COVID-19 death toll rises to 1,152 in country; cases climb to 35,365

India will now be under lockdown till May 17 with a complete ban on air travel, trains and inter-state road transport for the general public while educational institutions and public places will also remain shut, the government announced on Friday (May 1) but gave some relaxations for various business activities and movement within areas with limited or no COVID-19 cases.

India tally
The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 1,152 with 77 fatalities reported since Thursday evening, while the number of cases saw a record jump of 1,755 to go up to 35,365 cases, with 25,148 active cases, 9,064 having people recovered, and one migrated.

Lockdown extended
The decision to extend lockdown by two more weeks came amid a continuous rise in cases. Sources said India has already achieved 55 per cent of normalcy and can make it 100 per cent by July if second wave of coronavirus doesn’t emerge.

Containment zones
All urban centres have been identified as areas with large numbers of cases. The Union Health Ministry has listed 130 districts in red zone, 284 in orange zone, and 319 in the green zone as per cases, doubling rate, extent of testing and surveillance feedback.

Shramik special trains
To help lakhs of migrant workers to reach their natives, six Shramik Special trains from Lingampally to Hatia, Nasik to Lucknow, Aluva to Bhubaneswar, Nasik to Bhopal, Jaipur to Patna and Kota to Hatia to run from point to point started on Labour Day (May 1).

Corona flypasts
CDS General Bipin Rawat announced that the armed forces will express their gratitude to all “corona warriors” on Sunday by conducting fly-pasts, showering petals on hospitals treating COVID-19 patients and illuminating naval vessels.

PPE production
The Health Ministry said India has ramped up production of COVID-19 protective gears and medical equipment to reduce its dependence on foreign countries for these items which are in high demand globally due to the pandemic.

Special ships
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has decided to arrange special ships between Port Blair and Chennai to ferry stranded migrant workers, students, pilgrims and tourists on a one-time-one-day basis, officials said.

Maharashtra worst-hit
Maharashtra on Friday saw a big jump in cases with 1,008 persons testing positive, the highest in one day so far, taking the tally of cases to 11,506. While 1,879 patients have been discharged so far, 26 COVID-19 patients died taking death toll to 485. 

Mandi Act
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced amendments to the Mandi Act, saying farmers can now directly sell the produce to private traders from their homes and not visit the mandi (market) to ensure maximum value for farm produce. 

Corona anthem
In one of the biggest collaborations by artistes, a group of 100 singers, including the legendary Asha Bhosle, Kumar Sanu and Sonu Nigam have come together to record the One Nation One Voice anthem in 14 languages for the frontline warriors.

(With inputs from agencies)