BIG: UN & WHO envoys meet Health Min; appreciate India's steps to battle Coronavirus

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday met United Nations Resident Coordinator Renata Dessalien and World Health Organization (WHO) India Representative Henk Bekedam. Taking to Twitter, health minister discussed ongoing support being provided by WHO and UNICEF to battle Coronavirus outbreak. Harsh Vardhan said that y appreciated steps taken by his ministry and assured full furr support.

'y appreciated steps being taken'

Union Cabinet met for a meeting at  Prime MInister's residence on Wednesday morning, first since 21-day Coronavirus lockdown was imposed. In picture, ministers can be seen applying social distancing.

Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh can be seen on eir side of PM Modi on far side. Also visible are Ram Vilas Paswan, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. On near side are key members of PMO, namely Principal Secretary to PM PK Mishra and NSA Ajit Doval. Dr Harsh Vardhan was also a part of meeting. 

UN expresses solidarity with India

UN has expressed solidarity with India in its fight against coronavirus, with a top official at world body's health ncy praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 21-day nationwide lockdown as a "comprehensive and robust" response to raging COVID-19 pandemic.

Globally, death toll from coronavirus has risen to 18,915 with more than 422,900 cases reported in over 165 countries and territories, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

number of coronavirus cases in India stood at 562 on Wednesday with nine COVID-19 deaths reported so far, according to Health Ministry data. In an attempt to stem spread of coronavirus in India, Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday anunced a nationwide lockdown for three weeks.

're is absolutely need to panic'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged people t to panic and assured citizens that re will be short of essential commodities and medicines during 21-day lockdown period. "re is absolutely need to panic," PM Modi said in a tweet "Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this," he said.

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Advising people t to hoard essential items, PM Modi said, "By converging around shops, you are risking spread of Covid-19. panic buying, please. Please stay indoors."  According to Health Ministry, India has reported about 562 Coronavirus cases in India, with 512 active cases. Eleven people have died so far due to deadly virus.

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(With PTI inputs)