No need to panic over availability of PPE: Health ministry

No need to panic over availability of PPE: Health ministry

NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry on Thursday said there is no need to panic over the availability of Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE), but stressed these should be used rationally. Joint secretary at the health ministry Lav Agarwal said at the daily briefing that 20 companies are manufacturing PPE in India and orders for […]

Govt plans ‘larger force’ to replace frontline workers engaged in COVID-19 management

Govt plans ‘larger force’ to replace frontline workers engaged in COVID-19 management

NEW DELHI: Asserting that India faces a significantly higher threat from COVID-19, the central government has decided to create a “larger force” to replace frontline workers engaged in various works to tackle the pandemic and its exponential increase. It has decided to provide them with necessary training through online mode. “…As all are aware, India […]

Coronavirus deaths in India climb to 149; cases surge to 5,194

Coronavirus deaths in India climb to 149; cases surge to 5,194

NEW DELHI: The death toll due to the novel coronavirus rose to 149 and the number of cases to 5,194 in the country on Wednesday, according to the Union Health Ministry. While the number of active COVID-19 cases is 4,643, as many as 401 people were cured and discharged and one had migrated, it said. […]

UP to seal Covid19 hotspots in the state till April 15

UP to seal Covid19 hotspots in the state till April 15

LUCKNOW: With the number of coronavirus cases rising to 343 in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday said all COVID-19 hotspots in 15 districts will be sealed till April 15. “All coronavirus hotspots in 15 districts will be completely sealed till April 15 morning. Only home delivery will be allowed. These are places […]

Army postpones six-day conference of top commanders in view of COVID-19 situation

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has postponed a six-day conference of its top commanders next week in view of rising cases of coronavirus in the country, official sources said on Wednesday. The conference was to be held from April 13 to 18. In the conference, the Army commanders were set to carry out overall review […]

Next 7 days critical in evolving lockdown exit plan: Naidu

Next 7 days critical in evolving lockdown exit plan: Naidu

NEW DELHI: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said the final week of the ongoing lockdown is “critical” for evolving an exit strategy as data regarding the spread of coronavirus will have a bearing on the decision to be taken by the government. He also appealed to the people to abide by whatever decision […]

Home minister asks authorities to prevent hoarding and black marketing of goods

Home minister asks authorities to prevent hoarding and black marketing of goods

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the authorities to take appropriate steps in coordination with state governments to prevent hoarding and black marketing of commodities during the 21-day lockdown in the country to contain the spread of coronavirus, the ministry said on Tuesday. The directives were issued after a detailed review of […]

Assam MLA held for comments on Covid-19 quarantine centres

Assam MLA held for comments on Covid-19 quarantine centres

GUWAHATI: An opposition MLA in Assam was arrested on Tuesday for “controversial comments about the situations of quarantine facilities and hospitals for coronavirus patients” in the state, police said. According to the police, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Aminul Islam had said that the conditions in the quarantine facilities are “worse than in […]

One lakh tests will be conducted in Delhi’s Covid19 hotspots: Kejriwal

One lakh tests will be conducted in Delhi’s Covid19 hotspots: Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Tuesday a five-point action plan to contain the spread of coronavirus in the national capital and said one lakh random rapid COVID-19 tests will be conducted in the city’s hotspot areas. Addressing a press conference via video link, he said the Delhi government-run Lok Nayak Jai […]

UN estimates loss of 195M full-time jobs

Geneva:  UN’s labour organisation estimates the equivalent of 195 million full-time jobs could be lost in the second quarter alone from the COVID-19 outbreak, with businesses and plants shuttered worldwide. The projection from the International Labor Organization is based on an emerging impact of the virus, and it amounts to a big increase from its […]