10 points: No new COVID deaths in India; 50 fresh cases take count to 223

India reported a massive surge in fresh coronavirus cases on Friday (March 20), with the total number rising to 223. Four infected people have died in the country so far.

Here the latest updates from the day:

Fresh cases, but no new deaths

With 50 people testing positive on Friday, India’s total number rose to 223, including 191 Indians and 32 foreigners. India has reported four deaths so far.

Among the states, Maharashtra has reported 52 cases, the highest, while Delhi 17, Kerala 28, Uttar Pradesh 23, Karnataka 15, Telangana and Rajasthan 17 each, Haryana 14, Ladakh 10, and Jammu and Kashmir 4. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand have reported three cases each and two each were reported from Odisha and West Bengal. Puducherry and Chandigarh have reported one case each.

Modi holds meeting with CMs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged chief ministers to ensure effective implementation of ‘social distancing,’ saying it is the most important measure to contain the spread of coronavirus. He deliberated on ways to check the spread of the virus with the chief ministers of various states via video link.

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Private labs to start testing

Drug regulator DCGI has authorised 18 private companies to conduct COVID-19 tests in the country, reported ANI. Some of these companies are Cadila Healthcare Ltd, Zydus Healthcare Ltd, Medsource Healthcare Pvt Ltd, CoSara Diagnostics Pvt Ltd etc, an official told the news agency.

No metro in Delhi, Bengaluru during ‘Janata curfew’

No metro services will be available in Delhi and Bengaluru during the public curfew proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday (March 22). Both BMRCL and DMRC said the move is aimed at encouraging public to stay indoors and maintain social distancing.

No passenger trains during ‘janata curfew’

No passenger train will originate from any railway station in the country from midnight to 10 pm on Sunday in view of the ‘Janta curfew’, reported PTI. Sources said mail and express trains will also stop services from 4 am on Sunday. All suburban train services to be reduced to a bare minimum as well.

No IRCTC onboard services from March 22

The IRCTC has ordered closure of all its onboard services, mobile and static units from Sunday (March 22), besides shutting down catering services in malls and express trains until further orders. It has also ordered closure of all food plazas, refreshment rooms, Jan Aahars and cell kitchens.

Economic package soon

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said an economic package for the coronavirus-hit sectors will be announced ‘as soon as possible.’ The minister, however, did not give any timeline by when the package will be unveiled.

Politicians self-quarantine

Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje announced she and her son, BJP MP Dushyant Singh, have gone into self-quarantine after attending a party where singer Kanika Kapoor, who tested positive, was also present. Several MPs including TMC’s Derek O’Brien and Apna Dal’s Anupriya Patel also went into self-quarantine after they got to know about Dushyant Singh.

RBI to inject ₹30,000 crore

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will inject liquidity of ₹30,000 crore through open market operations next week to maintain financial stability in the system in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The auctions would be conducted on March 24 and March 30, the central bank said in a statement.

Global deaths past 10,000

The global toll crossed the 10,000 mark on Friday as Italy surpassed China with 427 new deaths, taking its overall toll 3,405. In its situation report, the WHO said the active coronavirus cases reached 1,00,000 in 90 days, and touched the 2,00,000 mark in the next 12 days.

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