LIVE! Italy records lowest virus toll in over 2 weeks

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Sun, 05 April 2020

Italy records lowest virus toll in over 2 weeks

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23:05 Italy records lowest virus toll in over 2 weeks

Italy on Sunday recorded its lowest daily death toll from the novel coronavirus in over two weeks and saw the number of critical care patients decline for the second day.

The 525 official COVID-19 fatalities reported by the civil protection service were the lowest since 427 registered on March 19.

"This is good news but we should not let our guard down," civil protection service chief Angelo Borrelli told reporters.

Officials also reported the first decline in the number of non-critical COVID-19 patients receiving hospital care.

That number fell from 29,010 on Saturday to 28,949 on Sunday.

The number of critical patients edged down from 3,994 on Saturday to 3,977 on Sunday -- the second successive decline.

Italy's official death toll, the highest in the world, now stands at 15,887.

22:44 Coronavirus could become seasonal: US doctor

Dr Anthony Fauci, America's top coronavirus expert, says there is a very good chance the new coronavirus 'will assume a seasonal nature' because it is unlikely to be under control globally.

Fauci is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He says the virus is unlikely to be completely eradicated from the planet this year. That means the US could see the 'beginning of a resurgence' during the next flu season.

Fauci says the prospect of a resurgence is the reason the US is working so hard to get its preparedness "better than it was." He says that includes working to develop a vaccine and conducting clinical trials on therapeutic interventions.

He also says states that don't have stay-at-home orders are not putting the rest of the country at risk as much as they are putting themselves at risk.

Union Ministers Amit Shah and BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda on Sunday turned off lights of their respective residences and lighted earthen lamps and candles on Sunday night in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to all to participate at '9 pm for 9 minutes' event to express solidarity with India's fight against COVID-19.

Shah and Nadda were seen lightening earthen lamps after turning off all lights at their respective residence. "A ray of hope and belief can brighten the darkest times. On PM Narendra Modi ji's clarion call, I have switched off the lights at my home and lit diyas. India stands firmly with PM in this fight against COVID-19," Shah tweeted.

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and BJP president JP Nadda too participated in the event along with their families to mark the fight against the coronavirus.

People turned off the lights of their houses and lighted earthen lamps across the country on Sunday night, responding to Prime Minister Modi's '9 pm, 9-min' appeal to defeat the coronavirus in the country.

-- ANI

22:16 People have shown their solidarity: Javadekar

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday said by lighting lamps and candles and turning off their lights, the people of this country have shown solidarity in the fight against coronavirus.

Speaking to media shortly after lighting lamps, the environment minister said it was a small action which carried a big message of unity in the country.

"Salute to PM Shri Narendra Modi ji. Desh ko chhote 'action' se diya ye bada 'message'. Desh ki unity ko mazboot karne wala ye kadam hai. Long live India (Salute to PM Narendra Modi. This small action has given a big message. It is a step to strengthen the nation's unity. Long Live India)," he tweeted.

The prime minister had on Friday urged the people to switch off the lights of their homes and light up lamps, candles or mobile phone torches for nine minutes at 9 pm on April 5 to display the country's "collective resolve" to defeat coronavirus.

-- PTI

The nine-minute lights-out event went smoothly and there is no impact on electricity grid functioning, said Power Minister R K Singh.

Millions of Indians across the country switched off lights at their homes and lit candles, diyas or turned on mobile phone torches on Sunday night, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to show the nation's "collective resolve and solidarity" in its fight against coronavirus.

As the clock struck 9, lights went out in most houses and people gathered in balconies and at doors, flashing mobile lights while many lit candles and diyas. Fireworks, thalis, whistles and police sirens were heard. At some places, Hindu devotional songs, mantras and national anthem were also played.

Modi had on Friday urged people to turn off lights at their homes for nine minutes at 9pm to display the country's collective resolve and solidarity to defeat the virus.

People around the country switched off non-essential lights and stood in the balconies and verandas of their house with candles, lanterns and diyas (earthen lamps) tonight, following a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "challenge the darkness spread by the coronavirus crisis".

Across major cities, towns and villages, people confined to their homes by the PM's 21-day "total lockdown" lit up the night sky with a display of light meant to signify the country's collective will to contain the highly infectious novel coronavirus.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu participated in the event, as did a number of senior political leaders and celebrities.

On Friday the PM urged people to turn off lights, stand in their balconies and hold candles, diyas, and even mobile phone flashlights, for nine minutes in a nationwide show of solidarity.

This was the second "collective display" to show unity in the fight against the virus requested by the Prime Minister since the lockdown started.

He had earlier asked people to stand outside houses and in balconies and clap, or bang utensils together, for five minutes at 5 pm to celebrate medical staff involved in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

20:46 Muslim truckers 'beaten up' in Arunachal

Several truckers, belonging to the Muslim community, were allegedly beaten up in Arunachal Pradesh, following which they fled to neighbouring Assam, leaving their vehicles behind, officials said on Sunday.

The incident, which follows several people across the country testing positive for coronavirus after attending a religious congregation at the Tablighi Jamaat's Markaz (headquarters) in Delhi's Nizamuddin last month, is likely to affect the supply of essential commodities, they said.

In a letter to the deputy commissioner, Kurung Kumey district Food and Civil Supply Officer Chukhu Jirjo said the truckers, who unloaded rice at Koloriang, were beaten up by a group of men on Saturday at a place between Sangram and Palin in Kra-Dadi district.

Their trucks were also damaged in the attack, following which they left the vehicles behind and fled to Assam, the letter said.

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat on Sunday hailed a veteran soldier who has donated his two months' pension to the PM-CARES Fund to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Janardan Prasad, a retired soldier from the Garhwal Rifles, has donated two months' pension to the PM-CARES Fund to fight the coronavirus pandemic. "I am very proud of veteran Janardan Prasad. May his words echo in the minds of every veteran and serving soldier alike. This was the army of yesteryears and this will be the army of the future that we all aspire to serve with pride and honour," General Rawat said.

Senior army officials said that the veteran had shown the way to other ex-servicemen that money is not what soldiers vie for. He said the force was confident that there are "many more like Janardan, who will make us proud and our country is capable of coming out of every crisis if we all can take a cue from him."

-- ANI

19:52 Coronavirus global toll crosses 65,000

More than 1.2 million cases, including 65,272 deaths, have been reported in 190 countries and territories around the world since the virus first emerged in China in December, according to a tally based on official sources.

Italy has the highest official death toll with 15,362 fatalities.

Spain follows with 12,418, the United States is on 8,503, France 7,560 and Britain 4,313.

Spain saw its third consecutive daily decline in deaths from the virus, recording another 674 fatalities on Sunday.

A day earlier, Italy cheered after seeing its number of intensive care cases drop for the first time -- from 4,068 on Friday to 3,994.

New York state, epicentre of the US outbreak, reports 630 new deaths in one day, its largest 24-hour spike.

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio issues an emergency plea for volunteers, estimating the city will need 45,000 more medical personnel to fight the pandemic through April and May.

US President Donald Trump warns Americans to brace for a "very horrendous" number of coronavirus deaths in coming days.

Queen Elizabeth II will give a rare address on Sunday aimed at rallying Britain, where the government warns of tougher measures on social distancing to try to curb surging infections.

Citizens should follow all government guidelines and practice social distancing to contain the spread of coronavirus, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Sunday.

In his message on the eve of Mahavir Jayanti, Kovind said Lord Mahavira's noble teachings of non-violence, truth and renunciation are relevant in every age and for every person.

"Let us get inspiration from Lord Mahavira's life and his teachings for spreading peace, love, virtue and harmony in the world," he said.

By following these teachings, an inclusive and egalitarian society can be created where everyone gets equal opportunities by promoting mutual coordination and harmony, the president said.

Keeping in mind the spread of COVID-19, he said, "Citizens should follow all government guidelines, including social distancing, to contain it."

According to a statement by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, he also extended greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens, especially the Jain community.

-- PTI

19:03 Govt mulling another economic package: Sources

The government has started working out the possible post-lockdown scenarios and is considering another booster shot to minimise the impact of coronavirus and revive the economy but nothing has been finalised yet, senior officials said on Sunday.

The focus is on issues that may come up after the lockdown is lifted on April 15, an official said.

There have been discussions about a package but nothing has been finalised yet, the official said, adding that the idea is to revive consumption, "so some measures might be needed."

If a package is announced, it would be the third major initiative by the government to tackle the challenges thrown up by the rapid spread of coronavirus.

On March 24, hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a countrywide lockdown, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a slew of relief measures for taxpayers and businesses.

Two days later, Sitharaman announced a Rs 1.7-lakh-crore relief package for those hit hardest.

On Sunday, the officials said they are also looking at the possibility of redesigning some welfare and other government schemes to suit the post-lockdown situation.

Various options are on the table -- such as scholarships and fellowships given by ministries, harvesting of rabi crops and the government has started to address them one by one, they said.

Out of the 10 empowered groups of senior bureaucrats constituted by the prime minister to prepare India's response to COVID-19, one group is tasked to suggest economic measures.

An informal group of ministers, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is also looking into various aspects of the lockdown.

-- PTI

18:37 Govt likely to allow flight ops post lockdown

The government is likely to allow domestic and international flight operations in India in a staggered manner after the 21-day lockdown is lifted on April 14 midnight, officials said on Sunday.

The aviation sector has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

On Sunday, Air Deccan became the latest casualty of the crisis as it announced indefinite suspension of flight operations and asked all employees to go on sabbatical without pay.

"As the virus is still spreading in India, we are thinking to permit domestic and international flight operations post April 14 in a staggered manner. Airlines are free to take bookings for any date post April 14," a senior civil aviation ministry official said.

"However, if the lockdown is extended post April 14, airlines will have to cancel the tickets booked for that time period," the official noted.

All major airlines except Air India are taking domestic bookings for dates post April 14. Air India is taking bookings for dates post April 30 only.

As it has sent all employees on sabbatical without pay, Air Deccan is not taking any bookings and it is not clear when it would restart operations.

As revenues have fallen significantly, IndiGo has announced a pay cut of up to 25 per cent for its senior employees and Vistara has announced a compulsory leave without pay of up to three days for its senior employees in March.

SpiceJet has stated that its employees' salaries would be reduced between 10 to 30 per cent and Air India has announced a 10 per cent cut in allowances for every employee, except cabin crew, for the coming three months.

GoAir has cut salaries of its employees, laid off its expat pilots and introduced leave without pay for employees on a rotational basis.

India has imposed a 21-day lockdown from March 25 to curb spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Consequently, all domestic and international commercial passenger flights have been suspended for this time period.

However, cargo flights, offshore helicopter operations, medical evacuation flights and special flights permitted by Indian aviation regulator DGCA are permitted to operate during this lockdown.

-- PTI

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has pledged monthly ration to support 1,00,000 households of daily wage workers belonging to the All India Film Employees Confederation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The initiative will be supported by Sony Pictures Networks India and Kalyan Jewellers.

"Given the unprecedented nature of the situation we are in, an initiative undertaken by Mr Bachchan, 'WE ARE ONE' has been supported by Sony Pictures Networks India and Kalyan Jewellers, through which the monthly ration of 1,00,000 households across the country will be funded," a statement released by Sony Pictures Networks on Sunday read.

"Through a commercial tie-up with a leading chain of hypermarkets and grocery stores in India, digitally barcoded coupons have been distributed to a verified list of workers from the All India Film Employees Confederation. Furthermore, monetary help has also been extended to those in need," it added.

However, there was no information till when these daily wage workers will receive monthly ration from the donators.

NP Singh, managing director and CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India, said as part of its CSR outreach, SPN took the initiative of working alongside Bachchan to support the households of daily wage earners of the Indian film and television industry.

Bachchan, 77, has been hosting the reality game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati" for Sony since 2010.

"SPN's support will ensure that at least 50,000 workers and their families have their home supplies for a month," he added.

-- PTI

Five terrorists and three soldiers were killed as the army foiled an infiltration bid by terrorists along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, a defence spokesperson said on Sunday.

"In an ongoing anti-infiltration operation in Keran sector of north Kashmir, alert troops braving inclement weather and hostile terrain have so far eliminated five terrorists attempting to infiltrate across the LoC," Colonel Rajesh Kalia said.

During the operation, a soldier died while two were critically injured, he said.

Despite inclement weather, the two injured were evacuated, but they succumbed to their injuries, the spokesperson said.

"Evacuation of the injured is hampered due to heavy snow and rough terrain conditions," he said, adding the operation was still in progress.

-- PTI

In a blog titled 'Perhaps Indias Greatest Challenge in Recent Times', former Reserve Bank of India governor and economist Raghuram Rajan has laid out the possible ways to face the huge economic crisis that India may be facing due to the measures taken to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"Economically speaking, India is faced today with perhaps its greatest emergency since Independence," he wrote. According to a report published last week, India is possibly going to risk as many as 13.6 crore jobs due to Covid-19.

"The global financial crisis in 2008-09 was a massive demand shock, but our workers could still go to work, our firms were coming off years of strong growth, our financial system was largely sound, and our government finances were healthy. None of this is true today as we fight the coronavirus pandemic," Rajan said.

Urging the government to start planning the measures that shall be taken post the virus is controlled, the economist wrote, "We should now plan for what happens after the lockdown, if the virus is not defeated. It will be hard to lock down the country entirely for much longer periods, so we should also be thinking of how we can restart certain activities in certain low-infection regions with adequate precautions."

In order to restart the economy, Rajan suggested that healthy youth may be lodged with appropriate distancing in hostels near the work place.

"Since manufacturers need to activate their entire supply chain to produce, they should be encouraged to plan on how the entire chain will reopen. The administrative structure to approve these plans and facilitate movement for those approved should be effective and quick it needs to be thought through now," he wrote.

Talking about the need to pay immediate attention to the poor and non-salaried, he said, "Direct transfers to households may reach most but not all, as a number of commentators have pointed out. Furthermore, the quantum of transfers seems inadequate to see a household through a month We have already seen one consequence of not doing so the movement of migrant labour. Another will be people defying the lockdown to get back to work if they cannot survive otherwise."

PM Modi asking citizens of the country to light 9 diyas for 9 minutes

17:27 Lighting lamps won't help against COVID-19: Cong

The Congress on Sunday said lighting lamps alone will not help win the war against coronavirus and demanded answers from the government on the safety of health workers in the 'absence' of adequate protective gear.

The party also said lifting of lockdown should not be done in an unplanned manner as its implementation.

"Just as lockdown alone cannot fight coronavirus, lighting alone cannot help. Merely lighting a lamp will not help win the war against coronavirus. If the Government of India does not fulfill its duties, it is not possible to fight the war against coronavirus," Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev said at a press conference through video conferencing.

"There has to be proper planning and provision of personal protection equipment to those fighting this war. There is also the need for an economic package for the poor and vulnerable," she said.

Highlighting the absence of enough protective gear for the medical workers dealing with COVID-19 cases, Dev said at least 50 doctors have been infected by the deadly virus.

She also sought to know when would the Centre provide compensation to those who have died due to coronavirus, as she said state governments were not financially equipped to provide the same.

"Hundred people have died so far, will the central government give compensation to their families? These are some questions which we ask in national interest and not in criticism of the government," she said.

Asked if the Congress supported lifting the lockdown, Dev said it is for the government to decide.

"We only hope it is not done in an unplanned manner as the lockdown was imposed -- the sacrifice of people and the hardship faced by them for the last 21 days should not go waste," she noted.

-- PTI

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's pregnant fiancee, Carrie Symonds on Sunday revealed that she was bedridden after developing symptoms of coronavirus but is now on the mend and feeling stronger.

The 32-year-old conservationist had been self-isolating separately from Johnson with the couple's dog Dilyn. Her social media post on her own symptoms subsiding came as Johnson, 55, continues to self-isolate at Downing Street after testing positive for coronavirus last week.

"I've spent the past week in bed with the main symptoms of coronavirus. I haven't needed to be tested and, after seven days of rest, I feel stronger and I'm on the mend," Symonds posted on Twitter.

In an accompanying post, Johnson's partner, who is around six months pregnant and expecting the couple's baby in the coming months, added a link to guidance from the UK's Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for pregnant women during the pandemic.

"Being pregnant with COVID-19 is obviously worrying. To other pregnant women, please do read and follow the most up to date guidance which I found to be very reassuring," she said.

In an earlier post on Instagram, Symonds -- believed to be at her flat in Camberwell, south London -- is seen lying in bed with Dilyn with the caption: "Self-isolating isn't so bad with this one."

The couple had announced their engagement in February after Johnson and his Indian-origin ex-wife Marina Wheeler's divorce settlement was finalised.

On Friday, Johnson posted a video message online, saying he will continue his quarantine as he is still suffering from a temperature, one of the symptoms of COVID-19.

He said: "Although I'm feeling better and I've done my seven days of isolation, alas I still have one of the symptoms, a minor symptom.

"I still have a temperature and so, in accordance with government advice, I must continue my self-isolation until that symptom itself goes".

-- PTI

The health ministry is updating the media on the Coronavirus pandemic in India.

Here are the updates:

>> 274 districts across the country have been affected due to coronavirus till date

>> Total 3374 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in India till now; an additional 472 new cases reported since yesterday. Total 79 deaths reported; 11 additional deaths have been reported since yesterday. 267 persons have recovered

>> Our doubling rate (in how many days the number of COVID-19 cases gets double) at present is 4.1 days. But if additional cases reported due to the Tablighi Jamaat event, had not taken place, then the doubling rate would have been 7.4 days

>> No evidence of COVID-19 being airborne yet

>> State governments are following the guidelines under lockdown. The situation of essential goods and services is satisfactory

>> 27,661 relief camps & shelters have been set up in all states across India -- 23,924 by govts & 3,737 by NGOs. 12.5 lakh people are taking shelter in them. 19,460 food camps have also been set up -- 9,951 by govts & 9,509 by NGOs

15:55 Chidambaram asks for more testing for COVID-19

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday urged the government to start aggressive testing as lockdown for coronavirus will be effective only if "we test, detect, isolate and then treat".

He also welcomed the ICMR's advice to the government for starting antibody tests in hotspots, as it was overdue.

"CWC in its resolution pointed out that limited testing was a flawed strategy. Epidemiologists have demanded extensive and aggressive testing. Let government start aggressive testing today.

"A lockdown will be effective only if we TEST, TEST, DETECT, ISOLATE and TREAT. That is the lesson from Japan, South Korea and Singapore," he said on Twitter.

The Congress leader also said, "I welcome ICMR's new advice to government to do 'rapid antibody tests' starting in hotspots. According to many doctors, this advice was overdue.

-- PTI

15:19 Spain sees further fall in daily death toll

Another 674 people have died in Spain in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths to 12,4189.

It is the lowest daily death toll in over a week, and represents a fall of 135 from yesterday's toll of 809.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called up former presidents and prime ministers to discuss the situation arising out of the coronavirus crisis.

Modi spoke to former President Pranab Mukherjee and his predecessor Pratibha Patil and discussed issues related to COVID-19. He also called up former prime ministers -- Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda -- to discuss the issues.

The PMalso spoke to leaders of various political parties including Congress president Sonia Gandhi; Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh and Yadav and party chief Akhilesh Yadav; TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, BJD chief Naveen Patnaik and TRS leader K Chandrashekar Rao. He also spoke to DMK president MK Stalin and Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal.

Earlier on Saturday, the government said Modi will interact with floor leaders of various political parties through video conferencing on April 8 at 11 AM to discuss ways to amplify the fight against the virus.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with floor leaders of political parties (who have more than five MPs in Parliament) through video conferencing on April 8 at 11 am," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said in a release.

So far, 3,374 coronavirus cases have been reported in India. While 77 have lost their lives due to COVID-19, 266 have been discharged after treatment.

A 32-year-old woman in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district lost her baby after doctors at a government hospital allegedly turned her away on learning that she was a Muslim.

The woman's husband, Irfan Khan, alleged that his wife had to deliver their child in an ambulance after the doctors refused to treat her.

Meanwhile, a probe has been ordered into the incident by Rajasthan Health Minister and Bharatpur MLA Subhash Garg.

Khan told reporters that he took her wife to a healthcare centre in Sikri area on Friday night due to intense labor pain from where they were referred to RBM Zenana Hospital citing that the case was complicated.

"I reached the district hospital on Saturday morning where a lady doctor asked me about my details. She said that you are a Muslim and you cannot be treated here. She asked another doctor to refer us to Jaipur," he said.

"I moved out of the hospital with my wife. My wife delivered in an ambulance and my baby died due to negligence of doctors," Khan said.

He also alleged that he was being pressured to deny the discrimination charges to the panel probing the incident.

Health Minister Subhash Garg said the matter is being investigated by a team of the district administration.

-- PTI

14:24 Lockdown to be lifted on April 15: Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday the lockdown imposed to arrest the spread of novel coronavirus will be lifted on April 15 and asserted that a mechanism should be evolved to ensure crowding doesn't take place, else all efforts will go in vain.

Holding discussion with Members of Parliament from the state through video-conferencing, the chief minister sought their suggestion for smooth movement of people and services after the lockdown period.

"Lockdown will be lifted on April 15. We have to ensure that crowding doesn't take place. Your help and cooperation is needed in this regard. The reason is that after the lockdown is lifted and if crowding takes place, then all of our efforts will go in vain," Adityanath told the MPs.

"So, I want that we evolve a mechanism, and for this, I would invite your suggestions," he said.

Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Mahendra Nath Pandey, who attended in the video conferencing, told PTI, "We spoke with the UP chief minister and he told us about the work done and steps taken by the state government during the lockdown. The video conferencing continued for nearly an hour."

He said the MPs praised the chief minister for the good work done by the state government. "We are doing all our work, while adhering to the lockdown," he said.

-- PTI

13:53 Ganga water improves by 40% during lockdown

The quality of water in the river Ganga has witnessed a significant improvement during the lockdown, imposed in the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic. According to experts, the quality has improved by 40-50 percent as compared to earlier.

One of the major factors attributed to this significant improvement is the shutting down of industries and other manufacturing units that use to discharge large volumes of effluents and toxicants into the river ecosystem.

"There has been 40-50 percent improvement in the quality of water in Ganga," said Dr PK Mishra, Professor at Chemical Engineering and Technology, IIT-BHU.

One of the locals said, "The water quality has improved but the water levels are low. Once the water levels increase, Ganga will appear completely clean"

Prime Minister Modi had on March 24 announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown as a precautionary measure to control the spread of the coronavirus.

Besides Kanpur, locals in Varanasi also said that water in the Ganga river has seen improvement in quality as is apparently more clearer.

-- ANI

13:26 Omar showers praise on Uddhav Thackeray

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on Sunday showered praise on Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, apparently for the way the latter is handling the COVID-19 situation in his state.

"UddhavThackeray has been a revelation," Omar tweeted.

The Maharashtra chief minister, the first Thackeray to rule the state, has been lauded on various social media platforms for the way he is handling the COVID-19 situation despite the state having high number of positive cases.

Maharashtra has recorded 32 coronavirus deaths so far and 661 cases of the virus.

-- PTI

12:56 8 Malays who were at Delhi mosque event caught

Eight Malaysian citizens who were about to board a special flight to Malaysia were caught at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport today.

Sources said they were part of the Tablighi Jamaat Centre at Nizamuddin, which has been marked as a hotspot for the spread of coronavirus.

The men were hiding at different places in Delhi, sources said. They will be handed over to Delhi Police and the Health department for further investigation.

A third of the COVID-19 cases in the country -- more than 1,000 -- are linked to last month's religious gathering hosted by Tablighi Jamaat despite the government's message of social distancing.

Most of around 9,000 people who attended it then dispersed to various parts of the country, leading to a surge of coronavirus cases across the country.

A man suspected to have contracted the coronavirus infection allegedly attempted to commit suicide by jumping from the third floor of a hospital in central Delhi, police said on Sunday.

The 37-year-old man was admitted to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital on March 31, they said.

Around 11.30 pm on Saturday, he jumped from the third floor of the hospital. He first hit a tin roof before hitting the ground, fracturing his leg, police said.

According to doctors, his condition is stable and the result for his coronavirus test is still awaited.

-- PTI

Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for lauding her for contributions to the PM CARES Fund.

Priyanka replied to prime minister's tweet in which he had lauded her for her contribution and tweeted, "Thank you shri @narendramodi. We are strongest together."

She also took the moment to thank everyone who has contributed as her tweet further read, "Thank you to everyone who also contributed and helped impact this important cause."

This comes two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded her and tweeted, "Be it individuals or institutions, diligent professionals or eminent personalities, everyone is coming together for the healthier future of India. Thank you @icsi_cs @priyankachopra @anilkumble1074 for contributing to PM-CARES."

Jonas along with her singer husband Nick Jonas donated to several organisations including PM CARES Fund, Goonj, Feeding America and others to combat COVID-19 which has affected over 10 lakh people globally.

-- ANI

As many as 26 new coronavirus patients were reported from Maharashtra on Sunday, taking the total such cases in the state to 661, a health official said.

Out of the 26 cases, 17 were reported from Pune, four from its neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad township, three from Ahmednagar and two from Aurangabad, he said.

Asked about any new cases from Mumbai, the official said, The figures are being verified, hence Mumbai figures will be released later."

So far, 32 people in the state have died of coronavirus while 52 people have been discharged after recovery.

-- PTI

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan warned his countrymen that they are not immune to the threat posed by the coronavirus, but exuded confidence that Pakistan would emerge stronger from the challenge, as the number of cases in the country rose to 2,818.

"Nobody should have the false notion that they will be safe from this (coronavirus)... Look at New York where most of the rich people live," he said.

Khan in a blunt warning said that nobody, himself included, knows when the pandemic will end and how much damage it will do.

"It (virus) can remerge once settling down. So we don't know what will happen," he said.

He said the government was making all possible efforts to save the people, especially the most vulnerable, and reduce the losses due to epidemic.

"When we emerge from this challenge, we will be a totally different nation... Those who take such times as a test and face it head on as a challenge, come out stronger," he said.

-- PTI

11:11 PM gives #9pm9minute reminder to people

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reminded people to light up lamps on Sunday night to show the country's collective resolve to fight coronavirus.

'#9pm9minute', the prime minister tweeted to remind people of the exercise.

Modi had on Friday urged people to switch off the lights at their homes and light up lamps, candles or mobile phone torches for nine minutes at 9 pm on April 5 to display the country's 'collective resolve' to defeat coronavirus. -- PTI

10:55 CRPF DG being tested for COVID-19

With the Chief Medical Officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) testing positive for coronavirus, Director General of the CRPF A P Maheshwari, who came into indirect contact with him through an official, has given his sample for COVID-19 testing.

While 20 senior officers of the security force have been placed under home quarantine.

Apart from the DG, several senior CRPF officials have also given their samples for testing, sources in CRPF said.

Almost 20 CRPF officers are under home quarantine since the last couple of days as a precautionary measure.

"We are already working with skeleton-staff but since a CMO has tested positive for COVID-19, we have been asked by the top brass to be on home quarantine. 20 officers are on home quarantine and DG along with other officers have given samples for testing," a senior CRPF official told ANI.

"Except for the CMO of CRPF who tested positive and is undergoing treatment, none in the chain ahead have shown any signs of the disease so far.

'However, the DG, as a precautionary measure has advised all officials concerned to restrict their movements and strictly work from home to break the chain, if any exists. The DG has also set an example by following the same protocols himself,' CRPF said in a statement.

CRPF DG Maheshwari had on Sunday tweeted and said, 'Greetings, As a precautionary measure I have completely restricted my movement being part of my responsibility to break the chain, and working from home, till clarity on health check-up of concerned officials emerges.'

Sources also said that a security official, who was in touch with the CMO, who tested positive, had gone to Chhattisgarh along with DG recently.

Later, all officials including MHA advisor Vijay Kumar also went for home quarantine.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday morning there are 3,374 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, including 266 people who have been cured and discharged and 77 deaths. -- ANI

A 100-year-old man has died in a quarantine centre in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir but his COVID-19 test report has come negative, a senior government official said on Sunday.

The man and his brother were shifted to a quarantine facility a few days ago as a precautionary measure after it came to light that they had come in contact with a person in Magheni village who had tested positive for coronavirus, District Development Commissioner of Udhampur Piyush Singla said.

"He breathed his last on Saturday night and his body was subsequently shifted to the district hospital according to protocol since his test report was awaited. The report was received on Sunday morning and it came negative," he told PTI.

Jammu and Kashmir has so far recorded two coronavirus deaths, while 90 people -- 69 in Kashmir and 21 in Jammu -- have tested positive. Three patients have recovered and discharged from hospital.

"The man was asymptomatic and was shifted to one of the best available quarantine facilities given his age and close contact with the positive case. He did not have any major health problem except old-age related issues," Singla said.

Three persons from Narsoo village in Udhampur tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday.

Following this, the district magistrate declared Narsoo and Chunti villages as red zones and their surrounding villages as buffer zones.

"There shall be no inward or outward movement of any person from these villages and people shall stay at their homes. There shall be complete lockdown. That there shall be no vehicular movement on internal lanes or roads connecting these villages," Singla said in an order and warned of stern action against violators.

He also directed the officers concerned to ensure supply of essential commodities to the villages in accordance to the protocols. -- PTI

09:32 India COVID-19 toll 77; 300 cases in 12 hrs

India registered an increase of 302 COVID-19 cases in the last 12 hours.

Total number of COVID-19 positive cases rise to 3,374, including 3,030 active cases, while 267 have been cured/discharged/migrated people

The death toll has increased to 77, says Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. -- ANI

08:42 Nizamuddin visit: 3 IAF personnel quarantined

Three personnel of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are under a precautionary quarantine presently as one of them had visited the Nizamuddin area around the same time the Tablighi Jamaat meeting was happening there last month, an IAF spokesperson said.

A number of people who attended the Jamaat congregation, which took place mid-March in Delhi, were found to be having the coronavirus infection.

"This person had gone to the Nizamuddin area around the same time this Jamaat meeting was taking place. Whether he attended this Jamaat meeting or not is under investigation by the Indian Air Force," the spokesperson said.

"He has come in contact with two other Air Force personnel. All three of them are asymptomatic. All three under quarantine right now," he added.

Nearly 22,000 Tablighi Jamaat members and their primary contacts have been quarantined across the country so far, said a Union home ministry official on Saturday.

Thousands of Tablighi Jamaat members had gathered at its headquarters in Nizamuddin, ignoring warnings by the government against large gatherings.

Hundreds of them were evicted from there during the last few days. -- PTI

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