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Two MEA staff members test positive; Kejriwal says Delhi govt four steps ahead of virus

With nearly 8,000 fresh cases reported within a span of 24 hours, the COVID tally on Saturday rose to 1,73,763 even as states continued to chalk out the next phase of lockdown from Monday.  The death toll stood at 4,971, according to data provided by the Ministry of Health Affairs.

Lockdown 5.0 is likely to prune the list of prohibited activities further and allow states to decide on opening of malls and multiplexes, places of worship, and dine-in restaurants, The Indian Express has learnt. The government may also consider relaxing night curfew hours based on suggestions from health experts. “It (decision to impose curfew from 7 pm to 7 am) is not exactly based on technical considerations of health. There is no harm if it is extended at least to 9 pm,” said an official.

Over 59,00,000 people have been infected with the virus worldwide with the death toll at 3,64,867. As many as 24,93,535 people have recovered so far, according to a tally by John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre.
elhi govt four steps ahead of coronavirus: Kejriwal

"Delhi is witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases, we accept it. But there is nothing to worry about, I assure you that we are fully prepared. We cannot be in a permanent lockdown. It is a matter of concern but it is nothing to be scared of. I assure you that your government is four steps ahead of coronavirus," Kejriwal said.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal addresses media

Addressing the media, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said his government will soon launch an app to trace hospitals with beds and ventilators. In order to politicise the issue, some people are using old videos to give it a coronavirus link. The country is going through a bad time. It is better for everyone to work together. Do not fall for fake videos. I assure you stern action against those spreading such content."
Two MEA staff members test positive for Covid-19

At least two persons in the Ministry of External Affairs have tested positive for coronavirus. While one of them work in the Central Europe division, the other works in the Legal and treaties division. Other officials, who were in contact, are now being tested and have been advised self-quarantine.

Madhya Pradesh CM orders analysis of each COVID death in state

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed the health department and doctors to conduct an analysis of each death caused by COVID in the state so far. He gave this direction on Friday during a meeting held to review the coronavirus situation in the state. "The chief minister directed the doctors and administrative officials to analyse each death caused by COVID-19," an official statement said.
PM Modi led from front, COVID situation better in India: Nadda

Addressing the media via video-conference to mark the government’s first anniversary during its second tenure, BJP president J P Nadda said: "It has been a year of accomplishmentsand unimaginable challenges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led from the front. He involved masses, took bold and timely decisions to combat coronavirus. While many big and powerful countries found themselves helpless against Covid-19, situation is still under control in India."

Karnataka: KSRTC buses to ply as usual, lockdown to resume after 7 pm

According to the order by Karnataka Chief Secretary TM Vijaybhaskar, the Sunday curfew was withdrawn following a request by the general public. However, the lockdown from 7 pm to next day 7 am will continue as usual, the order added. Since services will run as usual during the day, KSRTC buses will also be allowed to run tomorrow. At least 3,500 buses will be in service, KSRTC PRO said.

Indore’s COVID count rises to 3,431; death toll reaches 129

With Indore reporting 87 more coronavirus positive cases in the last 24 hours, the tally of such patients in the district mounted to 3,431, an official said on Saturday. As three more persons succumbed to the infection in the district, the number of victims rose to 129, the official said. Indore is one of the worst-affected districts in the country in terms of the coronavirus outbreak. Indore’s Chief Medical and Health Officer Praveen Jadia said that 87 people tested coronavirus positive in the last 24 hours, due to which the number of patients grew to 3,431 from 3,344.

7 hurt as bus carrying migrants from Kerala to Bengal overturns in Odisha

At least seven people were injured when a bus carrying West Bengal-bound migrants, who were stuck in Kerala due to the lockdown, overturned in Odishas Balasore district on Saturday, police said. The bus carrying 38 passengers was on its way to Kolkata when it skidded off the National Highway 16 and overturned near Balasore town, a police official told PTI. Police and fire service personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the passengers with the help of locals, while the injured persons were sent to the district headquarters hospital in Balasore, he said. The condition of the injured persons was stated to be stable, he added.

Bengal: Minister and wife among 277 new cases, to stay in home quarantine

West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose and his wife have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, making him the first such case in the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Cabinet. The couple has been quarantined at their home and has mild symptoms, according to sources. Their samples returned positive on Thursday night. It is not clear how Bose contracted the virus. However, a report by PTI news agency, citing a source, said a domestic help at his residence was diagnosed with the disease.

Bombay HC seeks report from Maharashtra govt on steps taken for migrant workers

Taking note of the congregation of migrant workers at railway stations and bus stands in Maharashtra as they wait for their return to the home states, the Bombay High Court has sought a report from the Maharashtra government on how it was addressing the issue. "With regard to the peculiar local conditions, we consider it fit and proper to call upon the state to file a report indicating how the plight of the migrant workers, who have been assembling at the railways stations, bus stands in Mumbai and places around it are being addressed," the court said.

Organic masks to fight coronavirus

Odisha-owned Utkalika has started production and marketing of organic masks, manufactured by traditional artisans, with covering the face becoming the new norm in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, PTI reported. Such masks made up of Sambalpuri cotton fabric have attracted customers as these are handwoven, natural/organic dye of Kotpad fabric is used, washable and skin-soothing during the summer, said Utkalika managing director Anjana Panda. With doctors recommending the use of washable masks during this period, we have been preparing organic masks for the people, she said. ’Utkalika’ is producing and procuring masks from the empanelled artisans with the motto of supporting their livelihood during the lockdown, she said.

Goa plans to bring back collector-approved travel pass system

With Goa witnessing a huge influx of people in the last couple of days, the Pramod Sawant government is planning to go back to its previous system of issuing travel passes that require approval by authorities, in place of the self-generated e-passes introduced earlier this week, PTI reported. State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, who took part in the meeting on Friday, told reporters that it was discussed that travel passes need to be reintroduced in place of the self-generated e-passes. "The state witnessed a huge inflow of people in the last few days. We need to cap the number of arrivals in the state. Once the travel pass system is introduced, the health authorities will know how many people are going to arrive on a particular day," he said.

’West Bengal shifting to Sweden model to contain coronavirus’

With West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announcing the easing of lockdown restrictions in the state, a renowned doctor said that following ramping up of Covid-19 tests, the government seems to be gradually shifting towards the Sweden or Taiwan model to contain the pandemic. Dr Diptendra Sarkar of the state-run SSKM Hospital said that with the countrywide lockdown having been in force for nearly 70 days and the government, both at the Centre and the state, having shored up resources during the period to deal with the disease, it was time for a gradual easing of restrictions. "I feel that they are shifting the model, they were till now going by the hammer and the tongs model which is a lockdown," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Migrants put up at stadium near Yamuna before they board trains yo their home towns

Migrants wearing face masks put up at stadium near Yamuna before boarding trains to their native places in bihar. Express Photo by Amit Mehra.

Lockdown 5.0 may be relaxed further: States to decide on malls, restaurants

The next phase of lockdown, to kickstart from Monday, is likely to prune the list of prohibited activities further and allow states to decide on opening of malls and multiplexes, places of worship, and dine-in restaurants, The Indian Express has learnt. The government may also consider relaxing night curfew hours based on suggestions from health experts. “It (decision to impose curfew from 7 pm to 7 am) is not exactly based on technical considerations of health. There is no harm if it is extended at least to 9 pm,” said an official. However, based on suggestions from various states, strict curbs are likely to continue in containment zones, and “there will also be some restrictions in 13 key cities where the concentration of Covid-19 cases is very high”, an official said.