#Bed Shifting in Vadodara

[movingwithlogisticmart347]

choosing the right relocation company among the plethora of options can be confusing.  Here are some qualities of professional packers and movers in Vadodara that you should consider to appoint the best one.

[drram1952]

Sindhi Community in Pakistan

The ruins of Mohan – Jo – Daro speak of tremendous age of human civilization in Sindh, but the 1st written records of the region related to the invention of Alexander the great in 325 BC. Alexander seriously injured in battle with fierce tribesmen outside Multan, but after his recovery he proceeded on down the Jhelum and in Indus River with a fleet of about 2000 ships, captured by securing Sukkur, and the surrounding territory. 

Eventually he made his way to the sea – to sail for home at a place that the historians call Alexander heaven, which was probably somewhere in the region of modern Alexander. The 1st major town that the travellers who followed Alexander historic route in to Sindh will come to his Sukkur, some seven horse drive to the south west of Multan its character is moulded around the river  that flows through it on which high rigged, sabot – shaped boats place slowly to and fro across the current, here in the shadows of the grand Mosque, which casts the reflection of its shimmering minerals on the waters of the Indus, fisher flock river people lead proud and independent outdoor lives, exposed to the elements and the vicissitudes of nature. 

Their settlements are strung out in a ranged line along the river banks thatched wooden huts on shore and huge leaking house boats afloat on the water. The fisher man looks gaudy caring and un-ruly hair seems to be the hallmarks of latter day pirate yet, on closure acquaintance, they immerse as gentle kind hearted people with delightful sense of humour and a calm and social fatalism. Pushing to smoke a home road cigarette with them and to drink a cup of tea you are aware of the beauty of the river in the early morning as

reflect un-hurried wavelets lap against the mud embankment. The shots of children bathing for a way in mid-stream carry effortlessly across the still sunny air and mingle with the rhythm of clothes being slapped dry by a laundry man against the flat black rocks.

Turning South from Sukkur the road runs straight and though some of the more fertile regions of Sindh. Cultivation here is plentiful but in the absence of effective irrigation, depends to a great extent on the modes of the Indus, through the river flows sluggishly for most of the year it has a tendency to flood and tendency that is the basis for more than 40% of Sindh agricultures over the millennia the Indus has deposited so much alluvium along its path that in many places its banks and even its bed are above the level of the surroundings plains.

One such change of courses dramatically improved the fortunes of Hyderabad. Some 320 km to the south of sukkur, in the mid-18th century Hyderabad was known “Nikunkot” and the Indus flow peacefully enough to the east of it. In 1758, however, the unpredictable river shifted into a new course to the waste of the town. A few years later because of the havoc further South, that had resulted from the change of course, Sindh rulers the saintly Ghulam Shah Kalhores moves his capital to Nirkot, at the same time remaining Hyderabad.  

The Oval fort build by Ghulam Shah still stands today, in the centre of modern Hyderabad and bears very little evidence of the skirmishes that have taken place outside 1 km circumference of its walls around them. Traffic moves ceaselessly. Horse drawn carts mingle with more elaborate 6 seaters landaus. A whole local industry is given over to carriage making and the craft man are renovated for their painstaking attention to detail, it is an aborting experience to watch a master at work embossing a huge wooden wheel with bright nails and chrome or carving integrate designs into the tall boat of landau.

Karachi enjoys a splendid natural harbour, 1 of the best in the sub-continent. It has only seriously exploded the valuable asset in the 100 years, although it potential for great prosperity was visible somewhat earlier. “Yet be the glory of the East”, prophesied sir Charles Napier. The British General who conquered Sindh would that I could come again Karachi, to see you in your grandeur Napier 1st visit was in 1943, when the great city was an in –significant and un-appealing coastal town with population of the most, a few thousands called Kullachi. It has 2 gates, Mithadr facing sweet water well, and Khaddar facing the salty sea. Today, though the world 19th century town is long gone its (sweet and salt) gets to Karachi oldest.  

In 1947 the new state of Pakistan was born and Karachi was established as the Capital, though Karachi is no longer Pakistan’s capital, having surrender that honour to Islamabad in 1959, its dominance in the national economy is behind dispute. The port handles is billions tons of cargo annually and is 1 of the most important shipping centre in South Asia, Karachi is also the main terminus of Pakistan railway system and the sight of the principal international airport, about 1 quarter of the centuries industries are located here.

Karachi cloth bazar is an excellent place to sample for the 1st time the intoxicating atmosphere of this great city.

Here amidst the food and drink stalls that seems to congregate where ever goods are bought and sold merchants from, all over Pakistan are to be found engaged in the business of making money. Textile are still century’s largest industry and Karachi is the largest whole sale centre for the products of

this industry. Products which are moved to retail outlet as far away as Peshawar and Ravalpindi, Kota and Lahore.

Karachi museum is a major repository of national treasury and a centre of Archaeological and Historical research situated in the heart of the city in pleasant garden it is divided into a pre-historic gallery, a Buddhist Hindu gallery, a Muslim gallery and Ethnological gallery, a manuscript hall and numismatist section. The Muslim gallery contains a particularly fine collection of miniature painting and art form that was in high vogue during the Mughal era. Manuscripts hall illuminated a number of extremely ancient copies of the holy Quran, illuminated throughout and characterised by delegate and imaginative choreography.    

In Pakistan over all the Sindhi community is settled in Hyderabad, Karachi, Sukkur and many other parts of Sindh state. The lifestyle of the Sindhi people in Pakistan shows that they follow occupations like making clothes, ornaments, fishing, making wheel carts with decorations. They make beautiful vehicles decorate them and are involved in poultry making also. In a survey conducted by myself in Vadodara, Ahmedabad & Mumbai, I visited 35 families in different areas I asked them certain questions about life in Pakistan. Many people of Amil, Bhaibandh, Shikarpur, Hyderabad and these have someone which is considered so many Sindhi’s like Punjabis. Bhatia, Shikarpuri etc.

In Amil most of the families are working in Government sector and in the corporate sector. This community is mostly highly educated Sindhi families. Bhaibandh are businessman working abroad most of the people are engaged in business activities like, toys, clothes, electronics etc. These people are working in neighbouring countries also. People other than this caste have a different social religious future language in the Bhaibandh caste are more educated and mainly businessman. The life style is different from community to community.

In Pakistan the dresses of Sindhi women’s are the cap they wear etc and different from the other Pakistani people. After the partition the Sindhi celebrate in a way of similar to that in India. They continued the barter system in Pakistan even after the partition, even today many other states practice the same, in many Sindhi caste (dowry system) is still equivalent in this system like cash, ornaments, clothes and furniture are demanded from girl’s family. Due to this many girls get married out of caste which leads to failure of marriage as girls are not able to adjust out of caste. I have personally observed that many girls over 30 years of age are un-married. In Sindhi community girls are highly educated while the boys are not so, so their ideas lifestyle changes but those Sindhi’s still who live in Pakistan has totally changed.

[niryumnam]

To Monsoon

Like all other living entity

Here i am too in this alien land

Waiting incessantly for a drop of rain

To assuage the parched body and mind

To allay the thirst of the scorched soil.

Waiting inside this comfortable canopy

cuddling under this concrete flat

drenching its warmth and snugness,

I see a world full of life frolicking outside my wide window

And ofcourse no sense of worry!

While the amnesiac rain doesn't stop pouring on the grasses, trees, roofs and walls

Lunatic in my head starts dissenting about it

And I ask myself what's worrying me

on this particular magical rainy day instead of rejoicing?

In the deep chamber of my box, i had deep hidden the key.

Not that i distaste it but rather elicits an ambiguous scary feeling to play freely.

A vast cosmos of not so fond memories of rainy days!

Yet rather caustic, graphic and bittersweet at the same time!

Often on these rainy days,

I am reminded of the things past, of home and loved ones.

The contrary and the paradigm shift of situations conjured up by this very rain-

The burden of being alive in those rainy days and nights!

I remember how I hid my head under the plastic sheet laid above the mosquito net

to avoid the harsh rain burst inside the thatched roof.

While the rain was busy wrestling with the mud floor

churning and turning it into slimy and uninhabitable place,

I remember eating many a time my meal on the bed,

under the plastic canopy with a sense of worry in case

the water collected above would break from the grip.

Rainy nights though lulled others to a deep sleep

Made my heart heavy the whole night for the immediate morning.

I remember how my mother's whole day was exhausted

draining, cleaning and mopping the mucky floor.

Indeed, quite a task no one would ever know and appreciate.

She would burn the floor with straws to soak up the moisture.

For the night to be ready again for her child.

The ever life giving force rain wouldn't mind lashing out its collosal power one after another

Turning blind eyes to the efforts of the mother.

As the dawn broke and the weary eyes ceased to close,

a bleak day awaited me with impatience.

And I didn't know how I would go to school without an umbrella, without a cardigan

along with the torn rubber shoes

on the overflowed lenghty roads.

This, I prefer not to recall to my mind

how till knees dipped, I reached school

and sat the whole day inside the classroom with wet soaks

turning into whitish pale my feet.

While I returned home on the way

I splashed the flowing water around me with my torn rubber shoes

and yelled till my heart ached-

"Rain, rain, go away come again another day."

O Rain! You Benign and Malign!

Creator and Destroyer!

How will my heart welcome you unhesitatingly?

14th July, 2022, Vadodara

[brajeshupadhyay]

Coronavirus Outbreak LIVE Updates: Positive results of plasma therapy on four COVID-19 patients, says Arvind Kejriwal; infected to be shifted to private wards

12:37 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

US-Based Franklin Templeton shuts six India funds due to illiquidity 

Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund on Thursday announced it would wind up six yield-oriented, managed credit funds in India, effective April 23, citing severe market dislocation and illiquidity caused by the coronavirus.

"The decision has been taken in order to protect value for investors via a managed sale of the portfolio," the Fund said in a statement.

The decision was limited to funds which have "material direct exposure to the higher yielding, lower-rated credit securities in India that have been most impacted by the ongoing liquidity crisis in the market," the statement said.

12:27 (IST)

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Nagpur reports 100 COVID-19 cases

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Nagpur climbed to 100 after two more individuals tested positive for COVID-19 in the district on Friday, said Civil Surgeon, Nagpur, Maharashtra. 

12:19 (IST)

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Plasma theory to be conducted on two-three COVID-19 patients in Delhi today 

We are happy with the positive results of plasma theory in four COVID-19 patients. Blood and plasma is ready for two-three other patients that we have at LNJP hospital, we may give them the plasma therapy on FFriday, said Dr SK Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver & Biliary Science.

12:16 (IST)

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Four COVID-19 patients shifted to private wards from ICU: Arvind Kejriwal 

The four COVID-19 patients who were earlier admitted in the ICU with serious conditions, have now been shifted to private wards after being treated with plasma therapy, said Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal during media briefing on Friday.

Their conditions are stable now, said Kejriwal. 

12:12 (IST)

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Plasma theory conducted on four COVID-19 patients till now: Arvind Kejriwal 

The plasma therapy has been conducted on four COVID-19 patients in the last few days at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, said Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal during media briefing on Friday. 

"Till now the results are encouraging," said Kejriwal. 

12:10 (IST)

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Nine RPF personnel test COVID-19 positive in Bengal and Odisha

Nine Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff, part of a 26-member team that had been to New Delhi from Kharagpur division in West Bengal, have tested positive for for the noevl coronavirus.

The nine included a 32-year-old constable posted at Balasore in Odisha. He is undergoing treatment at Ashwini COVID Hospital at Cuttack.

12:00 (IST)

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates

13 madrasa students, contacts of infected Tablighi Jamaat members, test positive in Kanpur

As many as 13 madrasa students, who had come in contact with Tablighi Jamaat members suffering from coronavirus, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Kanpur, a senior health official said on Friday.

So far, the city in Uttar Pradesh has reported 107 confirmed cases. 

Chief Medical Officer Dr Ashok Shukla said, "50 samples were tested on Thursday of which results of 13 have come positive. They are the students of a madrasa in Coolie Bazaar, a hotspot zone, from where about 30 people have already tested positive."

11:55 (IST)

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Maharashtra confirms 293 COVID-19 deaths, 6,427 confirmed cases

With 778 more people testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Maharashtra, the total number of confirmed cases in the state rose to 6,427 on Friday. The state health department said that 14 more deaths were reported, bringing the toll to 283. 

11:48 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Centre should come out with health insurance scheme for scribes, says Union minister

Expressing concern over a large number of journalists in Mumbai testing positive for COVID-19, Union minister Pratap Sarangi on Friday urged the Centre to introduce a health insurance scheme for scribes covering the pandemic, in line with the one for frontline health workers.

In the last few weeks, several journalists in Chennai, Bhopal and other places have also tested positive, Sarangi said in a letter to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar.

"This unfortunate development has adversely affected the spirit of our fearless journalists for whom this is the worst and most dangerous kind of occupational hazard," said Sarangi, the Union minister of state for micro, small and medium enterprises.

11:41 (IST)

Coronavirus in Pakistan Latest Update

Pakistan's cases rise to 11,155; 79% cases locally transmitted

About 79 percent of the total coronavirus cases in Pakistan are now locally transmitted, health authorities said on Friday as the number of people affected by the deadly virus rose to over 11,000.

According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 13 more patients died due to the novel coronavirus, taking the toll to 237, and another 2,527 recovered.

In the last 24 hours, 642 new cases were reported, taking the tally to 11,155 in the country, health officials said on Friday.

Punjab reported 4,767 patients, Sindh 3,671, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,541, Balochistan 607, Gilgit-Baltistan 300, Islamabad 214, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 55 patients.

11:32 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Saumitra Yojana will help property issues

Prime Minister Narendra on Friday while launching the new app said that now there is no need for varied applications as the E-Gram Swaraj app will help people get the latest information on various issues at one platform, which will ensure transparency and will help record-keeping. Completion of projects will be faster, he says.

Through the Saumitra Yojana, drone mapping of each property in a village will be done and property papers will also be made available to the residents, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. This will help solve disputes and aid loan-taking, he added.

11:25 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Pandemic calls for self-dependency, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday while interacting with sarpanches said that the coronavirus pandemic has given the world a new message — "Coronavirus's biggest message is making people learn the path of self-dependency. We cannot fight such epidemics without being self-reliant. Villages should at their level become self-reliant, so should zillas."

The Coronavirus pandemic has taught that we have to become self-dependent: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during interaction with Sarpanchs from across the nation via video conferencing. #PanchayatiRajDiwas pic.twitter.com/ydWhD9vyGh

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2020

11:21 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Ensure non-COVID-19 patients get proper medical care, says Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court has said it is imperative that the Union government and the authorities in Maharashtra find an "effective solution" to ensure 'non-COVID- 19' patients are not denied medical treatment at a time when the focus is on fighting the coronavirus outbreak.

Justice KR Sriram made the observation on Thursday while hearing three different petitions highlighting the plight of people suffering from several chronic or serious ailments, who the pleas said, are being turned away from clinics and hospitals.

The petitions also highlight issues such as lack of adequate facilities and medical infrastructure in the state, municipal-run, and private hospitals in current times.

The judge said the authorities must take a serious note of the issues and directed the Maharashtra government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to file a reply to the pleas by 29 April.

11:15 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Narendra Modi inaugurates e-GramSwaraj portal 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates e-GramSwaraj portal and a mobile application, on the occasion of "Panchayati Raj Diwas'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates e-GramSwaraj portal and a mobile application, on the occasion of #PanchayatiRajDiwas pic.twitter.com/ADgj15Adum

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2020

11:12 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

JUST IN: Narendra Modi begins meeting with sarpanchs on coronavirus 

11:03 (IST)

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update

Mumbai estimated to have 70,000 cases by 15 May, warns BMC

After the Union Health Ministry's projections that Mumbai would have 6.50 lakh, COVID-19 patients, by 15 May, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) own estimates say that positive cases could reach 60,000 to 70,000 by mid-May, reports Mid-day.

Keeping in mind these projections, BMC is on an overdrive to set up at least 3,000 COVID-care beds for patients with moderate to severe symptoms of the viral infection, which is about 5 percent of the projected caseload, reports Times of India.

10:49 (IST)

Coronavirus in Gujarat Latest Update

Surat hospital shuts down after 14 staffers test positive

After 14 staff members including a resident medical officer, 12 nurses, and a computer operator tested positive for COVID-19 in the last few days, the 550-bed Kiran Super Multispeciality Hospital in Surat has been temporarily shut down till 1 May, reports Indian Express.

 Surat is the second worst-hit city in Gujarat by COVID-19 after Ahmedabad. Vadodara follows Surat in the list of highly-affected COVID-19 cities in the state. 

10:44 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Sensex tumbles over 500 pts in early trade; Nifty slips below 9,200

Equity benchmark Sensex tumbled over 500 points in early trade on Friday dragged by losses in banking and IT stocks amid weak cues from global markets. After hitting a low of 31,278.27, the 30-share index was trading 534.23 points or 1.68 percent down at 31,328.85.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty declined 129.35 points, or 1.39 percent, to 9,184.55.

Bajaj Finance was the top laggard in the Sensex pack, shedding up to 5 per cent, followed by ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC twins, SBI, Infosys and TCS. On the other hand, Hero MotoCorp, Sun Pharma, L&T, ONGC and HCL Tech were among the gainers.

Follow LIVE Updates on Stock Market here

10:38 (IST)

Coronavirus in US Latest Update

COVID-19 has pushed US unemployment toward highest since Depression

Unemployment in the US is swelling to levels last seen during the Great Depression of the 1930s, with 1 in 6 American workers thrown out of a job by the coronavirus, according to new data released Thursday.

In response to the deepening economic crisis, the House passed a nearly USD 500 billion spending package to help buckled businesses and hospitals.

More than 4.4 million laid-off Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, the government reported. In all, roughly 26 million people the population of the 10 biggest US cities combined have now filed for jobless aid in five weeks, an epic collapse that has raised the stakes in the debate over how and when to ease the shutdowns of factories and other businesses.

In the hardest-hit corner of the US, evidence emerged that perhaps 2.7 million New York state residents have been infected by the virus 10 times the number confirmed by lab tests.

10:37 (IST)

Coronavirus in Assam Latest Updates

Assam govt sends officials to evacuate 350 stranded students in Kota

The Assam government has sent a team of officials and police personnel to evacuate over 350 students stranded in Kota after requests from families in the state and the government of Rajasthan, NDTV reported.

They will be brought back by road to Guwahati from Kota via Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

10:31 (IST)

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Kejriwal to address media on results of plasma therapy used in Delhi at 12 pm 

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will address media at 12 pm regarding the initial positive results of the use of plasma therapy to treat coronavirus patients, ANI reported.

Plasma therapy has been applied in the treatment of a COVID-19 positive patient, admitted to a Delhi hospital on Tuesday for the first time in India.

The patient, who underwent convalescent plasma therapy at Max Hospital in Delhi’s Saket, has responded well to the treatment, the hospital had said in a statement.

10:25 (IST)

Coronavirus in Bihar Latest Updates

Bihar reports 176 COVID-19 cases, two deaths

Six new coronavirus cases were reported in Bihar, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday. This brings the total reported cases of coronavirus in Bihar to 176, said Sanjay Kumar, State Health Principal Secretary. 

Among the total people infected, 46 have recovered while two lives were claimed by the infectious disease. 

10:06 (IST)

Coronavirus in Rajasthan Latest Updates

36 new COVID-19 cases emerge in Rajasthan taking confirmed cases to 2,000

Rajasthan reported 36 fresh coronavirus cases taking the total number confirmed cases in the state to 2,000, ANI reported. Of the new cases, 18 were reported in Kota, 13 in Jaipur, four in Jhalawar and one in Bharatpur, said the Rajasthan Health Department.

09:50 (IST)

Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates

Recovery rate of COVID-19 patients in Kerala at 70.48%

With an additional 10 COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday, the total positive cases in Kerala stood at 447, said chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The state reported three coronavirus-related deaths so far. 

While the recovery rate in the state was at 70.48% with 324 COVID-19 patients being cured. 

09:38 (IST)

Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates

Two of 121 held for attack against health workers contract COVID-19 in Padrayanpura 

Of the 121 people arrested for violence against health workers in Bengaluru, two have contracted the novel coronavirus in Padrayanpura ward in the city on Friday. Both of them who were lodged at Ramanagara jail have now been shifted to Victoria hospital in Bengaluru.

The remaining 119 accused have been shifted to the city, ANI reported. 

09:31 (IST)

Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates

Four-month-old dies of COVID-19 in Malappuram 

A four-month-old died of the novel coronavirus in Kerala's Malappuram city after he tested positive for the infectious disease on Thursday. The infant succumbed to the virus on Friday morning at Kozhikode medical college.

"The child was undergoing treatment for heart-related problems for past three months and had pneumonia," said the Malappuram District Medical Officer. 

09:25 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Modi to interact with sarpanchs at 11 am 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with sarpanchs from across the nation via video conferencing at 11 am on Friday. All of them will be able to join this interaction through Doordarshan, from their respective homes adhering to social distancing norms.

Those sarpanchs who will be sharing their views with Modi will be doing so by joining the interaction at a Common Service Centre close to them.

09:07 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

India confirms 23,077 COVID-19 cases with 718 deaths, recovery rate at 20.58%

India's coronavirus cases rose to 23,077 with 1,684 fresh cases, and the overall toll reached 718 with 37 new deaths on Thursday, according to the recent Union Health Ministry data. 

The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 17,610  as 4,749 people were cured and discharged, and one patient migrated, the ministry said. Thus, about 20.58 percent of the cases have recovered so far. 

08:56 (IST)

Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates

Bengaluru lakes appear clearer as dumping of industrial wastage stops

Staying indoors and decreased industrial activities have led to the visible difference in the amount of garbage thrown in the lakes of Bengaluru. Bellandur lake, known for frothing and foaming, showed a slight change in terms of garbage dumping and the water looked clearer. 

However, the lake marshalls contradicted because the damage to the water bodies has been done over several years.

#IndiaFightsCOVID19 – Bengaluru’s frothing lake appears a bit clean due to the lockdown. CNN-News18’s @RevathiRajeevan brings a ground report from Bellandur Lake, Bengaluru.#StayHome pic.twitter.com/zPIr228XlF

— CNNNews18 (@CNNnews18) April 24, 2020

08:47 (IST)

Coronavirus in United States Latest Updates

US registers over 3,000 deaths in past 24 hrs

The novel coronavirus has killed nearly 50,000 people in the United States, after one of the deadliest days of the pandemic on Thursday which saw 3,176 deaths in 24 hours, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The deaths were recorded in the 24 hours up to 8.30 pm on Thursday, bringing the overall coronavirus toll in the US to 49,759, according to the Baltimore-based university.

The US, the worst-hit country in the world, now has 866,646 confirmed cases of coronavirus. 

08:39 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Kamakhya temple to call off Ambubachi Mela in view of COVID-19 

The management committee of Maa Kamakhya Devalaya has, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, decided not to hold the annual Ambubachi Mela in June this year.

"Only traditional rituals associated with the festival will be performed. Pilgrims will not be allowed to visit the Kamakhya temple or stay on the temple premises," a statement by the temple management committee issued in Guwahati on Thursday, said.

The committee has also notified residents of the areas near the temple atop Nilachal Hills not to let out their houses for the festival to visitors and pilgrims.

08:34 (IST)

Coronavirus in United States Latest Updates

Donald Trump calls for phased reopening of US economy 

US President Donald Trump has favoured safe and phased reopening of the American economy, which has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 50,000 people and infected over eight lakh in a matter of few months.

More than 95 percent of the country's 330 million people are under stay-at-home order as a result of the social mitigation measures including social distancing being enforced till 1 May. 

08:14 (IST)

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Maharashtra cabinet minister Jitendra Awhad tests positive for COVID-19 

Maharashtra Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The senior NCP leader and prominent Maharashtra cabinet minister had admitted himself to a private hospital in Thane for a precautionary check-up.

The minister had recently gone into self-isolation after some aides and security personnel were found to be COVID-19 positive. He had quarantined himself from 13 April, after 16 people close to him came positive including bodyguards and cook.

08:06 (IST)

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates

In Photos: People at Byculla vegtable market buy supplies 

Maharashtra: People make purchases at Byculla vegetable market in Mumbai, amid #CoronavirusLockdown. pic.twitter.com/ctxw4dOEhL

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2020

08:04 (IST)

Coronavirus in Tripura Latest Updates

Tripura becomes COVID-19 free after second patient tests negative: CM

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday said the state has become coronavirus- free after its second COVID-19 patient tested negative for the virus.

"UPDATE! The second coronavirus patient of Tripura has been found negative after consecutive tests. Hence our state has become COVID-free. I request everyone to maintain social distancing and follow government guidelines. Stay home stay safe,” the chief minister tweeted.

Tripura now has 111 coronavirus suspected cases under surveillance and 227 others have been placed under home quarantine.

07:59 (IST)

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Customers gather at Okhla vegetable market to buy supplies for Ramzan 

In view of Ramzan, which begins on Saturday, many gather at Okhla vegetable market in Delhi on Friday to buy supplies to avoid venturing out during Islam's holiest month without further spreading the coronavirus outbreak.

A customer at the market said, "I've come here to buy one week's supply of vegetables as Ramzan begins from Saturday. It's advised not to venture out to the markets many times due to coronavirus."

Delhi: Few customers at Okhla vegetable market during the extended lockdown period. A customer at the market says, "I've come here to buy one week's supply of vegetables as Ramzan begins from tomorrow. It's advised not to venture out to the markets many times due to coronavirus". pic.twitter.com/DFYb6XT1zV

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2020

07:50 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates

Sunlight, temp above 35 degrees can kill COVID-19 in 30 seconds: US Official

Sun light, heat and humidity can create conditions that are less favourable for the spread of coronavirus, a public health official of the Trump Administration has said.

The results of a just concluded scientific study conducted by the Science and Technology Directorate of the US Department of Homeland Security, announced during a White House news conference on coronavirus, could be good news for India in its fight against COVID-19.

"Coronavirus dies at a much more rapid pace when exposed to sunlight and humidity. The virus dies the quickest in direct sunlight. Isopropyl alcohol will kill the virus in 30 seconds," Bill Bryan, the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Science and Technology told White House reporters in the presence of President Donald Trump.

07:44 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates 

ICJ to function during COVID-19 pandemic, will hold meets via video conference

The  International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, on Thursday released a press release saying that it would continue to function despite the containment measures put in place around the world to curb the fast-spreading coronavirus. 

With the help of modern technologies, the world court has made the necessary arrangements to hold virtual meetings via video conference during the pandemic. On Wednesday, it held the first virtual plenary meeting in its history. 

07:29 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

India registers 21,700 COVID-19 cases, toll nears 700

India's coronavirus cases rose to 21,700 with 1,229 fresh cases, and the overall toll neared 700 with 34 new deaths on Thursday. The Union health ministry, meanwhile, said that it has been able to "cut coronavirus transmission", minimise its spread and increase the doubling time of cases in the duration of the nationwide lockdown.

The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 16,689 as 4,324 people were cured and discharged, and one patient migrated, the ministry said. Thus, about 19.93 percent of the cases have recovered so far. The total number of cases include 77 foreign nationals.

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates:  The four COVID-19 patients who were earlier admitted in the ICU with serious conditions, have now been shifted to private wards after being treated with plasma therapy, said Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal during media briefing on Friday.

Their conditions are stable now, said Kejriwal.

With 778 more people testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Maharashtra, the total number of confirmed cases in the state rose to 6,427 on Friday. The state health department said that 14 more deaths were reported, bringing the toll to 283.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday while interacting with sarpanches said that the coronavirus pandemic has given the world a new message: 'Coronavirus's biggest message is making people learn the path of self-dependency. We cannot fight such epidemics without being self-reliant. Villages should at their level become self-reliant, so should zillas.'

After the Union Health Ministry's projections that Mumbai would have 6.50 lakh, COVID-19 patients, by 15 May, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) own estimates say that positive cases could reach 60,000 to 70,000 by mid-May.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will address media at 12 pm regarding the initial positive results of the use of plasma therapy to treat coronavirus patients, ANI reported.

Plasma therapy has been applied in the treatment of a COVID-19 positive patient, admitted to a Delhi hospital on Tuesday for the first time in India.

With an additional 10 COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday, the total positive cases in Kerala stood at 447, said chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The state reported three coronavirus-related deaths so far.

While the recovery rate in the state was at 70.48% with 324 COVID-19 patients being cured.

A four-month-old died of the novel coronavirus in Kerala's Malappuram city after he tested positive for the infectious disease on Thursday. The infant succumbed to the virus on Friday morning at Kozhikode medical college.

"The child was undergoing treatment for heart-related problems for past three months and had pneumonia," said the Malappuram District Medical Officer.

India's coronavirus cases rose to 23,077 with 1,684 fresh cases, and the overall toll reached 718 with 37 new deaths on Thursday, according to the recent Union Health Ministry data.

The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 17,610 as 4,749 people were cured and discharged, and one patient migrated, the ministry said. Thus, about 20.58 percent of the cases have recovered so far.

Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday said the state has become coronavirus- free after its second COVID-19 patient tested negative for the virus.

"UPDATE! The second coronavirus patient of Tripura has been found negative after consecutive tests. Hence our state has become COVID-free. I request everyone to maintain social distancing and follow government guidelines. Stay home stay safe,” the chief minister tweeted.

Tripura now has 111 coronavirus suspected cases under surveillance and 227 others have been placed under home quarantine.

India's coronavirus cases rose to 21,700 with 1,229 fresh cases, and the overall toll neared 700 with 34 new deaths on Thursday. The Union health ministry, meanwhile, said that it has been able to "cut coronavirus transmission", minimise its spread and increase the doubling time of cases in the duration of the nationwide lockdown.

The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 16,689 as 4,324 people were cured and discharged, and one patient migrated, the ministry said. Thus, about 19.93 percent of the cases have recovered so far. The total number of cases include 77 foreign nationals.

AIIMS director Randeep Guleria on Thursday said that it was "important to reach out to patients who are missing out of treatment because of the stigma and panic", adding, "It is important to encourage more and more people to get tested, get treated."

"...It (stigma) is actually causing increase in morbidity and mortality. Because of the stigma that is happening many patients who have COVID-19 or flu like symptoms are not coming to health care facilities," he added.

Representational image. AP

He also said that at various centres, "we've started using convalescent plasma that is the blood of COVID-19 patients who have recovered. A large number of patients who have become alright have come forward and volunteered to donate their blood."

Centre says no exponential growth in COVID-19 cases so far

In its press briefing on Thursday, the Union health ministry asserted that the growth of coronavirus cases in the country has been more or less linear and not exponential, and added that testing has been ramped up consistently.

CK Mishra, the chairman of Empowered Group Two, said, "One crucial weapon we employed during the 30-day lockdown period is RT-PCR test to ascertain if one has contracted the disease or not."

As on 23 March, nearly 15,000 tests were done across the country and by 22 April more than 5 lakh tests were conducted, which is about "33 times in 30 days", he said, adding, "But we are conscious of the fact that this is not enough and we have to continuously ramp up testing in the country and we will do that."

Of the empowered groups formed to suggest measures to ramp up healthcare, put the economy back on track and reduce misery of people once the lockdown is lifted, Mishra is the chairman of Empowered Group Two tasked with coordinating availability of hospitals, isolation and quarantine facilities, disease surveillance, testing and critical care training.

"The growth of COVID-19 cases has been more or less linear, not exponential; this indicates that the strategies we adopted have succeeded in containing the infection to a particular level. Post imposition of lockdown, while the number of new positive cases has increased by 16 times, testing increased by 24 times," Mishra said in his presentation.

Mishra also said that in the last month, the number of dedicated hospitals for treating coronavirus patients has been increased 3.5 times and the number of isolation beds rose by 3.6 times.

"Despite a 24-fold increase in testing, the percentage of positive cases is not rising. The percentage of positive cases as a ratio of testing is more or less the same as that a month ago," he said.

Mishra also claimed that India has done better than a majority of developed countries with respect to the percentage of test cases yielding positive results.

Maharashtra, Gujarat worst-affected states

Coronavirus cases have spiked in Gujarat, and the rising infections in the state have become a new cause for major concern. Just five days ago, Gujarat was at number six, with Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh — apart from Maharashtra — having more confirmed cases.

As of Thursday night, 217 more cases were reported in Gujarat, taking the total number to 2,624 in the state, and Maharashtra reported a jump of 778 new cases, taking the total to 6,427.

A total of 34 deaths were reported since Wednesday evening of which 18 fatalities were reported from Maharashtra, eight from Gujarat, three from Andhra Pradesh, two from Rajasthan and one each from Delhi, Telengana and Madhya Pradesh.

Of the 686 deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 269 fatalities, followed by Gujarat at 103, Madhya Pradesh at 81, Delhi at 48, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh at 27 each and Telengana at 24.

The death toll reached 21 in Uttar Pradesh, 18 in Tamil Nadu while Karantaka has reported 17 cases. Punjab has registered 16 deaths while West Bengal has reported 15 fatalities. The disease has claimed five lives in Jammu and Kashmir, while Kerala, Jharkhand and Haryana have recorded three COVID-19 deaths each.

Bihar has reported two deaths, while Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Assam have reported one fatality each, according to the ministry data.

However, a PTI tally of the figures reported by various states as on Thursday showed 21,673 cases and 689 deaths in the country.

There has been a lag in the Union Health Ministry figures, compared to the number of deaths announced by different states, which officials attribute to procedural delays in assigning the cases to individual states.

According to the 5 pm update on the health ministry's official website, Delhi recorded 2,248 cases, Rajasthan was at 1,890, Madhya Pradesh at 1,695 and Tamil Nadu at 1,629.

The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 1,509 in Uttar Pradesh, 960 in Telangana and 895 in Andhra Pradesh. The number of cases has risen to 456 in West Bengal, 443 in Karnataka, 438 in Kerala, 407 in Jammu and Kashmir, 277 in Punjab and 262 in Haryana.

Bihar has reported 148 coronavirus cases, while Odisha has 83 cases. Forty-nine people have been infected with the virus in Jharkhand and 46 in Uttarakhand. Himachal Pradesh has 40 cases, Chhattisgarh has 36, while Assam has registered 35 infections so far.

Chandigarh has 27 COVID-19 cases, Ladakh 18, while 17 cases have been reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Meghalaya has reported 12 cases, and Goa and Puducherry have seven COVID-19 cases each. Manipur and Tripura have two cases each, while Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have reported a case each.

"Our figures are being reconciled with the ICMR," the ministry said on its website. States wise distribution is subject to further verification and reconciliation, it said.

Uddhav Thackeray says govt's focus is to reduce mortality rate

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that his government's focus was to reduce the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients and increase the period during which the number of positive cases double.

He made the remarks during his video-conference interaction with the members of two central teams that toured Mumbai and Pune cities, the two coronavirus hotspots in the state.

The teams took a review of the medical machinery, implementation of the lockdown measures and social distancing, safety of health workers and situation of labourers in shelter camps, supply of essential goods, among other things.

A statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that Thackeray told the teams that reducing the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients and increasing the period of doubling of positive cases were his government's focus.

At present, the period of doubling of patients in the state is seven days, which has to be increased to more than 10 days, Thackeray told the teams. He asked the state administration to take into consideration all the suggestions made by the central teams.

US sees record levels of unemployment

Unemployment in the US swelled to levels last seen during the Great Depression of the 1930s, with one in six American workers thrown out of a job because of the coronavirus.

More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, the US government said on Thursday.

In all, roughly 26 million people — more than the population of the six biggest US cities combined — have now filed for jobless aid in five weeks, an epic collapse that has raised the stakes in the debate over how and when to lift the state-ordered stay-at-home restrictions that have closed factories and other businesses from coast to coast.

Meanwhile, some countries — including Greece, Bangladesh and Malaysia — announced extensions of their lockdowns. Vietnam, New Zealand and Croatia were among those moving to end or ease such measures.

In Africa, COVID-19 cases rose 43 percent in the past week, up from 16,000 to 26,000 cases, according to John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The figures underscored a recent warning from the World Health Organization that the virus could kill more than 3,00,000 people in Africa and push 30 million into desperate poverty.

Huge lines have formed at food banks from El Paso, Texas, to the Paris suburbs, and food shortages are hitting Africa especially hard.

The European Union has pledged 20 billion euros to help vulnerable communities globally. EU leaders scheduled a virtual summit on Thursday to take stock of the damage the crisis has inflicted on the bloc’s own citizens and to work out an economic rescue plan.

The coronavirus has killed over 1,84,000 people worldwide, including about 47,000 in the United States, according to a tally compiled by John Hopkins University from official government figures. The true numbers are almost certainly far higher.

With inputs from agencies

via Blogger https://ift.tt/3bzcLeH

[movingwithlogisticmart347]

Moving is a complex and costly process. Professional packers and movers in Vadodara get the relocation job done, whether you want to ship your household stuff or office goods

[movingwithlogisticmart347]

In order to help you concentrate on your relocation and guide you through the entire process, these best tips by packers and movers in Vadodara will definitely help you out.

[movingwithlogisticmart347]

Planning a Winter Relocation? Things to Pack for Making Shifting With Packers and Movers in Vadodara Easy

[movingwithlogisticmart347]

Even if you are still recovering from your honeymoon's bliss, reality is going to burst your romantic bubble. Follow these tips on how to move in together from Vadodara to Ahmedabad after marriage to survive with your relationship happily intact.

[brajeshupadhyay]

12:37 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Updates US-Based Franklin Templeton shuts six India funds due to illiquidity  Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund on Thursday announced it would wind up six yield-oriented, managed credit funds in India, effective April 23, citing severe market dislocation and illiquidity caused by the coronavirus. "The decision has been taken in order to protect value for investors via a managed sale of the portfolio," the Fund said in a statement. The decision was limited to funds which have "material direct exposure to the higher yielding, lower-rated credit securities in India that have been most impacted by the ongoing liquidity crisis in the market," the statement said. 12:27 (IST) Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates Nagpur reports 100 COVID-19 cases The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Nagpur climbed to 100 after two more individuals tested positive for COVID-19 in the district on Friday, said Civil Surgeon, Nagpur, Maharashtra.  12:19 (IST) Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates Plasma theory to be conducted on two-three COVID-19 patients in Delhi today  We are happy with the positive results of plasma theory in four COVID-19 patients. Blood and plasma is ready for two-three other patients that we have at LNJP hospital, we may give them the plasma therapy on FFriday, said Dr SK Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver & Biliary Science. 12:16 (IST) Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates Four COVID-19 patients shifted to private wards from ICU: Arvind Kejriwal  The four COVID-19 patients who were earlier admitted in the ICU with serious conditions, have now been shifted to private wards after being treated with plasma therapy, said Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal during media briefing on Friday. Their conditions are stable now, said Kejriwal.  12:12 (IST) Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates Plasma theory conducted on four COVID-19 patients till now: Arvind Kejriwal  The plasma therapy has been conducted on four COVID-19 patients in the last few days at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, said Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal during media briefing on Friday.  "Till now the results are encouraging," said Kejriwal.  12:10 (IST) Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates Nine RPF personnel test COVID-19 positive in Bengal and Odisha Nine Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff, part of a 26-member team that had been to New Delhi from Kharagpur division in West Bengal, have tested positive for for the noevl coronavirus. The nine included a 32-year-old constable posted at Balasore in Odisha. He is undergoing treatment at Ashwini COVID Hospital at Cuttack. 12:00 (IST) Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates 13 madrasa students, contacts of infected Tablighi Jamaat members, test positive in Kanpur As many as 13 madrasa students, who had come in contact with Tablighi Jamaat members suffering from coronavirus, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Kanpur, a senior health official said on Friday. So far, the city in Uttar Pradesh has reported 107 confirmed cases.  Chief Medical Officer Dr Ashok Shukla said, "50 samples were tested on Thursday of which results of 13 have come positive. They are the students of a madrasa in Coolie Bazaar, a hotspot zone, from where about 30 people have already tested positive." 11:55 (IST) Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update Maharashtra confirms 293 COVID-19 deaths, 6,427 confirmed cases With 778 more people testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Maharashtra, the total number of confirmed cases in the state rose to 6,427 on Friday. The state health department said that 14 more deaths were reported, bringing the toll to 283.  11:48 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update Centre should come out with health insurance scheme for scribes, says Union minister Expressing concern over a large number of journalists in Mumbai testing positive for COVID-19, Union minister Pratap Sarangi on Friday urged the Centre to introduce a health insurance scheme for scribes covering the pandemic, in line with the one for frontline health workers. In the last few weeks, several journalists in Chennai, Bhopal and other places have also tested positive, Sarangi said in a letter to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar. "This unfortunate development has adversely affected the spirit of our fearless journalists for whom this is the worst and most dangerous kind of occupational hazard," said Sarangi, the Union minister of state for micro, small and medium enterprises. 11:41 (IST) Coronavirus in Pakistan Latest Update Pakistan's cases rise to 11,155; 79% cases locally transmitted About 79 percent of the total coronavirus cases in Pakistan are now locally transmitted, health authorities said on Friday as the number of people affected by the deadly virus rose to over 11,000. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 13 more patients died due to the novel coronavirus, taking the toll to 237, and another 2,527 recovered. In the last 24 hours, 642 new cases were reported, taking the tally to 11,155 in the country, health officials said on Friday. Punjab reported 4,767 patients, Sindh 3,671, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,541, Balochistan 607, Gilgit-Baltistan 300, Islamabad 214, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 55 patients. 11:32 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update Saumitra Yojana will help property issues Prime Minister Narendra on Friday while launching the new app said that now there is no need for varied applications as the E-Gram Swaraj app will help people get the latest information on various issues at one platform, which will ensure transparency and will help record-keeping. Completion of projects will be faster, he says. Through the Saumitra Yojana, drone mapping of each property in a village will be done and property papers will also be made available to the residents, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. This will help solve disputes and aid loan-taking, he added. 11:25 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update Pandemic calls for self-dependency, says PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday while interacting with sarpanches said that the coronavirus pandemic has given the world a new message — "Coronavirus's biggest message is making people learn the path of self-dependency. We cannot fight such epidemics without being self-reliant. Villages should at their level become self-reliant, so should zillas." The Coronavirus pandemic has taught that we have to become self-dependent: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during interaction with Sarpanchs from across the nation via video conferencing. #PanchayatiRajDiwas pic.twitter.com/ydWhD9vyGh — ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2020 11:21 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update Ensure non-COVID-19 patients get proper medical care, says Bombay HC The Bombay High Court has said it is imperative that the Union government and the authorities in Maharashtra find an "effective solution" to ensure 'non-COVID- 19' patients are not denied medical treatment at a time when the focus is on fighting the coronavirus outbreak. Justice KR Sriram made the observation on Thursday while hearing three different petitions highlighting the plight of people suffering from several chronic or serious ailments, who the pleas said, are being turned away from clinics and hospitals. The petitions also highlight issues such as lack of adequate facilities and medical infrastructure in the state, municipal-run, and private hospitals in current times. The judge said the authorities must take a serious note of the issues and directed the Maharashtra government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to file a reply to the pleas by 29 April. 11:15 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update Narendra Modi inaugurates e-GramSwaraj portal  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates e-GramSwaraj portal and a mobile application, on the occasion of "Panchayati Raj Diwas' Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates e-GramSwaraj portal and a mobile application, on the occasion of #PanchayatiRajDiwas pic.twitter.com/ADgj15Adum — ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2020 11:12 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update JUST IN: Narendra Modi begins meeting with sarpanchs on coronavirus  11:03 (IST) Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Update Mumbai estimated to have 70,000 cases by 15 May, warns BMC After the Union Health Ministry's projections that Mumbai would have 6.50 lakh, COVID-19 patients, by 15 May, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) own estimates say that positive cases could reach 60,000 to 70,000 by mid-May, reports Mid-day. Keeping in mind these projections, BMC is on an overdrive to set up at least 3,000 COVID-care beds for patients with moderate to severe symptoms of the viral infection, which is about 5 percent of the projected caseload, reports Times of India. 10:49 (IST) Coronavirus in Gujarat Latest Update Surat hospital shuts down after 14 staffers test positive After 14 staff members including a resident medical officer, 12 nurses, and a computer operator tested positive for COVID-19 in the last few days, the 550-bed Kiran Super Multispeciality Hospital in Surat has been temporarily shut down till 1 May, reports Indian Express.  Surat is the second worst-hit city in Gujarat by COVID-19 after Ahmedabad. Vadodara follows Surat in the list of highly-affected COVID-19 cities in the state.  10:44 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update Sensex tumbles over 500 pts in early trade; Nifty slips below 9,200 Equity benchmark Sensex tumbled over 500 points in early trade on Friday dragged by losses in banking and IT stocks amid weak cues from global markets. After hitting a low of 31,278.27, the 30-share index was trading 534.23 points or 1.68 percent down at 31,328.85. Similarly, the NSE Nifty declined 129.35 points, or 1.39 percent, to 9,184.55. Bajaj Finance was the top laggard in the Sensex pack, shedding up to 5 per cent, followed by ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC twins, SBI, Infosys and TCS. On the other hand, Hero MotoCorp, Sun Pharma, L&T, ONGC and HCL Tech were among the gainers. Follow LIVE Updates on Stock Market here 10:38 (IST) Coronavirus in US Latest Update COVID-19 has pushed US unemployment toward highest since Depression Unemployment in the US is swelling to levels last seen during the Great Depression of the 1930s, with 1 in 6 American workers thrown out of a job by the coronavirus, according to new data released Thursday. In response to the deepening economic crisis, the House passed a nearly USD 500 billion spending package to help buckled businesses and hospitals. More than 4.4 million laid-off Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, the government reported. In all, roughly 26 million people the population of the 10 biggest US cities combined have now filed for jobless aid in five weeks, an epic collapse that has raised the stakes in the debate over how and when to ease the shutdowns of factories and other businesses. In the hardest-hit corner of the US, evidence emerged that perhaps 2.7 million New York state residents have been infected by the virus 10 times the number confirmed by lab tests. 10:37 (IST) Coronavirus in Assam Latest Updates Assam govt sends officials to evacuate 350 stranded students in Kota The Assam government has sent a team of officials and police personnel to evacuate over 350 students stranded in Kota after requests from families in the state and the government of Rajasthan, NDTV reported. They will be brought back by road to Guwahati from Kota via Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. 10:31 (IST) Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates Kejriwal to address media on results of plasma therapy used in Delhi at 12 pm  Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will address media at 12 pm regarding the initial positive results of the use of plasma therapy to treat coronavirus patients, ANI reported. Plasma therapy has been applied in the treatment of a COVID-19 positive patient, admitted to a Delhi hospital on Tuesday for the first time in India. The patient, who underwent convalescent plasma therapy at Max Hospital in Delhi’s Saket, has responded well to the treatment, the hospital had said in a statement. 10:25 (IST) Coronavirus in Bihar Latest Updates Bihar reports 176 COVID-19 cases, two deaths Six new coronavirus cases were reported in Bihar, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday. This brings the total reported cases of coronavirus in Bihar to 176, said Sanjay Kumar, State Health Principal Secretary.  Among the total people infected, 46 have recovered while two lives were claimed by the infectious disease.  10:06 (IST) Coronavirus in Rajasthan Latest Updates 36 new COVID-19 cases emerge in Rajasthan taking confirmed cases to 2,000 Rajasthan reported 36 fresh coronavirus cases taking the total number confirmed cases in the state to 2,000, ANI reported. Of the new cases, 18 were reported in Kota, 13 in Jaipur, four in Jhalawar and one in Bharatpur, said the Rajasthan Health Department. 09:50 (IST) Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates Recovery rate of COVID-19 patients in Kerala at 70.48% With an additional 10 COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday, the total positive cases in Kerala stood at 447, said chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The state reported three coronavirus-related deaths so far.  While the recovery rate in the state was at 70.48% with 324 COVID-19 patients being cured.  09:38 (IST) Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates Two of 121 held for attack against health workers contract COVID-19 in Padrayanpura  Of the 121 people arrested for violence against health workers in Bengaluru, two have contracted the novel coronavirus in Padrayanpura ward in the city on Friday. Both of them who were lodged at Ramanagara jail have now been shifted to Victoria hospital in Bengaluru. The remaining 119 accused have been shifted to the city, ANI reported.  09:31 (IST) Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates Four-month-old dies of COVID-19 in Malappuram  A four-month-old died of the novel coronavirus in Kerala's Malappuram city after he tested positive for the infectious disease on Thursday. The infant succumbed to the virus on Friday morning at Kozhikode medical college. "The child was undergoing treatment for heart-related problems for past three months and had pneumonia," said the Malappuram District Medical Officer.  09:25 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Updates Modi to interact with sarpanchs at 11 am  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with sarpanchs from across the nation via video conferencing at 11 am on Friday. All of them will be able to join this interaction through Doordarshan, from their respective homes adhering to social distancing norms. Those sarpanchs who will be sharing their views with Modi will be doing so by joining the interaction at a Common Service Centre close to them. 09:07 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Updates India confirms 23,077 COVID-19 cases with 718 deaths, recovery rate at 20.58% India's coronavirus cases rose to 23,077 with 1,684 fresh cases, and the overall toll reached 718 with 37 new deaths on Thursday, according to the recent Union Health Ministry data.  The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 17,610  as 4,749 people were cured and discharged, and one patient migrated, the ministry said. Thus, about 20.58 percent of the cases have recovered so far.  08:56 (IST) Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates Bengaluru lakes appear clearer as dumping of industrial wastage stops Staying indoors and decreased industrial activities have led to the visible difference in the amount of garbage thrown in the lakes of Bengaluru. Bellandur lake, known for frothing and foaming, showed a slight change in terms of garbage dumping and the water looked clearer.  However, the lake marshalls contradicted because the damage to the water bodies has been done over several years. #IndiaFightsCOVID19 – Bengaluru’s frothing lake appears a bit clean due to the lockdown. CNN-News18’s @RevathiRajeevan brings a ground report from Bellandur Lake, Bengaluru.#StayHome pic.twitter.com/zPIr228XlF — CNNNews18 (@CNNnews18) April 24, 2020 08:47 (IST) Coronavirus in United States Latest Updates US registers over 3,000 deaths in past 24 hrs The novel coronavirus has killed nearly 50,000 people in the United States, after one of the deadliest days of the pandemic on Thursday which saw 3,176 deaths in 24 hours, according to Johns Hopkins University. The deaths were recorded in the 24 hours up to 8.30 pm on Thursday, bringing the overall coronavirus toll in the US to 49,759, according to the Baltimore-based university. The US, the worst-hit country in the world, now has 866,646 confirmed cases of coronavirus.  08:39 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Updates Kamakhya temple to call off Ambubachi Mela in view of COVID-19  The management committee of Maa Kamakhya Devalaya has, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, decided not to hold the annual Ambubachi Mela in June this year. "Only traditional rituals associated with the festival will be performed. Pilgrims will not be allowed to visit the Kamakhya temple or stay on the temple premises," a statement by the temple management committee issued in Guwahati on Thursday, said. The committee has also notified residents of the areas near the temple atop Nilachal Hills not to let out their houses for the festival to visitors and pilgrims. 08:34 (IST) Coronavirus in United States Latest Updates Donald Trump calls for phased reopening of US economy  US President Donald Trump has favoured safe and phased reopening of the American economy, which has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 50,000 people and infected over eight lakh in a matter of few months. More than 95 percent of the country's 330 million people are under stay-at-home order as a result of the social mitigation measures including social distancing being enforced till 1 May.  08:14 (IST) Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates Maharashtra cabinet minister Jitendra Awhad tests positive for COVID-19  Maharashtra Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The senior NCP leader and prominent Maharashtra cabinet minister had admitted himself to a private hospital in Thane for a precautionary check-up. The minister had recently gone into self-isolation after some aides and security personnel were found to be COVID-19 positive. He had quarantined himself from 13 April, after 16 people close to him came positive including bodyguards and cook. 08:06 (IST) Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates In Photos: People at Byculla vegtable market buy supplies  Maharashtra: People make purchases at Byculla vegetable market in Mumbai, amid #CoronavirusLockdown. pic.twitter.com/ctxw4dOEhL — ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2020 08:04 (IST) Coronavirus in Tripura Latest Updates Tripura becomes COVID-19 free after second patient tests negative: CM Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday said the state has become coronavirus- free after its second COVID-19 patient tested negative for the virus. "UPDATE! The second coronavirus patient of Tripura has been found negative after consecutive tests. Hence our state has become COVID-free. I request everyone to maintain social distancing and follow government guidelines. Stay home stay safe,” the chief minister tweeted. Tripura now has 111 coronavirus suspected cases under surveillance and 227 others have been placed under home quarantine. 07:59 (IST) Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates Customers gather at Okhla vegetable market to buy supplies for Ramzan  In view of Ramzan, which begins on Saturday, many gather at Okhla vegetable market in Delhi on Friday to buy supplies to avoid venturing out during Islam's holiest month without further spreading the coronavirus outbreak. A customer at the market said, "I've come here to buy one week's supply of vegetables as Ramzan begins from Saturday. It's advised not to venture out to the markets many times due to coronavirus." Delhi: Few customers at Okhla vegetable market during the extended lockdown period. A customer at the market says, "I've come here to buy one week's supply of vegetables as Ramzan begins from tomorrow. It's advised not to venture out to the markets many times due to coronavirus". pic.twitter.com/DFYb6XT1zV — ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2020 07:50 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates Sunlight, temp above 35 degrees can kill COVID-19 in 30 seconds: US Official Sun light, heat and humidity can create conditions that are less favourable for the spread of coronavirus, a public health official of the Trump Administration has said. The results of a just concluded scientific study conducted by the Science and Technology Directorate of the US Department of Homeland Security, announced during a White House news conference on coronavirus, could be good news for India in its fight against COVID-19. "Coronavirus dies at a much more rapid pace when exposed to sunlight and humidity. The virus dies the quickest in direct sunlight. Isopropyl alcohol will kill the virus in 30 seconds," Bill Bryan, the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Science and Technology told White House reporters in the presence of President Donald Trump. 07:44 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates  ICJ to function during COVID-19 pandemic, will hold meets via video conference The  International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, on Thursday released a press release saying that it would continue to function despite the containment measures put in place around the world to curb the fast-spreading coronavirus.  With the help of modern technologies, the world court has made the necessary arrangements to hold virtual meetings via video conference during the pandemic. On Wednesday, it held the first virtual plenary meeting in its history.  07:29 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Updates India registers 21,700 COVID-19 cases, toll nears 700 India's coronavirus cases rose to 21,700 with 1,229 fresh cases, and the overall toll neared 700 with 34 new deaths on Thursday. The Union health ministry, meanwhile, said that it has been able to "cut coronavirus transmission", minimise its spread and increase the doubling time of cases in the duration of the nationwide lockdown. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 16,689 as 4,324 people were cured and discharged, and one patient migrated, the ministry said. Thus, about 19.93 percent of the cases have recovered so far. The total number of cases include 77 foreign nationals. Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates:  The four COVID-19 patients who were earlier admitted in the ICU with serious conditions, have now been shifted to private wards after being treated with plasma therapy, said Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal during media briefing on Friday. Their conditions are stable now, said Kejriwal. With 778 more people testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Maharashtra, the total number of confirmed cases in the state rose to 6,427 on Friday. The state health department said that 14 more deaths were reported, bringing the toll to 283. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday while interacting with sarpanches said that the coronavirus pandemic has given the world a new message: 'Coronavirus's biggest message is making people learn the path of self-dependency. We cannot fight such epidemics without being self-reliant. Villages should at their level become self-reliant, so should zillas.' After the Union Health Ministry's projections that Mumbai would have 6.50 lakh, COVID-19 patients, by 15 May, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) own estimates say that positive cases could reach 60,000 to 70,000 by mid-May. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will address media at 12 pm regarding the initial positive results of the use of plasma therapy to treat coronavirus patients, ANI reported. Plasma therapy has been applied in the treatment of a COVID-19 positive patient, admitted to a Delhi hospital on Tuesday for the first time in India. With an additional 10 COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday, the total positive cases in Kerala stood at 447, said chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The state reported three coronavirus-related deaths so far. While the recovery rate in the state was at 70.48% with 324 COVID-19 patients being cured. A four-month-old died of the novel coronavirus in Kerala's Malappuram city after he tested positive for the infectious disease on Thursday. The infant succumbed to the virus on Friday morning at Kozhikode medical college. "The child was undergoing treatment for heart-related problems for past three months and had pneumonia," said the Malappuram District Medical Officer. India's coronavirus cases rose to 23,077 with 1,684 fresh cases, and the overall toll reached 718 with 37 new deaths on Thursday, according to the recent Union Health Ministry data. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 17,610 as 4,749 people were cured and discharged, and one patient migrated, the ministry said. Thus, about 20.58 percent of the cases have recovered so far. Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday said the state has become coronavirus- free after its second COVID-19 patient tested negative for the virus. "UPDATE! The second coronavirus patient of Tripura has been found negative after consecutive tests. Hence our state has become COVID-free. I request everyone to maintain social distancing and follow government guidelines. Stay home stay safe,” the chief minister tweeted. Tripura now has 111 coronavirus suspected cases under surveillance and 227 others have been placed under home quarantine. India's coronavirus cases rose to 21,700 with 1,229 fresh cases, and the overall toll neared 700 with 34 new deaths on Thursday. The Union health ministry, meanwhile, said that it has been able to "cut coronavirus transmission", minimise its spread and increase the doubling time of cases in the duration of the nationwide lockdown. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 16,689 as 4,324 people were cured and discharged, and one patient migrated, the ministry said. Thus, about 19.93 percent of the cases have recovered so far. The total number of cases include 77 foreign nationals. AIIMS director Randeep Guleria on Thursday said that it was "important to reach out to patients who are missing out of treatment because of the stigma and panic", adding, "It is important to encourage more and more people to get tested, get treated." "...It (stigma) is actually causing increase in morbidity and mortality. Because of the stigma that is happening many patients who have COVID-19 or flu like symptoms are not coming to health care facilities," he added. Representational image. AP He also said that at various centres, "we've started using convalescent plasma that is the blood of COVID-19 patients who have recovered. A large number of patients who have become alright have come forward and volunteered to donate their blood." Centre says no exponential growth in COVID-19 cases so far In its press briefing on Thursday, the Union health ministry asserted that the growth of coronavirus cases in the country has been more or less linear and not exponential, and added that testing has been ramped up consistently. CK Mishra, the chairman of Empowered Group Two, said, "One crucial weapon we employed during the 30-day lockdown period is RT-PCR test to ascertain if one has contracted the disease or not." As on 23 March, nearly 15,000 tests were done across the country and by 22 April more than 5 lakh tests were conducted, which is about "33 times in 30 days", he said, adding, "But we are conscious of the fact that this is not enough and we have to continuously ramp up testing in the country and we will do that." Of the empowered groups formed to suggest measures to ramp up healthcare, put the economy back on track and reduce misery of people once the lockdown is lifted, Mishra is the chairman of Empowered Group Two tasked with coordinating availability of hospitals, isolation and quarantine facilities, disease surveillance, testing and critical care training. "The growth of COVID-19 cases has been more or less linear, not exponential; this indicates that the strategies we adopted have succeeded in containing the infection to a particular level. Post imposition of lockdown, while the number of new positive cases has increased by 16 times, testing increased by 24 times," Mishra said in his presentation. Mishra also said that in the last month, the number of dedicated hospitals for treating coronavirus patients has been increased 3.5 times and the number of isolation beds rose by 3.6 times. "Despite a 24-fold increase in testing, the percentage of positive cases is not rising. The percentage of positive cases as a ratio of testing is more or less the same as that a month ago," he said. Mishra also claimed that India has done better than a majority of developed countries with respect to the percentage of test cases yielding positive results. Maharashtra, Gujarat worst-affected states Coronavirus cases have spiked in Gujarat, and the rising infections in the state have become a new cause for major concern. Just five days ago, Gujarat was at number six, with Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh — apart from Maharashtra — having more confirmed cases. As of Thursday night, 217 more cases were reported in Gujarat, taking the total number to 2,624 in the state, and Maharashtra reported a jump of 778 new cases, taking the total to 6,427. A total of 34 deaths were reported since Wednesday evening of which 18 fatalities were reported from Maharashtra, eight from Gujarat, three from Andhra Pradesh, two from Rajasthan and one each from Delhi, Telengana and Madhya Pradesh. Of the 686 deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 269 fatalities, followed by Gujarat at 103, Madhya Pradesh at 81, Delhi at 48, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh at 27 each and Telengana at 24. The death toll reached 21 in Uttar Pradesh, 18 in Tamil Nadu while Karantaka has reported 17 cases. Punjab has registered 16 deaths while West Bengal has reported 15 fatalities. The disease has claimed five lives in Jammu and Kashmir, while Kerala, Jharkhand and Haryana have recorded three COVID-19 deaths each. Bihar has reported two deaths, while Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Assam have reported one fatality each, according to the ministry data. However, a PTI tally of the figures reported by various states as on Thursday showed 21,673 cases and 689 deaths in the country. There has been a lag in the Union Health Ministry figures, compared to the number of deaths announced by different states, which officials attribute to procedural delays in assigning the cases to individual states. According to the 5 pm update on the health ministry's official website, Delhi recorded 2,248 cases, Rajasthan was at 1,890, Madhya Pradesh at 1,695 and Tamil Nadu at 1,629. The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 1,509 in Uttar Pradesh, 960 in Telangana and 895 in Andhra Pradesh. The number of cases has risen to 456 in West Bengal, 443 in Karnataka, 438 in Kerala, 407 in Jammu and Kashmir, 277 in Punjab and 262 in Haryana. Bihar has reported 148 coronavirus cases, while Odisha has 83 cases. Forty-nine people have been infected with the virus in Jharkhand and 46 in Uttarakhand. Himachal Pradesh has 40 cases, Chhattisgarh has 36, while Assam has registered 35 infections so far. Chandigarh has 27 COVID-19 cases, Ladakh 18, while 17 cases have been reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Meghalaya has reported 12 cases, and Goa and Puducherry have seven COVID-19 cases each. Manipur and Tripura have two cases each, while Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have reported a case each. "Our figures are being reconciled with the ICMR," the ministry said on its website. States wise distribution is subject to further verification and reconciliation, it said. Uddhav Thackeray says govt's focus is to reduce mortality rate Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that his government's focus was to reduce the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients and increase the period during which the number of positive cases double. He made the remarks during his video-conference interaction with the members of two central teams that toured Mumbai and Pune cities, the two coronavirus hotspots in the state. The teams took a review of the medical machinery, implementation of the lockdown measures and social distancing, safety of health workers and situation of labourers in shelter camps, supply of essential goods, among other things. A statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that Thackeray told the teams that reducing the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients and increasing the period of doubling of positive cases were his government's focus. At present, the period of doubling of patients in the state is seven days, which has to be increased to more than 10 days, Thackeray told the teams. He asked the state administration to take into consideration all the suggestions made by the central teams. US sees record levels of unemployment Unemployment in the US swelled to levels last seen during the Great Depression of the 1930s, with one in six American workers thrown out of a job because of the coronavirus. More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, the US government said on Thursday. In all, roughly 26 million people — more than the population of the six biggest US cities combined — have now filed for jobless aid in five weeks, an epic collapse that has raised the stakes in the debate over how and when to lift the state-ordered stay-at-home restrictions that have closed factories and other businesses from coast to coast. Meanwhile, some countries — including Greece, Bangladesh and Malaysia — announced extensions of their lockdowns. Vietnam, New Zealand and Croatia were among those moving to end or ease such measures. In Africa, COVID-19 cases rose 43 percent in the past week, up from 16,000 to 26,000 cases, according to John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The figures underscored a recent warning from the World Health Organization that the virus could kill more than 3,00,000 people in Africa and push 30 million into desperate poverty. Huge lines have formed at food banks from El Paso, Texas, to the Paris suburbs, and food shortages are hitting Africa especially hard. The European Union has pledged 20 billion euros to help vulnerable communities globally. EU leaders scheduled a virtual summit on Thursday to take stock of the damage the crisis has inflicted on the bloc’s own citizens and to work out an economic rescue plan. The coronavirus has killed over 1,84,000 people worldwide, including about 47,000 in the United States, according to a tally compiled by John Hopkins University from official government figures. The true numbers are almost certainly far higher. With inputs from agencies

http://sansaartimes.blogspot.com/2020/04/coronavirus-outbreak-live-updates_10.html