The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic has spread across 190 countries. The outbreak is having a major impact on global economy and the stock market. FM Nirmala Sitharaman has announced Rs 1.7 lakh crore ‘PM Gareeb Kalyan’ scheme aimed at reaching out to the poorest.

The total number of confirmed cases in India is 649. The Union Health Ministry has said that 43 people have recovered so far, but 13 have died. Today is the second day of the 21-day nationwide lockdown.

Globally, there have been over 4.74 lakh confirmed cases of COVID-19. At least 21,350 people have died so far. Infections are rapidly rising in the US, Italy, Spain, France and the United Kingdom.