Corona virus continues to infect the world…

May 3, 2020 Newsline Times 0 Comments

PM Modi says ‘a big thank you to our frontline Covid-19 warriors’

Corona virus continues to infect the world with global cases crossing 3.3 million cases. India has extended the national lockdown by 2 more weeks.

With 1,755 cases recorded over 24-hours, India’s tally of cases has touched 35,365 mark with 1,152 deaths. More than 3.3 million people continue to be infected by Covid-19.

India has extended its lockdown by two weeks starting from May 4. The government has allowed considerable relaxations in green zones (districts where there has been no cases in the last 21 days) and orange zones (districts where no cases have been reported for than two weeks). Red zones (districts where cases continue to be reported ) will only allow essential services.

A Bloomberg report predicted that the pandemic way extend well beyond 2022 as economies across the world struggle to mitigate losses. WHO hopes that China will join investigations to search origins of Covid-19.

Here are the latest updates on corona virus outbreak from around the world: 07:54 PM IST

MHA reconstitutes empowered groups

Empowerd groups will ensure proper planning and implementation of response activities.

US stocks open low, DOW JONES down by 1.8%

US stocks open sharply lower as China virus tensions affect investor sentiment.

Railways has decided to charge migrant laborers ticket fare

Railways has decided to charge fares for tickets for Specials Trains for stranded migrant workers. This fare includes price of regular sleeper class tickets plus superfast charges of ₹30 and an additional charge of ₹20.

This includes meals and drinking water for long distance trains. State governments will coordinate and can pay on passenger’s behalf, railways ministry says. States can pay on behalf of the labourers belonging to respective states.

Pan, liquor stores can operate in green zones: MHA

MHA allows green zones to reopen liquor and paan shops.

Kerala reports zero corona virus cases

Kerala has reported zero corona virus cases and 392 people have recovered so far.

203 new cases reported from Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has 2,526 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Cab aggregators will ply on orange zones with one passenger: MHA

MHA said that cab aggregators can ply with one driver and one passenger in orange zones.

Large number of activities to be allowed in red zones: MHA

MHA says all industrial and construction activities including MGNREGA works, food-processing units and brick-kilns will be allowed in Red zones.

A large number of other activities are allowed in the Red Zones. All industrial and construction activities in rural areas, including MNREGA works, food-processing units and brick-kilns are permitted: MHA on the extension of lockdown.

MHA clarifies activities which will be prohibited

Plying of private vehicles, cab aggregators, auto-rickshaws to be prohibited. Inter-district plying of buses, intra-district plying of buses also prohibited.

Centre extends lockdown by two weeks

The ministry of home affairs has extended the lockdown for two more weeks starting from May 4.

Ministry of Home Affairs issues order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to further extend the Lockdown for a further period of two weeks beyond May 4: MHA

PM Modi takes stock of impact of Covid-19 in power sector

PM asked the authorities to ensure unhindered supply of electricity and push more customer-centered initiatives so that people in lockdown face no troubles with electricity supply.

The discussions included measures regarding ease of doing business; propagation of renewables; flexibility in supply of coal; role of public-private partnerships; and boosting investment in the power sector: PMO

DS says flypasts by the IAF will be undertaken

CDS General Bipin Rawat said that the India Air Force will conduct flypasts from J&K’s Srinagar to Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram, from Assam’s Dibrugarh to Gujarat’s Kutch with transport and fighter aircrafts. The aircrafts will also shower flower petals on some places.

On behalf of armed forces, we want to thank all COVID-19 warriors. Doctors, nurses, sanitation workers, police, home guards, delivery boys & media which has been reaching out with the message of government on how to carry on with lives in difficult times: CDS General Bipin Rawat

ANI Press conference of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat & the three Services Chiefs begins.

There are some special activities that nation will get to witness. Air Force to conduct flypast from Srinagar to Trivandrum & another one starting from Dibrugarh in Assam to Kutch in Gujarat. It’ll include both transport & fighter aircraft: Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat

Indian Newspaper Society sounds alarm over massive losses

The Indian Newspaper Society said that losses of up to ₹15,000 crore can rattle the newspaper industry if government does not provide relief.

CDS thanks frontline workers for their battle against pandemic

The Chief of Defence of Staff thanked all frontline workers starting from doctors, nurses, delivery boys to mediapersons for working cohesively with the Govt during these difficult times.

Should have received IMCT with a red carpet: Bengal governor Bengal governor

Dhankhar lashed out at the Trinamool-led government as reports of hurdles being created for the IMCT team surfaced.

West Bengal is the only state where Inter-Ministerial Central Team faced problems in carrying out their work.When entire country is fighting against #COVID19&IMCT team came to assess the situation, we should have received it with red carpet:West Bengal Guv,Jagdeep Dhankhar

India’s records 322 fresh cases

The death toll due to Covid-19 has now reached 1,152 and total of 35,365 people continue to be affected.

Investor scare due to Trump’s claim hurts London markets

Trump’s ire at China for not being able to mitigate the pandemic in the bud has caused London’s FTSE 100 index to lose more than 2.3% in a single-day.

Oil giant Exxonmobil reports losses over $600 million

ExxonMobil lost $610 million dollars in the first quarter as it cut spending due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Exxon Mobil has reported a loss of $610 million in the first quarter as it moved to cut spending in the wake of crashing commodity prices due to the corona virus crisis

PM Modi, Home minister Amit Shah and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman discuss lockdown exit strategy

Lockdown exit strategy on the table as PM meets home minister and finance minister.

Plasma donor gets a letter from Congress’ Priyanka Gandhi

King George’s Medical University doctor T Khan received a letter of congratulations from Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi.

Shramik Special to facilitate return of migrant workers:

Railway ministry The following trains have been designated to ferry tr

1. Lingampally to Hatia

2. Aluva to Bhubaneswar

3. Nasik to Lucknow

4. Nasik to Bhopal

5. Jaipur to Patna

6. Kota to Hatia

Biggest challenge is delineating districts into red, green zone:

Govt Lav Agarwal said the biggest challenge is delineate the districts from the red, orange zone once new cases come up or cases recede.

Have defined orange and red zones to stop undercurrent of cases:

Health Ministry Districts should not crack under the pressures of new waves of virus, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary of Health Ministry, said on definition of orange and red zones. The criteria is focusing on potential cases, testing ratio and distribution of population to define a district, he added.

We have no shortage of drugs and ventilators: Vaghela

Vaghela said ventilators, HCQ, and medicines for lupus disease are stocked up in the country. He reiterated there is no need to worry.

Our PPE industry has become the largest:

Vaghela PPE said that DRDO has developed N99 masks and the PPE and masks have generated huge revenue and made it a one billion rupees industry. He also added India is next to China in terms of PPE export.

We have ordered 2.49 crore N95 masks: PD Vaghela, Chairman, Empowered Group-3 COVID19

ANI DRDO has developed 3 types of new PU coated nylon/ polyester and technology transfer to manufacturers of India: PD Vaghela, Chairman, Empowered Group-3 COVID19.

1,87,000 PPE kits being manufactured every day: Chairman, Empowered Groups

Vaghela, who is the chairman of the empowered groups, said that 107 manufacturers have been roped in to manufacture PPE kits. He added, it is an open tender and anyone can participate. He said out of 80 lakh imports most have started coming in, said Vaghela.

There is a total demand of 75,000 ventilators; total 19,398 ventilators available and 60,884 ventilators have been ordered: PD Vaghela, Chairman, Empowered Group-3 COVID19.

MHA gives approval for travel via rail for migrant workers

MHA has asked Railway Ministry and state governments to coordinate and facilitate the return of migrant labourers.

ILI, SARI cases in containment zones will be checked severely: Health ministry

Health ministry said along with setting buffer zones around the containment zones and cases of influenza-like illness, and Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses will be screened.

1,993 cases in last 24 hours across the nation: Health ministry

Health ministry has said that 1,993 cases have been reported in the last 24 hours.

CISF, BSF is bolstering efforts to curb pandemic: MHA

BSF is helping even Nepalese workers and villagers during these tough time, and has made sure mobile ATMs reach every village, says MHA Joint Secretary Srivastava.

Health ministry press conference begins

The daily press briefing by the health ministry is now LIVE. Watch it here.

Covid-19 cases among ITBP

Indo-Tibetan Border Police’s 5 officers test positive for Covid-19. 90 troops quarantined.

CMIE post unemployment rates went up to 26%

Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy showed that India’s unemployment rate during lockdown went up to 26%.

WHO ‘hopes’ China can participate into Covid-19 investigations

WHO will undertake investigations into the zoonotic origins of the novel corona virus and it hopes China will take part in the investigations.

The World Health Organization says it is hoping China will invite it to take part in its investigations into the animal origins of the novel corona virus

Tamil Nadu gets ₹300 crore

Tamil Nadu government has received ₹300 crore for fighting the pandemic via the CM relief fund.

Spain’s GDP will contract by 9.2%

Covid-19 will hit Spanish GDP hard as the nation’s finance ministry feels a 9.2% contraction in the current fiscal year.

BSY requests migrant workers to help rebuild Karnataka

Karnataka CM has requested migrant workers to help rebuild the state so that the economic revival becomes feasible.

Therefore, it is a sincere request to all the migrant workers to stay back in Karnataka & co-operate with us to resume the economic activities once we receive directions from Union Govt: Karnataka Chief Minister’s Office.

Congress slams govt over special train

Congress calls special trains for migrants a knee-jerk reaction from the government towards the current crisis migrant labourers are facing.

Singhvi demands economic help for migrant workers

Cong leader AM Singhvi said that fiscal injection is needed for the labour class.

CM Hemant Soren assures workers, students of return

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren assured migrant workers and students of their return to home. He said that the administration will contact and help people return back to the state.

I assure all students, migrant workers and other people stranded in other states amid #COVID19 lockdown that our administration will soon contact you and help you in coming back to the state. Don’t panic: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren

Will go ahead with patience and caution: Uddhav

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said some districts will get conditional relaxations post May 3.

We will surely give relaxations after May 3 seeing the condition of specific areas but be cautious & co-operate, else whatever we have achieved in the past few days will be lost. So, we will go ahead with patience and caution: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Pakistan house speaker Qaiser has Covid-19 Pakistan house speaker Asad Qaiser has Covid-19. He had met Imran Khan, Pakistan PM, a day earlier.

Viktor Orban, Hungary PM, warns of second wave

Orban said that a second wave of Covid-19 can occur in the months of October/November.

Full list of Covid-19 red zones is out

The Centre has listed 130 districts in the green zone. Find the full list.

Delhi govt sending 40 buses to Kota to bring back our students: CM Kejriwal

Delhi govt is sending 40 buses today (Friday) to Kota (Rajasthan) to bring back our students: CM Kejriwal.

Over 1,000 people, cured of Covid-19, contacted to donate plasma: Kejriwal

Contacting 1,100 people who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate their plasma to save lives: Delhi CM Kejriwal

‘Getting good results of plasma therapy’: Delhi CM Kejriwal

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal of Friday said that Delhi are conducting 2300 Covid-19 tests per 1 million people in Delhi.

He said, “we are getting good results of plasma therapy; it is on trial basis.”

Over 32,000 Indians in UAE register to fly home

More than 32,000 Indians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) wishing to return home during the Covid-19 pandemic registered their details after the Indian missions in the country launched the e-registration of expats, it was reported on Friday.

“As of 5 p.m. on Thursday, we received more than 32,000 registrations,” Consul General of India in Dubai Vipul told Gulf News, reports news agency IANS.

The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai on Wednesday night announced they were accepting the registration.

Over 800 migrant fishermen, stranded in Gujarat, reached Andhra in buses

More than 800 migrant fishermen who were stranded in Gujarat due to Covid-19 lockdown reached Garikapadu check-post on Andhra Pradesh border, in 12 buses today morning.

Following are the visuals from Krishna district tweeted by ANI.

Andhra Pradesh: More than 800 migrant fishermen who were stranded in Gujarat due to Corona virus Lockdown reached Garikapadu check-post on Andhra Pradesh border, in 12 buses today morning. Visuals from Krishna District.

UP workers stranded in other states can use their ration cards to avail benefits: CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has said that any worker or labourer of the state who is stranded in another state due to lockdown, can use his/her ration card number and avail its benefits there, reports ANI.

He said for those who do not have a ration card, food packets will be provided to them under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)

Indore district reports 4 more Covid-19 deaths, toll now at 72: Official

The Indore district in Madhya Pradesh reprted four more Covid-19 deaths on Friday,taking the toll in the district to 72, a health official was quoted as saying by PTI.

Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Praveen Jadia said that four patients died in the hospitals in Indore city over the last two days.

Among those who succumbed to the disease is a 95-year-old woman, while three others are men aged 75, 55 and 42, he said.

Railways deploys first train carrying 1200 migrants from Telangana to Jharkhand

The ministry of railways has deployed the first special train to ferry stranded migrants. A special trains was deployed Friday morning from Telangana to Jharkhand at 5 am.

“The train is ferrying nearly 1200 migrants in 24 coaches. Decision on more trains will be taken up today. The train left from Lingampally in Telangana to Hatia in Jharkhand at 4:50 am today,” Railway Protection Force DG Arun Kumar told Hindustan Times.

A one-off special train was run today from Lingampalli (Hyderabad) to Hatia (Jharkhand) on request of the Telangana Government & as per the directions of Union Railway Ministry.

56-yr-old Covid-19 positive woman dies at AIIMS Rishikesh

A 56-year-old woman from Nainital district who tested positive for corona viurs at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh on Tuesday, died on Friday morning, informed officials.

Dr Amita Upreti, director general for health in Uttarakhand said that the woman was suffering many other ailments also. So, how much corona virus infection played a role in her death, will be known only after a death audit.

Amazon says India’s lockdown curbs hit its revenue hardest internationally

Amazon has said that complete Covid-19 lockdown in India since March 24 due to which the e-commerce giant was allowed to sell only groceries and other essential items has resulted in the biggest revenue impact in any country in the international market, reports IANS.

Speaking to analysts over an earnings call on Thursday, Amazon chief financial officer Brian Olsavsky said that the demand of the revenue side has been severely impacted in India when compared to other shelter-in-place geographies across the world.

“I think the biggest impact internationally has been in India, where of course, similar to other companies in India, we’re now only fulfilling our essential goods such as grocery,” said Olsavsky.

Mediapersons among those exempted from moving across Delhi-Gurugram border: Police official

A police personnel posted at the sealed Delhi-Gurugram border on Friday told ANI that that mediapersons have been exempted from moving across the border.

“There are points where we’ve been told to restrict movement, media is not covered in those. For those working in hospitals and living in Gurugram, arrangements have to made there itself(in Delhi). Restrictions apply to Police too: ACP Karan Goyal.

He added, “Movement of ambulances, cash vans, oil cylinders, supply of gas, essential supplies, foodgrains, vegetable-fruits will not be stopped. Officers & employees of some ministries of central government are exempt from restriction, we’ll allow inter-district movement for them.”

There are points where we’ve been told to restrict movement, media not covered in those. For those working in hospitals&living in Gurugram, arrangements have to made there itself(in Delhi). Restrictions apply to Police too: ACP Karan Goyal on Delhi-Gurugram border sealed

Australia to consider next Friday easing of corona virus containment measures

Australia will consider next Friday whether to relax corona virus-related mobility restrictions, as the growth rate of new infections slows, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday following a national cabinet meeting, reports Reuters.

Morrison urged Australians to download an app aimed at tracing contacts of COVID-19 patients, saying it was a pre-condition to relaxing the containment measures.

Australia has reported about 6,700 COVID-19 cases and 93 deaths, significantly below the levels reported in the United States, Britain and Europe. Growth in new infections has slowed to less 0.5% a day, compared to 25% a month ago.

Rajasthan reports 33 new Covid-19 cases, 3 deaths

Rajasthan reported 33 new Covid-19 cases and three deaths from the disease on Friday, according to the state health department, reports ANI.

This takes the total number of positive cases to 2,617 including 61 deaths

Maruti sales down to zero in April due to Covid-19 lockdown

Maruti Suzuki, in a historic first, sold no cars in April as the entire month saw the country under a lockdown to check the spread of Covid-19. With factories closed, showrooms shut and people staying at home, the country’s largest car maker, on expected lines, had nothing to show in terms of sales for the entire month.

US CDC reports 1,031,659 corona virus cases, 60,057 deaths

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday reported 1,031,659 cases of new coronavirus, an increase of 26,512 cases from its previous count, and said the number of deaths had risen by 2,552 to 60,057, reports Reuters.

Union health secy writes to chief secretaries on districts designation

Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan has written to Chief Secretaries of all states/Union Territories, designating districts across all states/UTs as Red, Orange & Green Zones, reports ANI.

Since recovery rates have gone up, districts are now being designated across various zones duly broad-basing the criteria, she said.

3 Delhi Police personnel were suspended for lying about coming in contact with Covid-19 personnel

Three Delhi policemen were suspended on 29 April for one day for lying to seniors that they came in contact with police personnel who tested positive for Covid-19 and so,they must be sent for home-quarantine, reports ANI.

They were deployed at Shastri Park metro station. They’ve joined duty now: Delhi Police

PM Modi wishes ‘early recovery’ for Russian PM Mishustin

Prime Minister Modi has sent his wishes to his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin who has tested positive for corona virus.

In a tweet, PM Modi said, “My best wishes to Russian PM Mishustin for early recovery and good health. We stand with our close friend Russia in efforts to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic.”

World Cup 2022 ambassador tests positive for virus

An ambassador for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has tested positive for the new corona virus, the tournament’s organisers said, reports AFP.

Retired Qatari midfielder Adel Khamis, 54, “was unfortunately diagnosed with the novel corona virus, COVID-19,” the Supreme Committee for the organisation of the 2022 tournament wrote in a tweet on Thursday.

“We wish a speedy to all those affected.”The number of confirmed infections among those involved in construction for 2022 facilities stands at eight across three stadium projects, but organisers have not given an updated toll since April 17.

India records 1,993 new Covid-19 cases, 73 deaths in last 24 hrs

India recorded 1,993 new Covid-19 cases and 73 deaths from the disease in the last 24 hours, according to the figures released by the Union health ministry at 8 am on Friday.

There are now 35,043 corona virus cases in India which include 25,007 active cases, 8,888 cured / discharged patients, and 1147 deaths.

Cross-border movement between Gurugram and Delhi to be stopped from 10 am today

Cross-border movement between the national Capital and Gurugram will be stopped from 10 am today, with a few exemptions to maintain the supply of essential items, according to an order issued by the Gurugram administration on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Faridabad had cross-border movement while the Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh sealed borders last week.

China reports 12 new corona virus cases vs four a day earlier

China reported 12 new corona virus cases for April 30, up from four a day earlier, data from the country’s health authority showed on Friday, reports Reuters.

Six of the cases were imported, the National Health Commission (NHC) said, up from four a day earlier. Of the domestic transmission cases, five were in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang and one in the northern region of Inner Mongolia.

World should follow South Korea on Covid-19 fight: UN Chief

The United Nations chief said he hopes many countries in the world will follow the “remarkable example” of South Korea, which he said has been “extremely successful” in addressing the corona virus pandemic and is planning to tackle climate change in its recovery from Covid-19, reports AP.

Several US airlines make face mask mandatory for passengers, crew

Several commercial airlines in the US including the American Airlines, the Delta Airlines and the United Airlines on Thursday announced that they have made it mandatory for passengers and crew members to wear masks in their flights, reports PTI.

The announcement comes days after three European airlines – Lufthansa Airlines, Swiss Airlines and Austrian Airlines – made masks mandatory for their passengers during their flights.

More than 2,000 US corona virus deaths in 24 hours: John Hopkins tracker

The United States recorded more than 2,000 corona virus deaths in a 24-hour period for the third day running, according to the latest real-time tally Thursday reported by Johns Hopkins University, reports AFP.

The country recorded 2,053 deaths on Thursday, after 2,502 deaths on Wednesday and 2,207 on Tuesday.

At least 62,906 people have now died in the United States, according to the Baltimore-based university.