Coronavirus Outbreak LIVE Updates: The Delhi government on Thursday said that no new coronavirus case has been reported in the last 15 days here from the two hotspots in the National Capital — Vasundhara Enclave and Khichripur — which were sealed on 31 March as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the virus.

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For hotspots within the Red Zone, the Centre has identified about 170 districts. This is further divided into two groups i.e. there are 123 hotspot districts with a large outbreak and 47 hotspot districts with clusters.

The Centre has named hotspot districts as Red Zone as it needs to have attention in these areas reporting a large number of COVID-19 cases and high growth rate.

Taking intensive efforts for implementing containment measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the country, the Union Health Ministry has classified 170 hotspot districts in the 'Red Zone', while 207 non-hotspot districts with clusters and non-infected districts have been classified as 'Green Zone'.

While Delhi recorded just 17 new cases, its lowest single-day tally in April, Maharashtra reported 232 — the lowest figure in the last six days. Nine new Covid-19 deaths were reported in Maharashtra and two in Delhi in the last 24 hours.

The number of fresh Covid-19 cases dropped on Wednesday in Maharashtra and Delhi, the two worst affected states, even as 29 more deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours across the country, taking the toll to 422.

In the first case, registered against the mob of around 800 to 1,000 persons for unlawful assembly, rioting, violation of prohibitory orders during the lockdown, nine persons were arrested on Wednesday.

The police have registered three cases in connection with the incident so far.

The police have arrested a total of 11 persons including a journalist with regard to the crowd of migrant labourers which gathered in suburban Bandra on Tuesday, officials said.

In the technique, antibodies from blood of patients, who have recovered from coronavirus, are used to treat severely infected patients. It is aimed at assessing the efficacy of convalescent plasma to limit complications in COVID-19 patients.

The clinical trial of the plasma enrichment technique will be conducted at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), according to an official.

The Delhi government on Wednesday decided to use the plasma enrichment technique to treat severely-ill coronavirus patients on a trial basis as the total number of COVID-19 positive cases in the National Capital reached 1,578.

"We have decided to provide financial aid and relief to migrant workers and families from Bengal stranded in other states. We are a poor state and have limited resources. But we will still help our people stranded outside," Mamata told journalists.

Seventeen more people have, meanwhile, tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the state in the past 24 hours and five patients discharged after recovery. The total number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Bengal has risen to 163.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that her government will provide financial aid and relief to migrant workers and families from the state stranded outside due to the nationwide lockdown.

Europe has reported 88,716 deaths, while the United States has the single highest toll at 26,950.

The coronavirus has killed at least 131,319 people around the world, with Europe accounting for more than two-thirds of the deaths, according to an AFP tally on Wednesday from official sources.

A Kerala man carried his 65-year-old ailing father in Punalur and walked close to one-kilometre after the autorickshaw he brought to take his father back from the hospital was allegedly stopped by Police, due to the lockdown guidelines in view of coronavirus.

The official said these hotels are located in the Southwest District of Delhi. The district administration has issued orders for setting up the paid-quarantine facilities by reserving 767 rooms in these hotels.

People using quarantine facilities at the Welcome Hotel, the Vivanta by Taj and the Piccadily Hotel will have to pay Rs 3,100, excluding the Goods and Services Tax, per day, according to the official.

The Delhi government will set up quarantine facilities at three private hotels in wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak, an official said on Wednesday.

A running tally from Johns Hopkins showed 2,569 victims, compared with the same time the previous evening, bringing the total number of deaths in the US to 28,326 - higher than any other nation.

The United States on Wednesday recorded nearly 2,600 additional deaths from the new coronavirus in 24 hours, a new record and the heaviest daily count of any country, Johns Hopkins University said.

In a series of tweets, Ghebreyesus said, "Great news: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and World Health Organisation-South-East Asia initiated a systematic engagement of the WHO's national polio surveillance network, and other field staff, for India's Covid-19 response, tapping into the best practices and resources that helped India win its war against polio."

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday appreciated India's collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the systematic engagement of polio surveillance network across the country to fight against coronavirus.

As many as 1,488 people have been cured and discharged, and one has migrated, the ministry said, which takes the number of active cases to 10,477.

According to the data released by the Union health ministry on Thursday, the death count due to the novel coronavirus rose to 414 while the number of positive cases reached 12,380.

Two more deaths were also reported from Indore late Wednesday night, taking the toll in the state to 55. The viral infection has now spread in 26 out of total 52 districts in the state.

With 42 more people testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Indore, the COVID-19 tally in Madhya Pradesh rose to 980, health officials said on Thursday.

With 19 more people testing positive for the novel coronavirus on Thursday, the COVID-19 tally in the district in Uttar Pradesh climbed to 167, said gra District Magistrate Prabhu N Singh.

Reports of a 60-year-old man from Patna and 35-year-old man from Vaishali, which came in late Wednesday night, were positive, according to Principal Secretary, Health, Sanjay Kumar.

Two more individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in Bihar, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 72, a top official said on Thursday. The fresh cases were reported from Patna and Vaishali districts, he said.

A complete lockdown has been issued in Raipur for three days, starting from 5 pm on 16 April to 5 pm on 19 April, said the District Relations Office. Vegetable markets and shops will remain shut and only emergency services will ply.

Parcel Loaders and e-commerce companies who want to send essential commodities may avail this opportunity.

The move is aimed at quick transportation of essential services to supplement the supply chain during the lockdown in view of COVID-19.

The running of Special Parcel Train Service has been extended till Secundarabad, said the Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai, Central Railways on Thursday.

With 19 more individuals testing positive for the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, the total number of case rose to 279 in the state.

The death of a senior citizen in Bengaluru on Thursday took Covid-19 related fatalities to 13 in Karnataka, said the health department. " A 66-year old man infected by coronavirus dies in Bengaluru, death toll in Karnataka rises to 13, said the state health department.

According to reports, 11 cases were reported in Tonk,10 in Jodhpur, two in Jhunjhunu while one each in Bikaner and Ajmer.

The total number of positive cases of coronavirus in Rajasthan reached 1,101 after 25 fresh COVID-19 cases were reported on Thursday at 9 am, said media reports.

According to think tank organisation Indian Police Foundation as of Thursday morning, 42 police / CAPF personnel have tested COVID-19 positive and more than 350 are under isolation/home quarantine.

With the help of artificial intelligence, a team of doctors then could monitor the health of patients remotely and call them back to the hospital if their condition deteriorated.

Armidale hospital in NSW began the trial on Wednesday which would allow COVID-19 patients with moderate symptoms to return home with a monitoring device to report their vital life signs.

Australia has started a trial of its first "virtual hospital" for COVID-19 patients in the State of New South Wales (NSW), a local television network reported on Wednesday, reported Xinhua news agency.

The rupee had settled at 76.44 against the US dollar on Wednesday.

The rupee opened weak at 76.75 at the interbank forex market and then fell further to hit an all-time low of 76.80, down 36 paise over its last close.

Forex traders said the weakness in the rupee was largely due to strengthening of the US Dollar against the basket of currencies as investors fled to safe haven Greenback amid weakening risk appetite in the markets.

The Indian rupee tanked 36 paise to an all-time low of 76.80 against the US dollar in opening trade on Thursday, tracking weak domestic equities and sharp rise in coronavirus cases in the country.

Nine new COVID-19 positive cases reported in Andhra Pradesh from 7 pm on Wednesday to 9 am Thursday - 3 each in Krishna, Kurnool and West Godavari districts. The total number of positive cases in the state rises to 534, including 20 discharged and 14 deaths: Arja Srikanth, State Nodal Officer told ANI.

"The video was shot in a house during the lockdown period, but the crew members ensured that guidelines of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare were not violated, Colaco told PTI.

The song shown in the video has been written and composed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Edwin Colaco.

Goa Inspector General of Police Jaspal Singh on Wednesday released the video, titled 'Gharantuch tum rav' (you stay indoors), on various social media platforms.

After spreading awareness about coronavirus by singing songs out on streets, Goa Police have compiled a video, featuring local artists, to highlight the importance of staying at home for protection against the deadly disease.

"We have found that 72 houses had taken delivery from that outlet and hence everyone has been told to follow precautionary measures and be under self- quarantine," Mishra told India TV.

According to DM BM Mishra, a delivery boy from a famous pizza chain in Malviya Nagar area tested positive on Tuesday, following which the authorities immediately decided to quarantine his 16 colleagues at the outlet. A detailed trail was followed to identify each house where food was delivered by the outlet.

A pizza delivery boy has tested positive for coronavirus. The administration has asked people living in around 72 houses to stay in quarantine, District Magistrate South Delhi told ANI on Thursday.

However, it was not immediately clear which one of the two patients recovered. The Health and Family Welfare Department said that with this recovery, the total number of persons cured of COVID-19 in the state is 19.

A 67-year-old man and an 18-year-old boy from the Bisra area in Sundergarh district had tested positive for the virus and were admitted to the a hospital in Rourkela. While the elderly man had attended a religious congregation organised by the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi's Nizamuddin last month, the teenager was infected after coming in contact with him.

A COVID-19 patient from Odishas Sundergarh district has recovered and will soon be discharged from the hospital, the state government said.

Telangana Cabinet to meet on 19 April to discuss the further course of COVID-19 lockdown extension. The cabinet will discuss if there should be a total lockdown till 3 May or should there be some restrictions eased as per Centre guidelines.

Maharashtra is the worst-hit state with nearly 3,000 cases now and 295 deaths as of Thursday. The government has identified 170 districts across the country as COVID-19 ‘hotspots’ or ‘red zones’, and another 207 districts as ‘potential hotspots’, reports Indian Express.

71 new coronavirus cases were reported as of 8 am on Thursday in the state, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This brings the total reported cases of coronavirus in Gujarat to 766.

With three more people succumbing to the novel coronavirus in Gujarat, the death count in the state on Thursday climbed to 36, said a state government official.

Hans Engineering Works is manufacturing 1.5 lakh Personal protective equipment (PPE) kits in Meerut for AIIMS, Delhi. "The hospital has placed an order for 1.5 lakh PPE kits. We've supplied 80,000 so far, rest to be supplied within a week."

The total number of novel coronavirus cases in India surged past the 12,000-mark on Thursday while the death toll has climbed to 414.

At 2,916, Maharashtra has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India. Maharashtra is followed by Delhi at 1,578 and Tamil Nadu at 1,242.

The mobile kiosk developed by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences can be deployed in hotspots and clusters to procure the throat swabs according to the guidelines issued by ICMR.

Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa inaugurated a mobile testing kiosk for the novel coronavirus in Bengaluru on Thursday. These mobile booths will start working in all wards of the Bengaluru to take samples for COVID-19.

"Their test reports were received and of them, one tested positive for the virus in Pakpattan. Similarly six other preachers tested positive for coronavirus in Sahiwal and two others tested positive in Bahawalpur," authorities were quoted as saying in the report.

The new cases emerged on Tuesday in different districts of the Punjab province. Two weeks back, 198 Tablighi Jamaat workers were quarantined in Pakpattan and nine of them have tested positive, Dawn newspaper reported.

At least nine Tablighi Jamaat members have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Pakistan's Punjab province, taking the total number of infections to 6,506 in the country, according to a media report on Thursday.

The buses have been provided by Warner Bros Studios Leavesden and bus operator Golden Tours to transport key workers between West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust's three sites, reported Variety.

Branded Harry Potter buses that generally take fans to Warner Bros' The Making of Harry Potter studio tour in the UK are now being used to transport key National Health Service (NHS) workers for free between hospitals battling coronavirus.

He is admitted to a hospital in Khargone and booked for negligent act, they said. "His test report came out positive on Tuesday," district nodal medical officer Dr Anupam Atre said.

A 60-year-old man from Madhya Pradesh who attended the religious gathering of Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin in Delhi during mid-March has tested positive for coronavirus, officials said on Thursday.

The constable, a resident of Kandivali area, was on leave as he had not been keeping well since the last few days. After he started showing symptoms of coronavirus, his test was conducted which came out positive on Wednesday, the official said.

A constable attached to Juhu police station in Mumbai has tested positive for coronavirus, an official said on Thursday. Other police personnel who came in contact with the constable will also be tested, he said.

The total number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra reached 3,081 after 165 more individuals tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, said state health department.

The virus has been slower to hit the region, but it is starting to be felt with brutal force in some parts, particularly in Ecuador, where hundreds of people have died in recent weeks, overwhelming the business hub of Guayaquil.

The measure comes as cities across Latin America are struggling to keep people off the streets, despite quarantine orders that have been in places for weeks in most countries.

Bogotá, Colombia’s capital and largest city, joined Panama this week in instituting a gender-based virus-prevention measure designed to limit the number of people in the streets. On odd-numbered days, men can leave the house to seek out essentials. On even-numbered days, it’s the women’s turn.

Out of the 1,578 cases, 867 people have been admitted to hospitals. 29 patients are in intensive care, five patients are currently on the ventilator and 32 patients are dead.

"In the last 24 hours, with only 17 new cases being reported and two deaths, the total number of cases rises to 1,578 of which, 1,080 cases (68.4 percent) are Markaz cases," the Delhi Health Minister told ANI.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday said that over 68 percent of the COVID-19 positive cases in the National Capital is because of the Tablighi Jamaat event at the Markaz Nizamuddin.

Rahul further proposed scaling of testing and using testing strategically across the nation.

Lockdown doesn't defeat the virus, it stops the virus for some time, said Rahul Gandhi during an online press conference on Thursday. "Lockdown is like a pause button. It is in no way a solution to the virus. when we come out of lockdown, the virus will start its work again. We need to have a strategy for that. Ramp up testing abilities, prepare hospitals," he adds.

Of the 34 new cases reported since Wednesday 5 pm, 17 of them were from Belagavi, all of them had attended the Tablighi Jamaat event.

"Till date, 313 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed. This includes 13 deaths and 82 discharges," the state's health department said in its morning bulletin.

The Karnataka government on Thursday said 34 people tested positive for the novel coronaviirus till noon on Thursday, marking the highest single-day rise so far in the state. It also reported death of a 66-year old man from Bengaluru, with the total death count at 13.

"To fight against COVID-19, our main force is working at the state and district levels. Success has been achieved in Wayanad, Kerala because of the effective machinery at the district level," he said.

The Congress leader also highlighted the progress report at battling COVID-19 in state and district levels.

Rahul Gandhi pushed for strategic lifting of lockdown by ramping up testing facilities. "This has to be done via testing. You need two zones - hotspot and non-hotspot. When you lock people up, the disease gets locked up. When you open the door, the disease comes out," said Rahul.

Of the 11 new cases, four were reported from Mukund Nagar, two each from Social Nagar and Rajiv Nagar, and one each from Sai Raj Nagar, Transit camp and Ramji Chawl localities of Dharavi, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said.

With 11 more people testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Dharavi, in south Mumbai, the overall COVID-19 tally in the slum area rose to 71 on Thursday, a civic official said.

"Lockdown is not a solution, not a treatment. Therefore we must find a strategy to come out from that lockdown phase. PM's role should be to empower the states," said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use testing to create a map of India to track the virus and help states to fight it.

"Our government must be very compassionate in dealing with migrants," he said.

Stressing on the migrant labourers issue, Rahul Gandhi said "Centre needs to work on a strategy on migrant workers. If you don't solve the problem, there will be social unrest. People are starving, you have to fix it. The government has to be sensitive and respond quickly."

"No public address system to be used by the staff of mosques for offering namaz," State Minority Welfare, Waqf and Hajj Department said.

With the Centre extending the nationwide lockdown till 3 May in view the novel coronavirus, the Karnataka government on Thursday ordered that no one will be allowed to perform five-time congregational prayers in mosques during the holy month of Ramzan at the end of April.

Bringing a sigh of relief to all Class 11 and college students, Banerjee said that they would be promoted to the next class and semesters respectively, reported The Times of India.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that WBBSE Class 12 exams would be conducted in June. The higher secondary examination was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

"We thought why not do our bit by donating something that is the need of the hour - non-surgical masks. These masks are being produced at a production facility with three workers who are being completely taken care of," Masaba wrote on Instagram.

The Mumbai-based designer, who owns the label House of Masaba which has come to a halt amid lockdown like any other workplace, has launched the self-explanatory initiative ''Maskaba''.

Fashion designer Masaba Gupta on Wednesday announced that she will be producing non-surgical masks as her contribution to the country's battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

The total number of positive cases of coronavirus in Tamil Nadu climbed to 1,267 on Thursday after 25 more individuals tested positive for COVID-19, said chief minister K Palaniswami.

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma also tweeted: "I am deeply saddened to inform that the first COVID-19 positive patient in Meghalaya passed away this morning at 2.45 am. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace."

Sampath Kumar, commissioner and secretary of Meghalaya’s Health Department has also confirmed the news of the passing away of the patient.

Meghalaya’s first COVID-19 patient, a 69 year old doctor, passed away on Wednesday morning. He breathed his last at around 2:45 am.

Electronic items like the mobile phones, TVs, laptops will be available on the e-commerce platforms from April 20, the official said.

The clarification from a senior home ministry official came a day after Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla issued revised guidelines for the extended lockdown period till May 3.

Mobile phones, televisions, refrigerators, laptops and stationary items will be allowed to be sold through e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal from April 20 during the lockdown, officials said on Thursday.

They are further sent to home quarantine for 14 days

Three COVID-19 positive patients who were being treated at the Goalpara Civil Hospital, Assam, have been discharged on Thursday after they tested negative in two successive tests, said Himanta Biswa Sarma.

It may be recalled that the Tamil Nadu government has directed companies and the district administration to ensure migrant workers were not stranded and were taken care of in view of coronavirus pandemic.

Over 600 migrant workers employed by concrete equipment manufacturer Schwing Stetter India in Tamil Nadu were provided accommodation, food and shelter following the lockdown, according to a top official.

At a meeting via video conferencing, Naqvi asked the state waqf boards’ officials to create awareness among people to offer prayers and perform other religious rituals like “iftar (breaking of fast)” during Ramzan, which begins on 24-25 April, staying inside their homes.

Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday directed state waqf boards to ensure strict implementation of lockdown and social distancing guidelines during Ramzan starting next week amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Civil Aviation Ministry on Thursday said it is deliberating upon forming a set of guidelines on refunds for flight ticket cancellations due to coronavirus lockdown.

After several people complained on social media, senior officials of Ministry of Civil Aviation and CEOs of Indian airlines companies met on Wednesday afternoon on the issue of cancellation refunds during the coronavirus lockdown period.

With the nationwide lockdown extended till 3 May, domestic airlines have again decided not to refund customers in cash for their cancelled flights and instead have offered them rescheduling of tickets for a later date without any additional fee.

Officials said all the children contracted the virus from family members who attended the Tablighi Jamaat meeting at Delhi’s Nizamuddin in March. "The jamaat returnees were unaware that they were infected, and inadvertently passed it on to their family members, among them are several children," an official said.

As many as 40 children in the age group of 3 to 17 years have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh. They are among the 475 active cases under treatment at various COVID-19 centres in the state, as on 15 April, The Indian Express reported.

"The areas that are not hotspots or containment zones, certain permissions may be given from April 20, 2020," Punya Srivastava, Joint Secretary, MHA told News18.

Joint Secretary, Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said on Thursday that the confirmed COVID-19 cases in India jumped by 941 in the last 24 hours, while 37 patients succumbed to the disease in the same time period. Overall, India has 12,456 cases and 423 deaths since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

An action plan has been prepared on strengthening our ongoing surveillance utilizing the services of WHO national polio surveillance network team.

Health Minister and MoS Health held a video conference yesterday, with health functionaries and field officers of the World Health Organisation (WHO), in which micro-plan for clusters and outbreak containment of COVID-19 at district-level was discussed.

MHA is monitoring on daily basis incidents of violation of lockdown guidelines including congregation of people and opening of shops and establishments. Instances of violence against health workers engaged in surveillance and quarantine measures etc are also being ascertained. The Ministry of Home Affairs would take action under the Disaster Management Act against officers found responsible for such violations.

The Union health ministry said that the total cases of coronavirus in the country rose to 12,759 on Thursday, iincluding 10,824 active cases, 1,514 cured/discharged/migrated and 420 deaths.

"In some places, it is even more than 10 percent. The discharging/cure rate is also very high in Kerala because of our systematic work. We evaluate every thing every day," she said.

Kerala health minister KK Shailaja said that the mortality rate due to coronavirus in the state is below 0.5 percent "whereas it's more than 5 percent in the world."

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that sweet shops in the state will be allowed to operate for 8 hours, from 8 am to 4 pm everyday. Earlier, the state government had allowed them to remain open for 4 hours from 12 noon to 4 pm everyday.

The Punjab health department said that 11 new coronavirus cases were reported in the state on Thursday, of which nine have contact history and two have a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The total coronavirus cases in the state rose to 197, including 29 cured and 14 deaths.

Today 12 new cases of coronavirus were detected in UP's Gautam Buddh Nagar. With this, the city's tally has risen to 92. The official said that out of the 92 cases so far, 26 corona-infected patients have been cured and 66 are still undergoing treatment.

Seven fresh cases of COVID-19 were reported from Kerala on Thursday, taking the total number of active cases to 147 in the state,even as over 88,000 people are under observation. On Wednesday, only one positive case had been reported, the lowest in weeks.

At least 6.5 lakh rapid antibody testing kits and RNA extraction kits imported from China by the Central government are arriving to the country for Covid-19 patients on Thursday, ICMR officials said during a media interaction.

The Bihar government said that six new coronavirus cases were reported in the state on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 80. All six positive cases are family members of the person from Munger who tested positive on Wednesday, the statement said.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "I have given orders to investigate how does it spread among so many health officials. Necessary action will be taken after investigation completes."

Bhopal district collector Tarun Pithode said that more than 90 officials from the health department and 20 from police department have tested positive for COVID-19 in the district till date.

The Delhi government on Thursday said that no new coronavirus case has been reported in the last 15 days here from the two hotspots in the National Capital — Vasundhara Enclave and Khichripur — which were sealed on 31 March as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the virus.

"That's a new trend, new disease new infection, we're still trying to understand nature of infection. Line of treatment/protocol remains same. We're following the advice by ICMR," the statement said.

Andhra Pradesh special chief secretary said that there are some COVID-19 patients who are below 11 years of age in the state.

The Gujarat health department said thay 58 more COVID-19 cases were reported in the state on Thursday. The total number of coronavirus cases in the state is at 929, including 73 recovered/discharged and 36 deaths related to the virus.

"Out of the seven deaths today, five were men and two were women. Four of them aged over 60 years and three were from the age group of 40 to 60 years. Six out of these seven patients had high-risk co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma and heart disease," the statement said.

300 patients have been discharged from hospitals in the state, including five on Thursday.

The Maharashtra health department said that 286 more COVID-19 cases and seven deaths (four in Pune and three in Mumbai) were reported in the state on Thursday, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 3,202 and the toll to 194.

ICMR on Thursday said that so far, 23 antibody-based rapid tests have been validated at ICMR-NIV Pune, and a list has been prepared of the ones that were found to be satisfactory. Nine of these kits are manufactured in India.

The Tamil Nadu government said that 25 more COVID-19 cases were reported in the state on Thursday. The total number of coronavirus cases in the state is now at 1,267, including 180 discharged and 15 deaths.

The list of 'containment zones' in Delhi on Thursday rose to 60 with the areas of Street no 6, A block, Abu Fazal enclave, Shaheen Bagh and Street nos 3-5, East Ram Nagar, Shahdara included in the list.

The Himachal Pradesh government said that the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state stands at 35, including 12 discharged patients and one death.

The UK officials on Thursday extended the lockdown as a measure to curb the spread of coronavirus for 'at least next three weeks', AFP reported.

A total of 55 people in Rajasthan, including 23 from Bharatpur, 11 from Tonk, 11 from Jodhpur and three from Jaipur tested positive for COVID-19 in the state on Thursday. The total number of positive cases in the state is 1,131.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the 'Odd-Even' system for vehicles will be implemented in the state after 20 April in districts with partial restrictions. Also, concession will be given to vehicles driven by women.

The Delhi health department said that 62 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths were reported in the National Capital in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 1,640.

The Bihar health department on Thursday said that three more people, including a 6-month-old baby, who are family members/contacts of an earlier positive case in Munger, have been tested positive for COVID-19. The total number of positive cases in Bihar rose to 83.

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma said that two more people tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday.He said that both are family members of the first patient in the state.

Reports said that so far, 23 police personnel in Maharashtra have tested positive for coronavirus.

The Delhi Police said that an ASI officer posted with the security unit has been tested positive for COVID-19. He had a history of exposure while on duty on 5 April. Currently, he is asymptomatic and is in home isolation. His wife is also asymptomatic.

The toll from the coronavirus pandemic in the United States approached 31,000 as governors began cautiously preparing Americans for a post-virus life that would likely include public face coverings as the 'new normal'.

A total of 55 people in Rajasthan, including 23 from Bharatpur, 11 from Tonk, 11 from Jodhpur and three from Jaipur tested positive for COVID-19 in the state on Thursday. The total number of positive cases in the state is 1,131.

A total of 3,02,956 samples from 2,86,714 individuals have been tested as on 16 April, 9 pm, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the 'Odd-Even' system for vehicles will be implemented in the state after 20 April in districts with partial restrictions. Also, concession will be given to vehicles driven by women.

The Delhi health department said that 62 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths were reported in the National Capital in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 1,640.

The Bihar health department on Thursday said that three more people, including a 6-month-old baby, who are family members/contacts of an earlier positive case in Munger, have been tested positive for COVID-19. The total number of positive cases in Bihar rose to 83.

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma said that two more people tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday.He said that both are family members of the first patient in the state.

Reports said that so far, 23 police personnel in Maharashtra have tested positive for coronavirus.

The Delhi Police said that an ASI officer posted with the security unit has been tested positive for COVID-19. He had a history of exposure while on duty on 5 April. Currently, he is asymptomatic and is in home isolation. His wife is also asymptomatic.

The toll from the coronavirus pandemic in the United States approached 31,000 as governors began cautiously preparing Americans for a post-virus life that would likely include public face coverings as the 'new normal'.

AFP reported that the lockdown over coronavirus in New York was extended till 15 May on THursday.

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: The Delhi government on Thursday said that no new coronavirus case has been reported in the last 15 days here from the two hotspots in the National Capital — Vasundhara Enclave and Khichripur — which were sealed on 31 March as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the virus.

India's total number of coronavirus positive cases rises to 12,759 (including 10,824 active cases, 1514 cured/discharged/migrated and 420 deaths.

The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to invoke the stringent National Security Act against those attacking policemen, health and sanitation workers involved in the fight against coronavirus.

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been postponed 'until further notice' on Thursday. The league was scheduled to begin on 29 March but was postponed till 15 April in wake of the COVID-19 outbreak that has halted all sporting activities all around the world.

Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday directed state waqf boards to ensure strict implementation of lockdown and social distancing guidelines during Ramzan starting next week amid the coronavirus pandemic.

At a meeting via video conferencing, Naqvi asked the state waqf boards’ officials to create awareness among people to offer prayers and perform other religious rituals like “iftar (breaking of fast)” during Ramzan, which begins on 24-25 April, staying inside their homes.

Meghalaya’s first COVID-19 patient, a 69 year old doctor, passed away on Wednesday morning. He breathed his last at around 2.45 am.

Sampath Kumar, commissioner and secretary of Meghalaya’s Health Department has also confirmed the news of the passing away of the patient.

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma also tweeted: "I am deeply saddened to inform that the first COVID-19 positive patient in Meghalaya passed away this morning at 2.45 am. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace."

With 11 more people testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Dharavi, in south Mumbai, the overall COVID-19 tally in the slum area rose to 71 on Thursday, a civic official said.

Stressing on the migrant labourers issue, Rahul Gandhi said "Centre needs to work on a strategy on migrant workers. If you don't solve the problem, there will be social unrest. People are starving, you have to fix it. The government has to be sensitive and respond quickly."

"Our government must be very compassionate in dealing with migrants," he said.

Lockdown doesn't defeat the virus, it stops the virus for some time, said Rahul Gandhi during an online press conference on Thursday. "Lockdown is like a pause button. It is in no way a solution to the virus. when we come out of lockdown, the virus will start its work again. We need to have a strategy for that. Ramp up testing abilities, prepare hospitals," he adds.

Rahul further proposed scaling of testing and using testing strategically across the nation.

The total number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra reached 3,081 after 165 more individuals tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, said state health department.

Mumbai reported 107 positive coronavirus cases, said the health department.

105 new coronavirus cases were reported on Thursday in Gujarat, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This brings the total reported cases of coronavirus in the state to 871.

The death of a senior citizen in Bengaluru on Thursday took Covid-19 related fatalities to 13 in Karnataka, said the health department. " A 66-year old man infected by coronavirus dies in Bengaluru, death toll in Karnataka rises to 13, said the state health department.

With 19 more individuals testing positive for the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, the total number of case rose to 279 in the state.

According to the data released by the Union health ministry on Thursday, the death count due to the novel coronavirus rose to 414 while the number of positive cases reached 12,380.

As many as 1,488 people have been cured and discharged, and one has migrated, the ministry said, which takes the number of active cases to 10,477.

The Delhi government on Wednesday decided to use the plasma enrichment technique to treat severely-ill coronavirus patients on a trial basis as the total number of COVID-19 positive cases in the National Capital reached 1,578.

The clinical trial of the plasma enrichment technique will be conducted at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), according to an official.

The police have arrested a total of 11 persons including a journalist with regard to the crowd of migrant labourers which gathered in suburban Bandra on Tuesday, officials said.

The police have registered three cases in connection with the incident so far.

In the first case, registered against the mob of around 800 to 1,000 persons for unlawful assembly, rioting, violation of prohibitory orders during the lockdown, nine persons were arrested on Wednesday.

The Centre on Wednesday issued guidelines for conditional relaxations in many sectors of the economy from 20 April, even as the country registered over 1,000 new coronavirus cases for the second consecutive day.

The Union health ministry said that the Centre would classify all districts into three categories, based on the number of cases reported. It also said that 170 districts across the country have been marked as COVID-19 hotspots while 207 districts had been identified as potential hotspots.

1,118 new cases, 39 deaths recorded in 24 hours

According to the data released by the Union health ministry at 5 pm, the toll due to coronavirus rose to 392 with 39 fatalities reported since Tuesday evening, while the number of cases saw a jump of 1,118 to go up to 11,933 on Wednesday. As many as 1,343 people have been cured and discharged, and one has migrated, the ministry said, which takes the number of active cases to 10,197. The single-day highest increase of 1,463 cases was recorded on Tuesday.

According to the Union health ministry, the highest number of cases was recorded in Maharahstra (2,687) followed by Delhi (1,561 cases).

However, a PTI tally said the number of COVID-19 infections went past the 12,000 mark while the death toll crossed 400.

In Maharashtra, the coronavirus positive cases continued to spike with 232 more infections detected on Wednesday, while the death toll went up by nine to 187, PTI quoted a health official as saying. The number of COVID-19 cases in the state now stands at 2,916, with Mumbai alone accounting for 1, 896 cases and 114 deaths.

Neighbouring Gujarat reported 127 new infections and five deaths taking the state tally to 766. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani went into self-quarantine after a MLA who had attended a meeting with him tested positive. The CMO said that he was in good health and would continue working through video conferences.

In Delhi, 17 more persons tested positive for the virus, taking the count to 1,578 while the toll rose to 32.

17 new positive cases & 2 deaths reported in Delhi in the last 24 hours. The total number of positive cases in the national capital now stands at 1578 (including 1080 positive cases - under Special Operations). Total death toll stands at 32: Government of Delhi #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/9VzGuHlqJG — ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2020

New infections were also reported in other states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh while a policeman was among 12 new patients in West Bengal.

Data obtained from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that till 14 April the number of samples tested stood at 2,44,893, an increase of 27,339 from the corresponding figure till the previous day (2,17,554).

Health ministry identifies 170 districts as COVID-19 hotspots

The Union Health Ministry said it has identified 170 districts as COVID-19 hotspots and 207 districts as potential hotspots, reiterating yet again there has been no community transmission of the disease in the country so far.

Addressing the daily briefing, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary in the Union health ministry , said states have been asked to classify districts which have reported a higher number of cases as hotspots, the districts where cases have been reported as non-hotspots, and green zones where no cases have been reported.

"Hotspots are those districts which are reporting more number of cases or where the rate of growth of COVID-19 cases is high," Agarwal said, adding a detailed direction has been issued to states stating consolidated efforts are required to utilise this period of lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba held a video conference with all chief secretaries, DGPs, health secretaries, collectors, SPs, municipal commissioners and CMOs where hotspots were discussed and orientation on field level implementation of containment strategy was given.

"They were told about large outbreak containment strategies, cluster containment strategies. Delineation of buffer and containment zone, parameter mapping, defining of entry and exit point were also discussed in detail," Agarwal said.

Meanwhile, Dr R Gangakhedkar of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that 73 private labs had been approved, and 22 private labs were currently conducting tests for coronavirus.

On being asked whether research had confirmed whether the COVID-19 strain had infected humans from bats, he said, "As per research in China, it was found that coronavirus might have originated due to mutation in bats. Bats might have transmitted it to pangolins, from pangolins it got transmitted to humans."

He added, "We also conducted surveillance, in which we found that there are two types of bats, and they carried coronavirus which was not capable of affecting humans. It's rare, maybe once in 1,000 years that it gets transmitted from bats to humans."

MHA issues guidelines for relaxations in several sectors

With the second phase of the national lockdown coming into force, the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) unveiled the ‘consolidated revised guidelines' according to which restrictions will be lifted in various sectors including Agriculture, construction, Information Technology, industrial units in the SEZs and rural areas from 20 April till 3 May.

The permitted activities from 20 April are aimed at ensuring agricultural and related activities remain fully functional, rural economy functions with maximum efficiency, employment opportunities are created for daily wage earners and other members of labour force, select industrial activities are allowed to resume their operations, with safeguards and mandatory standard operating protocols and digital economy, the MHA said.

The exemptions given will not be applicable in COVID-19 hotspots/ containment zones and the State/UT governments shall not dilute guidelines in any manner but may impose stricter measures as per local requirements, according to the MHA.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla emphasised on the need to follow social distancing norms and said that the relaxations will be withdrawn if there is any violation of norms for the lockdown that ends on 3 May. The home ministry also issued strict guidelines prohibiting public activities and making spitting a public offence under the Disaster Management Act. Any violation may result in imprisonment of up to one year or a fine, or both.

According to the guidelines, industrial activities and hospitality services, taxis and auto and cycle rickshaws and social, political, academic, entertainment and religious gatherings will not be allowed. No more than 20 people will be allowed to be present at funerals and people will be allowed to move between districts and states only if they are medical or other identified workers.

All health services, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, dispensaries, chemists, AYUSH practitioners will remain open. Pharmaceutical and medical research labs carrying out COVID-19-related research can also be functional. Veterinary hospitals, clinics, labs and medicine suppliers can also conduct business. Farmers and farm workers have been allowed to work on field and the mandis operated by the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), manufacture and sale of fertilisers and seeds and movement of farm equipment have also been permitted. The guidelines stated that grocery stores, fruits, vegetables shops/ carts, milk booths, poultry, meat and fish shop will remain open during the lockdown. Courier services will also be permitted, irrespective or essential or non-essential. Wearing masks in public and at workplaces will remain mandatory.

Migrant workers in Surat take to streets for second consecutive day

Hundreds of migrant workers stranded in Gujarat due to the lockdown gathered on the streets in Surat's Ved Road area for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, officials said. "While one group of workers demanded that food be served near their houses, others wanted the serving point closer to them. These workers also complained that the food being served to them was tasteless. Luckily, police resolved the matter in time and dispersed these workers" said Assistant Commissioner of Police DJ Chavda.

On Tuesday, hundreds of migrant workers had come out on roads in Surat and in Mumbai, demanding that they be allowed to go to their native states. In Maharashtra, a journalist with a television channel was arrested in connection with the protests in Bandra the previous day. Police said he was booked for a report on the resumption of special trains for those stranded due to the lockdown. A Navi Mumbai resident was also arrested in connection to the protests, over social media posts which allegedly called for a protests if trains were not arranged for migrant workers.

Trump withdraws funding to WHO

US President Donald Trump halted funding to the World Health Organisation, hitting out at the organisation for promoting China's disinformation about the virus and "failing in its basic duty" of containing the spread of the outbreak. Later in the day, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that he regretted Trump’s decision to pull funding for the agency and called for world unity to fight the new coronavirus pandemic.

With inputs from agencies