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Coronavirus Updates: US extends travel ban to Britain, Ireland
16 Mar, 2020 | 06:54:17 AM IST
The number of coronavirus cases worldwide passed 1,50,000 on Saturday driven by a spike in infections in Italy.
1 New Update
It has been decided that till 31st March the teaching, including personal contact programmes in the teaching departments, regional centres, institutes, constituent colleges, affiliated colleges in Punjab as well as Chandigarh shall remain suspended.
- Punjab University
All functions like public meeting, 'Nam Kirtan', 'Bhaona', 'Geeta Path', etc are hereby banned with immediate effect until further order in Sivasagar district
- Government of Assam
Jharkhand Health Minister recommends CM to close all educational institutes in view of COVID-19 scare
Number of coronavirus cases worldwide passes 1,50,000
- The number of coronavirus cases worldwide passed 150,000 on Saturday driven by a spike in infections in Italy.
- Italy announced 3,497 new cases on Saturday, bringing the global total to 151,797, with 5,764 deaths across 137 countries and territories.
- Italy, the worst-hit country outside of China where the outbreak began in December, has now registered a total of 21,157 cases and 1,441 deaths.
US extends travel ban to Britain, Ireland
- Vice President Mike Pence said at a White House briefing that all travel from Britain and Ireland will be suspended as of midnight Monday .
- US citizens and legal residents are able to return to the United States through specific airports, Xinhua news agency reported.
- The travel ban that Washington imposed on 26 European nations has been effective since Friday midnight.
Iran death toll from virus passes 600, Syria shuts schools
Iran said Saturday the coronavirus outbreak has killed another 97 people, pushing the death toll in the country to 611, as war-ravaged Syria announced a number of strict measures despite the government saying it has no confirmed cases.
First coronavirus case in Islamabad, tally soars to 31 in Pakistan
- This pushes the country's tally of cases of the infection to 31.
- A woman, who had arrived in the Pakistani capital from the United States, has been found positive at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
- Meanwhile, two new cases of coronavirus were found positive in Sindh, bringing the provincial tally to 17.
- One patient recently returned from Saudi Arabia while the other patient's father has a travel history of the United Kingdom and transmitted the virus to his young child.
- The first patient, a 38-year-old man from Karachi, had arrived from Saudi Arabia a few days ago and was tested positive today.
- Two individuals tested positive for the virus earlier have recovered while 15 are currently being treated at different health facilities.
Siddhivinayak temple takes precautions amid coronavirus outbreak
The Siddhivinayak temple located in Prabhadevi has instructed all its employees to wear masks, while hand sanitizers have been provided to everyone inside the Siddhivinayak temple.
Spanish government failed to agree on saturday on a new package of economic measures to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus crisis
Five more coronavirus patients in Pune area; Maharashtra count 31
Five persons tested positive for the coronavirus in Pimpri-Chinchwad near here on Saturday evening, raising the number of confirmed patients in Pune district to 15 and that in Maharashtra to 31.
Three women and two men from Pimpri-Chinchwad area tested positive, said Dr Pradip Awate, state's disease surveillance officer.
Three women and two men from Pimpri-Chinchwad area tested positive, said Dr Pradip Awate, state's disease surveillance officer.
Trump takes coronavirus test, U.S. death toll rises to 50
President Donald Trump has taken a coronavirus test but said on Saturday that his temperature was "totally normal" as his administration ramped up efforts to contain a pandemic that has shut down much of the daily routine of American life.
Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta writes to CM Hemant Soren:
Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta writes to CM Hemant Soren, recommending him to close all educational institut… https://t.co/kZMgJj4xrb
— ANI (@ANI) 1584204451000UK flights to US to stop from Monday night but US citizens can enter says Mike Pence.
IndiGo:
Owing to the suspension of visas for all foreigners with exception of diplomatic passport holders, IndiGo will be cancelling some of its flights to Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi w.e.f. March 17, 2020 until the travel restrictions are lifted.
As of now, we have 50 deaths due to coronavirus. We want to keep that number as low as possible. It came out of China, but it is nobody's fault. Nobody expected it. We all will solve this problem well.
- US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump on Coronavirus Relief Bill :
The Bill provides for free coronavirus testing for all Americans who should be tested. It Is a pretty complex test and it costs money and it Is being provided free. So people don't have to worry about that.
Mysore Palace committee: Mysore Palace to remain closed for tourists from 15th March to 22nd March.
Mysore Palace committee: Mysore Palace to remain closed for tourists from 15th March to 22nd March. #coronavirus (f… https://t.co/9vwLGbJ277
— ANI (@ANI) 1584202258000One person who returned from a foreign country yesterday, died today at District Hospital in Buldhana today. It has not been confirmed if he died due to coronavirus. Sample has been sent for test. Report awaited.
Maharashtra Health Minister, Rajesh Tope
SER, ECoR not to provide blankets to passengers of AC coaches
- The South Eastern Railway (SER) and the East Coast Railway (ECoR) on Saturday said they decided to withdraw the provision of blankets and curtains in air-conditioned coaches of all trains.
- The temperature of the AC coaches will be set suitably so that passengers do not require blankets, SER spokesman Sanjay Ghosh said in Kolkata.
- However, blankets will be provided on demand, he said.
- Ghosh said the withdrawal of blankets to passengers and curtains will be in effect immediately and will continue till further orders.
- Special emphasis was on frequent disinfection of coaches and toilets.
White House now conducting temperature checks amid outbreak
- Temperature checks on anyone who is in close contact with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will be done.
- The move is being taken out of an abundance of caution in response to the coronavirus outbreak, said Judd Deere, a White House spokesman.
- Trump has had multiple direct and indirect contacts with people who have tested positive for the pandemic virus.
- On Friday, he declared a state of emergency as schools and workplaces across the country shuttered.
- Flights were canceled and Americans braced for war against the health threat.
- Trump spent time last weekend at his private club in Florida with at least three people who have now tested positive.
UAE shuts Louvre Abu Dhabi, cancels events and flights due to coronavirus
- Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to suspend international flights.
- UAE to stop issuing most visas from March 17. No deaths in Gulf Arab states, most cases linked to Iran.
PM shares health ministry's guidelines on home quarantine
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took to Twitter to share the health ministry's guidelines on home quarantine.
- "Some important information here. Do read," he said while sharing the guidelines.
- According to the guidelines, those quarantined at home should stay in a well-ventilated single-room, preferably with an attached or separate toilet.
- If another family member needs to stay in the same room, it's advisable to maintain a distance of at least a metre between the two.
Five COVID19 suspects who had escaped from the isolation ward of Mayo Hospital, have tested negative for coronavirus.
- Dean, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College & Hospital in Nagpur
New York governor says 82-year-old woman is state's first COVID-19 death
An 82-year-old woman who previously suffered from emphysema died at a Manhattan hospital of COVID-19, becoming New York state's first coronavirus-related death, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Saturday.
Fruit market affected due to coronavirus pandemic:
Maharashtra: Fruit market affected due to #CoronavirusPandemic.Supplier in Mumbai says,'Export of mangoes is gettin… https://t.co/zQMRBQZ1DZ
— ANI (@ANI) 1584198649000Egypt to suspend schools and universities for 2 weeks starting March 15 amid coronavirus concerns
Karnataka govt ups its surveillance, containment measure against spread of coronavirus
- "In the wake of coronavirus scare, 104 Arogya Sahayavani (call centre) has reserved 20 lines for receiving calls for COVID-19," read the statement.
- It also read that the dedicated seating at the 104 call centre has been increased to 40 and one person form 108 call centre will be responsible for coordinating with the ambulance services.
- The statement also read that the government had arranged an orientation for the medical college staff to train them to deal with coronavirus patients.
Lok Sabha decides to suspend public gallery passes, conducting show rounds
- Lok Sabha Secretariat has decided to suspend issuing public gallery passes and conduct show rounds in parliament till further notice.
- The passes will not be issued and show rounds conducted till further notice.
IT-Roorkee student with coronavirus symptoms hospitalised
An IIT-Roorkee student with suspected symptoms of coronavirus has been admitted to the isolation ward of a hospital here, an official said on Saturday.
Iran death toll from virus passes 600, Syria shuts schools
In AIIMS we are having meetings on a regular basis and also have a task force, including several departments, to deal with COVID-19 patients. The task force has also prepared a Standard Procedure Protocol (SOP).
- AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria
Lanka bans public events as coronavirus cases rises to 8
Maharashtra: schools, colleges in urban areas closed till March 31
- The Maharashtra government on Saturday issued a circular asking all schools and colleges in the state's urban areas to remain closed till March 31.
- Examinations of class X and XII as well as universities will take place as per the schedule, the circular said.
- The announcement was also made in the state Assembly.
- On Friday the government had ordered closure of educational institutions in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
- No permission, till further notice, for social, cultural, political, religious and sports programmes.
- Maharashtra has so far reported 26 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Coronavirus cases in South Africa now at 38, says health ministry
France warns against use of anti-inflammatory drugs to tackle coronavirus
Four new coronavirus patients in Mumbai; Maharashtra count 26
- Four new patients of coronavirus were confirmed in Mumbai on Saturday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.
- It took the number of confirmed cases in Maharashtra to 26 and those in Mumbai to eight.
- Of the new patients confirmed in Mumbai, one is resident of the city while others are from Kamothe, Vashi and Kalyan, all peripheral towns.
- All are admitted to Kasturba Hospital here and their condition is stable, BMC deputy director, health, Daksha Shah said.
- Earlier in the day, two persons who had recently returned from Dubai were confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus in Maharashtra's Yavatmal city.
Ferrari to close plants in Italy for two weeks in coronavirus response
Premium carmaker Ferrari will close its two plants for the next two weeks until March 27 in a response to the coronavirus outbreak in Italy and expects parts shortages in coming days, a source close to the matter said on Saturday.
How India wants to use its regional prowess to fight coronavirus
On March 15, PM Modi will lead India at a video conference of all SAARC members, to chalk out a strong common strategy to fight COVID-19 in the region.
COVID-19 can also spread through eyes, say ophthalmologists
- The deadly coronavirus can also spread through eyes, said, ophthalmologists.
- Dr V Rajalingam, Superintendent, Government Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, said that Coronavirus is transmitted through droplets from the infected person.
- Whenever a person affected by coronavirus sneezes or coughs in front of others and if the droplets go into another person's eye then the eye will wash away the droplets through tear secretion.
- The tear including the droplets will enter into the nose through lacrimal sac of the eye and then that person can get infected with Coronavirus," said Dr V Rajalingam.
- The doctor suggested that people should wear glasses to prevent themselves from Coronavirus.
Indonesia Transport Minister has contracted coronavirus, says senior government official
Samples of four patients, one from Mumbai and three from adjoining areas, test positive for coronavirus: Civic
Italy starts first weekend under shutdown
- Since Monday the country, which has recorded 17,660 infections and 1,266 deaths from the virus, has enacted a set of sweeping measures which have left millions virtually confined to their homes and shut down large parts of the economy.
- Late on Friday Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte insisted that "Italy is not stopping" after a meeting with unions and businesses where security procedures were agreed to protect those Italians still going to work.
- Italian media report that the government is expected this weekend to announce details of further measures to soften the shock to the economy, including moratoriums on loan payments, extending tax deadlines and making sure self-isolation is covered under sick leave.
- The spate of measures curbing almost every aspect of daily life has nonetheless continued.
IIT Bombay:
All students are encouraged to go home. In case a student wants to go home, he/she must inform the Hall Manager before leaving. However, students having any difficulty in traveling may stay back. International students are welcome to stay back in hostels.
No cultural function, sit-in protest, demonstration, fair, religious event will be allowed to be held till 31st March. The permission given earlier for any such event are being cancelled.
- Muzaffarpur District Magistrate, Ujjwal Kumar Singh
All schools, colleges and other educational institutions to remain closed till March 31st.
- Maharashtra Government
Confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands rises by 155 to 959
Haryana native flees from isolation ward, traced
- The man, who arrived here from Germany, was admitted to the hospital around 12.40 PM on Saturday, police said.
- After some time, he was found missing.
- A hunt was launched to trace him and he was found at a hotel in the city.
England's Root backs decision to scrap Sri Lanka tour over virus fears
- England Test captain Joe Root has backed the decision to abandon the Test tour of Sri Lanka
- He said, the players' minds were "elsewhere".
- A practice match in Colombo was halted on Friday and the team announced they would be flying back to London.
- The two-Test series, which was due to start in Galle on March 19, has been postponed.
Japan's Abe pledges Olympics to go ahead despite virus havoc
Abe pledged Japan would host the Games as planned in July and said he had no immediate intention to declare a state of emergency over the virus outbreak, which has now seen more than 140,000 people infected across the globe and over 5,400 killed.
Suspected coronavirus patient dies in Buldhana, Maharashtra
- A 71-year-old man who had returned from Saudi Arabia and was suspected to have coronavirus infection died during treatment in Maharashtra's Buldhana district.
- He was suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure.
- The patient was admitted to a private hospital for high blood pressure a few days ago.
Sana'a airport to close for two weeks over coronavirus concerns
China's move to lockdown Wuhan delayed spread of coronavirus outside: Study
- The move delayed the spread of the virus to other Chinese cities by nearly three days.
- Wuhan travel ban alone had reduced 2,02,000 cases in China.
- The study was published on health sciences preprint server medRxiv, meaning it has not been peer-reviewed and its results are up for debate.
- Beijing faced criticism for not acting in time when the virus began spreading rapidly since December last year.
Spain to impose nationwide lockdown - El Mundo
The Spanish government is to put the country under lockdown as part of its state of emergency measures meant to combat the coronavirus, several media including El Mundo and Cadena Ser reported on Saturday.
IPL-13 will be truncated, if it happens
- BCCI President, Sourav Ganguly
Punjab has one positive COVID-19 case, no suspected patient absconding: Minister
- Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Saturday said that only one positive case of coronavirus has been reported in the state
- He added, no suspected patient of infection is absconding or missing.
- The patient had a travel history of Italy and was checked at Amritsar International Airport and admitted at GMC, Amritsar and is stable now.
- The Punjab Health Minister also refuted the news reports claiming that a suspected case of coronavirus is absconding or missing in the state.
UK airline Jet2.com cancels flights to Spain over coronavirus
- British budget airline Jet2.com cancelled all of its flights to Spain on Saturday after the country declared a state of emergency due to the spread of coronavirus.
- "We have taken the decision to cancel all flights to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands with immediate effect," the airline said in a statement.
- "We are contacting our customers who are currently in these destinations, and who are due to travel, to advise them of their options, so we urge customers not to call us."
- The tourism sector has been hammered by the spread of coronavirus.
- British Airways has warned of job losses and Norwegian Air said it had "weeks not months" to avert collapse.
At least 5 Jet2 flights with destination Spain have turned around and are returning to UK
At least 5 Jet2 flights with destination Spain have turned around and are returning to UK https://t.co/TpGWTvnI7b… https://t.co/PjASeuMXc1
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) 1584176263000Six SC benches to hear only 12 urgent cases each on Mar 16, instructions issued for staff
Six benches of the Supreme Court will on March 16 take up only 12 urgent matters each to avoid overcrowding of court rooms following the decision to restrict the apex court functioning in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Maharashtra:
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi writes a letter to Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh, requesting him to take penal action against persons indulged in spreading misinformation regarding coronavirus on social media platform.
Fresh COVID-19 case in Telangana, number goes up to two
- A person, who travelled to Italy, tested positive for the virus, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao told the Legislative Assembly.
- The patient has been admitted to the state-run Gandhi hospital.
- The samples of two others, who are suspected to be suffering from COVID-19, have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Pune.
- Asserting that his government was taking all precautionary steps, the Chief Minister said a meeting of senior officials will be held to discuss the virus situation.
