COVID-19: Cases in India Cross 700 Mark, Says Health Ministry

THE QUINT: The total number of positive cases in India has risen to 724, the Health and Family Welfare Ministry said on Friday, 27 March. Meanwhile, 17 people have died due to the disease, the ministry added.

Meanwhile, with 82,404 confirmed cases, US succeeded China and Italy in recording the highest number of cases, according to John Hopkins University.

Earlier on Thursday, 26 March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Virtual Summit said at many levels globalisation has failed us, whether it is in combating terrorism or climate change, reported ANI, quoting sources. On the same day, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi wrote to the prime minister, saying she supports the 21-day lockdown, and sought measures to protect doctors, paramedics and ease supply chain.

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The first phase of Census 2021 and the updation of National Population Register (NPR) postponed until further orders.

In view of the coronavirus outbreak, the government has ordered temporary suspension of toll fee collection across India

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind. Kejriwal on Wednesday ensured supplies of all essential commodities and told people “not to panic-buy”.

PM Modi on Tuesday announced a nationwide lockdown starting 25 March at midnight for 21 days to curb the spread of COVID-19.

NEWEST FIRSTOLDEST FIRST 

11:01 AM, 27 MAR 
President Kovind Conducts Vid Call With Vice Pres, Governors Over COVID-19 

President Kovind, along with the Vice President, interacted with Governors, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of all States and Union Territories on issues related to COVID-19. He lauded the efforts of all health professionals and everyone at the forefront of handling the challenge.

10:54 AM, 27 MAR

Hima Das Donates One Month's Salary to Assam to Fight COVID-19 Pandemic

Star Indian sprinter Hima Das has donated her one month's salary to the Assam government to help the state combat the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, reported PTI.

Das, an Asian Games gold-medallist besides being an under-20 world champion in 400m, is employed with PSU major Indian Oil as an HR officer in Guwahati.

10:52 AM, 27 MAR

Staff of DTC, Cluster Buses Provided With Masks, Hand Sanitisers

In view of the coronavirus outbreak, the Delhi government has provided masks and hand sanitisers to the staff of public transport buses that are serving as the lifeline of the city during the lockdown by transporting people associated with essential services.

Delhi's Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Friday said the drivers, conductors and marshals in all the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses were provided with masks and hand sanitisers, reported PTI.

10:41 AM, 27 MAR

5 More Test Positive in Maharashtra's Vidarbha

“Five persons have tested positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region — four in Nagpur city and another in Gondia district,” said officials, PTI reported.

10:37 AM, 27 MAR

Pvt Hospital's Ward Boy Tests Positive in Patna

“Ward boy of private hospital in Patna, now sealed, tests positive for COVID-19. The total number of cases in Bihar rise to seven,” Health department, reported PTI.

10:15 AM, 27 MAR

RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 4.4% From 5.15% Amid Countrywide Lockdown

“Repo rate reduced by 75 basis points to 4.4.% percent. Reverse repo-rate reduced by 90 basis points to 4 percent,” said RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.

10:12 AM, 27 MAR

Moody's Slashes India GDP Growth in 2020 to 2.5%

Moody's Investors Service on Friday slashed its estimate of India's GDP growth during 2020 calendar year to 2.5 percent from an earlier estimate of 5.3 percent, on account of the rising economic cost of the coronavirus pandemic.

This compares to 5 per cent growth in 2019.

9:52 AM, 27 MAR

COVID-19: Cases in India Cross 700, Says Health Ministry

The total number of positive cases in India has risen to 724, the Health and Family Welfare Ministry said on Friday, 27 March. Meanwhile, 17 people have died due to the disease, the ministry added.

Sixty-six people have been cured/discharged, the ministry stated.

9:33 AM, 27 MAR

Rajasthan: 60-Yr-Old Coronavirus Patient Dies in Bhilwara

A 60-year-old man, who had tested positive for coronavirus in Rajasthan's Bhilwara, has died due to comorbid conditions, an official said on Friday.

The patient had heart and kidney related ailments and and had visited the private hospital in Bhilwara where doctors and nursing staff were first found coronavirus positive, reported PTI.

9:12 AM, 27 MAR

One More Positive Case in Telangana

“One more coronavirus positive case reported in Telangana. Total number of positive cases in the state reaches 45 till 8:00 AM on 27 March. The person is a 45-year-old male, having a travel history to Delhi. The patient is stable and under isolation,” said Telangana Health department.

8:57 AM, 27 MAR

Police Prepares, Distributes Food in UP's Prayagraj

In Prayagraj, police personnel deployed at Civil Lines Police Station prepared food for the needy and distributed it among them amid lockdown., reported ANI.

8:49 AM, 27 MAR

Central Govt on Sale, Retail of Hydroxychloroquine Drug

“The Central government hereby directs that sale by retail of any preparation containing the drug Hydroxychloroquine shall be in accordance with the conditions for sale of drugs specified in Schedule H1 to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945,” states the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

8:41 AM, 27 MAR

At SAARC Vid Conference, India Proposes to Share Info, Expertise on Combating Coronavirus

A video conference of health professionals, representing all SAARC countries at the level of Director General of Health Services (DGHS), was held on 26 March. At this conference chaired by DGHS of India, a wide range of issues relating to COVID-19 were discussed extensively.

India proposed a shared electronic platform for all SAARC nations to share and exchange information, knowledge, expertise and best practices for jointly combating the coronavirus epidemic. It was informed that considerable work has already gone into the creation of the platform, reported ANI.

8:20 AM, 27 MAR

3 Test Negative in Recent Samples in Pune; to Be Discharged Today

“Three COVID-19 patients from Pune's Pimpri-Chinchwad have tested negative in their repeat samples. They will be discharged today following due process,” said Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, reported ANI.

Total number of coronavirus positive cases in Pune district is now 32, out of which 5 have been already cured and discharged.

7:49 AM, 27 MAR

RBI Guv Shaktikanta Das to Address Media at 10 AM

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das to address the media at 10:00 AM today, reports ANI.

7:42 AM, 27 MAR     KEY EVENT

US Now Has More Confirmed Cases Than China, Italy

The United States of America now has more confirmed coronavirus cases than Italy and China, making it the country with the largest outbreak in the world.

The total number of cases in the US reached 82,404 on Thursday evening, more than China’s 81,782 cases and Italy’s 80,589, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

7:39 AM, 27 MAR

US Space Force Launches First Mission Despite Coronavirus

The United States Space Force launched its first national security mission on Thursday, sending an ultra-secure military communication satellite into orbit even as the coronavirus pandemic paralyzes much of the country, reported AFP.

The Lockheed Martin Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 4:18 pm (2018 GMT) aboard an Atlas V551 rocket.

7:33 AM, 27 MAR

Second Positive Case in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

“Second positive case of COVID-19 in Andamans. He had traveled with the first positive case. Both in hospital and protocols being followed,” said Chetan Sanghi, Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, reported ANI.

6:45 AM, 27 MAR   KEY EVENT

COVID-19: Italy Reports 6,153 New Infections, Taking Global Total Over 500,000

Italy has reported 6,153 new coronavirus infections, pushing the global total over half a million, based on a count kept by Johns Hopkins University, AFP reported.

Italy now has 80,539 cases, almost as many as China.

6:45 AM, 27 MAR   KEY EVENT

COVID-19 Positive Patient Dies in Rajasthan's Bhilwara

A person tested positive for coronavirus has died in Rajasthan's Bhilwara, ANI reported.

“He had co-morbid conditions, including diseases relating to kidney and blood pressure.”

Rajan Nanda, Principal, Mahatma Gandhi Hospital

We'll get through this! Meanwhile, here's all you need to know about the Coronavirus outbreak to keep yourself safe, informed, and updated.

6:44 AM, 27 MAR   KEY EVENT

US Now Leads the World in Confirmed Coronavirus Cases

The United States now leads the world in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 82,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.