LIVE
Wed, 08 April 2020
Boris Johnson improving, says Rishi Sunak
Timeline Refresh
23:47 Boris Johnson improving, says Rishi Sunak
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who remains in the intensive care unit at a London hospital with coronavirus infection, is improving and sitting up in bed, United Kingdom Chancellor Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday.
Leading the daily Downing Street briefing, the Indian-origin finance minister gave an update on the prime minister's health, stressing that Johnson was receiving excellent care at the National Health Service (NHS) St. Thomas' Hospital in London and was doing well.
"The latest from the hospital is that the prime minister remains in intensive care where his condition is improving," Sunak said.
"I can also tell you that he has been sitting up in bed and engaging positively with the clinical team... The prime minister is not only my colleague and my boss but also my friend, and my thoughts are with him and his family," he said, adding that his illness is a reminder how indiscriminate this disease is.
The senior Cabinet minister, who is next in line after UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise for Johnson should the need arise during the outbreak, gave the latest figures on the impact of COVID-19 in the UK - which registered another major rise in daily death toll of 938 fatalities to hit 7,097 on Wednesday.
He reiterated the government's advice for the public to continue to follow strict social distancing instructions and admitted that there were some tough times ahead for the economy.
I can't stand here and say I will save every single job and every single business.
In spite of what are unprecedented measures in scale and scope, I can't stand here and say I can save every single job, protect every single business or indeed every single charity. That's just simply not possible, he said.
The briefing centred around an announcement of a 750-million pounds fund to support the UK's charities to help them survive through the pandemic as Sunak thanked the sector for holding together our social fabric.
He said the latest funding is part of the government's wider economic strategy to support businesses and communities through the crisis, based on the principle that 'we all depend on each other'.
The simplest acts have the potential to change lives. We need the gentleness of charities in our lives, he said.
The minister indicated that a special Cobra committee meeting will be chaired by Dominic Raab on Thursday when the Cabinet will consider all the latest scientific data on the UK's impact of the lockdown measures, after which any discussion around lifting the restrictions can be considered next week.
The government has urged the British public to continue to follow strict social distancing rules before a decision to review the measures can be taken.
Johnson was due to take a call on lifting the severe social distancing conditions next Monday, at the end of the initial 21-day semi-lockdown announced by him in a televised address on March 23. -- PTI
23:11 Woman gives birth in police van amid lockdown
A woman gave birth to a girl in a police van in south Delhi's Kidwai Nagar on Wednesday while she was being taken to a hospital, police said.
The police received a call from the woman's family, informing them that they urgently needed an ambulance for her.
The woman lived in a labour camp in Kidwai Nagar, the police said.
Four police personnel, including a woman constable, picked up the 28-year-old pregnant woman in an ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) and headed towards the Safdarjung Hospital, a senior police official said.
On the way, the woman gave birth to a girl inside the van, he added.
The woman and the baby were then shifted to the Safdarjung Hospital, the police official said. -- PTI
23:08 Pak troops shell forward posts along LoC in Rajouri
Pakistani troops shelled forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, officials said.
"About 8.45 pm on Wednesday, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and mortar shelling along the LoC in the Rajouri sector," a defence spokesman said.
The Indian Army is giving a befitting reply, he added. Pakistani troops on Tuesday and Monday shelled the Mankote area and on Friday, it had shelled forward posts along the LoC in the Sunderbani-Nowshera sector, resulting in injuries to six security personnel.
It also targeted areas in Poonch district.
There were a total of 646 incidents of ceasefire violations along the International Border (IB) as well as the LoC between January 1 and February 23 this year, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik said on Wednesday.
Over 3,200 ceasefire violations by Pakistan troops were recorded in 2019. -- PTI
22:39 ICMR asks medical colleges to apply for licences to conduct COVID-19 tests
In a bid to ramp up its testing capacity amid rising cases of coronavirus in the country, the Indian Council of Medical Research has invited applications from all government and private medical colleges for establishing COVID-19 testing facilities.
In its notice, the apex health research body said all medical colleges with infrastructure and expertise which includes availability of a BSL-2 level laboratory facility including a molecular biology setup for virological diagnosis and a functioning and calibrated biosafety cabinet type 2A/2B in the laboratory can apply.
Besides, they will have to have cold centrifuge/microfuge for RNA extraction, a functioning and calibrated real-time PCR machine and a minimum staff including a medical microbiologist and technicians among others.
The staff should have good understanding of laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, trained for handling respiratory samples for viral diagnosis, RNA extraction and real-time PCR, besides having experience of working in virology and handling clinical specimens, especially respiratory samples, the ICMR said.
Additionally, for all applicants from private medical colleges, it is essential to submit a copy of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation certificate and scope of accreditation for real-time PCR for RNA viruses, the ICMR said.
The health research body also listed equipment and consumable requirements for setting up a real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing facility.
Head of Epidemiology and Communicable diseases at ICMR Raman R Gangakhedkar on Wednesday said 1,21,271 tests for COVID-19 have been done in the country so far.
Out of these, 13,345 tests were conducted on Tuesday and2,267 tests out of those have been done in private labs.
He further informed that 139 labs under the ICMR network are currently functional in the country while 65 private laboratories have been given approval for conducting COVID-19 tests. -- PTI
22:03 Sanders drops out of White House race
Senator Bernie Sanders on Wednesday dropped out of the White House race, paving the way for former vice president Joe Biden to become the presumptive nominee of the Democratic party and take on President Donald Trump in November presidential elections.
"Today I am suspending my campaign. But while the campaign ends, the struggle for justice continues on," Sanders, 78, said. -- PTI
21:56 Delhi govt seals 20 COVID-19 hotspots
The Delhi government has sealed 20 COVID-19 hotspots in the national capital to combat the spread of the novel virus, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced on Wednesday.
Talking to reporters after a high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Sisodia said, "Nobody will be allowed to enter or exit from these areas."
The government will ensure delivery of essential items in the areas that have been sealed, he added.
As on Tuesday, the total number of coronavirus cases in the national capital rose to 576, with 51 fresh cases and two deaths being reported in a day, according to the Delhi Health Department.
According to government sources, Nizamuddin, Sangam Vihar, Dilshad Garden, Malviya Nagar, Sadar Bazar, Nand Nagri are among the Covid-19 hotspots in Delhi which will be sealed. -- with inputs from agencies
Talking to reporters after a high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Sisodia said, "Nobody will be allowed to enter or exit from these areas."
The government will ensure delivery of essential items in the areas that have been sealed, he added.
As on Tuesday, the total number of coronavirus cases in the national capital rose to 576, with 51 fresh cases and two deaths being reported in a day, according to the Delhi Health Department.
According to government sources, Nizamuddin, Sangam Vihar, Dilshad Garden, Malviya Nagar, Sadar Bazar, Nand Nagri are among the Covid-19 hotspots in Delhi which will be sealed. -- with inputs from agencies
21:54 Masks must for people stepping out: Kejriwal
The Delhi government on Wednesday made it compulsory for people to wear face masks when stepping outdoors to combat the coronavirus spread.
Announcing the decision after a high-level meeting, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, 'Wearing of facial masks can reduce the spread of coronavirus substantially.'
'Therefore, it has been decided that facial masks will be compulsory for anyone stepping out of their house. Cloth mask shall be eligible too,' he tweeted.
The chief minister said that all government departments have been directed to stop all expenditures except salary, adding that they will have to cut expenses drastically considering the current revenue status.
The meeting to discuss measures to contain the COVID-19 spread was attended by ministers and top officials of Delhi.
As on Tuesday, the total number of coronavirus cases in the national capital rose to 576, with 51 fresh cases and two deaths being reported in a day, according to the Delhi Health Department. -- PTI
21:34 Oppn says PM hinted at extending lockdown
The ongoing countrywide lockdown to combat coronavirus is likely to be extended by the government beyond April 14, the Congress indicated on Wednesday after a meeting of floor leaders of various political parties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said over 80 per cent of the leaders from various political parties, who interacted with the prime minister through video-conferencing, favoured extension of the lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19.
He said the prime minister told the meeting that he has received several requests to extend the lockdown, but will take a call on it only after consulting experts and the chief ministers of various states.
"The prime minister said he is receiving requests for extending the lockdown, but he will talk to chief ministers and experts before taking any decision in the best interest of the nation," Azad said.
Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay also said that the PM dropped enough hints of extending the lockdown as experts and several states are in favour of it.
"The TMC and many other parties asked the prime minister whether the lockdown would be extended, as people are keen to know about it. In his reply, the prime minister said lifting the lockdown at one go is not advisable as several experts and states have suggested extending it. He said he will discuss the issue with the chief ministers before a decision is taken," Bandopadhyay told PTI.
Azad said Modi also told the meeting that he will try and implement the suggestions put forth by various leaders to tide over the health crisis.
"It is likely that the government may extend the lockdown," Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told PTI after the meeting.
He said his party put forth certain suggestions with regard to the crisis in the farming sector.
Azad also called for increased and free testing for COVID-19 as India is currently lagging behind in conducting tests for the fatal disease.
Azad suggested to the prime minister to set up a task force comprising Union ministers and chief ministers of various states to recommend the way forward and help people tide over the crisis.
He also suggested setting up of a multi-party working group to help the government tackle the issues arising out of the pandemic.
"The prime minister told the all-party meeting that he is happy that political parties have risen above politics and come together in national interest in this hour of crisis," the Congress leader said.
Azad said the Congress has called for a special financial package for the states most affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, who was the first to initiate the discussion at the meeting, said the centre and states should together find a solution to the woes of the poor and labour class, who are reeling in the absence of money due to shutting of all economic activity.
"The time has come for a targeted and sector-wise plan to tackle COVID19, and the focus should be more on those areas most affected by the virus," he said, adding that stress should be laid on phsyical distancing of people in such areas.
Azad also called for immediate insurance of all frontline health workers, including doctors and nurses, and making provision of personal protection equipment to them.
"The PM and officers at the meeting informed that money will be distributed to construction workers from the welfare fund meant for them and we thanked them for doing so, as this was one of the suggestions given earlier by the party leaders," he said.
The Congress leader also called for provision of immediate relief, including ration to around 45 crore workers in the country who are facing hardships due to no work and money.
He called for forming committees at block and tehsil levels in this regard. An increase in MSP rates for rabi crop and ensuring proper procurement is also the need of the hour as the crop is about to be harvested, he said.
To ensure that MGNREGA workers get work, he suggested that they be deployed for crop harvesting which will help provide them with work.
He also asked the government to involve MPs and MLAs in relief work in helping out the most affected poor and marginalised sections.
Azad said the attention of the government was also drawn towards ensuring the supply chain for industry so that production of essential commodities is not disrupted. -- PTI
20:42 Maha ordnance factory manufactures ventilators
The ordnance factory at Ambernath in Maharashtra's Thane district has started manufacturing ventilators and can churn out around 2,000 machines in a month for the COVID-19 pandemic, an official said on Wednesday.
These low-cost ventilators are portable and can run on battery for around three hours, he said.
The factory is manufacturing a low-cost, portable ventilators and efforts are being made to automate the Ambu bag, general manager of the ordnance factory Rajeev Kumar said.
"If positive cases increase, we may need such ventilators. We have ensured that three important parameters of ventilators, including breath per minute, tidal volume and inspiration-expiration ratio, are controlled," he said.
The machines will come with rechargeable batteries, which can last for up to three hours, he added. -- PTI
20:06 Don't label any community for spread: Govt
The government on Wednesday issued an advisory to address the social stigma associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, urging people not to label any community or area for the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The advisory comes following a spurt in coronavirus cases after a Tablighi Jamaat meet at the group's headquarters in Nizamuddin in New Delhi, and instances of people, especially on social media, blaming the Muslim community for the spread if disease.
Public health emergencies during an outbreak of communicable diseases may cause fear and anxiety leading to prejudices against people and communities, social isolation and stigma, said the government advisory posted on the health ministry website.
Such behaviour may culminate into increased hostility, chaos and unnecessary social disruptions, the advisory said.
The government also listed various dos and donts in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
"Do not target healthcare and sanitary workers or police. They are there to help you," the government urged the people amid cases of harassment and social stigmatisation of healthcare and sanitation workers.
Cases have been reported of people affected with COVID-19 as well as healthcare workers, sanitary workers and police, who are in the frontline for management of the outbreak, facing discrimination on account of heightened fear and misinformation about the infection, the advisory said.
Even those who have recovered from COVID-19 face such discrimination, it noted.
Certain communities and areas are being labelled purely based on false reports floating on social media and elsewhere, the advisory said.
There is an urgent need to counter such prejudices and to rise as a community that is empowered with health literacy and responds appropriately in the face of this adversity, it said.
"Do not label any community or area for spread of COVID-19," the advisory said. -- PTI
19:20 Coronavirus tests must be free: SC
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed that COVID-19 tests in approved government labs or private labs should be conducted free of cost.
The apex court asked the Centre to issue directions to approved labs for conducting COVID-19 tests free of cost.
The court also said that the tests must be carried out in ational Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories accredited labs or any agency approved by the World Health Organsiation or Indian Council of Medical Research.
18:42 IndiGo suspends international flights till Apr 30
Amid the nationwide lockdown implemented to contain the spread of novel coronavirus in India, budget carrier IndiGo said on Wednesday it is suspending its international flights till April 30.
Air India has already suspended domestic and international flights till April 30.
"Our International operations are temporary suspended till April 30, 2020. Your money is safe in the form of a credit shell, valid for one year from the date of the issuance," IndiGo said in a tweet on Wednesday.
India has imposed a 21-day lockdown, which is supposed to end on April 14, to curb the coronavirus pandemic. Consequently, all domestic and international commercial passenger flights have been suspended for this time period.
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said the country will remove its restrictions on flight operations once it is fully confident that the spread of coronavirus has come under control.
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
18:35 PM suspects campaign to honour him is mischief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his disapproval of a reported campaign that people should give him a standing ovation for five minutes, saying it appears to be a mischief to drag him into controversy.
In a series of tweets in Hindi, he said maybe it is someone's goodwill, "yet I insist that if you really have so much love and want to honour Modi, then take the responsibility of a poor family, at least as long as the coronavirus crisis exists."
"There can be no greater honour for me than this," he said.
Modi said it has been brought to his notice that some people are running this campaign to honour him by giving him a standing ovation for five minutes.
"At first sight, it appears to be a mischief to drag Modi in a controversy," he wrote.
Modi's tweets were in response to an unsigned message circulating online that asked people to give him a standing ovation for five minutes at 5 pm on Sunday for the work he has been doing for the nation. -- PTI
17:57 PM to interact with CMs on Sat over lockdown
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers of all states on April 11 to discuss various issues related to the coronavirus outbreak including the lockdown, official sources said on Wednesday.
A number of state governments as well as experts have been requesting the central government to extend the 21-day nationwide coronavirus lockdown that was imposed from March 25.
Sources in the government have said that the Centre is going through the requests from states and experts on extending the lockdown.
This is for the second time the prime minister will interact with the chief ministers via video link after the lockdown was imposed.
During an interaction with floor leaders of various political parties, who have representation in Parliament, on Wednesday, Modi said the situation in the country is akin to a 'social emergency' which has necessitated tough decisions.
According to an official statement, he said states, district administrations and experts have suggested extension of the lockdown to contain the spread of the virus.
During his April 2 interaction with chief ministers, Modi had pitched for a "staggered" exit from the ongoing lockdown.
Before the lockdown was announced on March 24, the prime minister had interacted with the chief ministers on March 20 to discuss means to check the spread of the deadly virus. -- PTI
17:33 'Cats or dogs can spread only love, not coronavirus'
Eminent personalities, including Bharatiya Janata Party leader Maneka Gandhi, have appealed to people to take care of cats and dogs and not fall for rumours of them being vectors of novel coronavirus.
"Cats cannot give or get coronavirus. If you have seen some nonsensical thing on television that a tiger in one zoo has got it. Remember this a cat is not a tiger. There is no relationship. It is same as comparing dogs to wolves," Gandhi, who is also an animal rights activist, said in a video message on Twitter.
The BJP MP's reaction comes after several incidents of attacks on cats and dogs were reported due to misinformation that they can be vectors of COVID-19.
Asserting that a cat cannot be compared to a tiger which reportedly contracted the coronavirus in a zoo in New York, the former Union minister said there is no relationship between the two.
"Your cats are completely safe to be around so allow people to feed them. Allow them to be in every colony. They are a great asset," she said.
Wrestler and philanthropist Sangram Singh said it is absolutely incorrect that cats and dogs spead coronavirus.
"Pets can spread only one thing and that is love. So please take care of your pets and also ensure street animals are taken care of," he said in a video message.
Mukesh Batra, Founder and Chief Managing Director, Batra's Positive Health Clinic Private Limited said the new coronavirus does not spread from pets.
"In fact, it is the love you get from them that will keep you going in these times," Batra said. -- PTI
A street graffiti by the Chennai civic body
17:11 Govt likely to extend lockdown: Cong on PM meet
The government is likely to extend the ongoing countrywide lockdown beyond April 14 to combat the coronavirus, the Congress indicated on Wednesday after an all-party meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said the prime minister told the meeting that he has received several requests for extension of the lockdown to contain COVID-19, but will take a call on it only after consulting experts and the chief ministers of various states.
Azad said around 80 per cent of the leaders from various political parties, who interacted with the prime minister through video-conferencing, favoured extending the lockdown.
"It is likely that the government may extend the lockdown," Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told PTI after the meeting. He said his party put forth certain suggestions with regard to the crisis in the farming sector.
"The prime minister told the all-party meeting that he is happy that political parties have risen above politics and come together in national interest in this hour of crisis," Azad said. He added that Modi told the meeting that he will try and implement the suggestions put forth by various leaders.
"The prime minister said he is receiving requests for extending the lockdown, but he will talk to chief ministers and experts before taking any decision in the best interest of the nation," the Congress leader said. Azad suggested to the prime minister to set up a task force comprising Union ministers and chief ministers of various states to recommend the way forward and help people tide over the crisis. He also suggested setting up of a multi-party working group to help the government tackle the COVID-19 crisis.
Azad said the Congress has called for a special financial package for the states most affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Chowdhury said the Congress has suggested to the prime minister that farmers may be exempted from the 21-day lockdown for the harvesting of rabi crops. The party has also demanded that all taxes on fertilisers be withdrawn. -- PTI
17:01 United face of political leadership was visible in PM's meeting: Minister
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday said the united face of the country's political leadership was visible in the prime minister's meeting with floor leaders at the time of crisis. Joshi, who coordinated the meeting, said most leaders backed the efforts of the government, including the lockdown, to tackle COVID-19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the meeting with floor leaders of opposition and other parties in Parliament discussed the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government's efforts to contain the fast-spreading virus in the country. Modi interacted with 18 leaders from different parties. Most of them were from opposition parties. -- PTI
16:58 Don't stop MPLAD funds, ready to give away full salary: TMC at meeting with PM
TMC leader Sudip Bandopadhyay urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday not to suspend the MPLAD funds scheme as it would impact development works at the grassroots level and demanded a financial moratorium for West Bengal to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. Bandopadhyay, the leader of the Trinamool Congress in the Lok Sabha, spoke to the prime minister during a video-conference Modi held with the floor leaders of different parties in Parliament to discuss the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government's efforts to contain the fast-spreading virus in the country.
"I have requested the prime minister for a financial moratorium for West Bengal and to give the financial package of Rs 25,000 crore as demanded by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. I have also requested him not to suspend the MPLAD funds and told him that we are ready to give away our full salary," he said.
The MPLAD funds help public representatives to take development to the grassroots level and it should not be stopped, Bandopadhyay added. The Union cabinet approved an ordinance on Monday to reduce the salaries of the Members of Parliament by 30 per cent for a year and utilise the amount in the fight against coronavirus. The cabinet also approved a temporary suspension of the MPLAD (Member of Parliament Local Area Development) funds scheme during 2020-21 and 2021-22, and said it will be used for managing health services and the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. -- PTI
16:49 Situation akin to 'social emergency': PM to leaders on COVID-19
The situation in the country is akin to a "social emergency" and it has necessitated tough decisions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told political leaders on the COVID-19 outbreak as he asserted that the priority of his government is to "save each and every life".
Interacting with floor leaders of opposition and other parties in Parliament via video conferencing on Wednesday, the prime minister said, "We must continue to remain vigilant."
"The situation in the country is akin to a social emergency...it has necessitated tough decisions and we must continue to remain vigilant," Modi told the leaders, according to an official statement. States, district administrations and experts have suggested extension of the ongoing lockdown beyond April 14 to contain the spread of the virus, the prime minister said.
Leaders provided feedback, suggested policy measures, discussed the 21-day lockdown and the way forward, according to the statement. The death toll due to the novel coronavirus rose to 149 and the number of cases climbed to 5,194 in the country on Wednesday, according to the Union Health Ministry. PTI
Karim Morani's daughter, Zoa
16:43 Film producer Karim Morani tests positive for coronavirus
Producer Karim Morani on Wednesday tested positive for coronavirus days after his daughter Zoa and Shaza were also found positive for COVID-19. This is the latest coronavirus case in Bollywood after singer Kanika Kapoor, actor Purab Kohli and Karim's actor daughter Zoa, tested positive for COVID-19. Kanika has recovered from it.
On April 6, Shaza Morani and her actor sister Zoa Morani had tested positive for coronavirus and are undergoing treatment for the same at different hospitals. "Karim bhai has tested positive. The results came this morning. He will be in Nanavati for the treatment. His wife and other staff from the house have tested negative," Karim's brother Mohammed Morani, told PTI.
Karim has backed many Bollywood films, including Shah Rukh Khan's "Ra.One', "Chennai Express', "Happy New Year' and "Dilwale'. "Both Shaza and Zoa are doing fine. Shaza will undergo two tests again,' Mohammed informed. Shaza, who had returned from Sri Lanka in the first week of March, showed no symptoms but tested positive and is admitted to Nanavati Hospital. While, Zoa, who had returned from Rajasthan around mid-March, had a few symptoms. She initially tested negative but was found positive for the virus later. Morani family members and house help are under quarantine. -- pti
16:36 'Sufficient stock of Hydroxychloroquine in India'
Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare briefing on the COVID19 situation.
"Till date total 402 people have been discharged, total 5194 positive confirmed case have been reported. In last one day 773 positive cases were reported. Total 149 deaths have been reported and around 32 people have died yesterday," says Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry.
He added that not only today even in future there will not be any lack of HCQ (Hydroxychloroquine) as and when needed and there was sufficient stock in the country.
R Gangakhedkar, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said till date it has done 1,21,271 tests.
16:22 K'taka may lift lockdown in COVID-19 free areas
The Karnataka government is in favour of lifting the coronavirus lockdown in districts which remained free of the virus infection, subject to approval from the Centre, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on Wednesday. In an interview to PTI, he also said the state intended to relax liquor sales, stopped since the 21-day lockdown was imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19, after April 14 in a bid to increase state revenues.
The chief minister said the state's legislators would take a 30 per cent salary cut. According to officials, there were no COVID-19 cases in 12 districts of the total 30 districts in the state.
As on Wednesday, there were 181 COVID-19 cases in the state, including 5 deaths and 28 discharges. If the Prime Minister suggests to states to take decision (on lock-down) based on the situation in their respective states, my position is to take a call (on roll-back) in districts free from COVID-19, Yediyurappa said. This is to allow people to go about their business and move about within the district and not from one district to another, after April 14, after taking the approval of the Prime Minister, he said. -- PTI
16:06 Sensex ends 173 points lower, Nifty sheds 43 points
Equity benchmark Sensex ended over 173 points lower on Wednesday after a highly volatile session as investors remained jittery on concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic. Plunging over 1,300 points from the day's high, the 30-share BSE barometer ended 173.25 points or 0.58 per cent lower at 29,893.96. It hit an intra-day high of 31,227.97.
Similarly, the NSE Nifty closed 43.45 points, or 0.49 per cent, down at 8,748.75. TCS was the top loser in the Sensex pack, falling over 3 per cent, followed by Titan, ICICI Bank, SBI, ITC and Bharti Airtel. On the other hand, Sun Pharma, NTPC, IndusInd Bank and Bajaj Finance were among the top gainers. According to Paras Bothra, President of Equity Research, Ashika Stock Broking, volatility in the markets was on account of speculation that the central government was mulling lockdown extension beyond April 14.
16:03 Spain's coronavirus toll exceeds 14,500 with 757 fatalities in single day
Spain's COVID-19 death toll has exceeded 14,500, as 757 new fatalities have been registered over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday. Spain has confirmed 146,690 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the outbreak. This number has grown by 6,180 over the past 24 hours.Over 48,000 people in Spain have recovered from the coronavirus, which means that around 84,000 cases remain active.
16:00 AIIMS docs alarmed after neurology patient turned COVID-19 positive
Exercising more caution, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi have become alert after a 72 year-old patient earlier admitted in the neurology department turned out to be COVID-19 positive. According to officials at AIIMS, the patient had reported in the emergency department with bleeding (brain hemorrhage). He was immediately taken care off with duty doctors. Patient was admitted to the NS4 ward of the neurology department and put on ventilator for the neurological disorder. Patient went for investigations like CT scan and MRI screening.
Later, the patient also made chest complaints and his chest X-ray was done too.Dr DK Sharma, Medical Superintendent at AIIMS told ANI: "Two days back this patient was reported in the emergency. He was a patient of neurology disorder. Our duty doctors at the emergency got suspicious after the patient complained of chest complication. They immediately got his COVID-19 test done. However, the patient's family members denied any past history of travel at the time of screening."
He said that soon after his COVID-19 test reports arrived, patient was immediately transported to AIIMS trauma centre in the covid19 unit and from thereafter contact tracing has been started.
"As of now, he is on ventilator for his health condition at trauma centre and a specialist from neurology department is keeping a close watch on his health status. About 20 healthcare workers including doctors, nurses, technicians who came into contact with that patient have been quarantined for 14 days. After five days, we will conduct the test for our healthcare workers," said Dr Sharma.
"Entire neurology ward is being sanitized where the patient was admitted and our doctors in the emergency department are making robust screening of all patients to identity such cases. They wear proper PPE and all treatment protocol is being followed," he added.So far, India has reported over 5000 positive cases of COVID-19 and 142 deaths. -- ANI
15:51 Mandatory to wear mask in public places in Mumbai
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also urged people to use masks while going out of their homes to buy essential items, in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus. Appealing to citizens to stay safe during the pandemic, he said, "People should use masks while stepping out of their homes." He regretted the inconvenience caused to citizens due to lockdown, but said "we don't have any other option".
In his address to the state, Thackeray also asked former army health services personnel, retired nurses and ward boys to join the "war" against coronavirus.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation invoking the Epidemic Diseases Act has made it mandatory to wear a mask in public places. Any violation of the order passed today, April 8, makes it a punishable offence inviting arrests. See the order alongside.
In the order, the civic chief, Praveen Pardeshi says a three-ply or cloth mask available at chemists was to be compulsorily worn while moving about in a vehicle or at the workplace. No person can attend any event outdoors without wearing a face mask.
"I want to appeal to all retired Army personnel who have experience of medical field, nurses, ward boys, and those who have completed the training but didn't work for some reason - you must come forward to join us. Maharashtra needs you. All these people can reach out to us through CovidYoddha@gmail.com. This email id should not be used for sending any complaints," the CM said.
Maharashtra has so far reported 1,078 coronavirus cases.
Odisha and Chandigarh have made it mandatory to wear masks outside home.
Trump with PM Modi: Not a friend in deed
15:30 Do not succumb to threats as world is watching, think about Indians first: Congress to PM
The Congress on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not succumb to threats and take any decision out of pressure at the time of a health crisis as it would set the wrong precedent in international diplomacy. The opposition party's remarks came after US President Donald Trump on Monday warned that his country may "retaliate" if India did not export hydroxychloroquine drug, used for COVID-19 treatment, despite his personal request.
On Tuesday, the government decided to partially lift the ban on export of the anti-malarial drug, paving the way for its supply to the US and other countries hit by the coronavirus pandemic, saying India would export hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol on a case-by-case basis to the countries which have already placed orders for them after meeting domestic requirements.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "Foreign policy is apolitical and we are with the government on this. But, it should not take any decision out of fear or threats as it sends a wrong signal to the outside world". Addressing a press conference through video conferencing, Khera said the prime minister should not take any step that goes against the country and its 130 crore citizens as they are his first responsibility while everything else comes later. Asserting that there was no place for threats in international diplomacy, he said, "Whether we should have buckled under pressure is something that history is watching". Khera said India is not used to the language of threats and allowing export of the life-saving drug sets a wrong precedent. "What is the kind of precedent we are trying to set when we buckle up under threats in this hour of crisis," he asked. -- PTI
15:27 40 crore Indians may sink into poverty: ILO
With 90 per cent of people working in India's informal economy, about 400 million workers are at risk of falling deeper into poverty during the coronavirus crisis, the International Labour Organisation has said. Current lockdown measures in India, which are at the high end of University of Oxford's COVID-19 Government Response Stringency Index, have impacted these workers significantly, forcing many of them to return to rural areas, according to ILO Monitor 2nd edition: COVID-19 and the world of work.
"It is the worst global crisis since the Second World War. Worldwide, two billion people work in the informal sector (mostly in emerging and developing economies) and are particularly at risk," said ILO.
"Workers and businesses are facing catastrophe in both developed and developing economies. We have to move fast, decisively and together. The right, urgent, measures, could make the difference between survival and collapse," said ILO's Director-General Guy Ryder.
The ILO report said COVID-19 crisis is expected to wipe out 6.7 per cent of working hours globally in the second quarter of 2020 -- equivalent to 195 million full-time workers. Huge losses are expected across different income groups but especially in upper-middle-income countries (7 per cent, 100 million full-time workers). This far exceeds the effects of the 2008-09 financial crisis.
The sectors most at risk include accommodation and food services, manufacturing, retail, and business and administrative activities.
More than four out of five people (81 per cent) in the global workforce of 3.3 billion are currently affected by full or partial workplace closures. The eventual increase in global unemployment during 2020 will depend substantially on future developments and policy measures, said the ILO report.
"This is the greatest test for international cooperation in more than 75 years," said Ryder. "If one country fails, then we all fail. We must find solutions that help all segments of our global society, particularly those that are most vulnerable or least able to help themselves."
"The choices we make today will directly affect the way this crisis unfolds and so the lives of billions of people," he added."With the right measures we can limit its impact and the scars it leaves. We must aim to build back better so that our new systems are safer, fairer and more sustainable than those that allowed this crisis to happen."
15:19 AIIMS issues guidelines on reuse of PPE citing depletion of stocks
The AIIMS has released guidelines for the reuse of PPE, citing their fast depletion of stocks in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, while stressing that the methods for disinfection should only be considered as extraordinary last-resort methods in the event of an imminent shortages of such kits. According to the AIIMS guidelines, decontamination of PPE kits for the purpose of reuse is currently not recommended, primarily because of concerns that it would degrade the performance, especially of the respirator. But then, decontamination and reuse of PPE kits may provide another solution by extending the existing on-hand supplies, the guidelines say.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has strained our resources tremendously in the healthcare setting. One of the most urgent issues is the fast depletion of personal protective equipment used in the care of patients. This is a significant concern for healthcare workers' health and safety," the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said.
Healthcare workers across the country have highlighted the paucity of PPE, including coveralls, goggles, masks, gloves and shoe covers among others. According to the AIIMS guidelines, coveralls and N95 masks can be decontaminated using doubling dilution of 11 per cent hydrogen peroxide vapour in a sealed room while face shields and goggles can be decontaminated using 0.5 per cent sodium hypochlorite solution and 70 per cent alcohol. -- ANI
15:01 Flights to begin when COVID-19 disappears: Govt
Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said restrictions imposed on domestic and international flights in view of COVID-19 lockdown will be lifted once the government is confident that the spread of the virus has been controlled and it poses no danger to the countrymen.
"These restrictions will be lifted once we are fully confident that the spread of the virus has been controlled and it poses no danger to fellow Indians," Puri tweeted.
Thanking everyone for their cooperation and help in these "testing times", he said: "Together we shall overcome and emerge stronger."The Union Minister further stressed on the problems being faced by people due to restriction on domestic and international flights.
"My heart goes out to people who are facing problems due to restrictions put in place on domestic and international flights, pursuant to the situation arising out of the timely announcement of a nationwide lockdown," he said. -- PTI
14:53 Johnson in 'good spirits'
UK PM Alexander Boris Johnson or 'Al' as his family calls him is at the St Thomas' Hospital in London "for close monitoring". Downing Street said the PM was 'comfortable, he's stable, he's in good spirits'. Johnson was diagnosed with COVID-19.
This picture, kind courtesy: Krishna Prasad, was taken at the Oberoi rooftop during Johnson's 5-day tour of India in November, 2012, when he was London Mayor.
We wish him a speedy recovery.
Workers making PPE in Kolkata
14:39 Ensure PPE for healthcare workers: SC to Centre
Doctors and healthcare professionals are "warriors" in fight against coronavirus and have to be protected, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday even as the Centre assured that it is doing its best by providing them personal protective equipment and other facilities. The apex court suggested that the government should create a mechanism to solicit suggestions from people about how to go ahead on the issues related to COVID-19, including providing treatment, regulatory mechanism for people working from home and also on lockdown.
A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and S Ravindra Bhat, hearing through video-conferencing three petitions seeking protective kits for doctors and healthcare workers amid coronavirus pandemic, was informed by the Centre that PPE kits and other requisite things are being arranged and it is taking steps in this regard. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who made it clear that he was not opposing the prayers made in these petitions, told the bench that doctors and healthcare professionals are "corona warriors" and government is ensuring their protection and safety along with their family members.
He also denied reports about salary cuts of doctors and staffs of hospitals and said the Centre would write to all the states that no salary should be deducted for purchase of PPEs and masks. "If anybody is doing something like this (salary cut of doctors and staffs), we will send police," Mehta told the bench, adding, "as an institutional response, we are doing this".
"The government and police will walk extra mile to protect doctors," Mehta said and added that to ensure safety of family members, doctors are being housed in hotels also. During the hearing, the bench observed, "Why do you not create a mechanism at district level where nodal officers can be appointed to get suggestions from all persons?". Responding to the query, Mehta said that they have a central control room which has officials from ministries of health, home and Ayush.
"They (doctors and healthcare professionals) are warriors. They have to be protected," the bench observed, adding, "You have to think how to start production. Service sector is working from home. Their well being and mental health is also important". Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for one of the petitioners, told the bench that he appreciated the stand of the Solicitor General but doctors are afraid and if medical professionals would not come forward, things would collapse. Rohatgi also pointed out to the reports about corona positive patients escaping from hospitals. Mehta said police pickets have been placed in all the hospitals to ensure that people, who should not be mixing with others, should not leave the hospital.
One of the petitions has highlighted the urgent need to provide WHO-graded protective gear to doctors, nurses and medical staff who are treating coronavirus patients across the country.
14:22 Priyanka's Hanuman Jayanti greeting invokes Teji Bachchan
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's message on Hanuman Jayanti and a mention of the Bachchans.
"Hanuman Jayanti par sabko bahut bahut shubhkamnayen. Shrimati Teji Bachchan was a devout follower of Hanuman. Shrimati Teji Bachchan badi Hhanuman bhakt thi. Often on Tuesdays she would take me to the Hanuman mandir and buy me glass bangles and tell me stories of Hanuman. Unse hi maine Hanuman Chalisa ke kai chand sekhe. It is from her that I learnt many stanzas of the Hanuman Chalisa. Today, she is no more, but her devotion is still alive in my heart," tweeted Priyanka.
The relations between the two families began with Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan working in India's foreign ministry as a Hindi Officer. Jawaharlal Nehru respected him for his literary genius and the two families became close. With Rajiv Gandhi's assassination and the Bachchans' name being dragged into the Bofors controversy, the two families have drifted apart and remain apart.
Activist Gautam Navlakha
14:03 Jail during COVID-19 a death sentence: Bhima Koregaon activists
Civil rights activists Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde sought more time from the Supreme Court on Wednesday for surrendering to prison authorities in the Bhima Koregaon violence case citing the coronavirus pandemic. Going to jail at the time of the COVID-19 virus is "virtually a death sentence", they said. The apex court on March 16 had rejected anticipatory bail pleas of the activists, saying it cannot be said that no prima facie case is made out against them. It had however granted them three weeks to surrender themselves to the jail authorities.
A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra reserved the order on the plea of the activists after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the probe agency, said that this was only a mechanism to buy time and both the accused are facing serious charges.
The counsel for the accused said however that the activists are old having ailments and they be granted more time to surrender.
Earlier, the apex court, while dismissing the anticipatory bail pleas of Navlakha and Teltumbde, had said their petitions cannot be maintained in view of the bar contained in 43D(4) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. Section 43D(4) of the UAPA bars grant of anticipatory bail to a person accused of having committed an offence punishable under this Act. -- PTI
13:42 Why Gavaskar donated Rs 35 lakh to PMs fund and Rs 24 lakh to CMs
When former Mumbai cricket captain Amol Muzumdar tweeted yesterday that 'just heard that SMG has donated 59 lakhs towards covid relief fund. 35 lakh to @PMCaresFunds n 24 lakhs to @CMOMaharashtra,' and tagged Sunil Manohar Gavaskar's son Rohan among others, the question uppermost in many minds was the breakup in the amounts to the two relief funds. Like, why not make equal contributions? Why not round up the amount, say, to Rs 60 lakh instead of Rs 59 lakh?
The batting legend's son Rohan soon put all such speculation to rest, when he tweeted, '35 because he scored 35 hundreds for India and 24 because he scored 24 for Mumbai'.
13:37 CII calls for 2% of GDP for COVID-19 crisis
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called for a fiscal support package during the current financial year 2020-21 limited to two per cent of the gross domestic product in addition to the Rs 1.7 lakh crore provided under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.
The industry body undertook a massive contact programme with over 8,000 member companies directly and indirectly to assess the issues being faced by these organisations and the overall economic impact of coronavirus pandemic and the consequent shutdown.
"It is our considered judgement that the impact is severely adverse and the best estimates of GDP growth for the current fiscal will be no more than about two per cent with a downward bias," it said in key recommendations.
Safeguarding macro fundamentals are important to ensure that the country does not suffer significant rating downgrades and potential flight of capital, it added. CII said the economic crisis will affect the lowest strata and informal sector in the economic pyramid disproportionately. It called for providing cash transfer amounting to Rs 2 lakh crore to Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) account holders.
For the re-start to be organised, safe and sustainable, various issues related to health and safety, logistics, migrant workers and coordination between various agencies of the government also need to be addressed.
CII said it is fully aligned with the government' s view that the shutdown will need to be lifted as early as feasible, though in a calibrated manner.
"India should brace itself for what may be a long haul to overcome the public health crisis and the economic crisis precipitated by the corona pandemic," it said.
The industry body called for allowing banks to provide enhanced credit limits for working capital across the board to all industries.
Banks should provide additional reconstruction term loans to micro, small and medium enterprises which are otherwise sound but impacted by the shutdown with the government offering a guarantee up to 20 per cent of the default. -- PTI
13:13 Puducherry govt may ask PM to extend lockdown
The Puducherry government is ready to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the lockdown, said Chief Minister V Narayanasamy. "My government is ready to write to the Prime Minister to extend the lockdown. People isolating themselves is the only cure to stop the spread of coronavirus infection," Narayanasamy said. Puducherry has five confirmed cases of COVID-19, including one cured or discharged or migrated. India's tally of COVID-19 cases stands at 5,194, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday. -- ANI
Representational image
13:07 12 morning walkers arrested for violating lockdown
Twelve people from Navi Mumbai township were arrested on Wednesday for going out on for a morning walk in violation of the lockdown guidelines, police said. These people were spotted by police on roads in Navi Mumbai's Panvel area near here early in the morning. "We arrested 12 morning walkers from various locations, including the Thane Naka," senior police inspector Ajay Kumar Landge said. They were booked under Indian Penal Code Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and later released on bail, the official said.
"From today onwards, retail outlets of Big Bazaar, Reliance Mart, and fruit, vegetable, fish and mutton shops, and restaurants accepting takeaway orders will remain open till 5 pm while chemist shops and Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) will function as usual," he said. People have been strictly advised to stay at home, but despite that if anyone is found roaming outside, action will be taken against that person, he added. - PTI
13:01 Tablighi event attendees who are hiding will face action: MP CM
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asked the state residents who participated in the Tablighi Jamaat's religious congregation in Delhi last month to report to the state authorities within 24 hours or face criminal charges. The congregation organised by the Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin in the national capital last month emerged as a major coronavirus hotspot in the country.
"The administration has quarantined all those from the state who attended the Nizamuddin Markaz and identified the people from abroad who have been hiding in mosques," Chouhan said in a tweet late Tuesday night. "Even after this, if someone is hiding somewhere, I request them to inform the administration on their own within the next 24 hours. If they fail to do so, they will face criminal charges for endangering the security of the state and the country and appropriate legal action will be taken against them," he added.
Till Tuesday, the state reported 313 COVID-19 cases and 23 deaths due to the viral disease. -- PTI
12:58 PM interacts with floor leaders of political parties on coronavirus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday interacted with floor leaders of various parties, including opposition, in Parliament to discuss the situation arising out of the spread of coronavirus. The interaction was held through video conferencing and those participated, included Ghulam Nabi Azad, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, and Nationalist Congress Party head Sharad Pawar. Modi interacted with leaders of those parties whose combined strength of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adds up to five. This is prime minister's first interaction with floor leaders, including those from the Opposition, after the imposition of the nationwide lockdown on March 25 though he had held interactions with chief ministers of all states including those ruled by non-NDA parties. The prime minister has been interacting with various stakeholders, including doctors, journalists and heads of Indian missions to get a feedback on ways to check the spread of coronavirus.
He also recently spoke to various leaders including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, DMK leader MK Stalin and discussed the COVID-19 situation as well as his government's efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic. He had also talked former presidents Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee, and former prime ministers HD Deve Gowda and Manmohan Singh. PTI
12:55 Odisha govt goes all out to care for migrant workers
The Odisha government described the migrant workers as "guest workers" and said arrangements have been made for those stranded in the state due to the lockdown in the wake of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Food and accommodation have been ensured through 1,882 camps for around 56,926 such "guest workers", said Odisha governments COVID-19 spokesman Subroto Bagchi. He said the guest workers are being provided food and other basic amenities and doctors are regularly visiting these camps. Odisha government has opened a call centre (Shramik Sahayata)- 18003456703 for guest workers who need help in the state, Bagchi said. Apart from food and accommodation, the state government was also providing psycho-social counselling in the camps and medical services through mobile health units have also been extended in few districts. Even fruits and milk for children are also being provided in the migrant workers camps. These migrants workers are from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Haryana, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Maharastra and other states, an official said.
Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had requested all the chief ministers to help Odia workers stranded in their states due to the lockdown. Patnaik in a letter to his counterparts in other states had also assured that the Odisha government will bear all the expenses made on the workers from Odisha. -- PTI
Image: Odisha govt's 500-bed exclusive COVID19 hospital, plus a 20-bed ICU facility is operational.
12:42 Govt plans mega taskforce for COVID-19
Asserting that India faces a significantly higher threat from COVID-19, the central government has decided to create a "larger force" to replace frontline workers engaged in various works to tackle the pandemic and its exponential increase. It has decided to provide them with necessary training through online mode.
"...As all are aware, India faces a significantly higher threat from COVID-19 pandemic. It will be pertinent to take note of the fact that India's first line of workers is already engaged in COVID relief and doing commendable job.
"However, a large force will be needed to replace the first line and to tackle the exponential or geometric increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the subsequent stages of the pandemic," according to a Personnel Ministry order.
Accordingly, to take care of the training needs of the frontline workers, the launch of the integrated government online training (iGOT) platform has been fast-forwarded, and a version of iGOT fitted to these needs has been launched, it said.
"The platform will provide the training modules on flexitime and on site basis so that the COVID response can be delivered at scale for the workforce needed to tackle the pandemic," said the order.
The courses on iGOT, it said, have been launched for doctors, nurses, paramedics, hygiene workers, technicians, auxiliary nursing midwives (ANMs), state government officers and civil defence officials, among others. The online training modules are also available for various police organisations, National Cadet Corps (NCC), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), National Service Scheme (NSS), Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG) and other volunteers at this stage, said the order, issued to all central government departments and state governments.
They have been asked to encourage more and more members of the organisations concerned to onboard the iGOT platform and undergo online training so that the pandemic may be handled efficiently, the order said. -- PTI
India exported the drug to US after threats of retaliation
12:15 US buys 29 mn doses of hydroxychloroquine
A sizeable chunk of the 29 million doses of hydroxychloroquine bought by the US to combat the coronavirus pandemic is from India, President Donald Trump has said as he acknowledged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "great" when he sought his help to allow the sale of the anti-malaria drug to treat the growing number of COVID-19 patients in America.
Trump and Prime Minister Modi spoke over the phone last week. During the call, Trump requested Modi to lift the hold on the American order of hydroxychloroquine, of which India is the major producer.
Hydroxychloroquine has been identified by the US Food and Drug Administration as a possible treatment for the COVID-19 and it is being tested on more than 1,500 coronavirus patients in New York.
Anticipating that it will work, given initial positive results, Trump has bought more than 29 million doses of hydroxychloroquine for potential treatment of COVID-19 patients.
"I bought millions of doses (of hydroxychloroquine). More than 29 million. I spoke to Prime Minister Modi, a lot of it (hydroxychloroquine) comes out of India. I asked him if he would release it? He was Great. He was really good," Trump told Sean Hannity of the Fox News on Monday night. "You know they put a stop because they wanted it for India,' Trump said responding to a question on the usage of hydroxychloroquine.
India on Tuesday allowed the export of hydroxychloroquine to the US, which has emerged as the global hotspot of COVID-19. By Tuesday night, nearly four lakh Americans tested positive for the novel coronavirus and the fatalities was more than 12,850. -- PTI
12:11 Substandard PPEs, say Bhabha hospital staff
Healthcare staff protest at KB Bhabha Municipal General Hospital in Mumbai's Bandra, alleging that they have been provided with low quality Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs).
11:43 Want diamonds? Buy now
Not even diamonds are forever. Diamond prices fell in March as the spreading coronavirus led to a dramatic decline in the global economy. Diamond markets are under pressure and facing a severe liquidity crisis as jewelry retail, diamond manufacturing, and trading shut down. The RapNet Diamond Index ) for one-carat diamonds dropped 6.8 percent during the month and 8.7 percent in the first quarter.
11:33 ASHA worker manhandled
In Gonda, MP, an ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker was verbally abused and manhandled by five people in the Takiya area Bhauri Ganj on 6th April, when she had went there to collect data and make a list of people who had recently returned from other states and countries. "Some people gave me the information peacefully. But some others verbally abused me, tore my register and manhandled me," Beena Yadav said.
Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered against five people. "Two have been arrested, rest of the arrests will be made soon and action will be taken against all of them," said Circle Officer Kripa Shankar Kanaujiya.
11:08 25 mn jobs at risk with airline shutdown: IATA
The International Air Transport Association has released a new analysis showing that some 25 million jobs are at risk of disappearing with plummeting demand for air travel amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Globally, the livelihoods of some 65.5 million people are dependent on the aviation industry, including sectors such as travel and tourism. Among these are 2.7 million airline jobs.In a scenario of severe travel restrictions lasting for three months, IATA research calculates that 25 million jobs in aviation and related sectors are endangered across the world: 11.2 million jobs in the Asia Pacific, 5.6 million jobs in Europe, 2.9 million jobs in Latin America, 2 million jobs in North America, 2 million jobs in Africa and 0.9 million jobs in the Middle East.
In the same scenario, airlines are expected to see full-year passenger revenues fall by 252 billion dollars (minus 44 per cent) in 2020 compared to 2019. The second quarter is the most critical with demand falling 70 per cent at its worst point, and airlines burning through 61 billion dollars in cash.
Airlines are calling on governments to provide immediate financial aid to help airlines to remain viable businesses able to lead the recovery when the pandemic is contained. Specifically, IATA calls for direct financial support, loans, loan guarantees and support for the corporate bond market, and tax relief.
"There are no words to adequately describe the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the airline industry. And the economic pain will be shared by 25 million people who work in jobs dependent upon airlines," said IATA's Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac."Airlines must be viable businesses so that they can lead the recovery when the pandemic is contained. A lifeline to the airlines now is critical," he said in a statement.
-- ANI
Representational image
10:59 Maha deaths 64, highest COVID-19 toll in India
In Maharashtra, the number of COVID-19 cases rises to 9 in Mumbai's Dharavi, with two more men testing positive at Mukund slum and Dhanwada Chawl. According to Union Health Ministry, total cases have surged to 1018 in the state while 64 people have succumbed to the disease. Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope says the state government has not reached any decision on extending the lockdown.
Decisions will be taken only after the Maharashtra government has wider consultations with central and state government officials who are at the forefront of the coronavirus battle.
Maharashtra has reported the most coronavirus deaths at 64, followed by Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh at 13 each and Delhi at 9. Telengana, Punjab and Tamil Nadu have reported seven fatalities each. West Bengal has registered five deaths, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have reported four each, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan have recorded three deaths each. Two deaths each have been reported from Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala. Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha reporte one fatality each, according to the health ministry data.
However, a PTI tally of figures reported by various states as on Tuesday 9.45 p.m. showed 5,192 testing positive across the country and at least 162 deaths.
There has been a lag in the Union Health Ministry figures, compared to the numbers announced by different states, which officials attribute to procedural delays in assigning the cases to individual states.
The highest number of confirmed cases in the country are from Maharashtra at 1018, followed by Tamil Nadu at 690 and Delhi with 576 cases.
Telengana has reported 364 COVID-19 cases followed by Kerala at 336.
Rajasthan has 328 cases, Uttar Pradesh has 326 and Andhra Pradesh reported 305 coronavirus cases.
10:53 Yogi govt announces Rs 50 lakh insurance cover for UP police
Uttar Pradesh government has announced insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh for police personnel in the state in view of COVID-19, said Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Awasthi on Wednesday.Taking to Twitter, Awasthi said that the Chief Minister's office will soon release a written order about the same.
He directed people from the media to wear masks and said if any person will not use a mask, they will be stopped.
The Additional Chief Secretary further warned people against sharing fake posts related to COVID-19 on social media.Earlier, the Punjab government had announced to provide additional health insurance of 50 lakh to policemen and sanitation workers.
According to the Union Health Ministry and Family Welfare, 305 people tested positive for coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh, including 21 cured and discharged and 3 deaths. -- ANI
Representational image
10:25 'Lockdown will lead to shutdown'
According to a survey conducted by the All India Manufacturers Organisation, over 71% of its member establishments are unable to pay wages owing to various reasons following the 21-day national shutdown to prevent the coronavirus outbreak. The AIMO, an apex trade body focused on the interests of the medium, small and micro enterprises (MSME) sector, surveyed 5,000 traders and MSMEs across the country over the last few days, to gauge the impact of the national lockdown.
The survey's findings showed that 63% of entrepreneurs quoted cash flow problems for their inability to pay wages at this time.
"To know the feelings of a small entrepreneur you have to be in his shoes," K E Raghunathan, past president, AIMO who conducted the survey, tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf. Read the interview here.
10:22 India's COVID-19 tally: 5194, new cases: 773
India's total number of Coronavirus positive cases rise to 5194 (including 4643 active cases, 401 cured/discharged people and 149 deaths): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said this morning. A total of 35 new deaths and 773 new positive cases have been reported in the last 24 hours. Several states announced plans to ramp up their testing infrastructure and put in place strong 'cluster containment' plans in areas identified as hotspots of the outbreak.
10:03 Sensex drops over 400 pts; Axis Bank, RIL top lose
Equity benchmark Sensex dropped over 400 points in opening trade on Wednesday tracking losses in index heavyweights HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries and ICICI Bank amid weak cues from global markets. After hitting a low of 29,602.94, the 30-share BSE barometer pared most losses to trade 14.98 points or 0.05 per cent lower at 30,052.23.
Similarly, the NSE Nifty was quoting 9.50 points, or 0.11 per cent, down at 8,782.70. Axis Bank was the top loser in the Sensex pack, falling up to 3 per cent, followed by Reliance Industries, TCS, ITC and IndusInd Bank. On the other hand, Sun Pharma, HUL, M&M and HDFC rallied up to 5 per cent.
In the previous session, the BSE barometer surged 2,476.26 points or 8.97 per cent to settle the day at 30,067.21; while the NSE barometer Nifty zoomed 708.40 points or 8.76 per cent to close at 8,792.20 -- the best session ever for both indices in absolute terms and the biggest since May 2009 percentage-wise.
Foreign institutional investors turned net buyers in the capital market, as they bought equity shares worth Rs 741.77 crore on Tuesday, according to provisional exchange data. Indian markets, in sync with global benchmarks, turned negative as worries over the economic impact of the pandemic continued to weigh on investor sentiment.
According to Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, investors are awaiting an ease in lockdown procedures, so companies can get down to generating business. In a holiday shortened week, any news regarding peaking infections will be bought into. Bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Seoul were in the red, while those in Tokyo were trading on a positive note. Benchmark exchanges on Wall Street ended lower in overnight trade. -- PTI
09:50 Kejriwal to hold meeting with Delhi MPs at noon
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to hold a meeting via video-conferencing, with all the MPs (both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha) of Delhi, today at noon over Coronavirus.
Yesterday, Kejriwal announced a five-point action plan to contain the spread of coronavirus in the national capital and said one lakh random rapid COVID-19 tests will be conducted in the city's hotspot areas.
Addressing a press conference via video link, he said the Delhi government-run Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, G B Pant Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital have been declared as COVID-19 dedicated hospitals.
Currently, 2,950 beds in city hospitals are reserved for COVID-19 patients. The Delhi government will takeover 12,000 hotel rooms in the wake of spike in number of coronavirus cases, Kejriwal said. "We will give the police phone numbers of Tablighi Jamaat event attendees to trace and ascertain whether they moved in nearby areas," he said. Elaborating on the five-point action plan, the chief minister said, "It includes five Ts --testing, tracing, treatment, team-work and tracking -- and monitoring.
09:44
And another image of George Harrison and Pt Ravi Shankar.
09:42 By George
On Ravi Shankar's 100th birth anniversary yesterday, his student, George Harrison, posted this image, saying, "Ravi Shankar is probably the person who has influenced my life the most. Later I realised Indian music was like a stepping stone to the spiritual path. I always had a feeling for that and the music led me there."
09:31 Karnataka allows celeberation of Karaga festival with restrictions
Even as the Karnataka government banned the observance of shab-e-barat, it has granted permission for the celebration of the annual Karaga festival with certain restrictions. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said that not more than five people would participate in the event, which starts at the city's Sri Dharmarayana Swamy Temple, old Bengaluru from today. "Only 4-5 people will be allowed to be present during celebration of the festival at Sri Dharmarayana Swamy Temple," he said.
The event which is associated with the Thigala community attracts thousands of devotees every year.
Karnataka CM holds a meeting with doctors
09:28 Dargahs, graveyards to remain closed during Shab-e-Barat in K'taka
In order to adhere to the nationwide lockdown enforced to contain the coronavirus spread ahead of Shab-e-Barat, the Karnataka government has issued directions to close dargahs and graveyards, and to suspend congregational prayers. As per the order, the public will not be allowed to perform religious rituals in the graveyards and dargahs.
Shab-e-Barat is an Islamic festival, which is celebrated as a day of forgiveness or atonement. This year, it is scheduled to be held on April 9.
"It is hereby directed to all the managements not to allow any congregational prayers in the mosques and the management of the Muslim graveyards and dargahs throughout the state to suspend the visit of public on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat on Thursday," Karnataka government said in a statement. "No public shall be allowed to perform religious rituals in the Muslim graveyards and Dargahs and close all the gates," it added.
The management of the Muslim graveyards and dargahs have been asked to take necessary steps for implementation of the said order in the interest of public health in letter and spirit. In Karnataka, 175 people have tested positive for COVID-19, including 25 cured and discharged and four deaths, as per the latest bulletin of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. -- ANI
Representational image
09:24 Newborns named Corona Kumar and Corona Kumari
Two newborns have been named after the coronavirus by their parents here. Sasikala of Tallapalli village, Vempalli Mandal, and Ramadevi of Alireddypalli village, Vempalli Mandal, were pregnant. Both were admitted to SF Basha Hospital, a private hospital in Vempalli town in Kadapa district. Sasikala was admitted on March 29 while Ramadevi was admitted on April 5. Both delivered babies on their date of admission itself. While Sasikala delivered a baby girl, Ramadevi delivered a baby boy. The boy has been named Corona Kumar and the girl, Corona Kumari. -- ANI
09:16 Chandigarh makes it compulsory to cover mouth, nose outside house
In a bid to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chandigarh Administration has made it mandatory for people to cover their nose and mouth either with a piece of cloth or with a mask while venturing outside their homes.
"Use of mask or cloth on nose and mouth in public places is mandatory for people in Chandigarh," the Department of Public Relations, Chandigarh stated.Notably, Chandigarh is the first Union Territory which has made wearing mask compulsory.
On Tuesday Odisha had issued a similar directive to residents in the state.The number of positive cases in India as per the Union health ministry update is now at 4,789, with 4,312 active cases, 353 who have been cured/discharged/migrated and 124 deaths. -- ANI
09:08 Only 15% trucks supplying essentials on road
Transporters are finding difficult to streamline the supply chain of the essential goods with only 15 per cent of trucks on the road due to the coronavirus lockdown, the national body of transporters All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) said.
AIMTC is an apex body of Transporters - (both Cargo and Passenger) serving the industry for the last 84 years. It represents around 1 crore truckers and 55 lakhs tourist buses and operators.
"We have approximately 12.5 lakh trucks with the national permit. But during the period of lockdown, only 2 lakh to 2.5 lakh trucks with national permits are on road," Kultaran Singh Atwal, President of AIMTC told ANI.
Atwal said that the government should also allow opening up offices of the transporters engaged in transporting essential goods and issue passes for that.
Meanwhile, Rajender Kapoor, President of Delhi Goods Transport Organisation said "Our office staff can't move from loading to unloading points for supervision as they don't have passes. According to MHA guidelines, drivers don't need passes, with valid driving licences they can carry essential goods."
"We have around 1 crore trucks registered with our associations but we don't have drivers to drive trucks, no labour to load/unload essential goods as they left for their native places due to the lockdown," Kapoor said.
Kapoor said trucks to Coimbatore, Nagpur or Kolkata have been stranded due to the lockdown.
Praveen Khandelwal, General Secretary, Confederation of All India Traders suggested that the process of obtaining passes should be eased. -- ANI
08:57 Indian American's US pharma firm donates 3.4 M Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate tablets
An Indian American-owned pharma firm has pledged to donate 3.4 million Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate tablets to some of the key COVID-19 battleground states, including New York and Louisiana, joining the war against the dreaded coronavirus which by Tuesday had taken lives of more than 12,800 people in the US alone.
Owned by philanthropic billionaire Chirag and Chintu Patel, New Jersey-based Amneal Pharmaceuticals, which is one of the largest US-based manufacturers, has also announced ramping up production of Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate at several of its manufacturing sites and expects to produce approximately 20 million tablets between now and mid-April. Those tablets will be made available nationwide through Amneal's existing retail and wholesale customers, as well as through direct sales to larger institutions in need, the company said.
Amneal has donated two million tablets of 200mg Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate to New York, and one million to Texas to be used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. It is ready to provide more as needed. It is also donating and providing products directly to hospitals across the country, the company said. Amneal has also announced donation of 400,000 Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate tablets to Louisiana. -- pti
08:36 Britain's PM Johnson spends second night in intensive care
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was spending a second night in intensive care battling the coronavirus which has infected more than 55,000 across the country and killed nearly 6,200.
Deputising for Johnson, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he was "confident he'll pull through, because if there's one thing I know about this prime minister, he's a fighter and he'll be back, leading us through this crisis in short order".
In an update Tuesday evening, the prime minister's spokesman said his "condition is stable and he remains in intensive care for close monitoring." He earlier said the 55-year-old Conservative leader was receiving "standard oxygen treatment and breathing without any other assistance" and had not required a ventilator.
Johnson is the most high-profile government leader to become infected with COVID-19 and messages of support flooded in from across Britain and the world.
He was admitted to intensive care on Monday evening after spending Sunday night in hospital following concerns he still had a cough and high temperature 10 days after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
His transfer to intensive care is unprecedented for a prime minister during a national emergency.
For many people, it brought home the seriousness of the disease that has so far seen 6,159 deaths in Britain, with a record 786 more reported in a daily update on Tuesday.
07:58 Virus epicenter Wuhan ends 76-day lockdown
The lockdown that served as a model for countries battling the coronavirus around the world has ended after 11 weeks: Chinese authorities are allowing residents of Wuhan once again to travel in and out of the sprawling city where the pandemic began.
As of just after midnight Wednesday, the city's 11 million residents are now permitted to leave without special authorisation as long as a mandatory smartphone application powered by a mix of data-tracking and government surveillance shows they are healthy and have not been in recent contact with anyone confirmed to have the virus.
The occasion was marked with a light show on either side of the broad Yangtze river, with skyscrapers and bridges radiating animated images of health workers aiding patients, along with one displaying the words 'heroic city,' a title bestowed on Wuhan by president and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.
Along the embankments and bridges, citizens waved flags, chanted "Wuhan, let's go!" and sang a capella renditions of China's national anthem.
"I haven't been outside for more than 70 days," said an emotional Tong Zhengkun, who was watching the display from a bridge. Residents in his apartment complex had contracted COVID-19, so the entire building was shut down. He couldn't go out even to buy groceries, which neighborhood workers brought to his door.
It didn't take long for traffic to begin moving swiftly through the newly reopened bridges, tunnels and highway toll booths, while hundreds waited for the first trains and flights out of the city, many hoping to return to jobs elsewhere.
00:36 WHO 'very China centric': Trump
United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused the World Health Organisation of being "China centric" and said the world health body issued "faulty" recommendations at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic.
"The WHO really blew it. For some reason, funded largely by the United States, yet very China centric," Trump said in a tweet, amidst allegations that the World Health Organisation has not been transparent on the issue of coronavirus and gave credence to the Chinese point of view.
There is a growing demand in the US to review its funding to the WHO.
"We will be giving that a good look. Fortunately I rejected their advice on keeping our borders open to China early on. Why did they give us such a faulty recommendation?" Trump said.
On Tuesday, nearly two dozen US lawmakers introduced a resolution calling on Congress to withhold funding of the WHO until Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus resigns and an international commission investigates the organisation's role in covering up the Chinese Communist Party's failed COVID-19 response.
"The WHO helped the Chinese Communist Party hide the threat of COVID-19 from the world and now more than 10,000 Americans are dead, a number that is expected to rise dramatically in the coming weeks," said Congressman Guy Reschenthaler.
"The United States is the largest contributor to WHO. It is not right that Americans' hard-earned tax dollars are being used to propagate China's lies and hide information that could have saved lives. This bill will hold the WHO accountable for their negligence and deceit, he said.
Alleging that China covered up evidence of human-to-human transmission as early as December 2019, the resolution said despite the virus having spread to multiple countries by January 22, the WHO failed to declare a "public health emergency of international concern" until January 30.
These actions to delay and mislead had severe consequences for the world: a recent University of Southampton study suggests the number of coronavirus cases could have been reduced by 95 per cent had China moved to contain the virus three weeks sooner, it alleged.
The US contributions make up 22 per cent of the WHO's assessed funds from member nations. In addition to the assessed funds, the US also provides voluntary funds through congressionally appropriated global health programmes and humanitarian accounts.
"Instead of working to save lives around the world, the WHO stood by and downplayed the severity of the virus so as not to offend Chinese officials," Reschenthaler said. -- PTI
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances