Coronavirus India Updates: Number Of Covid-19 Cases Rises To 283
Catch all live updates on the coronavirus spread in India and the efforts being made to contain it.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Total Coronavirus Cases In India At 283, Four Deaths Confirmed
The total reported number of Covid-19 cases in India rose to 283 on Saturday—an increase of 47 cases in just one day, according to the health ministry.
“The cases of Covid-19 have progressively increased in the last few days,” Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry, said in his daily press briefing on Friday. “We will need to adapt social distancing measures in some form or the other.”
More than 6,700 people are also being monitored, he said. Agarwal urged citizens to refrain from spreading misinformation and use the toll-free helpline 1075 to seek clarifications.
The total figure includes four deaths and 23 people cured or discharged.
A 72-year-old man who died in Punjab tested positive for Covid-19, on Thursday. The other three persons who have died were in Delhi, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Railways Limits Travel On Janata Curfew Day
Indian Railways today said rail travel will be "vastly reduced" during the so-called Janata Curfew on Sunday.
While intercity passenger trains will run between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm, suburban rail services in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Secunderabad will be reduced to the bare minimum.
- All passenger trains originating between midnight of Mar. 21-22 to 10:00 pm of March 22 are cancelled.
- All long-distance mail/express and intercity trains (including premium trains) originating between 4:00 am and 10:00 am will be cancelled.
- Trains which had commenced journey already prior to the above timelines will run up to their destinations.
Nine New Covid-19 Cases Recorded In Mumbai, Surrounding Areas
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, nine new cases of coronavirus infections have been reocrded in Mumbai and its surrounding areas—increasing the tally of Covid-19 cases in the city to 30.
Of the nine, six patients have international travel history. As many as 306 international travellers are in quarantine facilities, according to the BMC.
According to latest central health ministry data, Maharashtra has 63 positive cases of the virus. One other person has died due to the disease.
Kerala: 12 More Test Positive For Covid-12, Total Cases At 49
Kerala has recorded 12 more positive cases of Covid-19, increasing the state's tally to 49, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said. According to central health ministry data, the state at present has 40 people infected with the virus.
While six more people tested positive from Kasaragod, three each new cases were from Kannur and Ernakulam districts, Vijayan told reporters. All those who were diagnosed with coronavirus today had returned from Dubai recently, he said.
Three medical students from Wuhan in China, who had tested positive, have been cured and discharged from hospitals earlier.
At least 52,785 people are in home quarantine, while 228 are under observation in isolation wards at various hospitals.
Coronavirus In Mumbai: Petrol Pumps To Remain Open On Sunday, Lockdown Days
Petrol pumps will remain open in Mumbai and its suburbs on Sunday but operate with minimal staff. From Monday to March 31, they will operate from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm only.
The city is under lockdown till the end of the month.
"The timing will be revised at the end of this month," the Mumbai Petrol Dealers Association said on Saturday. "No employees will lose their salaries for reduced working hours."
The 213-odd fuel pumps in the city normally operate 20 hours a day.
Health Ministry On Latest Steps Taken To Curb Virus Spread
India now has 111 labs to carry out Covid-19 tests, Joint Health Secretary Lav Agarwal said on Saturday. The government is already is discussion with private labs and a detailed order on the same will be issued later today, he added.
According to Consumer Affairs Secretary PK Agarwal,
- Masks, hand sanitisers already under Essential Commodities Act.
- Prices capped at Rs 8 for two-ply masks, Rs 10 for three-ply masks.
- Prices of alcohol-based sanitisers capped at Rs 100 for 200 ml bottles.
- No selling above MRP for new products.
- The price cap of masks and hand sanitisers applicable till June 30, 2020.
- Deodorant manufacturers now allowed to manufacture hand sanitisers.
- Distilleries told to provide ethyl alcohol, etc., for making hand sanitisers.
- Hand-sanitiser makers can now increase production without any permission.
These are extraordinary circumstances and hence extraordinary measure have been taken, PK Agarwal added.
