LIVE BLOG

    Coronavirus Highlights: Leaves cancelled, health ministry asks hospitals to prepare for drill on Sunday

    22 Mar, 2020 | 08:07:37 AM IST
    Coronavirus Highlights: Leaves cancelled, health ministry asks hospitals to prepare for drill on Sunday
    Health ministry says no suspected COVID 19 patient should be turned away from any hospital in a directive.
    1 New Update
    01:12:12 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    Health ministry issues new directive, tells hospitals to be prepared

    • Non-essential elective surgeries should be postponed.
    • Beds should be set apart and prepared for creating isolation facilities in every public and private hospital.
    • All hospitals should mobilize additional resources including masks, gloves and personal protection equipment.
    • Healthcare personnel should be trained for dealing with any foreseeable emergencies.
    • All doctors, nurses and support staff in different specialities, including pre and para clinical departments, should be mobilized and trained in infection prevention and control practices.
    • Hospitals may ensure that stable patients are discharged as early as possible while further new admissions (of stable patients) are also restricted.
    • All hospitals should carry out a preparedness drill on Sunday, 22nd March 2020.
    • All hospitals must provide treatment free of cost to any medical personnel who pick up infection while treating patients.
    • No suspected COVID 19 patient should be turned away from any hospital and the admission of any such patient should be notified to NCDC or IDSP immediately. Similarly, all pneumonia patients must also be notified to NCDC or IDSP so that they can be tested for COVID 19.
    • All ongoing examinations may be rescheduled after 31.03.2020.
    • Leave of all kinds (except under emergency and unavoidable circumstances) may be cancelled immediately.
    12:58:22 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    US pushes for postponement of Tokyo Games, citing coronavirus outbreak

    12:57:18 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    Zimbabwe announces 1st coronavirus case as pandemic threatens a nearly collapsed health system amid economic crisis

    12:56:40 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    Italy closes all parks in further tightening of coronavirus lockdown

    12:54:41 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    France reports 78 more coronavirus deaths in 24 hours, total toll 450

    12:54:03 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    I have a message for young people. You are not invincible, this virus could put you in hospital for weeks or even kill you. Even if you don't get sick the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else

    - WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

    12:52:41 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    Italy is Europe's Wuhan

    Italy, already the worst-affected country in the world, added another 627 fatalities, taking its reported total past 4,000 despite government efforts to stem the pandemic's spread. The nation of 60 million now accounts for 36.6 percent of the world's coronavirus deaths.
    12:51:19 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    What happened on Friday

    Sharpest increase in the number of Covid-19 cases on a single day with 63 people testing positive across nation
    12:48:01 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    Apple is limiting customer purchases of iPhones over its online stores in many countries including the United States and China to a maximum of two handsets per person, checks on its website revealed

    12:46:30 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    Paytm on Gurugram case

    12:44:13 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    First time in over 60 years, iconic Coffee House in Kolkata's College Street area announces closure till March 31

    12:43:57 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    Tata Motors ready to halt Maharashtra plant if virus concerns deepen

    Tata Motors is rapidly scaling down activity at its car factory in the western state of Maharashtra and is preparing to close it if concerns about coronavirus deepen, the company said on Friday. Maharashtra has the highest number of confirmed cases.
    12:41:41 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    S&P warns 1 in 10 US firms may default on debt

    A wave of company defaults is likely to sweep the United States and Europe as measures to contain the coronavirus spark a recession, S&P Global Ratings said Friday. The agency said it believes the global economy will go into reverse under the impact of the coronavirus crisis and that companies will see cash flow whither and financing conditions tighten.
    12:04:23 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    Five fresh COVID-19 cases reported from Rajasthan

    Five fresh cases of coronavirus were reported from the state, taking the total number of infected patients to 17, a Rajasthan official said on Friday.
    12:02:22 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    COVID-19: Total 236 coronavirus cases in India, says ICMR

    COVID-19 cases rose to 236 in India after 63 fresh cases were reported in a day, as per the ICMR on Friday while the Union health ministry figure stood at 223, as the governments in the national capital and Maharashtra announced shutdown of public places to contain the spread of coronavirus that has claimed more than 10,000 lives globally.
    12:00:37 AM IST, 21 March 2020

    Italy's virus toll tops 4,000 after new one-day record

    Italy on Friday reported a record 627 new deaths from the novel coronavirus and saw its world-leading toll surpass 4,000 despite government efforts to stem the pandemic's spread.
    11:58:19 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Five UK nationals test positive for coronavirus in Kerala

    Five British nationals who were in the isolation ward at a hospital in Kochi have tested positive for coronavirus, Kerala Minister V S Sunil Kumar said on Friday.
    11:56:29 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    WHO message to youth on virus: "You are not invincible"

    Coronavirus can sicken or kill young people, who must also avoid mingling and spreading it to older and more vulnerable people, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
    11:10:31 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    UK PM Johnson tells cafes, pubs and restaurants to close tonight

    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told cafes, pubs and restaurants across the country to close on Friday night and to stay shut indefinitely to help slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
    11:09:59 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    C'garh minister, daughter put themselves in isolation

    Chhattisgarh Urban Administration Minister Shivkumar Dahariya and his daughter have placed themselves in self-quarantine, an official said on Friday.
    10:53:55 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    IndiGo says it will operate only 60 per cent of its domestic flights on Sunday when 'Janta curfew' is in force.

    10:50:28 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Total number of coronavirus cases in national capital climbs to 20: Delhi Health Department

    10:41:59 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Italy rises to 47,021 from 41,035 on Thursday - Official

    10:41:06 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Meghalaya announces 24-hour shutdown beginning midnight; CM Conrad Sangma says Saturday will be observed as 'coronavirus awareness day'.

    10:39:27 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Four in home quarantine wander around, arrested

    Four people, instructed by health authorities to remain under 14 days home quarantine for coronavirus, were arrested on Friday after they disregarded the advisory and moved around, police said. They were later released on bail, the police said. A case against the four has been registered, they said adding that the quartet had recently returned from abroad.
    10:38:28 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    No bus to ply during Janata Curfew on Sunday in Himachal

    No bus will ply in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday in the wake of the Janata Curfew call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Friday. Talking to the media, the CM advised the general public against organising public feast (dham) during marriages.
    10:36:19 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Coronavirus: Ola, Uber suspend shared rides temporarily

    Ride-hailing platforms Ola and Uber have suspended shared rides temporarily in an effort to curb spread of coronavirus that has killed over 10,000 persons so far globally.
    10:21:57 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    GoAir says it is voluntarily suspending all flights on Sunday when Janta curfew will be in force.

    10:16:26 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    CBSE launches helpline number for students to create awareness on coronavirus

    10:14:14 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    3M to double production of respirator masks amid coronavirus outbreak

    U.S. industrial giant 3M Co said on Friday it is doubling the global production of its N95 respirators masks to over 1.1 billion a year to meet the soaring demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.
    10:10:37 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Bhutan has welcomed the establishment of the COVID19 emergency fund: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bhutan

    10:06:14 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Defence minister discusses COVID-19, military cooperation with US counterpart

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had a telephonic conversation with his US counterpart, Mark T Esper, on Friday and the two reviewed the progress in bilateral defence cooperation as also exchanged views on the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    10:05:52 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Train services cancelled in Himachal Pradesh

    Hours after the Ferozepur railway division cancelled all 14 trains plying through the Himachal's Kangra valley, the Ambala division too decided to discontinue the service on the Shimla-Kalka track in the wake of the coronavirus threat.
    10:05:15 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Kashi Vishwanath Temple to remain closed for devotes from tomorrow till March 24

    10:03:30 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Odisha reports 2nd coronavirus case; bans large gatherings, orders closure of restaurants

    10:01:55 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    All employees of IT,BT firms must work from home: Karnataka DCM

    09:58:33 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Coronavirus: Centre relaxes leave rules for staff over 50 years

    Central government employees above the age of 50 years can go on a leave without producing a medical certificate to avoid unnecessary burden on the healthcare system amid ongoing coronavirus scare, a Personnel Ministry order said on Friday.
    09:56:46 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Two Indonesian nationals have tested positive for COVID19 in Telangana. Total cases reached 19.

    09:54:23 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Delhi govt to pay salaries to daily wage staff, guest teachers employed at places closed due to COVID-19

    The Delhi government will pay salaries for contractual staff, daily wage staff and guest teachers employed at places which have been closed in view of coronavirus, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Friday. Sisodia took to Twitter to make this announcement. "Delhi government will pay salaries to all contractual, daily wage workers, guest teachers at places that have been shut due to coronavirus," he tweeted.
    09:53:07 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Jaishankar meets counterparts from Nepal, Seychelles; discusses COVID-19 response

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held separate meetings with his counterparts from Nepal and Seychelles, and discussed cooperation in the fight against coronavirus.
    09:50:58 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Covid-19: Maharashtra count now 52, including 21 from MMR

    The number of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra climbed to 52 after four more people tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Friday, state health department officials said. Of the fresh cases, two are from Mumbai, while Pune and its neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad account for one each.
    09:41:02 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    HUL to slash prices of hygiene products, pledge Rs100 crore to fight Covid-19

    Hindustan Unilever, India's biggest consumer goods firm, said it will drop prices of essential hygiene products by 15% and committed about Rs100 crore in an effort to slow the spread of novel coronavirus. The Indian unit of Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever will also ramp up production and supplies of sanitizers, handwash and floor cleaners.
    09:40:25 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Helpline for serving and veterans of Indian Army

    09:34:34 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Mamata Banerjee welcomes Modi's 'stay indoors' proposal, urges him to stop int'l flights to Bengal

    09:33:15 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Coronavirus concerns send 2,600 U.S. military personnel into self-isolation in Europe

    Some 2,600 U.S. military personnel, including civilians, are currently in self-isolation in Europe after being identified as people of concern during the coronavirus outbreak, the U.S. military disclosed on Friday. The number is far higher than anything reported previously disclosed by the U.S. military, which said the personnel were being isolated over "travel or other reasons" -- without offering further details.
    09:32:16 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Coronavirus: Jamia asks students to vacate hostels

    09:30:38 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Next 3-4 weeks are crucial in efforts to contain the spread of the virus: PM Modi

    09:28:35 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    There will be universal screening for all passengers coming from Australia, the United Kingdom & USA and risk profiling them for either quarantine or isolation based on risk assessment

    09:25:48 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Coronavirus: Meetings of environment ministry's green panel put on hold till March 31

    With the number of coronavirus cases rising across the country every day, the ministry of environment has put all meetings of expert appraisal committees (EAC), responsible for issuing green clearances, on hold till March 31.
    09:16:46 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Scotland cricketer Majid Haq tests positive for COVID-19

    09:14:52 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    European Parliament has first reported virus case

    A Polish member of the European Parliament said Friday he had tested positive for coronavirus, making him the first known MEP with the disease. "Folks, I got tested for COVID-19. It was positive. I'm in the hospital and I feel fine," Adam Jarubas said on Twitter.
    09:13:35 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Kochi Naval base intensifies war against COVID-19

    The Southern Naval Command (SNC) of the Indian Navy has intensified its war against the novel coronavirus to prevent any community transmission and implement the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to shift from prevention to control the spread of deadly virus, a defence spokesman said on Friday.
    09:13:03 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    57 tested for coronavirus in Assam, all results negative: Himanta Biswa Sarma

    09:12:38 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Lucknow admin told to identify parties attended by singer Kanika Kapoor

    The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday asked the Lucknow administration to identify the parties attended by Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor who tested positive for coronavirus.
    09:08:39 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Nagaland bars entry of visitors to government buildings Nagaland bars entry of visitors to government buildings

    The Nagaland government barred entry of visitors to the state secretariat and other administrative buildings in wake of the coronavirus pandemic, officials said on Friday.
    09:02:25 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Air India says it will start special 'aggressive' drive to recover all pending dues from government departments.

    08:56:40 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Madhya Pradesh sees first Covid-19 cases; four test positive for novel coronavirus in Jabalpur.

    08:53:32 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    IRCTC orders closure of all food plazas, refreshment rooms, Jan Aahars and cell kitchens until further notice in view of COVID-19.

    08:53:20 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    IRCTC orders closure of onboard catering services in mail or express trains until further notice in view of COVID-19.

    08:51:09 PM IST, 20 March 2020

    Coronavirus: Gathering of 20 or more people barred in Haryana

    • The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to check the spread of coronavirus, it added.
    • However, the permissible gathering in Gurgaon and Faridabad will be restricted to five persons only, it further said.
    • It was decided at the meeting that after schools and colleges, coaching centres in the state too will remain closed till March March 31, it said.
    • Khattar also urged the government employees to remain alert and available round the clock stressing that they have to play a vital role in tackling the pandemic.
    • "The role of employees in this situation should help to create awareness among people to take precautions and maintain social distancing," said Khattar.
    • He directed the concerned officers to ensure the availability of adequate stock of essential commodities so that there is no shortage.
    Read more on
    Coronavirus In India
    coronavirus india
    coronavirus in mumbai
    coronavirus india latest news
    Coronavirus cases in India
    coronavirus
    Coronavirus In Delhi
    coronavirus in lucknow
    Have something to say? Post your comment

    Comments are moderated and will be allowed if they are about the topic and not abusive.

    Characters remaining (1500)

    The Economic Times