The concern around the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has reached its zenith worldwide, with entire countries going into quarantine, major sports tournaments being cancelled, and widespread social and economic instability.

As of 04:01 PM on Saturday, the global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has reached 5,443, with more than 146,326 people in 148 countries infected around the world. In China, the epicentre of the outbreak, the situation is the worst. With 80,824 cases (11 new) and 3,189 deaths (13 new), the World Health Organisation (WHO) has already placed the country at a 'Very High' risk assessment level.

Outside of China, more than 65,500 cases, and 2,254 deaths have been confirmed, with countries like Italy (17,600+ cases), Iran (11,300+ cases), and South Korea (8,000+ cases) facing the worst situations of the lot.

In India, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the country is 83, with two deaths till now. The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under the central government has launched a helpline number: +91-11-23978046 for coronavirus-related inquiry and support. There are also separate helpline numbers for the different states and union territories.

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The helpline email id for coronavirus is: ncov2019@gmail.com

Among the number of positive cases of coronavirus infection in India, 66 are Indian nationals, while 17 are foreign nationals (16 Italians and 1 Canadian). More than 11.7 lakh people have been screened at airports across the country.

COVID-19 Pandemic LIVE Updates:

The total number of positive cases of coronavirus in the country rises to 93.

Ministry of Home Affairs: In wake of the coronavirus outbreak, as a precautionary measure to contain and control the spread of the disease, the travel and registration for Sri Kartarpur Sahib is temporarily suspended from 12 am March 16, 2020, till further orders.

Chhattisgarh Directorate of Public Relations: Cinema halls and multiplexes in the state to remain closed till March 31 in the light of coronavirus

Maharashtra government issues 'The Maharashtra COVID-19 Regulations, 2020' under the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 which empowers certain officers to issue order for surveillance, prevention, control and treatment of coronavirus.

All malls will remain closed till March 31 in Maharashtra

One person who returned from a foreign country yesterday, died today at District Hospital in Buldhana today. It has not been confirmed if he died due to #Coronavirus. Sample has been sent for test. Report awaited: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

No fresh cases were reported today. The state will step up surveillance after neighbouring states declared holidays for major institutions. The state is exploring the possibilities of screening passengers in trains as well.

The plan is to check all passengers in a train when it reaches the first station inside Kerala. Multiple teams will be deployed at various railway stations near Karnataka & Tamil Nadu borders. 24 points identified on highways & checking will be done there.

Checking made mandatory for domestic passengers at airports. We're planning to set up corona care centres near four airports in Kerala. Foreigners coming from affected countries will be put in isolation in corona care centers.

Rajasthan Health Department: A 24-year-old man, who returned from Spain, has tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur today. With this, total number of positive cases of COVID-19 stands at four.

Total positive coronavirus cases in Maharashtra rise to 26: Health Minister Rajesh Tope

An Air India special flight took off from Delhi at around 16:30 hours today for Milan (Italy), to evacuate around 220 passengers from there. The flight will return tomorrow morning.

19:50 IST Saturday, 14 March 2020

Maharashtra govt: All schools in urban areas of Maharashtra (all govt & pvt schools in jurisdiction of Nagar Panchayat, Nagar Palika, Mahanagar palika) to remain closed till 31st March. Only exams for class 10th, 12th, & University exams will be held as per schedule

Maharashtra government: All schools, colleges and other educational institutions to remain closed till March 31st.

Padma Award ceremony, scheduled to be held on April 3 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, has been postponed. Next date and time to be announced in due course: Govt of India

Out of the total 84 positive cases in the country, 10 people have fully recovered and been discharged. Contact tracing of these cases has led to the identification of over 4000 contacts who have been put under surveillance: Sanjeeva Kumar, Special Secretary (Health), Union Health Ministry

Total number of positive Coronavirus cases in India is 84: Sanjeeva Kumar, Special Secretary (Health), Union Health Ministry

Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur: One more person has tested positive for Coronavirus.

Delhi AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria: Coronavirus can not spread through dead bodies. It spreads from respiratory secretion. Coughing is necessary for the spread of this virus. So there is no risk in cremating the infected bodies.

The European Parliament is stepping up its efforts to help tackle the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Europe, which is now the center of the global pandemic, CNN reported. According to the Parliament's President David Sassoli, all European countries will receive support for their health systems in the form of materials supply, support to hospitals, and financing research to develop a vaccine as soon as possible.

Maharashtra: Personnel of Crime Branch seize sub-standard sanitizers worth Rs 1 lakh from a shop in Pune. Crime Branch DCP, Pune, says, "Case registered against 3 persons. Further investigation underway. We are keeping a watch on black marketing of essential commodities".

Ministry of Home Affairs: The government has decided to treat COVID-19 as a notified disaster for the purpose of providing assistance under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Rs 4 lakh will be paid as ex-gratia to the family of the person who will lose their life due to the coronavirus disease, including those involved in relief operations or associated in response activities.

Apple has decided to close all its stores worldwide, except those in greater China, until March 27. In a statement issued by Apple CEO Tim Cook, it was informed that the tech giant has committed $15 million to help fight the global coronavirus outbreak.

All Apple offices will undergo deep cleaning and health screening, while employees were asked to work from home wherever it was possible. However, customers can still shop on the Apple website or get customer support online, it was said.

Karnataka: Conductor ML Nadaf and driver HT Mayannavar bought and distributed masks among passengers travelling in their bus from Yaraguppi to Hubli. ML Nadaf says, "We took this initiative as people are avoiding travel because of the coronavirus scare. I request the government to distribute free masks to people."

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant: All schools, colleges, casinos, boat cruises, and disco clubs closed till 31st March in the state. However, Senior Secondary Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) exams will be conducted as per schedule. All malls, restaurants, and hotels, however, will remain open.

Vietnam suspends entry for travelers coming from 26 European countries, as well as the UK, according to a statement issued by the Vietnamese government. The travel restrictions come into effect at midnight Sunday local time and will last 30 days, the statement added.

Government of West Bengal: All government, government-aided, private educational institutions - schools, colleges, universities, madrasahs, Sishu Shiksha Kendra and Madhyamik Shiksha Kendra will remain closed from 16th to 31st March. Board examinations will be held as per schedule.

Karnataka: A special medical help desk has been set up at the Hubballi railway station to spread awareness on the coronavirus pandemic. As of now, no positive case of coronavirus has been reported in the Hubballi-Dharwad division.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Varanasi: Five laboratories have been set up for testing of COVID-19 in the state, with the help of the central government. Two laboratories have been set up in Lucknow and one each in Aligarh, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur.

Afghanistan: Herat Governor Abdul Qayum Rahimi reports a new positive case of COVID-19 in the city. Now, a total of 11 cases have been reported across Afghanistan, reports TOLOnews.

Ravindra H Thakare, Nagpur Collector & District Magistrate: Three of the five #COVID19 suspects who had escaped from Mayo Hospital, have returned. Police will be deployed outside the isolation ward.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain: N95 masks should only be used by healthcare workers or those who are displaying symptoms, not healthy people. We have also constituted teams to take action against hoarding and overcharging (for masks & sanitizers).

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant holds high-level review meeting over preparedness in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur: All government, private colleges and schools, Anganwadi centers, and play-way schools in the State are to remain closed till March 31, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

J P Mishra, PRO, East Coast Railway: East Coast Railway has directed to remove blankets in (AC) Tire I, II and III train coaches, in view of the coronavirus pandemic. The toilets on the trains will be washed at major stations.

Mumbai Cricket Association has suspended all its cricket activities and tournaments till 31st March in wake of state government's advisory about COVID-19

Bengaluru: Malls in the city have been closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. All malls, theaters, night clubs, pubs, and swimming pools will remain closed for the next week in the state.

Bihar: Special isolation ward has been set up in a railway hospital at the Karbighiya end of Patna junction as a precautionary measure for coronavirus. Dr. Shyamal Das says, "It is a 10-bedded ward with all necessary medical equipment. A nodal officer has been appointed and a control room set up".

Delhi: Some pharmacies have stopped selling N95 masks due to increasing prices amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A pharmacist in Connaught Place says, "We've stopped selling N95 masks as wholesalers are selling it to us at high prices and if we ask customers for more money they fight with us".

Dr. Neeraj Jain, Chairperson, Department of Chest Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital: Coronavirus behaves similarly to influenza and H1N1 viruses. If one is infected, then it's important to isolate oneself. People with lung-related ailments need to take extra precautions.

"This Bill will follow my direction for free Coronavirus tests, and paid sick leave for our impacted American workers. I have directed the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Labor to issue regulations that will provide flexibility so that in no way will Small Businesses be hurt. I encourage all Republicans and Democrats to come together and VOTE YES!,” Trump approved his support for the bill in a tweet.

Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), Nagaland: The Home Department has directed all the Deputy Commissioners to issue a notice for ensuring that people compulsorily use masks and hand sanitizers in all the public places.

Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel: As tourist visas have been suspended, foreign tourist footfall will decrease. Our priority is to follow the instructions of the Health Ministry and take precautions against the coronavirus outbreak.

Health & Family Welfare Department, Punjab: 335 passengers with a history of travel to COVID-19 affected countries are untraceable. A total of 6011 passengers have been traced as of yesterday (13th March).

Infosys: We have taken a decision to evacuate one of our satellite buildings in Bengaluru as a precautionary measure, as one of our employees had been in contact with an individual with suspected COVID-19.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has decided to not appear in public programmes till March 31. Sonowal also urged the people to follow safety protocols and remain alert regarding the disease outbreak, adding that citizens should follow the medical advisory issued by the health department.

Aadesh Bandekar, Chairman, Shree Siddhivinayak Temple Trust, Mumbai, on preventive measures against coronavirus: Every devotee is being provided with hand sanitizer while entering the temple premises. The temple floors and hand railings are being cleaned and sanitized frequently.

Nagpur: 5 COVID-19 suspects escaped from the isolation ward of Mayo Hospital. S Suryavanshi, Sub-Inspector Nagpur police station says, "One of them had tested negative, reports of other four were awaited. We have traced them and they will be brought back to the hospital by the administration."

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The total number of positive coronavirus cases in India is 83.

International Cricket Council (ICC): The ongoing Australia v New Zealand ODI series and Australia's upcoming away series in New Zealand have both been postponed amid growing COVID-19 concerns.

Tihar Jail official: An isolation ward has been set up at the jail. All inmates have been checked & not displayed symptoms, new inmates are being screened & will be kept in different wards for 3 days. Around 17,500 inmates are lodged at the jail currently.

In view of COVID-19, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) postpones its Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) that was scheduled to be held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Maharashtra: All movie theaters, gyms, swimming pools, and public gardens in Nagpur are closed till 30th March, as a preventive measure against coronavirus.

Air India cancels routine flights to Italy, South Korea, and Kuwait due to the coronavirus pandemic.

South Korea reported 107 new coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing the nationwide total to 8,086. However, it is also the lowest daily increase since February 22, according to the South Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). The country has been showing diminishing case numbers all week long. Till now, there have been 72 deaths from COVID-19 in South Korea.

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, New Zealand cancels its National Remembrance Service for the first anniversary of the Christchurch mosque shootings

Netflix to pause production in the US and Canada for two weeks due to restrictions and health precautions amid coronavirus outbreak, CNN reports. This comes amid reports that several daily talk shows and films have also suspended production for the time being. It is apparent that the entertainment industry in the United States has taken a good hit.

Embassy of India in the United States of America (USA) issues advisory for Indian students in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.

US Embassy & Consulates in India: US Mission India posts, in light of the global #COVID19 pandemic, are cancelling immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments from March 16, 2020, onward. Visa appointments stand cancelled.

Rajasthan Chief Minister's Office (CMO): Schools, colleges, coaching centers, gyms, and cinema halls in the state to remain closed till 30th March, as a precautionary measure amid the coronavirus pandemic. Board examinations that are underway will be held as per schedule.

A 69-year-old woman who tested positive for coronavirus infection dies in Delhi: PTI reports quoting Delhi govt officials

Europe now the epicentre of the pandemic, with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China: WHO