COVID-19: India’s Case Tally Nears 30,000; Death Toll at 937

Catch all live updates about the coronavirus pandemic here.

The Quint
India
Updated:
Medics attend to a suspected COVID-19 patient in Kolkata. Image used for representational purposes only.
i
Medics attend to a suspected COVID-19 patient in Kolkata. Image used for representational purposes only.
(Photo: PTI)

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The number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 29,974 on Tuesday, 28 April. According to the Health Ministry figures, there are now 22,010 active cases in the country, while 937 people have died. As many as 7,026 patients have been cured or discharged and one has migrated. In the last 24 hours, 1,594 new cases and 51 deaths have been reported.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Health Ministry said that currently, there are no approved therapies for the treatment of COVID-19, including plasma therapy. “Plasma therapy is in experimental stage, but there’s not enough evidence yet to claim it can be used as treatment for COVID-19,” said Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal.

He also pointed out during the ministry briefing that the recovery rate for coronavirus in India stood at 23.3 percent, calling it a "progressive increase". "No new cases of COVID-19 reported from 17 districts in the last 28 days," he added.

  • 12 CRPF jawans tested positive for COVID-19 in Delhi on Tuesday
  • 4 deaths and 42 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from Dharavi area on Tuesday, taking the tally in the area to 330 and death toll to 18
  • Gujarat on Tuesday reported 226 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally in the state to 3,774
  • The doubling rate of COVID-19 cases stands at 10.2 days, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday

Nagaland to Charge Cess On Diesel, Petrol

Nagaland will charge a cess of Rs 5 of per litre on diesel and Rs 6 on petrol and motor spirit amid the unprecedented financial crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the state government announced on Tuesday, reported NDTV.

90-Year-Old Defeats Coronavirus, Woman Negative After 10 Tests

While pattern of the coronavirus spread and its potential killing power might have baffled experts and policy-makers, a 90-year-old man from Bhavnagar and an elderly woman from Kutch in Gujarat have recovered from the COVID-19 disease after spending weeks in hospitals, a senior official said on Tuesday.

They are among 40 people in the state who were discharged after recovering from COVID-19, taking their total number to 434 so far, said Principal Secretary (Health) Jayanti Ravi.

Three New Deaths in UP, COVID-19 Cases Cross 2,000-Mark

Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday reported three fatalities due to COVID-19, taking the death toll to 34, and the number of cases in the state rose to 2,053 with 66 more people testing positive for the infection, reported PTI.

The fresh cases were reported from different parts of the state, including 17 from Agra, followed by 12 from Varanasi and 8 from Kanpur Nagar, according to a statement.

DCW Counsellor, Driver Placed Under Quarantine After Rescue of Woman Later Found COVID-19 Positive

A counsellor of the Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) and a driver have been put under quarantine after they rescued a woman who was later found COVID-19 positive, the panel said on Tuesday.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal also wrote to Delhi Health secretary Padmini Singla, informing her about the matter and asking her to ensure thorough contact tracing.

Mumbai Records 393 Fresh COVID-19 Cases; 25 More Succumb

The coronavirus case count in Mumbai inched towards the 6,000-mark on Tuesday with the detection of 393 fresh infections, while 25 more patients died, taking the toll to 244, the city civic body said.

With 393 more people testing positive for coronavirus in Mumbai, the tally zoomed to 5,982, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

102 Fresh Cases in Rajasthan Today; State's Tally at 2,364

“One-hundred and two positive cases in Rajasthan today — 26 in Jaipur, 25 in Jodhpur, 24 in Kota, 11 in Ajmer, eight in Tonk, four in Dholpur and one each in Banswara, Nagaur, Sikar and Udaipur. Two people died today. Total positive cases stand at 2,364, including 52 deaths nd 770 recovered,”the state health department said.

Journalist Unions Seek PM Intervention to Stop Retrenchment in Media Sector

Journalist Unions have sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to stop the retrenchment of news persons amid the coronavirus outbreak, PTI reported.

In a letter to Prime Minister Modi, Press Association, Indian Journalists Union, Working News Cameramen's Association and National Union of Journalists-India (NUJ-I) raised the issue of large scale retrenchments and pay cuts in the media sector.

Relaxation on Money Deposits, Clearances Till 31 July: RS Prasad on Popularising WFH

“We have to popularise work from home (WFH) norm. There are many restrictions for it like money deposits and clearances, these things were relaxed till 30 April after COVID-19 outbreak. We have decided to extend the relaxation till 31 July,” said Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, accoding to ANI.

Thanked Canada PM Trudeau for Looking After Indian Citizens: PM Modi

Delhi Police Constable Who Visited Tablighi Building Tests Positive for COVID-19

A Delhi Police constable posted with the Crime Branch who allegedly visited the Nizamuddin headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat in south Delhi tested positive for coronavirus recently, police said on Tuesday, reported PTI.

The constable had visited the Markaz building in connection with the probe into the religious congregation held there last month where many people were reported to have contracted the virus, they said.

Will Consider Gradual End to Quarantines from 12 May: Russia's Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that Russia will consider a gradual end to the coronavirus quarantines from 12 May, AFP reported.

100 COVID-19 Containment Zones in Delhi

The total number of COVID-19 containment zones in Delhi has risen to 100, with the addition of one more location on Tuesday.

Four More COVID-19 cases in Kerala; Tally Now at 485

Kerala on Tuesday reported four more positive cases of COVID-19, of which three cases are from Kannur district and one case from Kasaragod, taking the total aggregate in the state to 485.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said four cases were also cured in the state and currently 123 are under treatment in various hospitals.

12 CRPF Jawans Test Positive for COVID-19 in Delhi

Twelve CRPF jawans tested positive for COVID-19 in Delhi on Tuesday. The total number of CRPF jawans who have tested positive stands at 47, including one who passed away on Tuesday, the force said.

Gujarat Reports 226 New COVID-19 Cases, 19 Deaths

Gujarat on Tuesday reported 226 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally in the state to 3,774. The death toll in the state rose by 19 to 181, a Health Department official was quoted by PTI as saying.

Need to Support Businesses to Tide Over Impact of COVID-19: India at BRICS

As the world reels under economic distress triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, India on Tuesday emphasised on the need to provide support to businesses to tide over the crisis and ensure that livelihoods are not lost.

At a video conference of the foreign ministers of BRICS, a bloc of five leading nations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the influential grouping has an important role to play in shaping the global economic and political architecture, reported PTI.

Assam's COVID-19 Tally Rises to 37

Assam's COVID-19 tally rose to 37 on Tuesday, with two new cases.

Four Deaths, 42 COVID-19 Cases Reported From Mumbai's Dharavi Today

Four deaths and 42 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from Mumbai's Dharavi area on Tuesday. The total number of cases in the area stand at 330 and death toll at 18, the BMC said.

121 New COVID-19 Cases in TN; Tally Rises to 2,058

As many as 121 new COVID-19 cases and one death were reported in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, taking the tally in the state to 2,058, including 25 deaths.

A total of 1,128 patients have been discharged in the state till now.

CM K Palaniswami on Tuesday said that the cases in the state are on the rise as some people have shown a casual attitude to norms like social distancing and are not understanding the gravity of the contagion.

5 New COVID-19 Cases in UP's Gautam Buddh Nagar

Five new COVID-19 cases were reported in UP's Gautam Buddh Nagar on Tuesday, taking the total count to 134.

28 New COVID-19 Cases in WB in Last 24 Hrs

As many as 28 new COVID-19 cases were reported in West Bengal in the last 24 hours. The total active cases in the state stand at 522, West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha said.

1,594 COVID-19 Cases, 51 Deaths Reported in Last 24 Hours: Health Ministry

The number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 29,974 on Tuesday. According to the Health Ministry figures, there are now 22,010 active cases in the country, while 937 people have died. As many as 7,026 patients have been cured or discharged and one has migrated.

In the last 24 hours, 1,594 new cases and 51 deaths have been reported.

(Graphic: The Quint)

523 COVID-19 Cases in Karnataka Till Now

Karnataka has recorded a total of 523 COVID-19 cases till now, including 20 deaths and 207 patients being discharged, the state government said on Tuesday.

80-Yr-Old from Srinagar Dies; COVID-19 Toll in J&K Rises to 8

The death toll due to coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir rose to eight on Tuesday after an 80-year-old COVID-19 positive woman from Srinagar died.

COVID-19 Cases in Indore Central Jail Rise to 19

Nine more prisoners lodged at the Central Jail in Madhya Pradesh's Indore city have tested positive for coronavirus, an official said on Tuesday, reported PTI.

With this, the total number of those who contracted the infection in the jail in the last 14 days has gone up to 19, including 17 prisoners and two jail guards, prison superintendent Rakesh Kumar Bhangre said.

Health Ministry Releases Guidelines for Home Isolation of Very Mild/Pre-Symptomatic COVID-19 Cases

The Health Ministry has issued guidelines for home isolation of people who either have very mild COVID-19 symptoms or are in the pre-symptomatic phase.

Such patients, with a requisite self-isolation facility at their residence, will now have the option for home isolation.

Not Enough Evidence for COVID-19 Treatment: Govt on Plasma Therapy

The Health Ministry on Tuesday said that currently, there are no approved therapies for the treatment of COVID-19, including plasma therapy.

“Plasma therapy is in experimental stage, but there’s not enough evidence yet to claim it can be used as treatment for COVID-19,” said Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal.

“Plasma therapy is being experimented. However, (there’s) not enough evidence that this can be used as a treatment. A national-level study has been launched by ICMR to study the efficacy... (It) isn’t a proven therapy. It’s still in experimental stage. Right now, ICMR is doing it as an experiment to identify and do additional understanding of this therapy. Till it is approved, no one should use it, it’ll be harmful to the patient and illegal. [sic]”
Lav Agarwal, as quoted by ANI

Recovery Rate at 23.3%: Health Ministry Official

Briefing the media on Tuesday, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, Lav Agarwal said that the recovery for coronavirus in India currently stands at 23.3 percent.

“This is a progressive increase in the recovery rate,” he said.

In the last 24 hours, 1,543 new COVID-19 cases have been reported, taking the total number of cases to 29,435, he pointed out.

UP CM Chairs Meet on COVID-19; Akhilesh Accuses BJP of 'Creating Hatred Against Muslims'

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review situation arising out of the COVID-19 outbreak in the state, and directed officials to encourage the use of plasma therapy and increase the testing capacity.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav alleged on Tuesday that the BJP is creating hatred against Muslims over coronavirus, as he questioned Adityanath's handling of the crisis.

Rs 50 Lakh Compensation for Dependents of Port Employees in Case of Death Due to COVID-19

The Shipping Ministry announced on Tuesday that Rs 50 lakh compensation would be provided to dependents of port employees in case of death on duty due to COVID-19.

13 New COVID-19 Cases in Bihar; Tally Rises to 359

As many as 13 more COVID-19 cases were reported in Bihar on Tuesday, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 359, Sanjay Kumar, Principal Secretary (Health), was quoted by ANI as saying.

Coronavirus Cases in Pakistan Rise to 14,079; Death Toll at 301

The Pakistan government is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the country, Prime Minister Imran Khan said as the number of coronavirus cases crossed the 14,000-mark and claimed the lives of over 300 people, reported PTI.

According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 3,233 people have fully recovered from the virus.

The ministry said that Pakistan has reported 14,079 patients, with Punjab registering 5,640 patients, Sindh 4,956, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,984, Balochistan 853, Gilgit-Baltistan 320, Islamabad 261 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 65.

PM Modi Discusses COVID-19 Pandemic With Indonesian President

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday discussed the COVID-19 crisis with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

ADB Approves $1.5 Bn Loan to India to Fight COVID-19

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday said it has approved a $1.5 billion loan to India to help fund its fight against coronavirus pandemic, reported PTI.

The loan has been sanctioned with a view to support immediate priorities such as disease containment and prevention, as well as social protection for the poor and economically vulnerable sections.

It is fully committed to supporting the Indian government in its response to this unprecedented challenge, said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa.

Karnataka Govt Permits Opening of Shops, Industries in Some Districts

The Karnataka government, in an order on Tuesday, permitted additional activities in some districts least affected by COVID-19.

These additional activities include industries operating in rural areas; manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control in SEZs and Export Oriented Units (EOUs), industrial estates, and industrial townships; and, certain shops.

The districts where these activities have been permitted include Chikmagaluru, Shivamogga, Udupi and Kodagu, among others.

BJP MLA Caught on Video Telling People Not to Buy Vegetables From Muslim Vendors

The BJP MLA from Barhaj constituency in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district, Suresh Tewari, was on Tuesday seen in a video clip, telling people not to buy vegetables from Muslim vendors, reported PTI.

The clip has now been widely shared on social media, triggering a controversy.

"I am saying openly don't purchase vegetables from Muslims (Ek cheez dhayan mein rakhiyega, main bol raha hoon openly, koi bhi miyan ke hathon sabzi nahi lega)," the MLA can be heard saying in the clip.

Deeply Concerned: China on ICMR's Decision to Not Use Rapid Test Kits From Two Chinese Firms

China on Tuesday said it was "deeply concerned" over the evaluation result of the COVID-19 rapid testing kits supplied to India by two Chinese companies and subsequent decision by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to not use the equipment, and hoped that New Delhi will resolve the issue "reasonably and properly", PTI reported.

The ICMR on Monday asked states and union territories to stop using the test kits procured from the Chinese companies Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics due to "wide variations" in their performance.

2 Police Personnel, Vendor Test Positive in Chennai's Koyambedu Market

Two police personnel and a vendor in Koyambedu market in Chennai tested positive for coronavirus, officials told PTI.

India Hands Over Medical Supplies to Bhutan, Promises 'All Possible Support'

India handed over today a consignment of medical supplies to the Health Minister of Bhutan Dechen Wangmo, including Hydroxychloroquine tablets. India would continue to extend all possible support to Bhutan to minimize the health and economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic, said the Indian embassy there.

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India Will Be Able to Produce Test Kits by May: Union Health Minister

“We will be able to produce RT-PCR and antibody test kits in India by May. All processes are in advanced stage and production will start after getting approval from ICMR. It will help us in meeting our target of 1 lakh test per day by 31 May,” Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan told the media on Tuesday.

NCP's Supriya Sule Urges Centre, Maha Govt to Ease Lockdown in Phased Manner

NCP leader Supriya Sule on Tuesday urged the Centre and the Maharashtra government to initiate together the process of ease the lockdown in a phased manner in areas which are not or less affected by COVID-19, to bring the economy back on track, PTI reported.

Sule, the Lok Sabha member from Baramati in Maharashtra's Pune district, also said that it is her personal opinion and such a decision should not be taken in a hurry, but by adhering to social distancing norms with military-like discipline.

MBRDI to Provide up to 25,000 PCR Testing Kits to NIMHANS

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), the largest R&D unit of Daimler outside Germany, on Tuesday announced it will supply in batches up to 25,000 real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing kits to National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS).

These kits will also be provided to other Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-approved testing centres across Karnataka through NIMHANS, MBDRI said in a statement.

Bihar Case Tally Reaches 346

A 26-year-old woman has tested positive for COVID-19 in Bihar's Nalanda district, taking the total number of cases in the state to 346, a top official told PTI on Tuesday.

According to Principal Secretary, Health, Sanjay Kumar, test reports of the woman, a resident of Nepura village adjoining the district headquarters of Bihar Sharif, came late on Monday. She had recently returned from Delhi.

With this, the number of positive cases reported on Monday touched 69 the biggest-ever spike witnessed in the state where the contagion has now spread to 25 out of 38 districts.

Transgender Community Demands Special Package Amid COVID-19 Lockdown

More than 2,000 transgender persons wrote to Union ministries of home, finance and social justice on Tuesday, seeking a special package for the community which has no permanent sources of income and is as vulnerable as daily wagers amid the lockdown, PTI reports.

They requested the government to provide an assured subsistence of at least Rs 3,000 per month to every transgender person, until the situation returns to normalcy.

This is necessary considering the fact that most trans persons do not have ration cards, no pension is provided in most states and many transgender persons live in rented accommodations, their letter to the ministries said.

Extensive Contact Tracing, Isolation Key to Control COVID-19 Spread: Lancet Study

Extensive contract tracing, isolating cases, and testing may reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, and favour control of the COVID-19 outbreak, suggests a study carried out in China, PTI reports.

However, the researchers from the Harbin Institute of Technology at Shenzhen, China, caution that the impact of contact tracing to rapidly isolate people who could be infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) depends on identifying asymptomatic cases.

Union Health Minister Holds Review Meeting With Delhi Officials

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan is holding a review meeting via video conference with LG-Delhi, Delhi Health Minister, MCD Commissioners, DMs and DCPs of all districts of Delhi and Central/State and District surveillance officers and heads of government hospitals over the COVID-19 pandemic, ANI reports.

NGT to Resume Physical Attendance From 4 May

From 4 May, the chairperson and members of the National Green Tribunal, as well all the officers of NGT (Deputy Registrars and above) will attend office with 100 percent attendance, while the remaining staff up to 33 percent strength shall physically attend office, ANI reports.

Trump Urges States to Consider Opening Schools Before Summer

US President Donald Trump says states should seriously consider reopening their public schools before the end of the academic year, even though dozens already have said it would be unsafe for students to return until the summer or fall, reports AP.

Trump made the comments Monday in a call with governors discussing how to reopen their economies, among other topics.

Small Traders Upbeat as WB Allows Home Delivery of Non Essential Items

Small traders and businesses were upbeat on Tuesday after the West Bengal government allowed home delivery of non-essential items, saying the decision would help ease their financial woes which have been spiralling due to the ongoing lockdown, PTI reported.

There was apprehension among the traders that the lockdown may get further extended which would have multiplied their losses.

16-Year-Old Girl Linked to Markaz Attendee Tests Postive in Assam

A 16-year-old girl from Salmara Bongaigaon, a secondary contact of a Markaz attendee, has tested COVID-19 positive. Number of COVID-19 patients now stands at 36, according to Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Flower Farmers Incurring Losses

Flower farmers in Lucknow told ANI that they're incurring losses due to COVID-19 lockdown. "We've to pluck the flowers in order to save our plants but are forced to throw flowers away. When lockdown ends, we'll have to invest twice more to normalize", Neeraj, one of the farmers said.

10 Stranded in Kota Reach Chhatisgarh

Around 75 buses carrying over 2000 students who were stranded in Kota, Rajasthan have reached Chhattisgarh. Total number of active COVID -19 cases in Chhattisgarh stand at 3 now; total 34 patients have been cured and discharged till date

TN Cong Mocks at Centre, State Over Test Kits, A]sks How They Will Protect People

The Congress in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday mocked at the Union and state governments over the procurement of rapid test kits for coronavirus, seeking to know how they would protect the 130 crores plus Indians when they could not even buy "quality equipment" after scrutiny, SNi reports

.Targeting the governments here and at the Centre over rapid kits, the usage of which has now been halted, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president KS Alagiri claimed that 'profiteering' in the deal was scuttled only due to the court intervention.

Karnataka Reports 8 More Cases

8 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Karnataka from 27 April 2020, 5:00 pm to 28 April 2020, 12:00 noon, taking the total number of cases to 520, according to the government, ANI reports.

NITI Aayog Officer Tests Positive for COVID-19

One officer in NITI Aayog has tested positive for COVID-19. The necessary protocol is being followed, including sealing of the building for two days for thorough disinfection and sanitisation, according to Ajit Kumar, Deputy Secretary (Administration), NITI Aayog.

No Fresh Cases in the last 7 Days in 80 Districts

No fresh case reported in 80 districts since the last 7 days. In 47 districts, no case has been reported in the last 14 days, while 39 districts have not reported a case since the last 21 days. 17 districts have not reported a case for the last 28 days, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister, said.

Loss of Smell May Indicate Mild to Moderate COVID-19: Study

People who experience loss of smell as one of the COVID-19 symptoms are likely to have a mild to moderate clinical course of the disease, according to a study which may help health care providers determine which patients require hospitalisation, PTI reports.

The findings, published in the journal International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, follows an earlier study that validated the loss of smell and taste as indicators of infection with the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

Two Cases of Coronavirus in UP's Santkabirnagar District

Two people tested positive for coronavirus here, taking the total number of virus cases in the district to 23, a senior official said on Tuesday, according to PTI.

The two of them have been kept in isolation and the area around their homes has been sealed, District Magistrate Ravish Kumar Gupta said.

Surat Locals Hurl Stones at Police Enforcing Lockdown; Cop Injured

A policeman was injured when some locals allegedly threw stones at the security personnel who were trying to enforce lockdown in an area of Gujarat's Surat city on Tuesday morning, an official said, PTI reports.

Five persons were detained for the attack on the policemen, Surat's Deputy Commissioner of Police R P Barot said.

Some locals got angry after a PCR (police control room) van reached a locality in Dindoli area to enforce the lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, he said.

Another Positive Case Reported in Mohali

One more positive COVID-19 case was reported today in Punjab’s Mohali, taking the total number of cases to 64, of which 27 are cured. 2 deaths have been reported till date in Mohali, according to officials quoted by ANI.

Thiruvananthapuram Removed From List of COVID-19 Hotspots

With no COVID-19 positive cases in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram currently, the city has been removed from the list of hotspots, ANI reports.

UP CM Chairs Meeting With COVID-19 Management Team

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a meeting with 'COVID-19 management Team-11' of the state, over the coronavirus pandemic, ANI reports.

Maha to Send 100 Buses to Bring Back Students Stuck in Kota

The Maharashtra government has decided to send about 100 buses to Kota in Rajasthan to bring back nearly 2,000 students stranded there due to the lockdown, Maharashtra Transport Minister Anil Parab has said, PTI reports.

Buses of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will be sent to Kota in the next two days, Parab said late Monday night.

A number of students from Maharashtra have been staying at Kota to take coaching classes for the preparation of various competitive entrance examinations after Class 12.

US Doing Very Serious Investigation Against China, Says Trump

The United States is doing a "very serious" investigation against China, President Donald Trump said, indicating his administration is looking at a lot more money as compensation from Beijing than euro 130 billion being sought by Germany, PTI reported.

Germany is looking at things and we're looking at things and we're talking about a lot more money than Germany is talking about, Trump told reporters at his White House news conference Monday.

After Two Traders Get COVID-19, Chennai Police Warn of Shifting Koyambedu Market

The Chennai city police has warned that the Koyambedu market would have to be close down if more traders were infected with the coronavirus. This warning comes after two traders were tested positive for the virus last week, TNM reports.

On Saturday, ahead of the complete lockdown, visuals from the market in Chennai showed hundreds of people rubbing shoulders as they rushed to stock groceries, according to the publication.

No Change in Date of November Presidential Election: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump has ruled out making any changes in the date of the 3 November presidential election because of the coronavirus pandemic.

I never even thought of changing the date of the election. Why would I do that? 3 November, it's a good number, Trump told reporters at his White House news conference.

His likely Democratic opponent Joe Biden last week said Trump was considering changing the date. "Mark my words, I think he is gonna try to kick back the election somehow, come up with some rationale why it can't be held," Biden said during an online fundraiser.

BRICS Foreign Ministers to Hold Meeting Via Video Conference

BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting through video conference will be held today and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will participate, ANI reports.

Be Ready to Woo Companies Quitting China, PM Modi Tells CMs: Report

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while interacting with CMs on Monday, according to The Times of India, suggested that states should explore the possibility of attracting investments due to the likelihood of many companies exiting from Chinese cities in the wake of the COVID-19 virus.

Southern Sindh Province Governor in Pak Tests Positive for Coronavirus

Governor of Pakistan's southern Sindh province Imran Ismail, a very close aide of Prime Minister Imran Khan, has tested positive for the deadly coronavirus, his party said on Monday, PTI reported.

"I believe this is nothing what we are prepared for. May Allah give us strength to fight the pandemic inshallah," he said in a tweet.

The death toll due to the coronavirus rose to 293 in Pakistan while the total number of cases jumped to 13,947 on Monday.

Rajasthan Reports 66 New Cases, Total 2,328

66 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Rajasthan, including 13 from Jodhpur, 11 from Ajmer, 17 from Jaipur and 19 from Kota. Cumulative positive cases in the state stand at 2,328 now and 51 deaths have been reported till date, according to the state’s health department.

Odisha CM Asks Centre to Prepare an SOP for Stranded People, Testing Facilities

Odisha CM has asked the Centre to prepare a national standard operating procedure for stranded people, enhancement of testing facilities, ANI reported.

UP Students Stranded in Prayagraj Being Sent Back Home

Students from different parts of the Uttar Pradesh who are stranded in Prayagraj are being sent back to their homes by UP government, amid coronavirus lockdown, ANI reports.

69-Year-Old Doctor Passes Away in West Bengal

A 69-year-old doctor passed away in West Bengal; he was infected with COVID-19. The West Bengal Orthopaedic Association has demanded state honour for him, ANI reports.

Trump: US Coronavirus Deaths Could Reach 70,000

President Donald Trump is projecting that coronavirus deaths in the United States could reach 70,000, but says original projections were much higher as he explained why voters should consider re-electing him in November, AP reported.

Trump has at times this month cited 60,000 as the estimate of how many people would die from COVID-19.

Odisha Reports 7 New Cases

Seven new COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Odisha, taking the total number of cases to 118. Total 37 patients have been cured/recovered and one death has been reported till date, according to the state’s health department, ANI reports.

World Cannot Afford a Lost Generation of Youth Due to COVID-19: UN SG Guterres

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the risk of radicalisation can increase during the COVID-19 pandemic as extremist groups seek to exploit the anger and despair of the young, asserting the world cannot afford a lost generation due to the global crisis.

In a video conference Monday, Guterres told the Security Council that even before the current crisis, young people were facing enormous challenges.

Global Death Toll Nears 2,00,000: WHO

4,982 more deaths have been recorded globally due to COVID-19; the toll has neared 2,00,000, according to World Health Organisation (WHO).

US Reports 1,303 New Cases in 24 Hours

Meanwhile, the United States recorded 1,303 COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours according to the Johns Hopkins University tally, AFP reports.

Delhi Govt Lifts Bar on Vets, Plumbers, Electricians

The Delhi Government yesterday lifted the bar on veterinarians, plumbers, and electricians after reviewing the COVID-19 situation in the national capital. In the order, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) also allowed inter-state travel of health workers, lab technicians, and scientists, ANI reports.

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Published: 28 Apr 2020,07:59 AM IST

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