Coronavirus Highlights: Gurugram Closes Malls, Theatres, As Cases In India Reach 151

The number of deaths due to the new coronavirus in the US has reached 105, with the outbreak spreading to all 50 states, even as President Donald Trump mounted a warlike effort to contain the situation, including an economic stimulus package of $1 trillion.

In Europe, French health authorities have said that 27 more people had died from the coronavirus in the country, bringing the total death toll in France to 175 people. There are now 7,730 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country, a jump of over 1,000 on the day earlier.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, and the two leaders discussed the global situation regarding the outbreak of coronavirus.

An 18-year-old man, who recently returned from England, tested positive for novel coronavirus in West Bengal, making it the first confirmed case in the state, a senior official of the state government said.

As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in India rose to 151, the India Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is going to operationalize two rapid testing laboratories (high throughput system) and 49 additional testing centres by the end of this week.

Catch all the live coronavirus updates here.  

8:35PM: Assam has ordered the closing of all bars, nightclubs, and beauty parlours or salons.

8:25PM:  "Met Hon’ble LG and discussed what further measures need to be taken. Everyone is working hard to contain the virus. These r difficult times. But nothing to panic. We shall overcome," Delhi CMKejriwal tweeted

8:00PM: AIIMS, Delhi has asked appointments to be postponed. The hospital said, "In view of the outbreak of coronavirus, you are requested to postpone your appointment at AIIMS, if it is not urgent in nature."

7:30PM: Go Air announced: "In view of the current situation, GoAir has been forced to terminate the contracts of expat pilots which is in line with the reduced international capacity."

7:16PM: Gurugram District Magistrate has ordered all cinema halls, shopping malls, gyms, swimming pools, spas, weekly bazaars, lounge and bars to stay shut till March 31. Gatherings have been restricted to maximum limit of 50 people. Anyone contravening the order will be punishable under Sec 188 of IPC.

However, pharmacies, grocery stores and supermarkets have been exempted from the directives.

7:00PM: Rajasthan High Court postpones municipal elections in the state for six weeks.

6:55PM: The second coronavirus case in Tamil Nadu has been reported with a patient hailing from Delhi testing positive for the infection, state Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar said.

6:50PM: Eighty-one passengers of an Air India Leh-Srinagar flight were quarantined on their arrival at Srinagar on Wednesday, officials said. The flight was then diverted back to Leh where it dropped the remaining 25 passengers. All passengers arriving from Leh at Srinagar airport will have to undergo mandatory quarantine.

6:40PM: As of March 17, quarantine facilities with a combined capacity of 59,587 beds have been set up across India, including 11,934 beds at central govt facilities, 26,153 beds at state governments facilities and 21,500 beds at Haj facilities: Union Health Ministry.

6:07PM:  Indian Army has postponed or cancelled all wargames and training activities in view of the threat posed by COVID-19, according to an advisory.

The leave granting authorities have been told to grant leave only on essential or compassionate grounds till the situation improves. Troops returning from leave especially from COVID-19 hotspots or to be in likely contact with persons having international travel history may be screened and quarantined on arrival in unit, ANI reported.

5:50 PM: More than 60 per cent train tickets cancelled in March this year in view of coronavirus, railway officials informed Parliament panel.

5:45 PM: Strengthening surveillance and control measures against the coronavirus in Kerala, the state government has issued guidelines to ensure safe return of around 5,000 foreign tourists in the southern state.

In view of some countries seeking mandatory certificate stating that the passengers are COVID-19 negative, the state government directed all foreign travellers in the state to contact the COVID-19 district cell which will ensure their sample test for coronavirus.

5:19 PM: The number of people infected by COVID-19 in Spain soared past 13,700 on Wednesday with the number of deaths rising to almost 600, government data showed.

"We have 13,716 cases in Spain, which is 2,538 more than yesterday, which implies an increase of 18 percent," said Fernando Simon, the health ministry's emergencies coordinator.

5:15 PM: Coronavirus deaths in Europe now exceed Asia toll, reports AFP.  

4:52PM: As many as 276 Indians have been infected with coronavirus abroad, including 255 in Iran, 12 in UAE and five in Italy, the government informed the Lok Sabha.

4:50PM: The Karnataka cabinet has decided to earmark Rs 200 crore to combat the spread of coronavirus in the state, Chief Minister Yediyurappa said on Wednesday.

4:44PM: Spain virus infections reach 13,700 with 558 deaths: govt, according to the country's government.

4:17PM: Rahul Slams Govt | Rahul Gandhi attacked the government over the coronavirus outbreak. He tweeted, "Quick aggressive action is the answer to tackling the #Coronavirus . India is going to pay an extremely heavy price for our governments inability to act decisively."

4:00PM: Assam government has stopped issuing passes to visitors for entering the state secretariat to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

3:20PM: UK Advisory To British Nationals In India | UK's Acting High Commissioner to India Jan Thompson, in a video posted on Twitter, advised British nationals in India that if they have symptoms of coronavirus they should self-isolate for seven days and contact the Government of India's helpline in case their condition worsens.

"Given the current circumstances, we understand that many people currently in India may want to return to the UK sooner than planned. Provided you are not subject to quarantine, anyone who wishes to do so should contact their airline or travel provider in order to arrange for their journey home," Thompson said

3:05PM: CBSE says Invigilators should cover their faces with masks, handkerchiefs during examinations.

2:30PM: One person who recently returned from Indonesia tests positive for coronavirus in Noida, says district chief medical officer. 

2:20PM: Resident doctor at Lucknow's King George Medical University tests positive for coronavirus, says hospital spokesperson.

2:15PM: Two More Test  Positive In Karnataka | Two more positive cases have been reported in Bengaluru. One is a 56-year-old male from Bengaluru, who returned from the USA on March 6 and another is a 25-year-old female, who returned from Spain, according to B Sriramulu, Karnataka Health Minister. This took the total infected cases to 13 in the state.

12:13PM: 167 Coronavirus Suspected Patients Go Missing In Ludhiana: At least 167 people suspected of having coronavirus have been missing in Ludhiana while only 29 have been traced, said Dr Rajesh Bagga, the city's civil surgeon.

11:56AM: Karnataka CM Calls Emergency Cabinet Meet On Coronavirus: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediuyurappa on Wednesday called an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the coronavirus outbreak and indicated the lock-down in the state will continue.

11:25AM: BJP MP Suresh Prabhu self quarantines himself after returning from G-20 meeting. He has returned on 13th Morning to Delhi from Saudi Arabia.

10:42AM: In the first case of the coronavirus in the Indian Army, a 34-year-old soldier has tested positive for the infection in Leh, army sources said as the total number of cases in India rose to 147.

9:04AM: The epicentre of coronavirus outbreak Wuhan city in China reported a single confirmed case for the second consecutive day even as 11 people died of the deadly disease in the country, taking the toll to 3,237, health officials said.

8:20AM: An 18-year-old man, who recently returned from England, tested positive for novel coronavirus in West Bengal, making it the first confirmed case in the state. 

8:18AM: France Reports 27 New Deaths: French health authorities have said that 27 more people had died from the coronavirus in the country, bringing the total death toll in France to 175 people.

8:16AM: Death Toll In US Crosses 100: The number of deaths due to the new coronavirus in the US has reached 105, with the outbreak spreading to all 50 states

8:13AM:  France's World Cup winner Blaise Matudi has become the second Juventus player to test positive for coronavirus. Last week, Juventus' Daniele Rugani was confirmed as having COVID-19.