Coronavirus India Live Updates: India's total reaches 43 as four new cases emerge

As per the latest Indian figures, the number of cases have risen to 43 as four new cases emerged from Kerala, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu. The 43 that have been tested for the novel Coronavirus have been found positive from the 3,003 samples that were tested in the country. Out of these 40 are active cases, the initial three which were reported from Kerala have been treated and discharged.

Global deaths due to coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday rose above 3,000 with the new count in China mainland rising to 2,912. The deadly virus, that originated in China late last year, continues to spread around the world and has infected more than 90,000 people. While most of the cases are from Hubei province of China and the city of Wuhan (the epicentre of the outbreak), other countries including Iran, Italy, Japan and the Philippines have also reported deaths related to novel coronavirus.

On March 1, UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock released $15 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help fund global efforts to contain the virus. The announcement came soon after the WHO upgraded the global risk of the coronavirus outbreak to "very high" – its top level of risk assessment. The WHO has said there is still a chance of containing the virus if its chain of transmission is broken. 

Amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak,  Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday said that 28 confirmed cases of coronavirus have been tested positive in India. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that he will not be participating in any 'Holi Milan' programme. Taking to the microblogging site, PM Modi said that to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of Coronavirus he will not be participating in any Holi related events. 

Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday urges people to take all important preventive measures amid coronavirus outbreak. Also reiterating PM Modi, Shah said he will not participate in any Holi Milan celebration this year and urges people to avoid public gatherings.

Health Ministry officials said that over 25 people suspected of Coronavirus are admitted at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urges people not to panic amid the coronavirus outbreak. Taking to the microblogging site Singh said, "To deal with the risk of coronavirus, most experts are of the opinion that one should stay away from crowded areas and avoid unnecessary gathering. Apart from this, do take some basic measures. No need to panic, just be cautious. Take care of yourself and caution others as well."

BJP national president JP Nadda writes of BJP state presidents amid coronavirus scare. Earlier Nadda took to Twitter and said that he will not bee celebrating Holi nor organising any Holi related events. 

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday set up a state-task force to control the situation arising due to coronavirus. He also said that he will not be celebrating Holi due to the virus outbreak and the recent violence in Delhi.

Dedicated 24x7 data control Centres established at Srinagar and Jammu to receive information of travellers coming from Coronavirus affected countries.

Second person tests positive for coronavirus in Hyderabad. An employee of a global science-based company DSM Shared Services is diagnosed with Coronavirus (Covid-19), the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

As India battles Coronavirus threat, BJP MP from Delhi Ramesh Bidhuri on Wednesday remarked that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too must go through due process of coronavirus quarantine and sample checking. 

"Rahul Gandhi recently came from Italy. I don't know if he was checked at the airport. He should also go through medical check-up to ensure that he is not infected with the deadly virus," Bidhuri said outside Parliament after Gandhi was seen with other Congress leaders at the Central Hall of Parliament earlier.

Two passengers with travel history to Italy/South Korea identified and taken to GMC Jammu for quarantine sample testing.

Speaking about coronavirus Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said, " No need to panic over Coronavirus so far no case has come in Maharashtra."
 

Group of ministers meeting begins at Nirman Bhawan on Coronavirus. Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, External Affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar, Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri, MoS Home Nityananda Roi, and Shipping minister Mansukh Mandaviya are present in the meeting.

Third case in Jaipur: wife of the already confirmed Italian patient, has been confirmed for COVID-19. 14 Italians, one Indian, are also confirmed positive for COVID-19 says Home Ministry.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation confirms that Delhi metro staff has been sensitized and guidelines have been circulated regarding Do’s and Dont’s to prevent the spread of #Coronavirus. They further add that instructions are being issued to increase the frequency of cleaning within the metro premises.

Amid the rising cases of coronavirus, Prime Minister's principal secretary PK mishra has chaired an inter-ministerial meeting to review preparedness and response on coronavirus. The PM's office also informed that since January 25th steps are being taken and a series of meetings have taken place.  

Higher Education secretary Amit Khare writes to all state chief secretaries & CBSE asking them to spread awareness among school students on basic protective measures against COVID-19. In the letter, he has said that govt has taken steps but spreading awareness among the general public is extremely important. 

Seventeen Indians have been infected with coronavirus abroad, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday. Responding to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said 16 cases were reported from Japan on the cruise ship and one from the UAE.

He said the 16 Indians in Japan are being treated at onshore medical facilities in that country. He further said that the government evacuated a total of 766 persons -- 723 Indian nationals and 43 foreigners -- from China.

Similarly, 119 Indians have been brought back to India from the cruise ship in Japan, Muraleedharan said. "Air India has raised a bill of Rs 5.98 crore for operating two special flights to China and an Indian Air Force flight carrying relief material to China also carried Indian citizens from Wuhan, China on its return journey," he said. Muraleedharan said an Indian Air Force flight carrying relief material to China also carried Indian citizens from Wuhan in China on its return journey. Expenditure details are yet to be received from Defence Ministry. "Expenditure details for the special flight – Japan to India - for evacuation is yet to be received from Air India," he said. (PTI)

CBSE to allow students to carry masks, hand sanitiser during ongoing class 10 and 12 board exams, says CBSE secretary. This comes after Higher Education secretary Amit Khare wrote to all state chief secretaries & CBSE asking them to spread awareness among school students on basic protective measures against COVID-19. In the letter, he has said that govt has taken steps but spreading awareness among the general public is extremely important. 

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the President of India Ram Nath Kovind has also announced that the Rashtrapati Bhavan will not hold the traditional Holi gatherings. The President termed it as a precautionary measure against the outbreak of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus.

All 24 members comprising of 21 Italians and 3 Indians brought yesterday, left from ITBP Quarantine Facility, Chhawla, New Delhi this evening. Positives are to be treated at designated Hospitals and others to be kept at preventive isolation at a different location.

One of PAYTM employee based out of Gurgaon office tested positive for Coronavirus. He is receiving appropriate treatment. The company has suggested team members to get health tests done immediately.

Doda District Development Commissioner, Dr. SD Doifode on Wednesday visited Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu and Kashmir to review preparedness for coronavirus.

A Chinese man suspected of coronavirus locks himself in Noida flat

14 Italians infected with Coronavirus have been admitted at Medanta hospital

UN economists announced a likely USD 50 billion drop in the worldwide manufacturing exports in February alone as the extent of the damage to the global economy caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) moved further into focus.

Citing the China Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI), Pamela Coke-Hamilton, who heads UNCTAD's Division on International Trade and Commodities, said that it had fallen to 37.5 - a drop of about 20 points the lowest reading since 2004.

Italy ordered on Wednesday that all major sporting events be held behind closed doors until April 3 as the country grapples with the deadly coronavirus outbreak. The measure was announced as the Italian government stepped up its response to an epidemic that has killed 107 people and infected more than 3,000 others in Italy in the past two weeks.

The Karnataka government has advised city-based companies to allow their employees to work from home if they have flu-like symptoms. "Those employees having flu like symptoms may be allowed to work from home with advice of standard hand hygiene and cough etiquette," the Health Department said in its advisory.

Seventeen Indians have been infected with coronavirus abroad, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday. Responding to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said 16 cases were reported from Japan on the cruise ship and one from the UAE. 

He further said that the government evacuated a total of 766 persons -- 723 Indian nationals and 43 foreigners from China. Similarly, 119 Indians have been brought back to India from the cruise ship in Japan, Muraleedharan said.

n yet another development, five cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed in Kerala, bringing the total to 39 positive cases in India. The health minister KK Shailaja has informed that the concerned individuals have been admitted to isolation wards. She has informed that three of the five new cases were people who had returned from Italy and two other were infected in Pathanamitta district itself. In total, Kerala had reported eight cases, three earlier ones have been treated and discharged. 

Government of Sikkim stops Inner Line Permit including that to citizens of Bhutan from Thursday, in wake of the spread of coronavirus.

In addition to Visa restrictions already in place, passengers traveling from /having visited Italy or Republic of Korea and desirous of entering India will need certificate of having tested negative for COVID-19 from the designated laboratories authorized by the health authorities of these countries. This will be enforced from 0000 Hrs of 10th March, 2020 and is a temporary measure till cases of COVID-19 subside.