Coronavirus Outbreak HIGHLIGHTS: The first case of coronavirus was reported in the Kashmir area of the Jammu and Kashmir union territory on Wednesday, India Today reported. 

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So far, over 7,900 deaths and or than 198,000 confirmed cases have been reported worldwide, with 82,762 people having recovered. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the COVID-19 pandemic over a telephone conversation on Tuesday with the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman.  Modi mentioned India’s recent initiative to organise a video conference among SAARC countries and the two leaders agreed that a similar exercise at the level of G20 leaders, under the aegis of Saudi Arabia as the Chair of G20, would be useful at a global scale. 

Meanwhile, hotels in Pune will remain closed till 20 March.  G Shetty, President of Pune Restaurants and Hoteliers Association told ANI, "Police requested us to halt operations and it's also our moral duty.  There are 850 hotels in the city in which around 25,000 people work." 

A woman from Pune, who had a travel history to France and Netherlands, tested positive for COVID-19.  This takes the number of cases in Pune to 18 and in Maharashtra to 42. 

This comes a day after US began the testing of a vaccine in Seattle. 

China has given a go-ahead to researchers to begin human safety tests of an experimental coronavirus vaccine in the race to develop a shot against the COVID-19 epidemic, Reuters reported. 

On Tuesday, Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan went into self-quarantine, but was later tested negative. 

BJP MP Suresh Prabhu has kept himself under isolation at his residence for the next 14 days as a precautionary measure even after testing negative.  He returned from Saudi Arabia, where he had gone to attend the Second Sherpas' Meeting on 10 March. 

"These agencies have been put in touch with Indian missions abroad to secure and transport inventories available with existing suppliers.  Indian missions abroad have been asked to explore alternate sources of supply of raw material for supporting India's domestic production,' he added. 

Thakur also said that in order to address the possibility of a trade-induced adverse impact on economy, the government is constantly engaging with Expert Promotion Councils and trade bodies, particularly in pharmaceutical, electronics and automobile sectors, where supply chains are sourcing imports from China. 

Minister of State of Finance Anurag Thakur said in the Rajya Sabha that India's near-term macroeconomic outlook is vulnerable to the disruption of trade with China due to the coronavirus pandemic. " However, latest available data on trade and indicators of domestic output don't suggest any adverse impact on economy.  Additionally, a positive impact on India's economy may arise from decline in global oil prices triggered by outbreak," he said. 

India has prohibited the entry of Indian passport holders in European Union, Turkey, and United Kingdom to India from today.  The latest travel advisory read, "With effect from the 18 March, travel of passengers from member countries of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey and the United Kingdom to India is prohibited with effect." 

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen to 147 in India, including 125 Indians and 22 foreigners.  Three deaths have been reported and 14 people have been cured. 

Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of unavailability of mid-day meals for children in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak and shutdown of schools.  It also sought a reply from states and union territories on how children are being provided the meals. 

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram took to Twitter to discuss the novel coronavirus pandemic and urged citizens to take all necessary precautions.  He also said that the government must address the economic fallout of COVID-19 and announce measures to help the poor who will be affected most. 

"Orders have been issued to promote all students, studying in schools run by the basic education department, of class one to eight to next classes without examination.  All schools have been closed till 2 April," Additional Chief Secretary, Education Renuka Kumar said in a order issued on Tuesday night. 

Students of classes one to eight of all government primary schools in Uttar Pradesh will get promoted without having to appear in examinations in view of the coronavirus outbreak, an official said on Wednesday.  Examinations in primary schools were scheduled between 23 and 28 March. 

The Health Ministry stated that it shall be mandatory for all hospitals, both government and private, medical officers in government health institutions and registered private medical practitioners including AYUSH practitioners, to "notify such person(s) with COVID-19 affected person to the concerned district surveillance unit." 

It added that it is important that the support and cooperation of the private sector are enlisted in this regard. 

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued fresh guidelines for notifying COVID-19 affected persons by private healthcare institutions.  It stated that "it is of utmost importance that each and every case (suspects/confirmed) of COVID-19 is isolated and provided appropriate treatment and their contacts are traced at the earliest to break the chain of transmission. 

The survey noted that fear was notably lower among Baby Boomers (individuals born between 1946 and 1964), with more than half, about 52 percent, saying that they aren’t fearful about getting infected. 

According to YouGov’s ongoing coronavirus tracker which captures public sentiment and behavior around COVID-19, 44 percent of GenX respondents, (people who were born between 1965 and 1980), who were surveyed said they are "not at all or not very scared" about contracting the pandemic virus. 

YouGov's latest survey, which includes data collected online by YouGov Omnibus from around 1054 respondents in India between 10 to 15 March 2020, using YouGov’s panel of over eight million people worldwide.  The data is representative of the adult online population in the country. 

As India grapples to curb the outbreak of coronavirus cases in the country, a survey by YouGov has revealed that despite being most likely to be at the receiving end of the pandemic, more than half of senior citizens in India are confident they won’t acquire the virus. 

The upgrade in official advice to an unprecedented “Level 4: Do not travel” to any country in the world, was accompanied by a ban on any non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people, reports Reuters . 

The formal declaration gives the government the power to close off cities or regions, impose curfews and order people to quarantine, if deemed necessary to contain the spread of the virus. 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday declared a “human biosecurity emergency” and said the country’s citizens should abandon all overseas travel because of the coronavirus epidemic that he warned could last at least six months.  This essentially rules out all Australian players, coaches, etc from the IPL which had been postponed to mid-April. 

"KEM, JJ Hospital and Haffkine Institute will soon get the testing facilities.  Most likely they will commence operations in the next five days," Tope told reporters. Similar laboratories will come up in different parts of the state, he added. 

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said seven more laboratories will come up across the state for testing suspected novel coronavirus cases.  At present, only three labs are operating in the state at Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune where samples of suspected persons are tested. 

In his official statement, RK Selvamani, President of FEFSI said: “We have decided to not take part in the film and TV serial shoots from March 19.  Our members will not participate in any form of shoots until the country gets back to normalcy.  Yes, this is a tough time and the revenue loss is going to be very huge for producers and daily wagers in the film industry but considering the life-threatening situation and keeping the safety of our workers in mind, we have taken this decision”. 

Film industries in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana have to come to a standstill due to the coronavirus outbreak in various parts of the country.  Kerala was the first state to shut down theaters in the south followed by Karnataka, Telangana, and now, Tamil Nadu also joined hands to fight against the novel virus. 

"The man came to Goa on 20 February.  He was having fever since 10 March and was isolated as a suspect in hospital in Panaji," the minister told PTI. 

A Norwegian man on Wednesday tested positive for novel coronavirus infection in Goa, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said.  The man had travelled to Delhi, Agra, Assam and Meghalaya after leaving Norway on 6 February, he said. 

"There's absolutely no reason to panic.  Final report hasn't yet come and we're waiting.  All future information will be given only by Dr Utkarsh (state epidemiologist) as per protocol.  We're also trying to locate the number from which Dr Edwin received the call," he said. 

Goa Health Min Vishwajit Rane said that a reported call made to health authorities by impersonating testing lab which notified of a positive COVID-19 case in the state was a hoax.  The information was received by Dr Edwin of Goa Medical College. 

Of the three people who had tested positive earlier, two of them were residents of Noida's Sector 78 and Sector 100. 

A person, with a travel history to Indonesia, tested positive for coronavirus.  This is the fourth positive case of coronavirus from Gautam Buddh Nagar. 

Karnataka health minister B Sriramulu said that two people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Bengaluru, taking the total cases in the state to 13.  While one person is a 56-year-old man returning from the US, the other is a 25-year-old woman returning from Spain. 

The Central Zoo Authority had on Friday directed all zoos in the country to screen visitors for coronavirus and maintain sanitation measures at entry and exit gates. 

Delhi Zoo Director Suneesh Buxy said directions have been issued to close down the zoo, which witnesses a high number of visitors everyday, till March end to arrest the spread of the disease. 

The Delhi Zoo administration on Wednesday shut the zoological party till 31 March in view of the coronavirus outbreak. 

An IIT-B official said while the total intake of students is 11,000, many of them have already left the campus for various reasons. 

An emergency meeting of all heads of departments and other academic and administrative units was called on Tuesday to take stock of the situation on the campus, arising out of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. 

In view of the novel coronavirus​ outbreak, IIT Bombay has announced a virtual shutdown of itscampus at Powai in Mumbai till 31 March.  In the Tuesday night decision, the IIT-B decided to ask students to vacate hostels by 20 March evening. 

Ministry of External Affairs in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha said that 276 Indians are infected with coronavirus abroad including 255 in Iran, 12 in UAE, 5 in Italy, and 1 each in Hong Kong, Kuwait, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka. 

A fresh coronavirus case has been reported in Telangana on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases in the state to six.  The person, who tested positive for the virus, came from the United Kingdom, official sources said, adding that further details would be shared later. 

Both Bhartia and Khandelwal said that closure of physical markets is not the only solution unless sales of e commerce platforms are also banned as the possibility of infection in goods delivered by e commerce companies can not be ruled out.  Even the delivery boys of the e commerce companies visit several places in the day to deliver the goods mostly to unknown people and no one knows when they get infected by any person suffering with virus.  Therefore, closure of e commerce sales is all the more much required. 

CAIT National President BC Bhartia & Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that trade leaders will consider all pros & cons of any shutdown of the markets as the shops of the traders are first point contact for 130 crore people for meeting their requirements.  There are about 7 crore traders in the Country providing employment to nearly 45 crore people and as such any decision of closure of shops will be taken after due consideration.  In Delhi, there are about 15 lakh small and big traders who are vetting to the requirements of 1.25 crore people of Delhi. 

Amid various rumours of closure of markets in Delhi and other States of the Country, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), apex body of business community of the Country clarified that so far no Trade Association has taken any decision to close the markets in the wake of corona virus.  The Government is taking various steps in combating COVID-19 at the front and therefore any decision of such closure can be taken in consultation with Government, other Agencies and with trade leaders of each State including Delhi.  However, if Government takes any such decision, the traders will comply with the same-added CAIT. 

According to latest guidelines issued by the government, the director generals of Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Sashastra Seema Bal, National Security Guards and Assam Rifles have been asked to cancel all non-emergency leaves of paramilitary personnel to minimise the risk of contracting the virus during travel. 

The guidelines come in the wake of an Indian Army trooper from Ladakh testing positive for the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Wednesday. 

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has asked all paramilitary forces to get into “battle mode” and “plan ahead” to combat the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected almost 200,000 and killed nearly 8,000 people worldwide. 

Central Board of Secondary Education has directed the exam centres conducting board exams for Classes 10 and 12 to ensure sitting arrangement with adequate distance between students. 

“Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra has been closed from today.  Operations of all inter-state buses, both incoming and outgoing from Jammu and Kashmir, are banned from today,” the Department of Information and Public Relations said in a statement. 

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday suspended the Vaishno Devi Yatra in view of coronavirus outbreak. 

Achmad Yurianto, a health ministry official, also told a news conference that the number of deaths from the disease rose to 19, with deaths recorded in seven different provinces, while 11 patients had recovered. 

Indonesia announced on Wednesday 55 new coronavirus cases, taking the total to 227 in the Southeast Asian nation and marking the biggest daily rise in positive cases. 

The package, presented by Finance Minister Mario Centeno and Economy Minister Pedro Siza Vieira, includes 5.2 billion in fiscal stimulus, 3 billion in state-backed credit guarantees and one billion related to social security payments. 

Portugal’s government announced on Wednesday a 9.2 billion-euro package to support workers and provide liquidity for companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. 

The National Capital has 10 active cases at present according to the health ministry website, and of the total cases in the city, one patient has died while two people have recovered. 

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) said that it had received a complaint on Tuesday, regarding the assembly of people, including children and infants, at the Shaheen Bagh protest amid the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country. 

PTI reported that four passengers who have travel history with Germany and with prescribed home quarantine on Wednesday deboarded from the Bandra Terminus-Delhi Garibrath Express train at Palghar station.  The co-passengers raised an alarm, the report said. 

As per the advisory, the leave granting authorities have been told to grant leave only on essential or compassionate grounds till situation improves. 

The Indian Army has issued advisory to all commands regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.  The advisory said that all wargames and conferences are postponed till further orders.  All training activities are to be postponed or cancelled, in view of the current circumstances, the advisory added. 

US president Donald Trump said that the businesses that have suffered losses due to the "Chinese virus" will be reimbursed.  News18 reported that this is the second time Trump has referred to the COVID-19 as the "Chinese virus". 

The report also said that the state is going to be in lockdown till 31 March. 

"The restrictions that have been imposed in the state for a week from 14 March have been extended till 31 March, he announced in the Legislative Assembly after a special cabinet meeting to discuss the impact of Covid-19," the report said. 

The Karnataka Cabinet on Wednesday set aside Rs 200 crore to tackle the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state, The Times of India quoted Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa as saying.  The state currently is dealing with 11 active cases of the flu-like disease that has claimed over 7,000 lives worldwide. 

North Korean state media quoted Kim Jong-un has saying that the country lacked modern medical facilities equipped to deal with the global spread of the novel coronavirus outbreak and appealed for urgent improvements, News18 reported.  The report quoted experts as saying that an oubreak of coronavirus in North Korea would be devastating ebcause of the lack of medical supplies and "outdated healthcare infrastructure". 

India is currently dealing with 130 active cases, while three people have succumbed to the infection. 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been targetting the government over the the slowing economy and the coronavirus outbreak in the last few weeks, on Wednesday said that the Centre needs to take "quick and aggressive action" in tackling with the spread of COVID-19 in the country. 

Meanwhile, The Times of India reported that a case has been filed against Vardhan in Bihar for "not stopping the black marketing of essential items". 

A reporter with ThePrint tweeted that he was first advised to get admitted to the Beleghata ID hospital in Kolkata on 15 March, but he ignored the advisory and interacted with several people, including family members. " On 16 he was taken to MR Bangur hospital, met deputy super and others.  Again turned down requests to get admitted.  He returned home again.  His mother went to Nabanna, attended many important meetings, met many people.  He too met people, who are now being tracked," the tweet further added. 

Despite being cautioned by medical officials multiple times, man from West Bengal's Kolkata ignored crucial health directives and now has been tested positive for coronavirus.  He is also incidentally West Bengal's first confirmed case.  The infected person, a student in the UK, refused to get tested for the COVID-19 infection despite being asked by several authorities as he had just returned from the UK. 

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, said that India had assisted China with medical supplies worth Rs 2,11 crore, including one lakh surgical masks, five lakh pairs of sugical gloves, 75 pieces of infusion pumps, 30 pieces of enteral feeding pumps, 21 pieces of defibrillator and 4,000 pieces of N-95 masks. 

Muraleedharan said 1,706 samples have been taken, including from pilgrims, students and other Indians stranded in Iran. 

A team of six Indian health officials has been deputed to Iran in order to set up testing and sampling facilities there, he said. 

Asked about steps take by the Centre to help Indians stranded in Iran due to the coronavirus outbreak, Muraleedharan said the government has made focussed efforts for the safe return of Indians from that country. 

The Indians in Iran include about 1,100 pilgrims mainly from Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra, nearly 300 students primarily from Jammu and Kashmir, about 1,000 fishermen, including from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat, and others who are on a long-term stay in Iran for pursuing their livelihood and religious studies, the minister said. 

In Iran, as per available information, there are over 6,000 Indian nationals, MoS External Affairs V Muraleedharan said in his written reply to a question on whether many Indians are held up in Arab countries including Kuwait and Iran due to coronavirus. 

The number of positive cases of coronavirus in India on Wednesday rose to 151, which included 25 foreign nationals and 126 Indians, according to the health ministry's website. 

"Some incidents of racial remarks against North-East people have emerged in some parts of India in the wake of #Coronavirus due to cultural ignorance, prejudice minset & lack of understanding.  Matter discussed with NE Division, MHA.  Strict advisory is being issued to the States," Rijiju tweeted. 

Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, also said the issue was taken up with the North East division in the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said a strict advisory is being issued to all states to take action after some incidents of racial remarks against people belonging to the North East in some parts of the country were reported in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. 

Vistara airlines on Wednesday said that it was suspending its international flights from 20 March to 31 March. " We are temporarily suspending our international operations from 20 March to 31 March.  We have also temporarily adjusted domestic capacity for March and April in view of reduced demand.  Customers booked on the affected flights will be fully refunded," the statement. 

"In Boots stores across London, items like thermometers, paracetemol and hand soap have sold out.  Hand soap sales alone are at about 1,000% of usual levels," the report said. 

CNN reported that UK's pharmacies, including the biggest chain 'Boots', have imposed rations on essential items like hand sanitisers as a measure against panic-buying amid the coronavirus outbreak. 

Maharashtra is the worst-affected state by the COVID-19 outbreak, with 42 cases reported so far. 

The Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said that the state government has not taken any decision on allowing private labs to conduct the coronavirus diagnostic tests in the state. 

Iran's deputy health minister, Alireza Raisi, urged the public to avoid travel and crowded places.  In a statement on state TV, Raisi told Iranians the coming period represented two "golden weeks" to try curb the virus from spreading further. 

Still, even as the number of cases continues to grow each day, food markets were still packed with shoppers on Wednesday and highways were crowded with traffic as families traveled between cities ahead of the Persian New Year, Nowruz, on Friday. 

Iran reported its single biggest jump in deaths from the new coronavirus on Wednesday as another 147 people died, raising the country's overall death toll to 1,135, AP reported.  The nearly 15 percent spike in deaths — amid a total of 17,361 confirmed cases in Iran — marks the biggest 24-hour rise in fatalities since officials first acknowledged cases of the virus in Iran in mid-February. 

The government also asked people to take necessary precautionary measures. 

The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday declared that all educational institutions in the state will be shut in light of the coronavirus outbreak.  This includes schools, colleges, universities, and coaching centers. 

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government has also issued an order to allow government employees to work from home.  The order reads, "Only employees whose presence in offices is very necessary shall be called to office".  The order will be effective from 19 March to 25 March." 

Delhi lieutenant governor Anil Baijal said that in a meeting with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday, the authorities deliberated social distancing measures which can be encouraged in government offices, public transport, and public places. 

Italy has been the second hardest hit country with more than 31,000 cases, behind more than 81,000 in China. 

In releasing the new figures, Johns Hopkins University also said more than 82,000 people recovered from the virus, which causes only mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough for most people, although severe illness is more likely in the elderly and those with existing health problems. 

Desperate travelers choked European border crossings Wednesday after countries implemented strict controls to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which has now infected more than 200,000 people worldwide and killed more than 8,000. 

Donald Trump said that the US was shutting its northern border with Canada for non-essential traffic with "mutual consent" in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. " Trade will not be affected," Trump tweeted. 

The Human Resource Development ministry is likely to launch e-classes on the Swayam Prabha DTH channels for school students, reports said on Wednesday. " Time slots of four hours daily approved on Swayam Prabha DTH channels for selected states," the ministry was quoted as saying by The Times of India. 

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday decided to allow novel coronavirus testing at eight labs apart from from the National Institute of Virology in Pune, reports said.  News18 reported that the testing in three new labs will begin from Thursday. 

At least 195 Indians who were stranded in coronavirus-hit Iran have been quarantined in a facility in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer.  They arrived in India on Wednesday evening. 

Passengers have been reporting chaos at the Delhi airport amid the quarantine imposed for Indian nationals arriving from abroad for the coronavirus outbreak. 

The Punjab jails department is considering releasing around 3,000 drug peddlers and 2,800 petty criminals lodged in various jails in state to curb prison overcrowding and contain the coronavirus outbreak, News18 reported . 

The Times of India has quoted the Directorate of Health Services, Uttar Pradesh as saying, "A total of 17 people have tested positive for coronavirus; 8 from Agra, 2 from Ghaziabad, 4 from Noida and 3 from Lucknow. 

"Particularly, the children and the lactating and nursing mothers in rural as well as tribal area are prone to such mal-nourishment.  Such mal-nutrition may affect their immunity system and as such, such children and lactating and nursing mothers would be more prone to catch the infection.  While dealing with one crisis, the situation may not lead to creation of another crisis," the bench said. 

A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant said that non-supply of nutritional food to the children as well as lactating and nursing mothers may lead to large-scale malnourishment. 

Taking suo motu (on its own) note of the situation, it said all the states and UTs should come out with a uniform policy so as to ensure that while preventing spread of COVID-19, the schemes for providing nutritional food to the children and nursing and lactating mothers are not adversely affected. 

While dealing with one crisis, the situation may not lead to creation of another crisis as on account of the shutdown of schools and Anganwadis, children as well as lactating and nursing mothers would be deprived of the nutritional food, the top court said while seeking response of the states and Union Territories. 

The Supreme Court said on Wednesday that non-availability of mid-day meals to children, as schools in many parts of the country have been shut due to the coronavirus pandemic, should not deprive them of nutritious food. 

Reports on Wednesday said that the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs has directed states to sell surgical masks, soaps, and hand sanitisers in fair price shops and for beneficiaries of the ration scheme to wear surgical masks. 

The Maharashtra public health department said that a 50-year-old person has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Ratnagiri.  The person has a travel history to Dubai.  Total number of positive cases reaches 45 in Maharashtra. 

"Indians coming from South Korea are required to produce negative COVID-19 certificate to come to the country," the notification said. 

The health ministry on Wednesday said that passengers coming/transiting through the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait after 12 GMT on 18 March (port of departure) to be quarantined upon arrival for 14 days.  Those who have visited China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany on/after 15 February to be quarantined. 

The CBSE board has postponed all exams in India and abroad from 19 to 31 March in light of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.  Adhering to the government's advisory to observe 'social distancing', the board said that a new exam schedule will be announced by 31 March after reassessing the situation, The Indian Express reported . 

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on Thursday night at 9 pm, he will speak about issues related to the novel coronavirus and the measures taken by the government to combat the spread of the infection. 

"A resident of Khanyar area in Srinagar tested positive for COVID-19, Jammu and Kashmir administration confirmed.  According to authorities, the patient had a history of international travel and arrived in India on 16 March.  The patient has currently been put under isolation and surveillance, contact tracing has started in a 300-metre area," the report said. 

The first case of coronavirus was reported in the Kashmir area of the Jammu and Kashmir union territory on Wednesday, India Today reported. 

"The JEE-Main exam has been postponed.  The new date will be decided in accordance with the board exams schedule and other competitive exams to ensure there is no clash," a senior NTA official said. 

The Joint Entrance Exam (JEE-Main) for admission to IITs and engineering colleges was postponed on Wednesday in view of coronavirus, according to the HRD Ministry's National Testing Agency (NTA).  The exam was scheduled to be held from 5 April to 11 April. 

"PM Modi emphasised on actively engaging with individuals, local communities and organisations in chalking out mechanisms to fight the Covid-19 menace.  He also urged officials and technical experts to deliberate on the steps to be taken next," the statement said. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting on the government's efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, the Prime Minister's Office said.  on Wednesday. 

"The entire effort of the state government is that the citizens of the state survive the infection of this epidemic.  People should be advised not to congregate through loudspeakers at other religious and public places including temples, mosques," he added. 

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said that Section 144 had been imposed across the state in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. " In order to save the lives of the people from the coronavirus infection, Section 144 has been directed to be implemented in the first phase across the state by 31 March.  The District Magistrate, Sub Divisional Officers have been authorized to issue necessary guidelines in this regard," Gehlot said. 

The United Kingdom on Wednesday reported a rise in the national toll due to coronavirus.  The toll has risen to 104, with 99 deaths in England, three deaths in Scotland, and two deaths in Wales.  On Wednesday, 104 patients succumbed to the disease, which is the biggest daily jump in the country so far. 

Calling himself a “wartime president,” Trump said he would sign the Defense Production Act “in case we need it” as the government bolsters resources for an expected surge in cases of the virus. 

On a day of head-spinning developments, stocks tumbled again on Wall Street, falling so fast they triggered another automatic trading halt.  More borders slammed shut across Europe and North America, with the U.S. and Canada agreeing to close their shared boundary to all but essential travel.  And the Trump administration pressed Congress to swiftly pass a potentially $1 trillion rescue package to prop up the economy and speed relief checks to Americans in a matter of weeks. 

President Donald Trump on Wednesday moved to invoke a federal law that allows the government to marshal the private sector to deal with the coronavirus epidemic, as the economic damage mounted with word that Detroit’s Big Three automakers agreed to shut down all their factories to protect workers. 

"The 35-year-old deceased jumped off the 7th floor of the Safdarjung Hospital, according to a PCR call received by the Delhi Police.  He was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital at 9 pm on Wednesday only as a suspected coronavirus patient.  The deceased has come to India from Sydney in Australia and had complained of a headache," the report said. 

A patient with the novel coronavirus committed suicide at the Safdarjung hospital in Delhi on Wednesday, India Today reported. 

“We therefore need schools to make provisions for the children of these key workers … and they also need to look after the most vulnerable children.  For many parents, these steps will be frustrating.  That’s why we are now working on further measures… to keep our economy going.”  Johnson was quoted as saying. 

UK prime minister Boris Johnson said that schools across the country will shut from Friday, in his weekly press conference. " The closures will affect students of all ages, except for the children of key workers -- including NHS staff, police and delivery drivers – and vulnerable children," CNN reported. 

Pakistan recorded the first death due to the novel coronavirus on Wednesday as confirmed cases of COVID-19 rose to 289, reports said. 

He continued, “So we want them to heed the advice… and I do believe it’s getting through.” 

He said, “I hope they just listen to what we’ve been saying over the last period of time.  We don’t want them gathering, and I see that they do gather including on beaches, and including in restaurants, young people.  They don’t realize that — they’re feeling invincible, I don’t know if you felt invincible when you were young.  But they don’t realize that they could be carrying lots of bad things home to their grandmother and grandfather and even their parents,” he said. 

US president Donald Trump on Wednesday said that the country's youth needed to heed the advice of experts to exercise caution, but also called for them to stay calm. 

Seven more coronavirus cases were confirmed in Telangana on Wednesday night, ANI reported.  All the patients are Indonesian nationals and have been kept in isolation wards, a notification from the government said. 

Embassy of India in United States of America (USA) releases updated advisory for Indian students in USA in view of COVID-19 pandemic. 

"The entire effort of the state government is that the citizens of the state survive the infection of this epidemic.  People should be advised not to congregate through loudspeakers at other religious and public places including temples, mosques," he added. 

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said that Section 144 had been imposed across the state in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. " In order to save the lives of the people from the coronavirus infection, Section 144 has been directed to be implemented in the first phase across the state by 31 March.  The District Magistrate, Sub Divisional Officers have been authorized to issue necessary guidelines in this regard," Gehlot said. 

The United Kingdom on Wednesday reported a rise in the national toll due to coronavirus.  The toll has risen to 104, with 99 deaths in England, three deaths in Scotland, and two deaths in Wales.  On Wednesday, 104 patients succumbed to the disease, which is the biggest daily jump in the country so far. 

Calling himself a “wartime president,” Trump said he would sign the Defense Production Act “in case we need it” as the government bolsters resources for an expected surge in cases of the virus. 

On a day of head-spinning developments, stocks tumbled again on Wall Street, falling so fast they triggered another automatic trading halt.  More borders slammed shut across Europe and North America, with the U.S. and Canada agreeing to close their shared boundary to all but essential travel.  And the Trump administration pressed Congress to swiftly pass a potentially $1 trillion rescue package to prop up the economy and speed relief checks to Americans in a matter of weeks. 

President Donald Trump on Wednesday moved to invoke a federal law that allows the government to marshal the private sector to deal with the coronavirus epidemic, as the economic damage mounted with word that Detroit’s Big Three automakers agreed to shut down all their factories to protect workers. 

"The 35-year-old deceased jumped off the 7th floor of the Safdarjung Hospital, according to a PCR call received by the Delhi Police.  He was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital at 9 pm on Wednesday only as a suspected coronavirus patient.  The deceased has come to India from Sydney in Australia and had complained of a headache," the report said. 

A patient with the novel coronavirus committed suicide at the Safdarjung hospital in Delhi on Wednesday, India Today reported. 

'"No airline will bring any passenger from Australia, Belgium, Bulgeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom effective 12 GMT March 12 at Port of departure," a home ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Times of India. 

“We therefore need schools to make provisions for the children of these key workers … and they also need to look after the most vulnerable children.  For many parents, these steps will be frustrating.  That’s why we are now working on further measures… to keep our economy going.”  Johnson was quoted as saying. 

UK prime minister Boris Johnson said that schools across the country will shut from Friday, in his weekly press conference. " The closures will affect students of all ages, except for the children of key workers -- including NHS staff, police and delivery drivers – and vulnerable children," CNN reported. 

Pakistan recorded the first death due to the novel coronavirus on Wednesday as confirmed cases of COVID-19 rose to 289, reports said. 

He continued, “So we want them to heed the advice… and I do believe it’s getting through.” 

He said, “I hope they just listen to what we’ve been saying over the last period of time.  We don’t want them gathering, and I see that they do gather including on beaches, and including in restaurants, young people.  They don’t realize that — they’re feeling invincible, I don’t know if you felt invincible when you were young.  But they don’t realize that they could be carrying lots of bad things home to their grandmother and grandfather and even their parents,” he said. 

US president Donald Trump on Wednesday said that the country's youth needed to heed the advice of experts to exercise caution, but also called for them to stay calm. 

Seven more coronavirus cases were confirmed in Telangana on Wednesday night, ANI reported.  All the patients are Indonesian nationals and have been kept in isolation wards, a notification from the government said. 

Embassy of India in United States of America (USA) releases updated advisory for Indian students in USA in view of #COVID19 pandemic.  pic.twitter.com/AxeK74KBML

Embassy of India in United States of America (USA) releases updated advisory for Indian students in USA in view of COVID-19 pandemic. 

Coronavirus Outbreak HIGHLIGHTS: The first case of coronavirus was reported in the Kashmir area of the Jammu and Kashmir union territory on Wednesday, India Today reported. 

"A resident of Khanyar area in Srinagar tested positive for COVID-19, Jammu and Kashmir administration confirmed.  According to authorities, the patient had a history of international travel and arrived in India on 16 March.  The patient has currently been put under isolation and surveillance, contact tracing has started in a 300-metre area," the report said. 

The CBSE board has postponed all exams in India and abroad from 19 to 31 March in light of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.  Adhering to the government's advisory to observe 'social distancing', the board said that a new exam schedule will be announced by 31 March after reassessing the situation, The Indian Express reported. 

The Times of India has quoted the Directorate of Health Services, Uttar Pradesh as saying, "A total of 17 people have tested positive for coronavirus; 8 from Agra, 2 from Ghaziabad, 4 from Noida and 3 from Lucknow. 

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday decided to allow novel coronavirus testing at eight labs apart from from the National Institute of Virology in Pune, reports said.  News18 reported that the testing in three new labs will begin from Thursday. 

Desperate travelers choked European border crossings Wednesday after countries implemented strict controls to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which has now infected more than 200,000 people worldwide and killed more than 8,000. 

Still, even as the number of cases continues to grow each day, food markets were still packed with shoppers on Wednesday and highways were crowded with traffic as families traveled between cities ahead of the Persian New Year, Nowruz, on Friday. 

Iran's deputy health minister, Alireza Raisi, urged the public to avoid travel and crowded places.  In a statement on state TV, Raisi told Iranians the coming period represented two "golden weeks" to try curb the virus from spreading further. 

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said a strict advisory is being issued to all states to take action after some incidents of racial remarks against people belonging to the North East in some parts of the country were reported in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. 

Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, also said the issue was taken up with the North East division in the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

"Some incidents of racial remarks against North-East people have emerged in some parts of India in the wake of #Coronavirus due to cultural ignorance, prejudice minset & lack of understanding.  Matter discussed with NE Division, MHA.  Strict advisory is being issued to the States," Rijiju tweeted. 

The number of positive cases of coronavirus in India on Wednesday rose to 151, which included 25 foreign nationals and 126 Indians, according to the health ministry's website. 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been targetting the government over the the slowing economy and the coronavirus outbreak in the last few weeks, on Wednesday said that the Centre needs to take "quick and aggressive action" in tackling with the spread of COVID-19 in the country. 

India is currently dealing with 130 active cases, while three people have succumbed to the infection. 

The Karnataka Cabinet on Wednesday set aside Rs 200 crore to tackle the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state, The Times of India quoted Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa as saying.  The state currently is dealing with 11 active cases of the flu-like disease that has claimed over 7,000 lives worldwide. 

"The restrictions that have been imposed in the state for a week from 14 March have been extended till 31 March, he announced in the Legislative Assembly after a special cabinet meeting to discuss the impact of Covid-19," the report said. 

The report also said that the state is going to be in lockdown till 31 March. 

PTI reported that four passengers who have travel history with Germany and with prescribed home quarantine on Wednesday deboarded from an express train at Palghar station.  The co-passengers raised an alarm, the report said. 

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has asked all paramilitary forces to get into 'battle mode' and 'plan ahead' to combat the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected almost 200,000 and killed nearly 8,000 people worldwide.  The guidelines come in the wake of an Indian Army trooper from Ladakh testing positive.  Also, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday suspended the Vaishno Devi Yatra in view of coronavirus outbreak. 

A fresh coronavirus case has been reported in Telangana on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases in Telangana to six.  Meanwhile, Ministry of External Affairs in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha said that 276 Indians are infected with coronavirus abroad including 255 in Iran, 12 in UAE, 5 in Italy, and 1 each in Hong Kong, Kuwait, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka. 

Karnataka health minister B Sriramulu said that two people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Bengaluru, taking the total cases in the state to 13. 

A person, with a travel history to Indonesia, tested positive for coronavirus.  This is the fourth positive case of coronavirus from Gautam Buddh Nagar. 

Goa Health Min Vishwajit Rane said that a reported call made to health authorities by impersonating testing lab which notified of a positive COVID-19 case in the state was a hoax. 

A Norwegian man on Wednesday tested positive for novel coronavirus infection in Goa, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said.  The man had travelled to Delhi, Agra, Assam and Meghalaya after leaving Norway on 6 February, he said. 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday declared a 'human biosecurity emergency' and said the country’s citizens should abandon all overseas travel because of the coronavirus epidemic that he warned could last at least six months.  This essentially rules out all Australian players, coaches, etc from the IPL which had been postponed to mid-April. 

The formal declaration gives the government the power to close off cities or regions, impose curfews and order people to quarantine, if deemed necessary to contain the spread of the virus. 

The upgrade in official advice to an unprecedented “Level 4: Do not travel” to any country in the world, was accompanied by a ban on any non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people, reports Reuters. 

India has prohibited the entry of Indian passport holders in European Union, Turkey, and United Kingdom to India from today. 

A woman from Pune, who had a travel history to France and Netherlands, tested positive for COVID-19.  This takes the number of cases in Pune to 18 and in Maharashtra to 42. 

An Indian Army jawan from Ladakh, whose father had travelled to Iran for pilgrimage, has become the first positive case of COVID-19 in the 1.3 million-strong force. 

Modi mentioned India’s recent initiative to organise a video conference among SAARC countries and Mohammed bin Salman and he agreed that a similar exercise at the level of G20 leaders, under the aegis of Saudi Arabia as the Chair of G20, would be useful.  The government of Jammu and Kashmir barred the entry of foreign tourists as a precautionary measure. 

As the number of novel coronavirus cases in the country rose to 137 on Tuesday, several states took major preventive measures, including restrictions on assembly in public places, closure of schools, and even stopping entry to the Taj Mahal. 

The country reported its third coronavirus fatality with the death of a 64-year-old man in Mumbai.  The patient was admitted to the city's Kasturba Hospital and was suffering from multiple health issues apart from being infected by the novel coronavirus, said Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation chief Praveen Pardeshi. 

The new cases reported on Tuesday include 24 foreign nationals and the three persons who died in Delhi, Karnataka and Maharashtra. 

The Delhi Police said that to prevent the spread of coronavirus, they appeal to the general public to "not assemble at any place for protest, dharna, rally, entertainment or any other purpose, whether in close space or outside" till 31 March. 

Maharashtra reports most cases

Maharashtra has reported 39 cases, including three foreigners, while Kerala has recorded 26 cases, which includes two foreign nationals. 

Karnataka has 11 coronavirus patients.  Ladakh has reported six cases while Jammu and Kashmir three.  Telangana has reported five cases, which includes two foreigners. 

Rajasthan has also reported four cases, including that of two foreigners.  Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab have reported one case each. 

Odisha reported its first case on Monday. 

In Haryana, there are 15 cases, which include 14 foreigners, while Uttarakhand has reported one case. 

According to the ministry's data, 14 people have been discharged so far, including the three patients from Kerala who were discharged last month. 

The situation in Maharashtra prompted chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to urge people to strictly follow social distancing, saying that the state government may be forced to close public transport and government offices if this does not happen. 

"There will be no closure of government offices and public transport in Mumbai.  But if people don't exercise restraint and don't avoid non-essential travel, we will be forced to take the harsh decision," Thackeray said. 

He said the decision of shopkeepers in Pune to shut down their establishments on their own was worth emulating by others. 

"It would be good if shopkeepers in other cities shut down their establishments on their own except in case of essential services like grocery supply," he said. 

"We are working on how to ensure the working of government offices with a minimum attendance," he said. 

"If not required, don't venture out of homes.  We don't wish to take harsh steps.  People understand the gravity of this prevailing situation.  Those who have the stamp of self-quarantine should stay at home.  The next 15 days are crucial.  People need to exercise self-discipline," he said. 

Travel restrictions

On Tuesday, the government extended travel restrictions by banning the entry of passengers from Afghanistan, Philippines and Malaysia to India with immediate effect, according to an additional travel advisory. 

This is in continuation of the travel advisories issued on 11 March and 16 March. 

No flight shall take off from these countries to India after 1500 hours Indian Standard Time (IST).  The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure, according to the advisory. 

This instruction is a temporary measure and shall be in force till 31 March and will be reviewed subsequently. 

On Monday, the government banned the entry of passengers from the European Union countries, Turkey and the UK from 18 to 31 March. 

Biosafety precautions

The Health Ministry said that guidelines for the management of dead bodies infected with the disease have been issued to define a set of protocols in handling such cases. 

Joint Secretary Lav Aggarwal said the COVID-19 cases in India have risen to 137 and the number of deaths stood at three. 

"Guidelines for dead body management towards precautions, infection prevention and control measures, handling of body and environmental disinfection have been issued," Aggarwal said. 

"The main driver of transmission of COVID-19 is through droplets.  There is unlikely to be an increased risk of COVID-19 infection from a dead body to health workers or family members who follow standard precautions while handling the body. 

"Only the lungs of dead COVID patients, if handled during an autopsy, can be infectious," the guidelines stated while listing out standard precautions to be followed by health care workers while handling bodies of those who die of the disease. 

More than 5,700 people who came in contact with those that tested positive are under rigorous surveillance, Aggarwal said. 

He also said that guidelines have been issued for the private sector laboratories intending to initiate COVID-19 testing. 

Laboratory tests for coronavirus at private labs should be offered when prescribed by a qualified physician as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines for testing. 

"Private labs testing is to ensure realtime reporting to Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the ICMR headquarters for timely initiation of contact tracing and research activities," he said. 

Global picture

China began the withdrawal of thousands of doctors and medical staff from Wuhan after the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak reported just one confirmed case. 

With mixed feelings of containing the dreaded COVID-19 but sad over deaths of thousands of people, the first batch of medical assistance teams started leaving Hubei province early on Tuesday as the epidemic outbreak in the hard-hit province has been subdued, official media reported. 

Over 3,600 medical staffers belonging to 41 medical teams from across China have assisted 14 temporary hospitals and seven designated hospitals in Wuhan, the provincial capital and the epicentre of the outbreak, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. 

Wuhan reported just one confirmed case of the COVID-19 and 12 deaths on Monday, the provincial health commission said on Tuesday. 

Iran issued its most dire warning yet on Tuesday about the outbreak of the new coronavirus ravaging the country, suggesting "millions" could die in the Islamic Republic if the public keeps travelling and ignoring health guidance. 

A state television journalist who also is a medical doctor gave the warning only hours after the hardline Shiite in the country pushed their way into the courtyards of two major shrines that had just been closed over fears of the virus. 

Meanwhile, France said that it would follow other European countries in confining residents mostly to their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the European Union considered closing its external borders to foreign travellers to impede infections. 

French president Emmanuel Macron said that starting on Tuesday, people would be allowed to leave the place they live only for necessary activities such as shopping for food, going to work or taking a walk. 

"From tomorrow at noon and for at least 15 days, our trips will be greatly reduced," Macron said in a televised address. 

With inputs from agencies