Growth in Coronavirus cases ‘linear, not exponential,’ says Govt; 21,700 New Cases, Death Toll Rises to 686

Meanwhile, a COVID-19 detection test method developed by IIT-Delhi has received a nod from ICMR, officials told PTI.

President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent for the promulgation of the ordinance that makes acts of violence against healthcare personnel or damage to property during an epidemic a cognisable and non-bailable offence. The ordinance was issued on Wednesday night and came into force “at once”.

Earlier during the day, the Karnataka government partially relaxed COVID-19 lockdown norms in the state allowing IT and IT-enabled services to operate with essential minimum staff and also certain construction activities, manufacturing of packaging materials, courier services, among others.

• Five tested positive for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, taking the number of active cases rise to 11
  
• Congress president Sonia Gandhi accused the BJP of spreading the virus of communal prejudice and hatred in the country
  
• Chief ministers of Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry, demanded a financial package for the states to deal with the pandemic
  
• Kerala CM announced that all elected representatives in the state would take a 30% cut in their monthly salary and honorarium for 1 year

Dharavi Reports 25 New Cases; Total 214

The Number of COVID-19 patients in Mumbai’s Dharavi has risen to 214, with 25 new cases. The death toll is now 13, according to a BMC official.

Pompeo Speaks With Jaishankar on Cooperation Over COVID-19

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke today with EAM S Jaishankar. They reportedly discussed bilateral ties and international cooperation to contain and mitigate COVID-19, including ensuring the availability of pharmaceutical and medical supplies, according to the US State Department.

West Bengal Directs Private Hospitals to Provide Free COVID-19 Treatment

The West Bengal government has directed the private hospitals, that have been requisitioned for COVID-19 treatment, to provide free treatment to COVID-19 patients.

“Govt has decided to reimburse charges to the hospitals for treatment of patients,” the notification reads, ANI reports.

IIT Delhi Test Method Gets ICMR Nod

A COVID-19 detection test method developed by IIT-Delhi has received a nod from ICMR, officials told PTI.

5 More Test Positive in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Five tested positives for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, taking the number of active cases rise to 11, officials told PTI.

Madhya Pradesh Case Tally at 1,687; Death Toll at 83

1687 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Madhya Pradesh out of which 83 people have lost their lives and 203 patients have recovered. Indore has recorded 945 cases and 53 deaths; in Bhopal, 323 cases and seven deaths have been reported, according to the state’s health department, ANI reports.

Pune District Death Toll Rises to 61

After a 62-year-old man passed away in Pune on Thursday, taking the total death toll in the district to 61, ANI reports.

Deliberate Attempts Being Made to Damage Indo-Arab Ties: Govt Sources

Deliberate attempts are made to damage Indo-Arab ties, government sources told PTI on the criticism in the gulf over alleged harassment of Muslims in India in the fight against COVID-19.

They called the accusations made by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation “regrettable”.

India Studying US Order Temporarily Halting Immigration: Govt Sources

India is studying US President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily halting immigration into the US for 60 days, government sources told PTI.

No One Should have Concerns Over India’s New FDI Norms: Govt Sources on China’s Objections

No one should have concerns over India’s decision to have new FDI norms as they don’t prohibit any trade, government sources told PTI, referring to China’s objections.

ICMR Looking into Effectiveness of Kits Procured From China; Sources

The Indian Council of Medical Research is looking into the issue of the effectiveness of coronavirus testing kits procured from China, government sources told PTI.

Tamil Nadu Reports 54 New Cases

Tamil Nadu reported 54 new cases and 2 new deaths due to COVID-19, taking the total death toll to 20 and case count to 1683.

Punjab Reports 26 New Cases

26 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Punjab today, taking the total positive cases in the state to 283, according to the state’s health department.

US Economy Sheds 4.4 Million Jobs in One Week

The US economy shed 4.4 million jobs in the last week ending 18 April.

18 New Cases Reported in Karnataka

Eighteen new COVID-19 cases were reported in Karnataka as on 23 April. Out of these, 10 cases are from Bangalore. The total number of cases is now 445, of which 62% are asymptomatic.

20 New Cases Reported in J&K

20 new cases were reported in J&K today, including 1 from Jammu division and 19 from Kashmir. Total cases in the union territory are now 427, including 57 in Jammu and 370 in Kashmir, according to an official, ANI reports.

No New Cases Reported in 78 Districts in Past 14 Days: Health Ministry

There are now 78 districts in 23 States/UTs that have not reported any fresh cases during the last 14 days, a Union health ministry official said in a briefing on Thursday, 23 April. 4,257 patients, which is 19.89 percent, have been cured so far.

“In last 30 days of lockdown, we have been able to cut transmission, minimise spread, consistently ramp up our testing and utilize this time to prepare ourselves for future,” a central government official said, during the health ministry press briefing.

“On 23 March we had done 14,915 tests across the country and on 22 April we have done more than 5 lakh tests. If a rough calculation is done it is about 33 times in 30 days. This is not enough and we need to ramp testing in this country,” the official added.

States Must be Empowered to Devise Solutions to Challenges: CWC Resolution

The Congress Working Committee has passed a resolution that states must be empowered to devise solutions to challenges due to COVID-19, according to KC Venugopal.

The CWC strongly recommended at least a one-year moratorium on loans for agriculture and the MSME sector. It also alleged that the BJP was seeking to inflame ‘communal division’ even as nation battles COVID-19.

Operate Special Trains From Mumbai Pune to Ferry Migrants Post Lockdown: Ajit Pawar to Piyush Goyal

Operate special trains from Mumbai, Pune to ferry migrant workers after lockdown ends, Ajit Pawar tells Piyush Goyal, PTI reports.

L-G Directs Authorities to Create Dedicated Health Facility, Testing Centre for Delhi Police

Delhi L-G Anil Baijal has directed authorities to create a dedicated COVID-19 health facility and a testing centre for Delhi Police personnel, according to officials, PTI reports.

Haryana to Provide Rs 10 Lakh Insurance Cover to Journalists

Haryana state government has decided to provide insurance of Rs 10 lakh each to all journalists who are reporting during the coronavirus pandemic, CM Manohar Lal Khattar announced.

80 New Cases in Andhra Pradesh

At least 80 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Andhra Pradesh, taking the total number of cases to 893. Out of the total cases, 141 patients have recovered and 27 others succumbed to the infection.

Delhi LG Directs Authorities For Dedicated Health Facilities for Police

Delhi LG Anil Baijal directs authorities to create a dedicated COVID-19 health facility for Delhi Police personnel, PTI reported quoting officials.

Over 1,000 More Foreign Workers in Singapore Test positive for COVID-19

Battling the second-wave of coronavirus infections, Singapore on Thursday reported 1,037 new COVID-19 cases, more than 1,000 of which are foreign workers, including Indian nationals, mostly working in labour intensive industries and living in packed dormitories.

This is the fourth day in a row that Singapore has reported a daily increase of more than 1,000 cases.

Issues of Migrant Workers Must be Addressed as First Priority: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said issues of migrant workers must be addressed as the first priority and lockdown beyond 3 May should only be continued in COVID-19 hotspots and not in green zones.

Speaking at the Congress Working Committee meeting through video-conferencing, the former party president said the lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus was a mere pause button.

“Issue of migrant workers needs to be addressed as a first priority. Lockdown is a mere pause button,” he said.

Indore’s COVID-19 Death Toll Rises to 53

Coronavirus claimed one more life in Indore, taking the death toll in this worst-hit city of Madhya Pradesh to 53.

In the last 24 hours, as many as 26 new COVID-19 patients were found in Indore, which took the number of affected persons in the city to 945. Of them, 77 have been discharged after treatment.

Pak Receives USD 1.39 Billion Emergency Loan from IMF

Cash-strapped Pakistan has received an emergency loan of USD 1.39 billion from the IMF to boost its foreign exchange reserves in the wake of the further economic downturn due to the coronavirus crisis.

The USD 1.39 billion loans is in addition to the USD 6 billion bailout package that Pakistan has signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in July last year to stave off a balance of payment crisis.

China Announces Additional USD 30 Million Grant for WHO

China on Thursday announced an additional USD 30 million grant to the World Health Organisation, days after Beijing expressed “serious concern” over US President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze the funding for the global health agency over its handling of the COVID-19 crisis.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang made the announcement at a media briefing. The grant will be in addition to the USD 20 million provided by China earlier to the WHO.

Migrant Workers Stuck at Various State Borders be Permitted to Return Home: Priyanka

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday demanded that migrant workers stuck at various state borders due to the lockdown be permitted to return to their native places after due testing and precautions.

She also said compassion was the key to fight COVID-19 and not hostility towards the victims of coronavirus.

“As times pass, we need to permit migrant workers to return home after due testing and precautions,” Priyanka Gandhi said addressing the Congress Working Committee meeting through video-conferencing.

Cases in Haryana Rise to 270

A number of COVID-19 cases rises to 270 in Haryana including 24 linked to foreign nationals. 162 patients have been cured, 105 are undergoing treatment whereas three people have lost their lives due to the infection.

Center Cuts Dearness Allowances for Employees

Additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) payable to central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to central govt pensioners, due from 1 January 2020 shall not be paid, the Finance Ministry announced. Additional instalments of DA and DR from 1 July 2020 and 1 January 2020 shall also not be paid.

However, Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief at current rates will continue to be paid.

Chhattisgarh CM Seeks Centre’s Nod for Payment of MGNREGS Wages in Form of Food Grains

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has sought the Centre’s approval for payment of wages to workers under the Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the form of food grains.

In a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, he said five lakh workers are being employed every day under the scheme.

Vice President Welcomes Ordinance to Protect Healthcare Workers from Acts of Violence

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday welcomed the ordinance to protect healthcare workers on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19 from acts of violence, saying it is unfortunate that those rendering selfless service are facing attacks.

“Welcome the decision of the government to bring out an #ordinance making attacks on health workers cognizable & non-bailable,” the Vice President Secretariat tweeted quoting Naidu.

Gujrat Conducting 3,000 COVID-19 Tests Everyday: Official

As many as 3,000 coronavirus tests are being conducted in Gujarat every day and there is no plan to reduce it, a senior official said on Thursday while dismissing rumours that the state government has reduced COVID-19 testing.

The Gujarat government has also decided to declare the figures of coronavirus tests and deaths only once in 24 hours, instead of the present practice of providing the details twice a day, state principal secretary (health) Jayanti Ravi told reporters in Gandhinagar.

An ordinance to Punish Those Attacking Healthcare Personnel Comes into Force

An ordinance that makes acts of violence against healthcare personnel or damage to property during an epidemic a cognizable and non-bailable offence has come into effect.

The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 amends the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and provides for compensation for injury to healthcare service personnel or for causing damage or loss to property.

The President had given his assent for the promulgation of the ordinance on Wednesday hours after the Union Cabinet approved it. The ordinance was issued on Wednesday night and came into force “at once”.

Eastern Railway Hospital Doctor Tests Positive for COVID-19

A doctor at an Eastern Railway (ER) hospital here has tested positive for coronavirus, a spokesperson of the railway zone said on Thursday.

The doctor, who was on leave since April 14 as she was feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, ER spokesperson Nikhil Chakraborty said.

She has been admitted to a private hospital in the city, he said.

70 Areas in Palghar Notified as Containment Zones

As many as 70 areas in Palghar district of Maharashtra have been notified as containment zones in view of several coronavirus cases detected there.

The containment zones fall under the Vasai-Virar municipal limits, and Dahanu and Palghar talukas, district Collector Kailas Shinde said in an order on Wednesday evening.

Only essential services will be operational in the containment zones, he said.

COVID-19 Cases in Pak Rises to 10,513, At Least 224 Dead

Pakistan on Thursday said it has reported 742 new cases of COVID-19 and 15 more deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of deadly coronavirus infections to 10,513 with 224 deaths in the country.

The Ministry of National Health Services said 15 more patients died across the country during the period, taking the toll to 224.

Cong CMs Blame Centre for Not Giving Any Financial Assistance to States

The chief ministers of the Congress-ruled sta