NEW DELHI: The total number of coronavirus cases rose to 3,072, including 75 death on Saturday as the Union health ministry said 525 fresh cases were reported in the last 24 hours in India. The government said that of the total number, 213 people have recovered or have been discharged.

Here is a look at the latest updates on the outbreak of coronavirus from India and around the world —

CRPF DG goes into self-quarantine after indirect contact with COVID-19-positive doctor

CRPF chief A P Maheshwari has gone into self-quarantine after he had an indirect contact with a doctor in the paramilitary force, who had tested positive for coronavirus, officials said.

"The DG had an indirect contact with the officer and according to protocol, he is observing quarantine," CRPF spokesperson DIG Moses Dhinakaran said.

New York continues to record highest number of daily deaths

New York State, the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the US, has recorded a staggering 630 deaths due to COVID19 in a 24-hour period, the highest number of fatalities in a single day as the total number of deaths the state crossed over 3,500.

Governor Andrew Cuomo, in his daily COVID-19 briefing on Saturday, said deaths in the state saw an “all time increase” to 3,565 as on April 4 from 2,935 on April 3.

Coronavirus cases in New York State now stand at 113,704, out of the country's total of 2,87,216.

PM Modi to chair council of ministers' meet on Monday, cabinet meeting on Tuesday

Amidst the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak, a meeting of the council of ministers will be held on Monday via a video-conference chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This is perhaps for the first time in the history of the country that a council of ministers' meeting will be held via video-conference.

The council of ministers' meeting will be followed by a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Both meetings will be chaired by the prime minister, sources said.

COVID-19 death toll rises to 75, cases climb to 3,072

With the increase of fresh 525 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the largest spike in a day, the total number of positive coronavirus cases have climbed to 3,072 in India, the Union health ministry said on Saturday. The ministry said as many as 75 deaths, including 12 since Friday, have been reported and added that 213 people have recovered or have been discharged.

Italy's intensive care virus cases drop for first time

Italy saw its first drop in patients receiving intensive care for the coronavirus that has killed 15,362 people in the country and put the healthcare system under massive strain.

"This is very important news," civil protection service chief Angelo Borrelli told reporters of the drop from 4,068 to 3,994 intensive care patients over the past 24 hours. "It allows our hospitals to breathe," he said.

No final decision on resumption of services yet: Railways

Railways on Saturday said no final decision has been taken yet on restoration of train services and that a call on it would be taken in a few days.

The statement comes amidst railway zones preparing action plans to resume services from April 15 after passenger trains remained suspended for 21 days during the lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

"Train services will have to be resumed only on specific approval of each train from Railway Board. Suggestions for phase wise planning should be given to Railway Board," an official said.

PM directs officials to ensure sufficient availability of essential medical equipment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a meeting of various empowered groups set up to respond to the coronavirus threat and directed officials to ensure sufficient availability of all essential medical equipment such as personal protective equipment, masks, gloves and ventilators.

In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister's Office said Modi reviewed the countrywide preparedness regarding availability of hospitals, proper isolation and quarantine facilities as well as disease surveillance, testing and critical care training.

Coronavirus has spread to 30% of India's districts

Managing Covid-19 will be more challenging for authorities as SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing it, has spread to 30% of the country’s districts. Union ministry of health data shows that the government has been able to ascertain cases in 211 of 720 districts in the country, with some big states reporting more than 60% of districts as infected while many have over 30%.

Govt advises people to wear homemade face coverings in public places

The government on Saturday issued an advisory urging people to use handmade protective covers for face and mouth to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. In its advisory, the government stressed on the need to maintain social distancing and proper hygiene to ward off infection and suggested that people should use homemade face covers, which are also a good method of maintaining personal hygiene.

May extend lockdown, says health minister; Maharashtra sees 67 new cases, toll 26

On a day 67 Covid -19 cases were reported in the state, of which 80% or 53 cases were from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and 43 from within the city itself, health minister Rajesh Tope said the nationwide lockdown, which ends on April 14, may be extended in some parts of Maharashtra, especially in cities like Mumbai where the number of cases is high. Tope said this was his personal opinion.

Global companies pledge not to lay off staff

A number of global companies — most with a large presence in India — have assured employees that there will be no or insignificant layoffs while the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown continue. Some have taken a 90-day no-layoff pledge. Others have put a stop to all layoffs for this year. A few are protecting jobs by reducing fresh hiring.

French coronavirus fatalities hit 6,508 in deadliest day

France reported it’s deadliest day on Friday as the number of deaths at the country’s hospitals rose. It also included more fatalities from nursing homes. Still, daily intensive-care admissions fell for a fourth day, adding to signs that lockdown measures across Europe may be helping to bring the outbreak under control.

Centre grants Rs 17,000cr to states to tackle coronavirus crisis

While the home ministry approved an advance release of Rs 11,092 crore to all states under the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF), in line with the assurance given by PM Narendra Modi to CMs on Thursday, the finance ministry said Rs 6,195 crore was transferred on account of “revenue deficit grants”.

Mega cash transfer in battle Covid-19

The government on Friday launched one of the largest-ever cash transfer schemes, including the deposit of over Rs 30,000 crore into the account of woman Jan Dhan account holders as well as Rs 5,000 crore into the linked accounts of eight crore poor households with LPG connections provided under ‘Ujjwala’.

