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COVID-19 death toll crosses 50,000, total cases inch near 10 lakh mark

Coronavirus

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus positive cases around the world has reached 9,81,221 as they inch near the 10 lakh-mark while the total number of fatalities has crossed 50,000, according to reports.

In the last 24 hours, Spain, US and UK have recorded the highest death toll in a day, where the US recorded 884 coronavirus deaths. It has also confirmed more than 2,16,000 cases of the disease.

In the United Kingdom, the virus claimed a total 563 lives in a day, in what was described as a “sad, sad day”, by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The total death toll in the UK currently stands at 2,352.

Whereas in Spain, an additional 864 people have died taking the total death toll to 9,387 with more that 1,04,000 positive cases of the novel coronavirus.

Meanwhile, France has become the fourth country to pass the 4,000 threshold in the deaths, following Italy, Spain and the US.

Italy now has a total of 1,10,574 positive cases with 13,155 deaths, which is the highest death toll due to COVID-19 in the world.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was “deeply concerned about the rapid escalation and global spread of infection”, adding: “Over the past five weeks, we have witnessed a near-exponential growth in the number of new cases reaching almost every country, territory and area.

“The number of deaths has more than doubled in the past week. In the next few days, we will reach one million confirmed cases and 50,000 deaths.”

So far, 1,93,770 people have been completely cured or discharged from hospitals, according to John Hopkins data.

PM to hold video conference with state CMs

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers of all states today through video conferencing, to discuss the situation arising out of the COVID-19 crisis in the country.

This will be the second such interaction in less than two weeks on the critical issue of the coronavirus outbreak and related matters.

The first interaction was after the Central government imposed a 21-day nationwide lockdown from March 25.

PM will be discussing on issues such as ways to contain the spread of Covid-19, movement of migrants and contact tracing of Tablighi Jamat participants.

However, on Wednesday, 437 new cases were reported across the country, the highest so far for a single day.

COVID-19: J&K sets up committee for release of prisoners

Jammu (NVI): In a bid to de-congest jails in Jammu Kashmir and prevent any possible spread of coronavirus among the inmates, the Union Territory administration has set up a high powered committee to take appropriate action regarding the release of some prisoners.

The J&K Government has taken the step on the directions of Supreme Court, following the spread the pandemic in the country.

The Committee comprises Executive Chairman J&K SLSA,  Justice Rajesh Bindal, as its Chairman with Principal Secretary, Home Department Shaleen Kabra and Director General of Police(Prisons) J&K, V K Singh, as its members.

On the basis of the nature of offence, the number of years and severity of offence, the Committee has proposed to release convicted prisoners and under trials.

With regard to release of convicted prisoners, categories of convict shall be considered for release on special parole for eight weeks, extendable for another eight weeks if the lockdown by the government continues, subject to good conduc, the J&K government said in a statement.

Taiwan to donate 10 mn masks to coronavirus hit countries

New Delhi (NVI): Taiwan today said it will donate 10 million masks to countries that are highly infected by the coronavirus pandemic, including the US and European countries.

Announcing this, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said the country has increased its production of face masks, therefore giving it the ability to provide masks to countries that need them most.

While delivering a speech at Presidential Office in Taiwan, Tsai said that some countries are witnessing a serious escalation of Covid-19 cases, so they need the masks in large numbers to combat the contagion.

Yesterday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that the country’s daily surgical mask output has hit 13 million, Taiwanese state media reported.

It said that the current output is four times more than the country’s capacity in early February when it produced 3.2 million surgical masks on an average.

During her speech, President Tsai also mentioned that Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, The United States and European countries would be among those who would get the masks. However, she did clear that when the masks would be donated.

Tsai said that Taiwan has made considerable efforts to bring the contagion under control and that achievement has been recognized globally, the state media reported.

Taiwan has transformed itself from an importer of masks to the second-largest surgical mask producer in the world, Tsai said adding the country is still aiming to increase daily production to 15 million units.

Tsai added that apart from face masks, Taiwan will also work with the global community to provide drugs and related medical technology to combat the pandemic.

After her speech, when Tsai was asked by the press that whether Taiwan will donate face masks and provide medical assistance to China, she said the country will provide aid to any country that needs help as long as it is able to help.

One more batch of stranded Afghans evacuated from India

New Delhi (NVI): One more batch of Afghan nationals stranded in India amidst coronavirus pandemic were today airlifted back home.

Among 2500 stranded Afghan nationals, more than 1000 have been evacuated from India so far, said Afghan Envoy to India Tahir Qadiry.

”Our 3rd evacuation flight from Delhi to Kabul is taking place now. So far we have sent home more than 1,000 stranded passengers,” he tweeted.

”We are taking permission for few more flights for Ariana Airlines (5 more evac flights happening) Appreciate full support of the Indian authorities,” he added.

The evacuation process began on March 28, when the first batch of stranded Afghans was ferried back home.

“We started evacuation of some 2500 stranded Afghans from Delhi to Kabul today. @AfghanistanInIN transferred first batch from 3 locations to the airport. Thanks? to Indian authorities (esp PAI) for helping us doing this amidst a total lock-down. Bid farewell to them at the #IGIA,” Qadiry tweeted on that day.

He had given indication in this regard three days earlier.

“Following vigorous follow-ups, the proposal of evacuating all stranded Afghan citizens in India is likely to be approved by the Indian Govt starting tomorrow. We ask our stranded fellow Afghans to contact KamAir for their flight details. Thanks to our Indian partners,” Qadiry tweeted on March 25.

J&K: Infiltration bid along LoC in Kupwara

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): A group of suspected militants tried to infiltrate into Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district today.

Army officials said that a contact was established and the operation is under progress now.

“There was an attempt and brief contact was established. But the number of infiltrators are not known yet,” they said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Kupwara, Shriram Ambarka told NVI that search operation near LoC is on.“Searches are on, no further development so far,” he said.

The militants while trying to infiltrate in this side were challenged by the army.

This is believed to be the first infiltration attempt from the Kupwara side since coronavirus pandemic broke out.

COVID-19: J&K now has 62 positive cases

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): The total number of COVID-19 positive cases has risen to 62 in Jammu & Kashmir, out of which 58 are active cases, while two have died and two have recovered, the UT government said today.

In Kashmir, 50 people have been tested positive with two deaths. In Jammu division, 12 people have been tested positive.

Overall in J&K, 1,704 persons are under observation while 10,355 have kept under home quarantine.

The government said that 516 people are under hospital quarantine while 911 have tested negative.

“3961 are under home surveillance while as 2157 have completed their surveillance period,” the government said. They said reports of four people are awaited.

Meanwhile, in case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll free No. 102.

Furthermore a 24×7 toll free national helpline number 1075 has been activated for support, guidance, and response to health related queries on novel coronavirus disease. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard: 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell for J&K), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division).

According to the advisory, people are advised to remain calm & not to panic as the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in the UT are being monitored at the highest level and necessary action to protect and safeguard the lives of people have been taken by the Government. “The Government has undertaken aggressive contact tracing and testing campaign that is why surge has been found in the number of confirmed positive cases,” the advisory reads.

People have been requested to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to covid-19 affected countries / areas and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily.

General public has been advised to avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals, in case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly by calling on Covid-19 helpline numbers so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed.

“People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; and observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes,” the Government advisory added.

Coronavirus cases in Pakistan top 2,000

New Delhi (NVI): The tally of positive coronavirus cases in Pakistan has crossed 2,000 today, according to health authorities.

The Ministry of National Health Services said that 105 new patients tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours.

The largest provinces of Punjab had 708 cases, Sindh province had 676, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is at 253, Balochistan at 158, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) at 184 and Islamabad is at 54.

So far, 26 people have died due to the virus and 82 have recovered, according to the media reports.

In addition to this, efforts are also going on to cope with mass breakout by providing more spaces for the patients and Pakistan Railway has also offered at least 30 coaches which were converted into isolation centers.

Foreigners who attended Nizamuddin event violated visa rules: Govt

New Delhi (NVI): The Government today said that foreigners who attended the Tablighi Jamat event at a mosque in Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin, had violated visa conditions. The Centre has now asked states to complete the contact tracing process of the participants at the even “on a war footing”.

The latest development in the matter took place a day after India warned against the use of tourist visas for religious activities, as authorities started hunting for those who attended the congregation despite lockdown.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba today held a meeting via video-conferencing with all the Chief Secretaries/DGPs of the States where they were sensitised about the intensive contact tracing of Tablighi Jamat participants as this has increased the risk of containment efforts of COVID-19.

During the meeting, the States were also asked to initiate action for violation of visa conditions against the foreigners and the organizers of the Nizamuddin Markaz event which took place around mid-March.

Tableeghi Jamaat workers, both foreigners as well Indians, indulge in Tabligh activities (Chilla) across the country throughout the year, MHA said in a statement yesterday.

Various nationals, particularly from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kyrgyzstan come for Tabligh activities, it said.

Meanwhile, in today’s meeting, the States were also asked to implement the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana within the next week.

This will involve large cash transfer to beneficiaries. It should be organized in a staggered manner to ensure social distance, the government said in a statement, after the meeting.

It was also noted that lockdown is being implemented effectively all over the country. The States were asked to ensure that intra-state movement of goods is allowed without any hindrance while maintaining social distance.

“The manufacturing of essential goods should be ensured. It should also be ensured that the supply chains of such goods are maintained,” the Government said in a statement.

406 stranded Russians evacuated from India

New Delhi (NVI): A fresh batch of 406 Russian nationals, who were stranded here due to lockdown, were sent back home today, in the fourth such ferry.

”On April 1, a fourth dedicated flight departed from IGI Airport in #NewDelhi with 406 stranded Russian tourists on board, ” Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev said in a statement.

“This was a fourth dedicated flight to bring our compatriots home. This mission required dedication on behalf of many agencies,” he said.

He expressed his gratitude to the airmen who made these flights possible as well as to compatriots whose fortitude proved to be up to the highest mark of strategic partnership between our countries.

The Embassy offered compatriots who reached the airport on the eve of the departure food, which included traditional Russian dishes. Citizens who could not board the airplane were lodged at a comfortable hotel in Delhi until the next flight.

Kudashev thanked the Ministry of External Affairs, DGCA, local administrations and police of various states for their kind support and selfless effort in these challenging times.

”Both Russia and India face same challenges and work together to contain the spread of infection while securing the interests of our citizens, many of whom face difficulties while away from home,” the envoy said.

”Our leaders, President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are in personal touch over this matter,” Kudashev added

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