Delhi government reported 93 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, 8 April, raising the total number of cases in the capital to 669, reported ANI. The death toll in the city stands at 9.
The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday announced that 773 cases and 32 deaths were reported since Tuesday. The total number of cases in the country stands at 5,274, including 4,717 actives cases. The death toll stands at 149 while 410 have recovered.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday announced that it will sealing several hotspots in 15 districts across the state from midnight to 15 April morning, in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, ANI reports.
A number of state governments as well as experts have been requesting the central government to extend the 21-day nationwide lockdown and the Centre is going through these requests, PTI reports.
- Maharashtra and UP make wearing masks in public compulsory
- Several states have suggested an extension of the nationwide lockdown to contain the virus
- The Union Health Ministry ensured that there will be no shortage of hydroxychloroquine
- Centre told SC that it will tell states to ensure that no government doctor or healthcare worker gets a salary cut
- The SC has asked the Centre to issue directions to approved labs for conducting COVID-19 tests free of cost
US Reports Nearly 2,000 COVID-19 Deaths: Johns Hopkins Tracker
The United States has reported nearly 2,000 COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours, AFP reported quoting Johns Hopkins tracker.
New York City's Deaths Exceed 4,000, Topping Toll for 9/11 Attacks
New York City’s death toll from the coronavirus rose past 4,000 on Tuesday, eclipsing the number killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11, AP reported.
The development came even as the crisis seemed to be easing or at least stabilizing, by some measures, in New York and parts of Europe, though health officials warned people at nearly every turn not to let their guard down.
Total Cases in MP Climb to 318
Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday, 8 April, reported its highest jump of 61 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total to 318. The state has recorded 23 deaths (16 in Indore, 3 in Ujjain, 2 in Khargon and 1 in Bhopal and Chindwada each).
Tamil Nadu Reports Another Death, Taking COVID-19 Toll to 8
A 45-year-old man, who tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to Christian Medical College hospital in Vellore, died on Tuesday. With this, Tamil Nadu has reported eight coronavirus deaths.
Total Cases in Bihar Climb to 38
COVID-19 cases surged to 38 in Bihar, with four more people testing positive yesterday in Siwan and Begusarai (two in each district). Their travel history is being ascertained, ANI reported, quoting a health department official.
Traffic Police ASI Tests Positive in Delhi
An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) with the Delhi Traffic Police has tested positive for COVID-19, ANI reports. He has been shifted to AIIMS, his family has been asked to be on home quarantine.
8 Foreigners Linked to Tablighi Jamaat Booked for Violating Foreigners Act in Nagpur
Eight foreigners linked to Tablighi Jamaat have been booked for violating the Foreigners Act and the tourist visa norms in Nagpur, Maharashtra. They were staying at a mosque in the city and have been quarantined, ANI reports, quoting local police.
Pune Death Toll Climbs to 10
Two more people have died of COVID-19 in Pune, Maharashtra, health officials told ANI. With this, the death toll due to the disease has reached 10 in the city.
CM Kejriwal to Hold Meeting With Delhi MPs at 12 pm Via Video Conferencing
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to hold a meeting, via video-conferencing, with all the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MPs of Delhi on Wednesday at 12:00 pm to discuss COVID-19, ANI reported.
Chidambaram Accuses Govt of Taking 'Miserly, Negligent Approach' to COVID-19 Crisis
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has called for providing immediate cash to the poor, accusing the government of adopting a "miserly and negligent approach" towards them during the lockdown, PTI reports.
15 New Cases in Andhra Pradesh, Total Rises to 329
Fifteen new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Andhra Pradesh from 6 pm on Tuesday till 9 am on Wednesday, according to an official. The total number of positive cases in the state is 329, including 6 discharged persons and 4 deaths, the official told ANI.
Total 576 Cases in Delhi
There are a total of 576 positive cases of COVID-19 in Delhi so far, 35 of which are in ICUs and 8 on ventilator, according to Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain.
Army Postpones Bi-Annual Army Commanders' Conference
In view of COVID-19, the Indian Army has postponed its bi-annual Army Commanders’ Conference scheduled to be held from 16 April. The meeting, chaired by the COAS, was supposed to address the security situation in and around India, among other things, Army sources told ANI.
Maharashtra Records 60 New Cases, Tally at 1078
The number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra has climbed to 1078 after 60 new cases were recorded, as of Wednesday, 8 April.
Total Cases in Gujarat Climb to 179
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Gujarat has risen to 179, including 16 deaths and 25 cured cases, the state’s health department told ANI.
Ready to Write to PM to Extend Lockdown: Puducherry CM
“My government is ready to write to the Prime Minister to extend the lockdown. People isolating themselves is the only cure to stop the spread of coronavirus infection,” Puducherry CM V Narayanasami said on Wednesday.
MHA Tells States to Be Vigilant Against Hoarding, Black Marketing of Essential Commodities
The home ministry has told states to ensure availability of essential commodities during the lockdown as hoarding, black marketing can't be ruled out, according to PTI.
“Invoke provisions of Essential Commodities Act, fix stock limits, cap prices, enhance the production of essential commodities. Offences under this Act are criminal acts and may result in imprisonment of 7 years or a fine or both,” MHA said.
PM Modi Hold Meeting With Floor Leaders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with floor leaders of different parties via video conferencing on Wednesday on the COVID-19 situation in the country.
Will Tell States to Ensure No Salary Cuts for Govt Docs: Centre to SC
During a hearing on Wednesday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the government will write to all the states saying there should be no salary cut for any government doctor or healthcare staff and no deduction from their salary for buying PPE kits or masks, Bar & Bench reported.
In a separate case, SC said that it will pass orders to ensure that people aren't charged high prices for coronavirus tests at private labs which the government has now expanded testing to include.
The Solicitor General told the court that the Centre shall look into this suggestion of creating a mechanism for reimbursement from the government for tests.
Total Cases in Karnataka Climb to 181
Six new cases have been reported in Karnataka from 5 pm on Tuesday till 12 noon on Wednesday. Total cases in the state are 181, including 5 deaths and 28 cured cases,the state’s health department told ANI.
Total Cases in Haryana Climb to 141
Till date, 141 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Haryana, including 10 foreign nationals and 51 from other states. 17 people have been discharged so far, 2 deaths have been reported, the state’s health department told ANI.
TN Reports 69 New COVID-19 Cases
Tamil Nadu reported 69 new cases on Wednesday, 8 April, out of which 63 persons are connected with the Tableeghi Jamaat event in Delhi. The total number of positive cases in the state has risen to 690.
UP to Partially Seal Off 15 Districts, Including Noida, Meerut, Lucknow & Agra
The Uttar Pradesh government will partially seal off 15 districts from midnight, 12 am on Thursday, in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, ANI reports, quoting the state’s chief secretary.
These include Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Lucknow, Agra, Shamli and Saharanpur.
The restrictions in the 15 districts will only be applied for those hotspot areas that have reported high coronavirus positive cases.
Pune Death Toll Climbs to 13
Three more people have died of COVID-19 in Pune, Maharashtra, health officials told ANI. With this, the death toll due to the disease has reached 13 in the city.
Indore Death Toll Rises to 13
A 49-year-old man who tested positive for COVID-19, passed away in Indore on Wednesday, raising the death toll in the city to 16.
6 More Test Positive in Bhopal
Six more people, including a journalist, tested positive for COVID-19 in Bhopal, raising the number of cases in the city to 91, reported PTI, quoting officials,
5 More Test Positive in AP
Fifteen more people tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, raising the number of cases in the state to 329, reported PTI, quoting state heath department officials.
5 More Test Positive in Rajasthan
Five more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Rajasthan on Wednesday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 348, reported PTI, quoting officials.
2 More Test Positive in WB
Two more people tested positive for COVID-19 in West Bengal on Wednesday, raising the total number of active cases in the state to 71, reported ANI, quoting Chief Minster Mamata Banerjee.
‘No Need to Panic Buy’: District Magistrate Gautam Budha Nagar
The District Magistrate for Gautam Budha Nagar district on Wednesday assured residents that only identified hot spots shall be seals and home delivery of essential commodities and services shall be available at all places in the district.
He further added that strict action will taken against any rumour mongrels/spreaders.
11 More Test Positive in Haryana
Eleven more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Haryana on Wednesday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 141, reported PTI, quoting the state health department.
Wearing of Masks Compulsory in UP: Additional Chief Secretary
Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi on Wednesday announced that the wearing of masks has been made compulsory in the state and that here can be legal action if not worn, reported ANI.
He also announced that the lockdown imposed which will be imposed in hotspots in 15 districts of states will remain till the morning of 15 April.
There are 22 hotspots in Agra, 13 in Ghaziabad, 12 in Gautam Budh Nagar, 12 in Kanpur, 4 in Varanasi, 3 in Shamli, 7 in Meerut, 1 in Bareilly, 3 in Bulandshahr, 3 in Basti, 3 in Firozabad, 4 in Saharanpur, 4 in Maharajganj, 1 in Sitapur and 12 in Lucknow.
14 More Test Positive in J&K
Fourteen more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 139, reported PTI, quoting officials.
48 More Test Positive in TN
Forty eight more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 738, reported ANI, quoting Beela Rajesh, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary.
One of the cases is a Malaysian national. Forty two of the forty eight cases were traced to the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi.
IIT to Hold Special Placement Drive
The Indian Institute of Technology universities across the country will be holding a special placement drive for students whose job offers were cancelled amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, reported PTI, quoting HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal.
Two More Test Positive in U’khand
Two more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Uttarakhand on Wednesday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 33, reported ANI, quoting the state directorate of health services.
117 More Test Positive in Maha
Hundred and seventeen more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra on Wednesday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 1,135.
20 More Test Positive in Rajasthan
Twenty more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Rajasthan on Wednesday raising the total number of cases in the state to 363.
7 More Test Positive in Punjab
Seven more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Punjab on Wednesday raising the total number of cases in the state to 106.
Family of COVID-19 Patient Test Positive in MP
Eight family members of a COVID-19 patient in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone district tested positive on Wednesday, reported PTI, quoting officials.
14 April Declared Closed Holiday on Account of BR Ambedkar's Birthday
It has been decided to declare 14 April 2020 as a closed holiday on account of the birthday of BR Ambedkar, for all Central government offices, including industrial establishment throughout India, reported ANI, quoting the A Bhattacharya, Deputy Secretary to the Government of India.
106 More Cases, Death Toll Rises to 5 in Mumbai
The Bombay Municipal Corporation on Wednesday reported 106 more cases of COVID-19, raising the total number of cases in the state to 696. The death also increased to 45, with 5 new deaths reported.
Face Masks Compulsory, 20 Hotspots Sealed in Delhi
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday tweeted that it has made it compulsory for people to wear face masks when stepping outdoors to combat the coronavirus spread.
Kejriwal added in another tweet that given the current stay of revenue, the Delhi government will have to cut its expenses drastically.
“All government departments of Delhi have been instructed to stop all expenses except salaries. Any expenditure other than coronavirus and lockdown expenses will be incurred only with the permission of Finance Department.”
Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia also announced that a total of 20 hotspots have been identified in Delhi, adding that nobody will be allowed to enter or exit from these areas, reported ANI.
Two More Test Positive in U’khand
Two more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Uttarakhand on Wednesday, raising the total number of cases in the state to 35, reported ANI, quoting the state directorate of health services.
Guard Held for Absconding After 3 Family Members of is Employer Test Positive
A private security guard, who allegedly attended the Tablighi Jamaat event and was absconding after three members of his employers' family in south Delhi's Defence Colony tested positive for COVID-19, has been booked by police on Wednesday, reported PTI, quoting a senior police official.
Delhi Govt Releases List of Hotspots to be Sealed
In an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the capital further, the Delhi Government on released the list of hotspots that will be sealed. Entry and exit in these places will not be allowed. Essential services will home deliver all supplies.
The following are the areas which will be sealed:
- Entire effected street near Gandhi Park, Malviya Nagar
- Entire effected street of Gali No 6, L-1 Sangam Vihar
- Shahajahanabad Society, Plot No 1, Sector 11, Dwarka
- House no. 141-180, Gali No 14, Kalyan Puri
- Mansara Apartment, Vasundhra Enclave
- 3 Galis of Khichripur
- Vardhman Apartments
- J, K, L & H Pockets, Dilshad Garden
- G, H & J Blocks Old Seemapuri
- F- 70 to 90 block Dilshad Colony
- Pratap Khand, Jhilmil Colony
- Markaz Masjid and Nizamuddin Basti
- Nizamuddin West (G&D Block) areas
- B Block Jhangirpuri
- Gali No. 5, A Block (from House No A-176 to A-189), West Vinod Nagar 9)
(Source: ANI)
Tablighi Jamaat leader Maulana Saad Kandhalvi Traced: Report
The Delhi Police has traced Tablighi Jamaat leader Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, who has been on the run after an FIR was registered against him for organising a religious gathering last month despite restrictions to combat the coronavirus, reported PTI, quoting sources said on Wednesday.
“The cleric has been traced to Zakir Nagar in southeast Delhi,” sources said.
20 More Test Positive in Rajasthan
Twenty more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Rajasthan on Wednesday raising the total number of cases in the state to 383, reported ANI.
SAARC Trade Officials Hold Talks to Boost Intra-Region Trade
Trade officials of the SAARC countries except Pakistan on Wednesday held a video conference, deliberating on creating a larger framework of trade facilitation to offset adverse impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the region, reported PTI.
“It was stressed in the conference that new ways and means be identified to "sustain and expand" the intra-regional trade until the normal trade channels are fully restored,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
At an India-initiated video conference of SAARC leaders on 15 March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suggested that the member nations of the bloc should come together to jointly fight against the pandemic.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a grouping comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
One COVID-19 Patient in Goa Recovers, Total Cases Stand at 6
One of the seven coronavirus patients undergoing treatment in Goa has recovered, said official on Wednesday, 8 April, PTI reported.
“The patient will further be kept under monitored quarantine for 14 days as per protocol before final discharge,” Vishwajit Rane, Goa health minister told ANI.
Delhi Chief Secretary Orders Deployment of ACPs at Every Quarantine Centre
Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev has ordered deployment of ACP-rank officers at every quarantine centre, PTI reported.
“In every quarantine centre, established in each district, one assistant commissioner of police shall be deployed in a shift to maintain law and order and to ensure that COVID-19 affected persons remain in quarantine centres,” he told ANI.
COVID-19: 55-Year-Old Dies in Punjab's Morinda
A 55-year-old male patient from Chatamli village, Morinda, who had tested positive for coronavirus, passed away on Wednesday, 8 April, ANI reported.
“The protocol for handling the body under COVID-19 is being followed,” said Punjab Chief Secretary Karan Bir Singh Sidhu.
COVID-19: 61-Year-Old Passes Away in Jammu
A 61-year-old female patient from Udhampur, who had tested positive for COVID-19, passed away at Government Medical College in Jammu on Wednesday, 8 April, ANI reported.
“She was reported to be suffering from arthritis and was bedridden. Contacts are being traced,” said Rohit Kansal, principal secretary (planning), Jammu & Kashmir.