India said that they are noticing a stabilisation in the rate of new infections across the country as total cases of Covid-19 rose to 694.
While there is a general decline in the number of new cases detected, this is not the time yet to be relaxed about the situation, joint health secretary Luv Agarwal said in a press conference. “We are in the local transmission stage currently. We will notify if we find traces of community transmission.”
Confirmed cases of Covid-19 have rose to 694, according to the Health Ministry’s update on Thursday night, This includes 45 discharged and 16 dead. Total cases have nearly tripled over the last one week.
India’ state and central ministries are still scrambling to assure citizens that groceries, milk, vegetables, medicines and other essential items will remain available through the lockdown period.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman today announced a spate of measures while announcing the government’s relief package to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Track latest updates on how the coronavirus situation is evolving in India here:
Modi Pitches For Crisis Management Protocol At G-20
In his address at a video conference of the G-20 leaders, PM Narendra Modi pitched for developing a new crisis management protocol and procedures to deal with global health crisis besides significantly boosting capability of organisations like the World Health Organization, government sources said.
Modi also said that G-20 should work together to reduce economic hardships, particularly of the poor nations in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic which has killed over 21,000 people and infected more than 470,000 globally.
He said empowering the WHO was necessary for the development of effective vaccines to deal with global pandemics.
Source: PTI
Mahrashtra, Delhi To Allow Essential Shops To Run 24x7
Maharashtra and Delhi have decided to let essential shops like groceries and medicals to operate round the clock to reduce gathering of crowds at stores.
The shops staying open will have to fully adhere to social distancing measures and enforce gaps with marking, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced.
Ban On International Passenger Flights Extended
International commercial passenger flight operations will remain closed till 6:30 p.m. of April 14, 2020. This will not apply to cargo operations.
Rate Of Infections Stabilising, But No Time To Relax Yet: Health Ministry
The health ministry today said that they are noting a decline in the number of new Covid-19 infections being reported across the country. Still, they cannot be relaxed about the outbreak situation yet.
“We are seeing a stable trend in the rate at which the number of cases are increasing,” joint health secretary Luv Agarwal said in his daily press briefing. “In the last few days since we have toughened the measures. Around 64,411 have been brought into surveillance, out of which 8,300 are quarantined at the facility level.”
Agarwal continued to emphasise that they do not have enough evidence to suggest community transmission. “We are in local transmission stage currently,” he said. “If in 1-2 cases we aren’t able to do contact tracing, this doesn’t mean there is community transmission. We will notify if traces of community transmission are confirmed.”
15 New Cases In Mumbai
Fifteen new cases of Covid-19 have been detected in Mumbai and adjoining areas, the BMC said in its daily update. Total number of positive cases in the state is now at 77. Ten patients have recovered and been discharged.
Finance Minister Comes Out With Rs 1.7 Lakh Crore Relief Package
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman today announced a spate of measures while announcing the government's relief package to mitigate the economic impact the coronavirus outbreak.
Sitharaman announced the Rs 1.7 lakh crore PM Gareeb Kalyan Scheme which focussed on the workers and marginalised people involving cash transfers and food security. Eight specific steps were announced covering farmers, rural employment, pensioners, differently-abled, women, self-help groups and organised sector workers.
The finance minister also announced a Rs 50 lakh insurance cover for all doctor, nurses, paramedical staff, sanitation workers and such that are involved in fighting the virus.
You can see all the relief steps announced and their details here.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman To Speak Shortly
Nirmala Sitharaman, finance minister and head of the Coronavirus Task Force formed under directions of the prime minister, is set to hold a press conference shortly in New Delhi.
Total Cases Rise To 649, 13 Dead
Total confirmed cases of the Covid-19 virus have risen to 649, according to the Health Ministry’s update Thursday morning, This includes 42 discharged or cures, 593 active cases and 13 dead.
Related Coverage
50 Booked For Lockdown Violation In UP's Muzaffarnagar
Fifty people were booked for violating coronavirus lockdown stipulations in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district, police said on Thursday.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishekh Yadav, 10 cases were registered against the violators on Wednesday.
"Strict action will be taken against those found wandering on the roads during the lockdown," he warned.
Yadav further said 855 vehicle owners were fined and 97 vehicles seized for lockdown violation.
Source: PTI
Man Ends Life In Karnataka
A 56-year old man, who suspected he had contracted the coronavirus infection, ended his life in Udupi district, police sources said.
The deceased has been identified as Gopalakrishna Madivala, a resident of Narnadu in Uppoor village of Udupi taluk.
Sources said the man had no specific symptoms of the virus infection. He was awake till 2 a.m. in the night, speaking to his family members. He was found hanging from a tree near the house when others in the house woke up at 5 a.m. on Wednesday.
A death note saying he was taking his life as he doubted he had coronavirus infection was recovered from the house. The note also asked the family members to stay safe.
Local people said the man had earlier told one of his friends that he had the infection and was scared. The fear of the disease might have driven him to take the extreme step, police said.
Madivala had been working as driver with KSRTC for several years and was recently posted as a trainer of new drivers.
Source: PTI
DPIIT To Monitor Real-Time Status Of Transport, Delivery Of Essential Commodities
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has set up a control room to monitor in real-time the status of transportation and delivery of essential commodities amid the coronavirus lockdown in the country.
It will also monitor difficulties being faced by various stakeholders during the lockdown period from March 25 to April 14.
"In the event of any manufacturing, transporter, distributor, wholesaler or e-commerce companies facing ground level difficulties in transport and distribution of goods or mobilization of resources, the same may be informed to this department" the DPIIT said.
“Grivances can be emailed to "controlroom-dpiit@gov.in" or informed through telephone (011-23062487). This number will be functional from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.”
The issues reported by various stakeholders through this control room would be taken up with the concerned state government, district, police authorities, and other agencies.
It has urged to all "stakeholders, industry associations to report the issues affecting the industry, trade, especially the ground level issues on this control room," it said.
The issue assumed significance as traders and e-commerce companies have raised concerns over police beating up delivery boys in different states, while they were doing their duty.
Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla held a detailed meeting on Wednesday with DPIIT, traders and e-commerce firms on smooth supply of essential goods in the country.
Source: PTI
Indian American Hoteliers Offer Free Accommodation To Stranded Indian Students
Indian American hoteliers have come forward to the rescue of Indian students stranded in the U.S. following implementation of lockdown measures in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, by offering free accommodation and in some cases food.
With the students scrambling for a roof over their heads after being asked to vacate their hostels and India banning international flights for a week from March 22 due to the coronavirus pandemic, more than 6,000 rooms in nearly 700 hotels were offered to them by Wednesday following a call from the Indian Embassy.
The Indian Embassy have been running a round-the-clock helpline since last week for the students in the US, who number over 2,50,000.
Most of these hotels offered are in and around universities and colleges, but hotels owners from across the country have come up in large numbers to the call given by community leaders, who have roped in Asian American Hotel Owners Association for the purpose.
India's Ambassador to the U.S., Taranjit Singh Sandhu said in a tweet, "It is heartening to see that Indian; Indian American and other hotel owners are coming forward to help people with accommodation in these testing times. Together we can overcome the fight against COVID19!" "The Indian community has come together to help the student and many hotel owners have offered their rooms free of cost to them. Many of them are also offering free meals to these students," Chicago-based community leader Nirav Patel told PTI.
Source: PTI
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