10 updates: Masks debut in RS as COVID-19 cases touch 151 in India
With fourteen new cases being reported from various cities, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 151 on Wednesday. The death toll in the country touched three after a 63-year-old man succumbed to the COVID-19 infection.
With fourteen new cases being reported from various cities, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 151 on Wednesday (March 18). The death toll in the country touched three after a 63-year-old man succumbed to the COVID-19 infection on Tuesday (March 17).
Meanwhile, the novel coronavirus infiltrated the defence forces, with the Indian Army reporting its first case – a 34-year-old soldier – from Leh.
Here are the key updates for the day:
New cases, rising number
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirmed on Wednesday (March 18) morning that out of the 147 cases reported, 122 Indians and 24 foreign nationals. Maharashtra was the worst hit with 47 positive cases and other numbers in other cities being recorded as Delhi (10), Uttar Pradesh (16), Kerala (27), Karnataka (11), Ladakh (8), Jammu and Kashmir (3), Telangana (6), Rajasthan (4), Haryana (17), Tamil Nadu (2), and one each in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Uttarakhand and Punjab.
Army reports first case
Belonging to the Ladakh Scouts, an infantry regiment of the Army known as the ‘Snow Warriors’, the 34-year-old soldier has been put in a quarantine facility at the Ladakh Heart Foundation since February 29, army sources said. His sister, wife and two children of the jawan are also quarantined at SNM Heart Foundation.
267 Indians abroad have COVID-19
As many as 276 Indians have been affected by COVID-19 outside the country. Of this, 255 are in Iran where most of them had gone for Ziyarat pilgrimage. There are a dozen Indians in the UAE with confirmed coronavirus infection, according to information collated by the Centre. Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Rwanda and Kuwait are other countries where Indians have confirmed coronavirus infections — one each according to information provided by the Centre in Lok Sabha.
Vaishno Devi Yatra shut
The Jammu and Kashmir administration announced on Wednesday (March 18) that the Vaishno Devi yatra would be closed as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The state administration has also banned the entry of all interstate buses into Jammu and Kashmir as part of the safety measures.
Entrepreneurs write to PM Modi
As a part of measures to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak, over 50 entrepreneurs appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “impose lockdowns and Section 144 across key cities this week.”
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“The virus does not discriminate basis nationality – early, strong and decisive action is key to containment. Impose Section 144 and strict lockdown (citizens stay at home) across major cities for two weeks starting March 20, 2020,” wrote a group of 51 venture capitalists and start-ups in their presentation.
Teams to visit quarantine facilities
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday (March 18) held a review meeting on containment and management of the coronavirus, directing that teams be deputed to regularly inspect and monitor quarantine facilities for ensuring necessary amenities are being provided.
Vardhan reviewed the preparedness of hospitals in terms of availability of testing kits, personnel protective equipment, medicines and isolation wards. He directed hospitals to ensure adequate availability of protective gear for all healthcare workers.
South India lockdown
With 45 coronavirus cases and one death in south India, the five Indian states in the region have gone into a near lockdown to contain the spread of the pandemic. Monitoring and surveillance have been increased in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The respective state governments have even asked their citizens to avoid mass gatherings, thus seeking to bring into effect the much-needed social distancing, a key to stem the spread of the virus. They’ve also announced the closure of all educational institutions and other places which can gather crowd.
Masks debut in Rajya Sabha
Trinamool Congress (TMC) members on Wednesday came to the Upper House wearing protective face masks but were asked by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to remove them immediately.
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He said rules do not allow members to sport masks in the House and “it will be difficult to conduct” proceedings if the chair was defied. But, when senior Congress leader P Chidambaram urged Naidu to allow MPs to decide on using protective gear depending on their perception of vulnerability, the chair agreed.
Indians stranded in Malaysia
Taking into account the plight of over 200 Indians stuck at the Kuala Lumpur airport, the Union government allowed Air Asia to fly them to India. Earlier, on Monday (March 16), the Indian government had banned the entry of flights from Malaysia due to the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
US, Britain lead economic fightback
In a bid to save the countries from the economic devastation paved by the novel coronavirus outbreak, the United States and Britain led a multi-billion-dollar global fightback as the European Union shut its borders to travellers from outside for 30 days to stem the pandemics ferocious spread.
British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak also unveiled an “unprecedented package” of government-backed loans worth 330 billion pounds ($400 billion) for businesses struggling in the sudden economic paralysis caused by mass self-quarantine.
(With inputs from agencies)