00:07 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Nagpur remains in Covid-19 red zone till May 31: Civic chief
Nagpur municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Thursday said the city will continue to remain in Covid-19 red zone till 31 May when the fourth phase of the lockdown is slated to end.
The Maharashtra government's new guidelines issued early this week, in which Nagpur was not in red zone, would not come into effect in the city, he said.
The government on Tuesday had announced categorisation of various areas into red and non red zones for the purpose of allowing or restricting business and other activities in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
(PTI)
23:57 (IST)
Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates
104 Russians left for Moscow from Kerala today
104 Russian nationals boarded a special flight for Moscow from Trivandrum, earlier on Thursday.
Kerala: 104 Russian nationals boarded a special flight for Moscow from Trivandrum, earlier today#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/HDpH3nSzE7
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2020
23:52 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
SpiceJet chairman lauds Centre's norms to ensure social distancing in aircraft
Ajay Singh, Chairman and MD, SpiceJet Ltd was quoted by CNN-News18 as saying, "Let’s just get started for the time being. Let’s make sure that we do it well and smoothly. We don’t create the impression of being carriers of infection and we build confidence in all stakeholders including passengers.
"The distance between aisle seat and window seat is actually just 17 inches. So it doesn’t really fulfill any social distancing norms. We commend MoCA for putting that point across and making sure that we could fly without middle seat vacant.
"Very grateful that flying operations have started, Aircraft cabins are safest mode of travelling. Grateful to the minister to open airlines so soon. We have discussed every possible step with govt. Web checkin is a very efficient system..its very cost saving. Lets get started with the first step. We have to build confidence of all the passengers.."
23:48 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Delhi Police says 7 people test positive in West dist's wireless control room
The Delhi Police on Thursday said that seven people hvave been found positive for COVID-19 at the Wireless Control Room in West district. 30 staff members advised home quarantine. The control room has been shut for 5 days.
23:38 (IST)
Coronavirus in Nepal Latest Updates
Nepal records third COVID-19 death today
A 41-year-old Nepalese man died on Thursday, becoming the third person to succumb to the coronavirus in the country on a day when 26 new Covid-19 cases were reported, the health ministry said.
(PTI)
23:27 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Uddhav Thackeray to join Opposition meeting, says report
"Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray will join the video conference meeting of opposition parties called by Congress President Sonia Gandhi tomorrow, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said," News18 reported.
23:22 (IST)
Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates
73-yr-old woman succumbs to COVID-19 in Kerala
The Kerala government said that a 73-year-old woman died due to COVID-19 in Thrissur, on Thursday. She was admitted to the hospital after she developed respiratory problems on her return from Mumbai on 20 May.
23:12 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Delhi govt to continue 'special corona fee' on liquor
"The Delhi government will continue to charge 70 per cent ''special corona fee'' as of now on sale of liquor, an official said today. A rumour spread on Thursday evening that the government was going to roll back the special fee. Sources said that the issue of special corona fee was informally discussed in a meeting of the Cabinet, even as there was no decision on it," News18 reported.
23:04 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
IndiGo to operate 97 repatriation flights between Kerala & gulf nations
IndiGo on Thursday said it would be operating 97 repatriation flights between Kerala and four countries in the Middle East to bring back Indians stranded there amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"Adhering to all precautionary measures, the flights will be operated between Kerala and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Doha, Kuwait and Muscat," the airline said in a press release.
IndiGo has been granted nearly half of the total 180 repatriation flights allotted to private airlines, the budget carrier said.
(PTI)
22:58 (IST)
Coronavirus in West Bengal Latest Updates
94 new COVID-19 cases reported in Bengal
The West Bengal health department said that 94 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported on Thursday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 3,197.
22:47 (IST)
Coronavirus in Haryana Latest Updates
COVID-19 cases in Haryana rise to 1,031 today
Total number of COVID-19 cases in Haryana is now 1,031 with 38 new positive cases reported on Thursday, the state health department said.
22:40 (IST)
Coronavirus in Rajasthan Latest Updates
212 new COVID-19 cases reported in Rajasthan today
The Rajasthan health department said that 212 COVID-19 positive cases were reported in the state, taking the total number of positive cases to 6,227.
22:32 (IST)
Coronavirus in Bihar Latest Updates
Bihar reports 7 new COVID-19 cases
Seven new coronavirus positive cases were reported in Bihar on Thursday, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 1,987, the state government said.
22:20 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
1,382 new COVID-19 cases reported in Mumbai today
1382 new COVID19 cases reported today, taking the total number of positive cases in Mumbai to 25,317: Municipal Corporation Greater Mumbai
#Maharashtra
22:06 (IST)
Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh Latest Updates
248 new COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths reported in MP today
"In Madhya Pradesh, the Health Department has reported the detection of 248 new cases and 4 deaths over the last 24 hours. The state now has 5,981 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 271 casualties owing to the infection. Out of the total cases, 2,843 patients have recovered to date," India Today reported.
21:57 (IST)
Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates
Pinarayi Vijayan pays tribute to nurse who died battling Nipah
Amid the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Thursday lauded healthworkers for their selfless service and paid tributes to a nurse who lost her life in the line of duty during the deadly Nipah outbreak of 2018.
Lini Puthussery died after contracting Nipah from a patient she took care of at a Perambra hospital in Kozhikode district in 2018. Nipah had claimed 17 lives in the state.
"Today, we remember sister Lini, the brave nurse who lost her life in the line of duty during the Nipah outbreak of 2018.
The selfless service of people like her form a protective shield over humanity.Lest we forget them," Vijayan tweeted.
The chief minister said the state was remembering Lini at a time when the world was fighting another deadly virus, COVID-19 and thousands of health workers like her are the strength of Kerala in this struggle.
(PTI)
21:49 (IST)
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
Over 15 lakh migrants have arrived in UP by special trains, says govt
Over 15 lakh migrants hailing from Uttar Pradesh, who were stranded in different parts of the country due to the COVID-19-induced lockdown, have returned to the state in 881 trains since the 'Shramik Special' service was launched, an official said.
The railways had started the migrant special trains on May 1 after the central government gave its approval for transportation of stranded workers on the railway network during the lockdown.
In the next two days, 313 more trains carrying migrant workers will arrive in various districts of Uttar Pradesh, Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Information, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, told reporters here.
He said, "881 trains have arrived in the state with over 15 lakh migrants. In next two days, 313 trains are likely to arrive. Till now, over 20 lakh migrants have arrived in the state on trains, buses and by other means of transports."
(PTI)
21:38 (IST)
Coronavirus in Odisha Latest Updates
Odisha health update today:
Total positive cases — 1,107
Recovered — 393
Toll — 07
Active cases — 703
21:31 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
43-year-old Pune Police constable succumbs to COVID-19
A 43-year-old Pune Police constable succumbed to coronavirus on Thursday morning.
Pune City Police Commissioner K Venkatesham tweeted, “My colleague in Pune City Police force, constable Deepak Nathuram Sawant, who was bravely fighting the battle against coronavirus, achieved martyrdom today morning. Tributes on behalf of the police force.”
21:26 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre says lockdown period has been 'gainfully utilised'
"The Union health ministry said the period of lockdown has been gainfully utilised to "ramp up the health infrastructure", with around 3,027 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals and 7,013 care centers being readied across the country to fight the disease. The announcement came after some media reports questioned the country's preparedness to deal with the highly infectious disease," News18 reported.
21:20 (IST)
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand Latest Updates
Uttarakhand reports 24 new COVID-19 cases
The Uttarakhand health department reported 24 new COVID-19 cases till 8 pm on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 146.
21:09 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Intra-district ST buses to resume in Maharashtra from 22 May
The MSRTC was quoted by India Today as saying that intra-district ST bus services will resume from 22 May in Maharashtra "subject to certain conditions, red zones and COVID-19 containment areas excluded".
21:01 (IST)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates
Special trains with 456 migrants leaves Tamil Nadu for Bihar
Shramik Special train carrying 456 stranded migrants from Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu) & 1144 stranded migrants from Madurai (Tamil Nadu) will reach Supau (Bihar) on 23 May: Public Relations Officer, Southern Railway. pic.twitter.com/GdxwbgiwsA
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2020
20:57 (IST)
Coronavirus in Telangana Latest Updates
38 new COVID-19 cases reported in Telangana today
The Telangana health department said that 38 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the state on Thursday, taking the total number of positive cases to 1,699.
20:46 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
2,345 new COVID-19 cases reported in Maharashtra today
The total number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra crossed 40,000 with 2,345 new cases reported on Thursday. 64 new deaths were also reported, taking the toll to 1,454.
20:33 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Woman constable succumbs to COVID-19 in Thane
The Thane Police said that a 45-year-old woman constable died on Thursday due to COVID-19. "She is the first police woman who died due to coronavirus," the statement added.
20:25 (IST)
Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates
Karnataka govt says no inter-district checkposts in state
The Karnataka government on Thursday said that there are no inter-district check-posts for health screening in the state.
"Agencies running public transport to ensure health screening of passengers before the start of a journey. No health screening of passengers travelling by private vehicles across districts in the state," the statement added.
20:11 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
IndiGo to operate 97 repatriation flights to Kerala
IndiGo to operate 97 repatriation flights between Kerala and Saudi Arabia, Doha, Kuwait and Muscat, the airlines said on Thursday.
20:09 (IST)
Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates
Weddings exempted from lockdown restrictions for 1 week in Karnataka
The Karnataka government on Thursday said that weddings which have been scheduled from 24 to 31 May will be exempted from complete lockdown on Sundays.
20:00 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Railways says tickets of passengers travelling within Maharashtra stand cancelled
"Inter-district travel is prohibited in Maharastra. The tickets of all passengers whose originating as well as terminating stations fall within Maharashtra be cancelled and a full refund be issued without deduction of any cancellation charges," said the Railway Board, Ministry of Railways on Thursday.
Inter-district travel is prohibited in #Maharastra. The tickets of all passengers whose originating as well as terminating stations fall within Maharashtra be cancelled and a full refund be issued without deduction of any cancellation charges: Railway Board, Ministry of Railways pic.twitter.com/FTbSR5jnxL
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2020
19:46 (IST)
Coronavirus in Assam Latest Updates
Eight new COVID-19 patients reported in Assam
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that as of 6.30 pm on Thursday, eight more coronavirus cases were reported in the state.
📌Alert ~ Eight persons found #COVID19 positive - 3 from Kokrajhar; 2 from Sivasagar; 2 from Dhubri; 1 from Dibrugarh.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 21, 2020
↗️Total cases 199
↗️Recovered 54
↗️Active cases 138
↗️Deaths 04
↗️Migrated 03
Update 6.30 pm / May 21#AssamCovidCount pic.twitter.com/GL14KKIF7J
19:42 (IST)
Coronavirus in Arunachal Pradesh Latest Updates
Arunachal governor says ensure safety of 'corona warriors'
Arunachal Pradesh governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra on Thursday stressed on the need to ensure safety, security and logistic requirement of frontline "corona warriors" in the state for successful containment of the virus, according to a press release issued by Raj Bhavan.
Doctors, paramedics, policemen, sanitation workers and others engaged in different duties in the fight against the COVID-19 are called "corona warriors".
During a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein at the Raj Bhavan here, the governor asked the state government to ensure safety of the frontline "COVID-19 warriors" by providing them adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and necessary medical gears, including masks and gloves.
Mishra also said, all Standard Operating procedures (SoPs) should be maintained while dealing with returnees from outside the state.
(PTI)
19:36 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
MHA says states should ensure night curfew from 7 pm to 7 am
The MHA on Thursday said that state governments should "ensure night curfew or prohibition of all non-essential activities between 7 pm and 7 am".
"Proper delineation of containment zones, effective implementation of containment measures key to prevent spread of COVID-19," the statement added.
19:27 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
47 new COVID-19 cases reported in Mumbai's Dharavi today
The BMC said that 47 new coronavirus cases were reported in Mumbai's Dharavi on Thursday, taking the total number of patients in the area to 1,425. However, no deaths were reported on Thursday.
19:19 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Devendra Fadnavis slams Uddhav Thackeray over COVID-19 situation
Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis criticised the Uddhav Thackeray government over its efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
He said, "Maharashtra is the most affected state and it seems situation in Mumbai has gone out of the hand of the government. The government made strategical errors since the beginning of the first lockdown. The chief minister (Thackeray) is new and has no administrative experience."
19:12 (IST)
Coronavirus in Rajasthan Latest Updates
Sachin Pilot says self-attestation sufficient for migrants to get MGNREGA job cards in Rajasthan
Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Thursday said self-attestation would suffice for issuance of job cards under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to migrant workers coming back to the state without required documents.
All officials have been directed that workers who have come from outside the state should not suffer and it should be ensured that their job cards are issued without any hassle, Pilot said.
"Workers who have come from outside the state are already upset. In such a situation, they should not suffer more. Even if someone cannot provide any document, job card under MGNREGA would be provided on the basis of self-attestation," Pilot told reporters here on Thursday.
(PTI)
19:07 (IST)
Coronavirus in Punjab Latest Updates
23 new COVID-19 cases reported in Punjab
The Punjab health department said that 23 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the state on Thursday, taking the total number of cases in Punjab to 2,028.
19:00 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre tells states to ensure implementation of MHA guidelines
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday instructed all state governments to "strictly implement all measures to contain COVID-19". The statement added, "Local authorities must take all necessary steps to enforce the guidelines."
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to States- Violations of MHA Guidelines being reported at various places. States/UTs must strictly implement all measures to contain #COVID19. Local authorities must take all necessary steps to enforce the guidelines: MHA Spokesperson pic.twitter.com/UxzJTnnnoR
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2020
18:48 (IST)
Coronavirus in Odisha Latest Updates
Odisha govt says 1,103 COVID-19 cases reported so far
The Odisha government said that the total number of coronavirus cases in the state stands at 1,103, including 393 recovered/discharged, seven deaths and 703 active cases.
18:43 (IST)
Coronavirus in Assam Latest Updates
Criminal case will be filed against violators of mandatory quarantine, says Assam govt
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that anybody found violating the mandatory quarantine of 14 days, will have "a criminal case filed against them and they will be arrested".
"Nobody will be spared no matter how powerful or influential he/she is," he added.
18:40 (IST)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates
776 new COVID-19 cases reported in Tamil Nadu today
Tamil Nadu health minister C Vijayabaskar said that 776 new coronavirus cases and seven deaths were reported in the state on Thursday, of which 567 cases are from Chennai. 400 patients have been discharged on Thursday.
18:32 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
MEA says 23,475 people repatriated so far
"Ministry of Civil Aviation is in talks with private airlines to engage them in Vande Bharat Mission. 23,475 people have safely returned to India under the mission till date," said MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava.
18:20 (IST)
Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir Latest Updates
Jammu and Kashmir govt says over 80,000 stranded outside have been brought back
The Jammu and Kashmir government said that 83,334 residents stranded in other states and UTs have been brought back. This includes 63,109 residents brought back by road, 19,724 by special COVID-19 and Shramik trains and 501 passengers including students through special flights.
18:13 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Petition in Delhi HC seeking release of 916 Tablighi Jamaat attendees from quarantine
A petition has been moved in Delhi HC seeking the release of 916 foreign nationals related to the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi's Nizammudin, who are lodged at an institutional quarantine facility in Delhi, ANI reported. The plea states that they have been lodged there despite being tested negative for COVID-19.
18:07 (IST)
Coronavirus in Himachal Pradesh Latest Updates
COVID-19 cases in Himachal stand at 137
The Himachal Pradesh health department said that the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state stands at 137 now, including 51 discharged patients and three deaths. The number of active cases is 79.
17:55 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Nine new COVID-19 cases, 1 death reported in CRPF today
The CRPF said that nine new cases of coronavirus and one death have been reported in the force on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 335 and fatalities to two in the force. 121 jawans are undergoing treatment, the statement added.
17:48 (IST)
Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates
Karnataka reports 143 new COVID-19 cases
The Karnataka health department said that 143 new coronavirus cases have been reported in the state from 5pm on Wednesday till 5 pm on Thursday, taking the total number of positive cases to 1,605. There are 992 active cases.
17:41 (IST)
Coronavirus in Assam Latest Updates
Himanta Biswa Sarma says 112 COVID-19 patients came from outside Assam
"Out of 191 positive cases in the state, 112 have come from outside. 36 are related to Tablighi and 32 are connected with the Aaloo Godown incident in Guwahati. Source of 9 positive cases could not be detected so far," said Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
"So far 37,000 persons have entered the state after the home ministry lifted ban on interstate travel. 12 lakh people more are yet to come," he added.
17:27 (IST)
Coronavirus in Assam Latest Updates
Assam will implement 'ruthless' quarantine policy, says govt
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state government will "implement a ruthless quarantine with a human heart".
He added that deputy commissioners can spend Rs 500 per day per head on food for people in institutional quarantine.
"Quarantine will now be divided into 7 day (institutional) and 7 day (home). Rs 13,000 will be spent per head in the entire period of quarantine for an individual. Needs during home quarantine will also be funded by the government," he said.
17:15 (IST)
Coronavirus in Assam Latest Updates
Assam govt says 8 districts are COVID-19 free
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that of the total 33 districts in the state, eight districts are COVID-19 free. He is addressing a press conference on the COVID-19 situation in the state.
Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: The MHA on Thursday said that state governments should "ensure night curfew or prohibition of all non-essential activities between 7 pm and 7 am".
"Proper delineation of containment zones, effective implementation of containment measures key to prevent spread of COVID-19," the statement added.
The BMC said that 47 new coronavirus cases were reported in Mumbai's Dharavi on Thursday, taking the total number of patients in the area to 1,425. However, no deaths were reported on Thursday.
Tamil Nadu health minister C Vijayabaskar said that 776 new coronavirus cases and seven deaths were reported in the state on Thursday, of which 567 cases are from Chennai. 400 patients have been discharged on Thursday.
The Jammu and Kashmir government said that 83,334 residents stranded in other states and UTs have been brought back. This includes 63,109 residents brought back by road, 19,724 by special COVID-19 and Shramik trains and 501 passengers including students through special flights.
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state government will "implement a ruthless quarantine with a human heart".
He added that deputy commissioners can spend Rs 500 per day per head on food for people in institutional quarantine.
"Quarantine will now be divided into 7 day (institutional) and 7 day (home). Rs 13,000 will be spent per head in the entire period of quarantine for an individual. Needs during home quarantine will also be funded by the government," he said.
The Telangana director general of police Mahender Reddy on Thursday said that a police constable had passed away due to coronavirus in the state-run Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad.
News18 reported that this is the first fatality in Telangana police force due to COVID-19.
"The constable, posted at one of the check-posts in the old city, had tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday and was undergoing treatment at the state-run Gandhi Hospital," the report said.
The Delhi government said that 571 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in the last 24 hours. Additionally, 375 people have also recovered. The total number of cases in Delhi stands at 11,659, including 5,567 recovered/discharged/migrated and 194 deaths, the statement said.
The civil aviation ministry on Thursday said that they have set minimum and maximum fares. "For Delhi-Mumbai minimum fare Rs 3500 for a 90-120 minutess journey and the max fare would be Rs 10,000. Within these bands, we have some other qualifiers."
Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary, Civil Aviation said, "For example if we take the Delhi-Mumbai route, the lowest fare prescribed is Rs 3,500 while the upper limit is Rs 10,000. How this works is airlines have a system of buckets, this fare band is split into buckets and then airlines allot seats in different buckets. Only a lower and upper cap may create problems as airlines may sell all at the highest price. So we are putting a second rider, that 40% of the seats have to be sold at a fare less the mid-point of the band, which is around Rs 6,000."
We have set minimum and maximum fares. For Delhi-Mumbai minimum fare Rs 3500 for a 90-120 mins journey and the max fare would be Rs 10,000. Within these bands, we have some other qualifiers, Union civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri while addressing the media said, 'Centre is planning to ramp up flights to bring back more stranded Indians from overseas. Private airlines to join efforts to bring back Indian citizens stranded abroad.' He announced that 20,000 stranded Indians brought back under Vande Bharat Mission.
A case has been registered against Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Karnataka in connection with a tweet posted on the party's official handle alleging misuse of PM-CARES Fund, police said.
Domestic flights will resume on 25 May with limited operations, with airlines operating one-third of their schedule. The government has asked airlines to adhere to 'the lower and upper limits of fares prescribed by the Ministry during the period of COVID- t9 pandemic'.
Almost 1.50 lakh tickets were booked within two hours of opening the bookings for the 100 pairs of passenger trains that the railways will operationalise on 1 June, officials said Thursday.
The Civil Aviation Ministry on Thursday has announced that only one-third of operations would be commenced on 25 May. Only passengers with confirmed web check-in can enter the airport, no physical check-in at airport counters, the ministry said.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has directed civic officials to acquire at least 100 beds, including 10 in ICUs, of private nursing homes and small hospitals in all 24 wards of Mumbai in the wake of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city. The tally of cases in the country's financial capital thus reached 23,935 and toll rose to 841.
Aviation stocks on Thursday rallied up to 10 per cent in opening trade after the government announced that domestic passenger flight services will resume from 25 May in a calibrated manner. Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is set to hold a press conference at 3 pm on Thursday.
With 45,300 COVID-19 patients cured, India's recovery rate reaches 40.31 percent. The total cases rise to 1,12,359, according to the Health Ministry. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that 26,15,920 samples were tested for COVID-19 in the country till 9.00 am today. About 1,03,532 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.
The Airports Authority of India has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to all its airports for recommencement of domestic commercial flight operations from 25 May. As per the guidelines, all passengers must compulsorily be registered with the Aarogya Setu app on their phones. Children below 14 years have been exempted.
83 new COVID19 cases and 3 deaths were reported in Rajasthan today, as of 9 am. The total number of cases in the state is now at 6098, including 2527 active cases and 150 deaths, reports ANI.
The total confirmed COVID-19 cases in India have risen to 1,12,359, according to the latest update from the Union Health Ministry on Thursday. The toll due to the novel virus has risen to 3,435. With 39,297 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, Maharashtra remains the worst-affected state in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu (13,191) and Gujarat (12,537).
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) vice-chairman and managing director Madireddy Pratap on Wednesday informed that the intrastate bus services will start from Thursday except in the containment zones amid the coronavirus lockdown.
People in the age group of 50-59 years constituted over 26 percent of the total COVID-19 fatalities in the National Capital, according to official figures. At least 176 people have died in Delhi due to the coronavirus, authorities said.
Ninety-six people tested positive for COVID-19 in Bihar on Wednesday, raising the total number of coronavirus cases confirmed in the state so far to 1,675, an official said in Patna. Meanwhile, the United States has recorded 1,561 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 93,406, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The nationwide total of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to over 1.06 lakh on Wednesday as India witnessed the highest single-day spike of 5,611 new cases. The country also reported 140 deaths in 24 hours, taking the toll to 3,303.
The Union health ministry said the recovery rate among those having tested positive has risen to nearly 40 percent, from about seven percent before the lockdown began on 25 March. It also said that than less seven percent of patients require hospital support.
The Ministry for Civil Aviation announced a gradual resumption of domestic flights from 25 May amid mounting worries over the country's economy.
Highest single-day increase in cases takes total to 1,06,750
According to the 8 am update issued by the health ministry, the COVID-19 toll has risen to 3,303 as 140 more deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. The country also witnessed a sharp increase of 5,611 new cases, taking the total number of infections to 1,06,750.
Of the 140 deaths reported since Monday morning, 76 were from Maharashtra, 25 from Gujarat, six each from West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, five each from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, three each from Tamil Nadu Karnataka and Telangana, two each from Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and one each from Odhisha and Punjab.
Of the 3,303 fatalities, Maharashtra has reported the highest number of deaths with 1,325 fatalities, followed by Gujarat at 719, Madhya Pradesh at 258, West Bengal at 250, Delhi at 168, Rajasthan at 143, Uttar Pradesh at 123, Tamil Nadu at 84 and Andhra Pradesh at 52.
The toll reached 40 in Karnataka, 38 each in Punjab and Telangana. Jammu and Kashmir has reported 17 fatalities due to the disease and Haryana 14. Bihar has registered nine deaths and Odisha five. Kerala and Assam have reported four deaths each.
Jharkhand, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh each have recorded three COVID-19 fatalities, while Meghalaya, Uttarakhand and Puducherry have reported one fatality each, according to the data shared by the health ministry.
As per the health ministry data updated in the morning, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country are from Maharashtra at 37,136. The state is followed by Tamil Nadu at 12,448, Gujarat at 12,140, Delhi at 10,554, Rajasthan at 5,845, Madhya Pradesh at 5,465 and Uttar Pradesh at 4,926.
The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 2,961 in West Bengal, 2,532 in Andhra Pradesh and 2,002 in Punjab. It has risen to 1,634 in Telangana, 1,498 in Bihar, 1,397 in Karnataka, 1,317 in Jammu and Kashmir and 978 in Odisha.
Haryana has reported 964 coronavirus infection cases so far, while Kerala has 642 cases. A total of 231 people have been infected with the virus in Jharkhand and 200 in Chandigarh.
Health ministry joint secretary Lav Agarwal said the total active COVID-19 cases now stands at 61,149 in the country and 42,298 people have recovered. The current recovery rate stands at 39.62 percent while it was 7.1 percent at the beginning of lockdown, he added.
The country went into a 21-day lockdown on 25 March, but it later got extended till 3 May in the second phase and then for another 14-day third phase till 17 May. A two-week-long fourth phase is now underway till 31 May, but with several restrictions having been relaxed to boost economic activities.
Domestic flights to gradually resume from 25 May
Announcing further relaxations, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Wednesday that domestic flights will resume in a calibrated manner from 25 May, two months after the services were shut due to the coronavirus.
Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday 25th May 2020.
All airports & air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from 25th May.
SOPs for passenger movement are also being separately issued by @MoCA_GoI.
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) May 20, 2020
Puri said that domestic flights will commence from 25 May, but initially, "only a small percentage of the total number of domestic flights will be operated".
"Then, depending on the experience we gain, we will increase the number of flights. I think Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) should not be made so onerous that it is difficult to be followed. We've now reached a happy balance and SOPs will be announced soon. Those will be the norms for some time," he added.
The minister, however, did not mention any update for international flights, which have also remained shut during the lockdown, barring for special flights being operated to bring back stranded Indians and expatriates from abroad.
Mounting concerns over economy
The aviation sector has been among the worst hit by the pandemic as various countries, including India, decided to suspend commercial flights completely to curb the spread of the virus. Several Indian carriers have resorted to pay cuts, layoffs and leave without pay for their staff members.
Similar is the situation for many other sectors, while a huge workforce shortage is looming large due to the return of lakhs of migrant workers to their native places after being rendered jobless, and even homeless in most cases, from most of the industrial clusters across the country where they were working before the lockdown.
Cab aggregator Ola is laying off 1,400 staff as its revenue declined by 95 percent in the last two months due to the coronavirus pandemic, CEO Bhavish Aggarwal said in an email to employees.
Rating agency Icra warned of a deep recession and drastically lowered its FY21 GDP forecast for Indian economy to a contraction of five percent, citing the very modest fiscal support, extension of the nationwide lockdown and the looming labour shortage.
The Congress party accused the government of implementing the lockdown in an unplanned manner and also alleged it does not have any exit strategy.
In Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Udhhav Thackeray interacted with representatives of the entertainment industry and asked them to prepare an action plan on limited resumption of film shooting and post-production activities by adhering to social distancing norms amidst the coronavirus-induced lockdown.
He, however, ruled out reopening of cinema halls or theatres anytime soon.
New cases reported in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu
Thackeray said the Union government feels that the spike in coronavirus cases will be higher by May-end and in June, but the spread has been controlled to a large extent in Maharashtra, which has been the worst-hit by the deadly virus with 39, 297 confirmed cases and 1,390 deaths. Of these, 2,500 infections and 65 deaths were reported on Tuesday with 41 succumbing to the viral infection in Mumbai.
The city also reported 1,372 cases pushing the total number of infections to 23,935 while the toll touched 841, according to the civic body.
Tamil Nadu, another badly affected state by the infection, reported 743 new cases to take its tally to 13,191, but also announced nearly 1,000 recoveries. Of the new cases, the state government said, 83 were returnees from Maharashtra.
The Gujarat health department said that 398 new coronavirus cases have been reported in the state in the last 24 hours. The total number cases in the state stands at 12,539, including 5,219 persons who were cured/discharged and 749 deaths. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani sought people's participation in a week-long online campaign on COVID-19 fight. "Now, it's a direct battle against coronavirus. We have to live with coronavirus and also fight against it," he said.
Notices were issued to at least 16 private hospitals in the state for allegedly refusing to admit COVID-19 patients referred to them by Ahmedabad's civic body. Ahmedabad, the worst coronavirus-afflicted district in Gujarat, has reported 9,216 cases and 602 deaths.
The Delhi government, in the meantime, launched an exercise to define its own red, orange and green zones — marking of areas based on COVID-19 case load, PTI quotes sources as saying. Currently, all 11 districts are marked as 'red' under the central government labelling. However, the Centre had in its revised guidelines issued on 17 May had given greater freedom to states to delineate zones as well impose additional lockdown restrictions.
New cases were reported across various other states as well, including in Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tripura, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sounded an alarm that the state was slowly heading towards a "more serious situation" as the total number of positive coronavirus cases in state reached 666. On Wednesday, 24 new cases were detected and all all but one are returnees— 12 from abroad and 11 from other states, including eight from Maharashtra.
"We are moving towards a more serious situation with each passing day. We have eased some restrictions. But in the coming days, we need to have stringent restrictions at certain regions. As Keralites from abroad and other states have started reaching the state, the number of patients is rising," Vijayan said.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the north-eastern states have done better than the rest of India in handling the COVID-19 situation. While Sikkim and Nagaland do not have a single COVID-19 positive case till date, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram had one patient each, who have since recovered.
Meghalaya had 13 cases in a hospital in Shillong due to a foreign traveller. The state recorded one death, but all the others have since recovered, Singh said. Meghalaya is also COVID-19 free now, while Assam has also handled the pandemic very well, he added.
A total of 48 persons have been discharged after recovery while four have succumbed to the viral infection in Assam and the number of active cases stands at 115, according to state minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Meanwhile, Manipur reported 11 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number of positive cases to 20.
Later in the evening, the health ministry said that its premises will remain closed till 6 am on Thursday as an official working with the Medical Education Section of Health Services has tested positive for COVID-19.
An official working with the Medical Education Section of Health Services tested positive for #COVID19. It has been decided to sanitize the concerned room in the premises. The premises to remain closed from 5:30 pm today till 6 am tomorrow: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare pic.twitter.com/Lbr0ZQAdIM
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
While experts have said that a vaccine is still many months or even a year away, all eyes are on US-based company Moderna's encouraging early results on a small group of healthy volunteers.
Eight candidate vaccines for COVID-19 are in the clinical evaluation, while 110 are in the preclinical stage, according to the WHO's latest draft landscape.
With inputs from PTI
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