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Coronavirus Updates: Most Of India Under Lockdown As Covid-19 Cases Climb To 471

Here are the latest news and updates on how India is tackling the coronavirus outbreak today.

A closure sign is displayed on a gate in front of the India Gate. (Photographer: Prashanth Vishwanathan/Bloomberg)
A closure sign is displayed on a gate in front of the India Gate. (Photographer: Prashanth Vishwanathan/Bloomberg)
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Most Of India Locked Down With Total Covid-19 Cases At 471

Much of India remains huddled in lockdown and airlines prepare to stop passenger operations in desperate measures to curtail movement of people and curb further spread of the highly infectious Covid-19.

India, which has 471 confirmed cases now, has seen its infections more than double in the past four days. Just on March 19, it had reported 169 cases. The country has also seen nine deaths--the most recent one in Himachal Pradesh.

As the infections kept the upward trajectory, state governments decided to take extraordinary measures and extend restrictions.

Thirty out of the 36 states and union territories in India have imposed a complete lockdown. Only Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are the ones that have announced partial lockdown of some areas. Lakshwadeep has only announced restrictions on some activities. Sikkim and Mizoram have not issued any order yet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked state governments to ensure that rules and regulations of the coronavirus lockdown are enforced as he noted that many people are not taking the measure seriously. The central government has also said that there will be legal action against violators of the lockdown.

India has 471 confirmed cases of Covid-19, including nine deaths. According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research, a total of 20,707 samples from 19,817 individuals have been tested for SARS-CoV2.

Track latest news updates on how the coronavirus situation is evolving in India here:

30 States, Union Territories Under Full Lockdown

Thirty states and union territories in India have announced a complete lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Only Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha do not have a complete lockdown but instead have closed certain areas. Lakshwadeep has closed certain activities. Sikkim and Mizoram have not made any announcements yet.

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ICMR Expands List Of Private Labs For Covid-19 Tests

Three more private labs have been given the nod to conduct testing for Covid-19, taking the total number to 16.

Here is the full list:

Coronavirus Updates: Most Of India Under Lockdown As Covid-19 Cases Climb To 471

Domestic Flight Operations To Be Suspended Till March 31

No domestic commercial passenger flight will be allowed to operate in the country from Tuesday midnight till April 1 to restrict travel amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement today.

India has already banned international flights for a week from Sunday.

“The operations of domestic schedule commercial airlines shall cease with effect from the midnight that is 23.59 hours IST (Indian Standard Time) on March 24, 2020,” a ministry spokesperson said. “Airlines have to plan operations so as to land at their destinations before 23.59 hours on March 24, 2020.”

The restrictions will not apply to cargo flights but will be applicable to private jets.

The order will remain in effect till midnight of March 31.

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BMC To Facilitate Home Testing Of Covid-19

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will facilitate home testing for Covid-19 in the city. The facility will begin in the next 48 hours.

According to BMC's press note, a helpline will be established where a doctor on call will record the travel and contact history, symptoms and co-morbid conditions of the caller. After that home collection of the sample will be facilitated. Accordingly, a private lab will be co-ordinated for the home testing of the citizen.

In its daily update, the BMC said that there are a total of 53 positive cases of Covid-19 in Mumbai. Thirty seven of these reside in the city.

Mumbai also recorded its third death of a Covid-19 patient today when a 68-year-old Philippines citizen who had tested positive but subsequently turned negative, died last night. He also had diabetes, asthma, and had also developed acute renal failure and respiratory disease. A committee is ascertaining if the death is attributable to Covid-19.


Maharashtra Chief Minister Announces Curfew In State

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that a curfew is being imposed across the state to restrict movement and curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

Inter-district borders are now being sealed, Thackeray said in an address to the state. He assured that the supply of essential items will remain open. "If we are unable to stop Covid-19 spread right now, will see events similar to those elsewhere in the world."

  • Places of religious worship will be shut, with access to only those who work there.
  • Medical training being given to Asha and Anganwadi workers and home guards.
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