Economic Times | 25 Mar, 2020 | 10.28AM IST| Read original here
Govt said that it is banning the export of hydroxychloroquine and formulations made from the medication, as experts test the efficacy of the drug in helping treat patients infected with COVID-19.
Three new Coronavirus positive cases reported in Gujarat; total cases 38
- Three new Coronavirus positive cases have been reported in Gujarat.
- 38 positive cases reported till date.
- FIR has been registered against 147 people for breaking home quarantine: Jayanti Ravi, Principal Secretary, Gujarat Health and Family Welfare Department
Govt monitoring availability of essential commodities in market: Paswan
Clear instructions to authorities in states needed for smooth transport of essential items: HUL
- FMCG major Hindustan Unilever on Wednesday said clear instructions need to be provided to enforcement authorities across states for smooth transportation of essential items and functioning of supply chain amid the nationwide lockdown due to coronavirus outbreak.
- The company said, in the last couple of days there has been a significant amount of difficulty in running the factories and transportation of goods.
- “The government has rightly permitted food, vegetables, groceries and medicines to be excluded from the lockdown. However, clear instructions need to be provided to the enforcement authorities across states so that these essential items and the supply chain around it, is allowed to function,” a company spokesperson said.
- HUL manufactures and supplies essential day-to-day products such as soaps, hand sanitizers, laundry detergents, floor cleaners, disinfectants and foods among others.
Jokes to the rescue in times of quarantine: Comedians connect with people online
- A cure for coronavirus may still take a while but armed with sharp jokes, quick rebuttals, and topical observations, Indian stand-up comics are trying to calm and entertain people via social media in what appears to be a long period of self-isolation.
- Comedians Karunesh Talwar, Neeti Palta, Sahil Shah, Sorabh Pant and Sumaira Shaikh, all known for their quick-witted, observational humour, are reconnecting with fans online to spread some much needed cheer in the time of COVID-19 outbreak.
- Karunesh, who is selective about sharing content on social media, said the idea behind putting a ‘Random Jokes’ video on Monday was to do something instead of staying stuck at home.
MHA asks private security agencies not to lay off or cut salaries of guards during 21-day lockdown
Number of COVID-19 cases in India rises to 562 (including 40 cured/discharged and 9 deaths): Union Health Ministry
Bangladesh shuts down its public transport, educational institutions, offices and other places of social gathering
A 33-year-old Pilibhit resident tests positive; confirmed case of contact transmission, says doctor
ICC Board video conference to discuss contingency plans for COVID-19 on Friday
- The member nations of the International Cricket Council will be engaged in a video conference on Friday to discuss contingency plans for upcoming ICC events in the wake of global travel restrictions to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The high-profile ICC T20 World Cup scheduled in Australia from mid-October along with the bilateral Test series in the World Test Championship schedule could be in for a rejig in case the lockdown continues for another two months. However, one ICC Board member made it clear that no decision will be taken during Friday’s video conference. “It’s more about an update on contingency planning at this stage.
- In case of an extreme situation, there should be plan B and C ready.
- So, we board members need to understand the options available,” the veteran administrator said. “Obviously, the situation currently is very serious and COVID-19 and its implications is on the agenda.
- But if you think logically, World T20 is in October and final of World Test Championship is in June, 2021.
Number of coronavirus cases rises to 562; active cases stand at 512: Health Ministry data
Sensex rises over 500 points on global stimulus package hopes
MHA asks states to check rumour-mongering about shortage of food, essential commodities
277 people evacuated from coronavirus-hit Iran land at Jodhpur airport in Rajasthan: Defence spokesperson
48 Covid-19 patients recover across India, reports TOI
DPIT issues instruction to state authorities “to not obstruct and call for closure of food processing units”
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIT) issues instruction to state authorities “to not obstruct and call for closure of food processing units”. #21daysLockdown #COVID19
5 people in Indore test positive for coronavirus: MP health official
Meanwhile, Sensex at 27,138.97; up by 464.94 points
PM Modi to hold Cabinet meet at residence as nation goes under lockdown
Ivanka lauds Indian hotel chain OYO for offering free stays to doctors in US amid COVID19 crisis
OYO Hotels are offering free stays to our amazing medical professionals and first responders fighting this virus on the frontlines.
These kinds of impactful acts of benevolence are what help keep this Nation and our world #TogetherApart.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oyo-hotels–homes-offers-free-stays-to-medical-personnel-fighting-the-spread-of-covid-19-301029003.html …OYO Hotels & Homes Offers Free Stays to Medical Personnel Fighting the Spread of COVID-19
/PRNewswire/ — OYO Hotels & Homes is opening the doors to its hotels and offering free stays to doctors, nurses and other medical first responders who are…
prnewswire.com
Bengal converts state-run hospital into COVID-19 isolation, treatment facility
- The West Bengal government has started discharging patients from a state-run hospital and stopped admitting new ones to the institute to convert the entire facility into an isolation and treatment centre for people suspected to be infected with coronavirus, a senior health official said on Wednesday.
- “From Tuesday, we have started discharging patients who are in better condition from Medical College Hospital, Kolkata.
- We have also stopped admitting new patients, especially those who are pregnant and are referring them to other hospitals.
- “This is as per the state government’s plan to convert the entire hospital, which has 2,200 beds, into an isolation and treatment centre for persons suspected to be infected with the coronavirus,” he said.
I want assure all my fellow citizens that the guidelines for Maharashtra stays as is. All the essential services & goods will be available.
– Maha CM
Get home delivery of essential items on call in Maharashtra’s Sangli
Northeast on maximum alert after first positive coronavirus case in Manipur
- Northeast India was put on maximum alert after the first positive case of coronavirus in the region was reported from Manipur.
- Health authorities are tracing the people who came in contact with the person, who stayed in Kolkata and Imphal.
- “One 23-year-old Manipuri person returning from the UK tested positive on Tuesday,” Manipur Director of Health services K Rajo Singh said.
An example of Social distancing
An example of Social distancing outside a grocery shop…
PM Modi to interact with citizens of Varanasi via video conferencing, today at 5 pm
Delhi temples follow coronavirus lockdown as Navratri begins
- Despite the occasion of the first day of ‘Chaitra Navratri’, all major temples in the national capital remained closed on Monday, amid the countrywide lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19.
- Jhandewalan Temple, earlier closed till March 31, has now been shut till further notice following the imposition of the lockdown.
- Very few devotees offered prayers from outside the temple premises.
Delhi Customs provided smooth clearance to 277 pax arriving from Iran through special flight
#IndiaFightsCorona https://twitter.com/delhicustoms/status/1242619232929505280 …
Delhi Customs@DelhicustomsDelhi Customs provided smooth clearance at remote bay to 277 pax arriving from Iran through special flight. Prescribed guidelines due to threat from #COVID19 were complied with. Citizens are appealed to strictly comply with #21daysLockdown & #HelpUsToHelpYou #IndiaFightsCorona
Key medical glove factories cutting staff 50 per cent amid virus
- Malaysia’s medical glove factories, which make most of the world’s critical hand protection, are operating at half capacity just when they’re most needed, The Associated Press has learned.
- Health care workers snap gloves on as the first line of protection against catching COVID-19 from patients, and they’re crucial to protecting patients as well.
- But medical-grade glove supplies are running low globally, even as more feverish, sweating and coughing patients arrive in hospitals by the day.
Just In: India bans exports of hydroxychloroquine, formulations made from hydroxychloroquine
Another person test positive in Patna; total number of cases rise to 4 in Bihar
- The person is 29 years old and had returned to Patna from Gujarat’s Bhavnagar.
- His travel history would be thoroughly checked by the administration: Ajay Sinha, Nodal Officer, Nalanda Medical College, and Hospital.
Fighting Covid: Police in Bengaluru distributed food to the needy yesterday
Karnataka: Police in Bengaluru distributed food to the needy yesterday, visuals from Peenya area. (Pics source: Bengaluru Police) #21daysLockdown #COVID19
Marking festivals at a time when our nation is battling the COVID-19 menace: PM
We are marking these festivals at a time when our nation is battling the COVID-19 menace.
The celebrations will not be like they are usually but they will strengthen our resolve to overcome our circumstances.
May we keep working to fight COVID-19 together.
Mahan Air flight carrying 277 Indian passengers landed at Delhi airport today early morning from Tehran, Iran
SGX Nifty indicates a negative opening for Indian indices
Private hospitals to treat Covid—19 from tomorrow
- Private hospitals will begin treatment and admission of Covid-19 patients from Thursday.
- After a surge of Covid-19 cases in India and a possible threat of community transmission, the government has roped in private hospitals and directed them to begin admissions.
- So far, the private healthcare institutions were only required to collect throat swab samples for suspected Covid-19 patients and advise them to home quarantine while awaiting test results.
May we all come together to win the important battle that the nation faces against COVID-19, wishes PM
Navreh Mubarak!
May this festival fill everyone’s life with good health and happiness.
May we all come together to win the important battle that the nation faces against COVID-19.
G20 extraordinary virtual leaders’ summit to be held tomorrow to advance coordinated global response to COVID-19
E-Commerce website Flipkart temporarily suspends its services
Govt gives power to zonal DCs to take strict action against landlords evicting doctors, paramedics
- The government on Wednesday gave power to zonal Deputy Commissioners to take “strict penal action” against landlords who have been forcing doctors and paramedical staff, engaged in fighting the novel coronavirus, to vacate their rented premises.
- According to a government notification, such behaviour “not only strikes at the root of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic but also tantamount to obstruction of duty of essential services”.
- Invoking the Delhi Epidemics Diseases, Covid-19 Regulations, it said the district magistrates, zonal deputy commissioners of municipal corporations and the deputy commissioner of police are “directed to take strict penal action against such landlords and house owners under the relevant provisions of law”.
Pakistan’s coronavirus tally nears 1000; 7 dead
- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan has risen to 990, including 410 in the southeastern province of Sindh alone, while seven people, including a doctor, have died of the infection in the country.
- Outside of Sindh, the eastern province of Punjab has reported the most cases — 296, the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported 78 cases, Balochistan has reported 110, while capital Islamabad has reported 15, as per Dawn.
- The country has decided to suspend all domestic flights from March 26 onward as part of the measures to contain the spread of the virus.
First two cases of Maharashtra are now tested negative
Trump seeks S.Korea’s help for medical equipment to tackle coronavirus
- South Korea said it will send medical equipment to the United States to fight the coronavirus if it has any spare after an urgent request from U.S. President Donald Trump in which he promised to help Korean firms gain U.S. government approval.
- The news, which sent shares in South Korean manufacturers of test kits for the virus rocketing higher, highlights the diverging paths the two countries have taken since both discovered their first coronavirus cases on the same day.
- After a big early outbreak, South Korea rolled out widespread testing within days, swiftly launching an aggressive programme to isolate confirmed cases and trace their contacts.
- It won praise for slowing the spread of the disease with comparatively little disruption and just 125 deaths, and has brought the number of new infections per day to below 100 for the past 13 straight days.
First known US child virus death was teen ‘in good health’
- The first known death of a child due to the novel coronavirus in the United States was a teenager in previously good health, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Tuesday.
- The death of the youth from Lancaster, just north of Los Angeles, was reported hours earlier by public health officials, and comes despite the disease not typically proving severe for juveniles.
- “A teenager in good health, succumbed to this virus,” said Garcetti.
- “To the young people that are out there — this can hit you too. Know that your behavior can save a life, and can take a life. And that life could be yours,” he added.
- The victim’s identity and sex were not specified.
In Delhi: Jhandewalan Mandir remains closed for devotees amid Coronavirus lockdown, on the 1st day of ‘Chaitra Navratri’
U.S. lifts ban on Malaysian medical glove maker amid shortage
All states and Union Territories to set up a 24*7 control rooms/offices to address any grievances
Hubei lifts restrictions as China reports no new virus cases
- China lifted tough restrictions on the province at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday after a months-long lockdown as the country reported no new domestic cases.
- But there were another 47 imported infections from overseas, the National Health Commission said, as the number of cases brought into the country continued to swell.
- In total, 474 imported infections have been diagnosed in China — mostly Chinese nationals returning home according to the foreign ministry.
- Four more people died, health officials said Wednesday, three in central Hubei province where the virus first emerged late last year.
China reports 47 new COVID-19 cases, 0 in Wuhan
- China reports 47 new COVID-19 cases, says all linked to recent arrivals.
- Iowa Gov. announces state’s first death related to outbreak.
- Arizona police say reported theft of coronavirus test kits wasn’t theft at all.
- Los Angeles County reports what may be first confirmed U.S. death of child from virus.
Essential commodities shops to remain open from 7 am to 10 am in Uttarakhand
- All shops related to essential commodities will open from 7 am till 10 am in the state, Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Office.
- There will be no movement on the roads after 10 am.
- Uttarakhand Chief Secretary has directed all District Magistrates, Senior Superintendent of Police and Superintendent of Police in the state to ensure the enforcement of 21-day lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the wake of COVID-19.
COVID-19: 402 cases registered for lockdown violations in Kerala
- On the first day of lockdown in Kerala on Tuesday, the police have registered 402 cases across the state for violating guidelines.
- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that people should take the lockdown seriously and strictly adhere to government instructions.
54-yr-old COVID-19 patient dies in Tamil Nadu
- A 54-year-old man infected with coronavirus died at a hospital in the early hours of Wednesday, the first death recorded in Tamil Nadu due to the contagion, state Health Minister C Vijayabaskar said.
- He also said the man had a medical history of prolonged illness with “uncontrolled diabetes”.
- “Despite our best efforts, the COVID-19 positive patient at MDU, Rajaji Hospital, passed away… he had a medical history of prolonged illness with steroid-dependent COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), uncontrolled diabetes with hypertension,” the health minister tweeted.
- On Tuesday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state rose to 18 after six more people, including three women, tested positive for coronavirus.
Female doctor alleges manhandling by Telangana cop during curfew
- A doctor has allegedly manhandled by a Telangana cop while she was going to the hospital for an emergency case amid curfew in the state.
- “I was called for an emergency so I had to report to the duty. On my way, I was stopped by the police officers at night. I showed my ID but he ceased my ID. He also took my phone. He manhandled me. I had explained that I am a doctor and it is time to attending duties. But Khammam Cop Ganesh dragged me to the police station. There were no women police officials,” Dr Himabindhu told ANI.
Puducherry: Police conducted checks on the non-essential movement of people amid Coronavirus Lockdown
Chhattisgarh govt to provide rice in April, May to poor families for free
- Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel-led government has decided to give rice in the month of April and May free of cost to the poor families of the state in the view of coronavirus outbreak.
- “With reference to this, orders have also been issued to all the district collectors by the Food Department of the state government. Under the management of prevention of infection of Corona virus (Covid-19), a sigh of major relief has been provided to the poor families by the state government,” read an official release.
Jordan eases nationwide curfew and allows shops to open
Sabarimala Temple festival cancelled in view of nationwide lockdown
- In view of the countrywide lockdown, the Sabarimala Temple festival which was scheduled to begin on March 29 has been cancelled.
- Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has also decided to cancel all festivals in other temples of Kerala that comes under the Board.