India's coronavirus death toll crosses 20; all that happened today
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, India faces the challenges of its 21-day nationwide lockdown. In the national capital, several people came out in hordes to cross the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, to return to their native places on foot due to a travel shutdown. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court issued a notice to Centre over the evacuation of stranded Indians in Iran. Here's all that happened today.
Kerala worst-hit state, cases jump to 176
The latest update from India's Health Ministry, issued at 9:15 am Friday, reports 724 confirmed coronavirus cases in India, including 66 cured/discharged cases, 17 deaths, and one patient who migrated out of India. Since then, the cases in Kerala have spiked to a whopping 176, while those in Maharashtra jumped to 153. India's national tally has perhaps crossed 800. An official confirmation is awaited.
India's death toll crosses 20
The Health Ministry website reports 17 deaths in India. The website has yet to confirm the deaths of a 73-year-old man and a 60-year-old man in Rajasthan's Bhilwara. The website also hasn't updated the third COVID-19 death in Karnataka, a 65-year-old man in Tumakuru; and the fifth death in Maharashtra, a 65-year-old woman in Mumbai. These take the national death toll to 21.
60-year-old Yemeni national dies at Delhi hospital: Report
Including the latest reported death of a Yemeni national in Delhi, the national death toll stands at 22. The 60-year-old foreigner had been admitted to the Indraprastha Apollo hospital on March 24. He died from several co-morbidities, Delhi Health Department officials told Hindustan Times.
Delhi CM discusses COVID-19 strategy at C-40 leaders' meet
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal represented the city at the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, where he discussed strategy against COVID-19. Kejriwal said today that his government has a plan in place if the outbreak reaches stage 3, community transmission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed spreading awareness over COVID-19 with Radio Jockeys (RJs) through video conference.
In a first, Indian scientists capture image of novel coronavirus
Scientists in Pune managed to capture the image of the novel coronavirus responsible for the current COVID-19 outbreak using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). This could help advance studies into the behavior and evolution of the virus.
Army chief launches Operation Namaste against COVID-19
Indian Army chief General MM Naravane launched Operation Namaste to fight against COVID-19. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) extended the suspension of all domestic, non-scheduled and private flight operations till April 14. The Ministry of Human Resource Development postponed the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan allowed its school buildings to be used as temporary housing for likely COVID-19 cases.
Migrant workers leave Delhi on foot amid travel lockdown
Migrant workers in Delhi are suffering under the lockdown. With no work in the city anymore, the workers planned to leave for their native places in UP, however, could not due to a transport shutdown. Many chose to walk several kilometers to cross state borders.
Plea filed in SC over plight of migrant workers
A petition was filed in the SC seeking food, water, shelter, medical aid, etc., for migrant workers and their families who are walking to their native places on foot. The SC issued a notice to the Centre while hearing a petition seeking immediate evacuation of Indian pilgrims in Iran. The Delhi High Court sought the Centre's response over evacuation of Indian students in Bangladesh.
SC conducted hearings of urgent matters through video conferencing
Mumbai man fights brother over lockdown; kills him
A Mumbai man killed his brother after the latter objected to the accused leaving home during the nationwide lockdown. In Karnataka's Hubli, the police seized vehicles violating the lockdown. In Uttarakhand, the police arrested eight, including a Muslim cleric and a groom, for conducting a wedding without permission. In Andhra Pradesh's Mylavaram, two NRIs were booked for defying home quarantine.
Patna: 3 cops arrested for shooting at youth transporting potatoes
Three policemen were arrested and dismissed from duty for thrashing and firing at a youth transporting potatoes in Patna. A Kerala IAS officer was booked and suspended for defying home quarantine. J&K DGP Dilbag Singh said they registered 329 FIRs for lockdown violations. 600 shops and vehicles have also been seized for non-compliance of orders till today. 1,200 people—who hid international travel history—were identified.
