supply has started. PPEs also been sent to the States.Also placed orders for more than 1cr N95 masks."
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates:
A CRPF Doctor who is a Chief Medical Officer residing in officers mess in Saket, Delhi has tested positive for COVID-19. Staff and guests living in officers mess have been placed in quarantine. The officer has been sent to isolation ward. He is attached with ADG Medical, CRPF.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Health Ministry:
Dharavi area has been sealed. 4000 workers are working on contract tracing.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry:
328 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the last 24 hours.
Union Health Ministry’s daily media briefing on the COVID-19 situation has begun.
In Pictures | High noon in a coronavirus-stricken world
Lockdowns to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus outbreak have brought an uncanny silence to some of the world’s busiest places. Transport hubs that should be teeming with travellers such as New York’s Grand Central station or Istanbul’s Eminonu ferry docks are all but deserted.
Here are a few images of how empty cities across the world are now looking at noon (local time).
Read the full story here | Passengers made fun of our protective suit, recounts an Air India air hostess
An Air India air hostess, who was on flights that flew foreigners stuck in different parts of India, spoke to Moneycontrol’s Prince Mathews Thomas and shared her experience about the challenges and fears of working in these times.
Read more: Health Ministry issues guidelines for dialysis of COVID-19 patients
The Health Ministry has asked state and Union Territories to identify and earmark at least one hemodialysis facility with adequate number of machines, trained staff and other support equipment as a preparatory fixed-point dialysis unit in case of rise of COVID-19 epidemic.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
Confirmed COVID-19 cases are nearing 9.5 lakh, according to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resources Center. This number includes patients who have recovered and the total deaths recorded so far.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
Global COVID-19 death toll has surged past 47,500, according to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resources Center.
Coronavirus in Europe LIVE Updates | Belgium's death toll tops 1,000
The number of deaths attributed to the pandemic in Belgium increased sharply and passed the 1,000-mark today.
The official toll in the country of 11.4 million has doubled in the space of three days, in part because figures have been updated with a backlog of fatalities from retirement homes.
There have now been 1,011 deaths and 15,348 officially recorded cases since the start of the outbreak. (Input from PTI)
The novel coronavirus curve
(Image: News18 Creative)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates | Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope:
We are taking responsibility of all migrant workers here in the state. We will provide them all facilities including food and medical facilities. (Input from ANI)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates | Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope:
Over 1,400 people from Maharashtra attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area. Out of which, around 1,300 have been traced till now and are being quarantined. Their samples will be collected for COVID-19 testing. (Input from
ANI)Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Confirmed cases in SAARC countries
> India: 1,965 cases (includes recoveries and deaths)
> Afghanistan: 239 cases
> Bangladesh: 56 cases
> Bhutan: 5 cases
> The Maldives: 19 cases
> Nepal: 5 cases
> Pakistan: 2,291 cases
> Sri Lanka: 148 cases
(Source: Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, as of 3.15 pm IST on April 2)
Coronavirus in Thailand LIVE Updates | Thailand to announce nationwide curfew starting tomorrow
Thailand is to announce a nationwide curfew between 10 pm and 4 am starting tomorrow to try and curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, Reuters has reported.
The curfew will have some exceptions, including for the transport of medical supplies, movement of people into quarantine, patients and travel of medical personnel.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates |
A resident doctor at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhihas tested positive for COVID-19, reports suggest.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Twitter:
At the Congress CWC meeting today, I emphasised the urgent need to devise an India specific strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and for Congress workers and leaders to help soften the blow by assisting the poor and the most vulnerable sections of our society in every possible way.
