Several days after the first positive case of novel coronavirus was reported in India, the country on Thursday reported the first death of a 76-year-old man from Kalburgi, Karnataka. The deceased, named Siddiq, had recently travelled to Australia. He died on his way from Hyderabad to Karnataka, and doctors were treating him for symptoms like breathlessness, cold and cough. With this, the number of infected persons in India has touched 79, including one death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people not to “panic” and avoid unnecessary travel. He also announced that ministers of his government will also not travel abroad for some time. Meanwhile, COVID-19 has so far claimed 4,600 lives while more than 126,000 people have been infected globally.
Check out all the latest updates on the novel coronavirus outbreak on BusinessToday.In live blog
8.57 AM: Coronavirus update from Bihar
No coronavirus case has been reported from Bihar till now. To tackle the menace, Patna Medical College and Hospital has cancelled leaves of all doctors and staff till further order. The Bihar Industries Association has also cancelled ‘Bihar Start Up Conclave’, scheduled for March 14.
8.45 AM: Judges to take call on extending vacation
CJI on Thursday held a meeting with Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Lalit, Attorney General, Solicitor General, members of Secretary Supreme Court Bar Association and Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association and other officials of Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law. The judges will finally decide on extending vacation today.
8.40 AM: Confirmed COVID-19 cases reach 9 in Pune
Total 9 patients have been confirmed positive for the deadly coronavirus in Pune. The NIV lab in Pune is examining other 11 samples, says Pune district collector Naval Kishor Ram.
8.30 AM: Defence ministry mobilises resources
Ministry of Defence has mobilised all necessary resources to support the national effort towards the management of COVID-19 cases. At present, military is running two medical facilities at Hindon, Ghaziabad and Manesar, Haryana, and a total of 265 civilians are under military supervision at these two facilities. As per DG AFMS, a batch of 124 cases have completed their 14 days of isolation at Manesar facility, have tested negative and are ready to leave the facility. More facilities at Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Suratgarh, Gorakhpur, Jhansi and Kolkata are geared up to absorb more citizens likely to arrive in India over the next few days.
8.29 AM: India-SA ODIs to be played without spectators
After holding discussions with the MYAS (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports) and MOHFW (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), the BCCI on Thursday announced that the remaining two one-day internationals (ODI) of the three-match series of South Africa tour of India, 2020, will be played without any public gathering including spectators.
NEWS: The remaining two ODIs of the ongoing series between India and South Africa to be played behind closed doors #INDvsSA
Read More here 👉https://t.co/OU1BLRfg0vpic.twitter.com/r0QQNTJUlX
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 12, 2020
8.24 PM: 150 Indians evacuated from Iran to reach India today
An Air India flight with 150 Indians being evacuated from Iran will reach Jaisalmer today, where they will be quarantined at an Indian Army facility. Post initial screening, they will be transferred from the airport to the quarantine facility. The government will evacuate another batch of 250 people from Iran tomorrow.
8.15 AM: All classes cancelled at IIT-Delhi
IIT-Delhi Director V Ramgopal Rao says in view of the COVID situation, IIT-Delhi has decided to cancel all classes, examinations and public gatherings with immediate effect on the campus until March 31, 2020.
In view of the COVID situation, IIT Delhi has decided to cancel all classes, examinations and public gatherings with immediate effect on the campus until March 31, 2020. Please inform all concerned.@iitdelhi@MHRDpic.twitter.com/PAqpSMkN5a
— V.Ramgopal Rao (@ramgopal_rao) March 12, 2020
8.14 AM: Jair Bolsonaro is being monitored for coronavirus
Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro is being monitored and tested for coronavirus, Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo reported on Thursday, without citing sources.Reuters was not able to confirm the information. Bolsonaro returned this week from a visit to the United States where he met with Donald Trump. – Reuters
8.11 AM: Press Secretary for Brazil’s President Brazilian tests positive for coronavirus
Fabio Wajngarten, the press secretary for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, felt ill on his return from the United States and is being tested for coronavirus, according to local media outlets. Wajngarten posted a picture of himself with Trump on Instagram a few days ago.
#UPDATE: Press Secretary for Brazil’s President *tests positive* for #coronavirushttps://t.co/MO0LpnL6DT
— Ana Cabrera (@AnaCabrera) March 12, 2020
8.08 AM: Actor Amitabh Bachchan on coronavirus outbreak
“Concerned about the COVID 19 .. just doodled some lines .. in verse .. please stay safe,” says actor Amitabh Bachchan.
T 3468 – Concerned about the COVID 19 .. just doodled some lines .. in verse .. please stay safe .. ?? pic.twitter.com/80idolmkRZ
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) March 12, 2020
8.4 AM: Trudeau’s wife tested positive for coronavirus
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie, are in self-isolation after she fell ill and was tested positive for the coronavirus, while school was canceled in Ontario to limit the spread of the outbreak. Justin Trudeau, 48, is exhibiting no symptoms. Working from home, he spoke with US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and joined a special Cabinet meeting on the coronavirus by phone, his spokesman said. – Reuters