Coronavirus LIVE: Anti-HIV drugs given to infected Italian couple in Jaipur

The number of Coronaviruscases in India rose to 47 as the outbreak keeps growing across the world. Authorities on Monday sealed a village in Leh district of Ladakh region after a pilgrim who had visited Iran died in the hospital of suspected coronavirus infection.

Health Minister Dr. Hars Vardhan during the day said that States have been asked to form early rapid action teams to deal with COVID-19 and laboratories are being strengthened to better test the virus.
"We are sending detailed guidelines to all states on ways to contain coronavirus. Have asked states to strengthen laboratories and manpower to effectively deal with coronavirus and form early rapid action teams," Vardhan said. The health minister chaired a review and coordination meeting with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, mayors of the Municipal Corporations of Delhi and senior officials of various departments.
More than 114,343 people have been infected by the Coronavirus across the world and 4,025 have died as the disease upturns the modest growth in the world economy.
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03:01 PM
As 2 test positive for coronavirus, kin admitted in Pune
A day after two patients tested positive for novel coronavirus in Pune, district authorities on Tuesday said their family members have been admitted in Naidu Hospital here and their samples sent for testing to the National Institute of Virology.

Divisional commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar said the two Covid-19 patients were part of a group of 40 people which landed at Mumbai airport on March 1 from Dubai and had taken an Ola cab to Pune.

"The Ola cab driver has been admitted in Naidu hospital. His samples have been sent to NIV for testing. The list of 40 people who were with the the two patients has been received and respective district authorities have been told to carry out their medical examination," he said.
03:00 PM
Anti-HIV drugs given to coronavirus-affected elderly Italian couple in Jaipur
Amid rising coronavirus cases in India, for the first time a combination of two drugs, which is widely used for controlling HIV infection, was administered on an elderly Italian couple undergoing treatment at a Jaipur hospital for Covid-19.

The Drug Controller General of India has approved "restricted use" of the combination of medications lopinavir and ritonavir which are second-line HIV drugs, for treating those affected by novel coronavirus after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) sought an emergency approval for the same.

SMS Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr D S Meena said the Italian man and his wife had developed severe respiratory problems following which a decision was taken to put them on the combination of lopinavir and ritonavir.

According to officials, consent of the patients was taken before the drugs were administered.
02:09 PM
Six more coronavirus cases in Kerala, total 12: CM
Six more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Kerala, and the total number of infected people now stood at 12, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
01:52 PM
Coronavirus: What Italy's complete lockdown means for its 60 million people
In an unprecedented crackdown on the spread of Coronavirus, Italy Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday announced that the movement of 60 million across the country would be sharply restricted. With 7,300 infected in the country, Italy has reported most number of cases after China, where the virus erupted. Deaths in Milan's Lombardy alone jumped to 333, while the national death toll soared to 463, the highest in the world after China. The latest restrictions have put in place until 3 April. READ ON...
12:04 PM
A Pune couple test positive for COVID-19
A day after a couple tested positive for novel coronavirus infection in Pune, city Mayor Murlidhar Mohol on Tuesday appealed to people not to panic and said the civic body is all prepared to handle the situation.

Mohol asked people not to celebrate Holi at the places where a large gathering is expected.

"We all should take utmost care and avoid going to the crowded places," he said.
12:03 PM
First coronavirus death recorded in Canada
Canada has recorded its first death from the new coronavirus, health officials in the westernmost province of British Columbia have announced.

The victim, a man living at an elderly care facility, "was infected with COVID-19 (and) passed away last night," the province's health officer Bonnie Henry told reporters.

Officials have not released the victim's age.
11:57 AM
Kiren Rijiju extends Holi greetings, celebrates in 'controlled' manner amid coronavirus concerns
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Holi and celebrated the festival in a very "controlled" manner, amid rising concerns over coronavirus.

"Happy Holi to all the dear countrymen. May this festival of colours brings endless happiness, prosperity and happiness in your life," Rijiju tweeted in Hindi.

In another tweet, Rijiju posted a video where he can be seen celebrating the festival with Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
Very private and controlled happy Holi celebration with my senior Minister colleague @naqvimukhtar ji
11:44 AM
119 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection on Chinese mainland
Chinese health authority on Wednesday said it received reports of 119 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection and 38 deaths on Tuesday on the Chinese mainland.

Among the deaths, 37 were in Hubei Province and one in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).

Meanwhile, 143 new suspected cases were reported, said the Commission.
11:17 AM
Italian premier Conte locks down entire country to combat Coronavirus
Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte has put his entire country on lockdown to combat the coronavirus, banning all but the most important travel and putting the final kibosh on social gatherings after Italians failed to take previous warnings to heart amid skyrocketing infections.

Two days after imposing the same strict measures on a quarter of the country, in the hard-hit north, Conte on Monday urged all 60 million Italians to stay home.

The only travel allowed will be for proven work reasons, for health conditions or other cases of necessity.
10:48 AM
Chinese President Xi Jinping pays first visit to Wuhan since coronavirus epidemic, says state media: AFP