After a spike in covid cases, India has put in place strict restrictions on inbound travel. The WHO has also declared it a pandemic after more than 782,365 confirmed cases and over 37,582 deaths in 114 countries.
India has confirmed 35 coronavirus deaths so far.
India has suspended “all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/international organisations, employment, project visas” until April 15.
The coronavirus or Covid-19 is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from the common cold to acute respiratory syndromes, but the current virus is a novel strain not seen before. Common symptoms of the novel coronavirus strain include respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, according to the WHO. The WHO has declared the coronavirus epidemic as a global health emergency.
Here’s the latest on coronavirus in India
As per Union Health Ministry, there are total 1,397 confirmed coronavirus cases in India. 124 have been discharged, while 35 have died.
In an advisory, issued on March 10, the govt has advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel abroad in view of the fact that the coronavirus has spread to over 100 countries now
Govt has strongly advised against travelling to China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, Japan, France, Spain and Germany.
India has suspended e-visas issued to nationals of France, Germany and SpainEven regular visas issued to foreign nationals who have travelled to coronavirus affected countries have been suspended
On March 10, 58 Indians were brought back home from coronavirus-hit Iran in a military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF)
In Kerala, at least 1,116 people are under observation – 234 in isolation wards of various hospitals and 967 under home quarantine.
In Karnataka, a software engineer who returned from the US on March 1 tested positive on Monday, becoming the first COVID-19 patient in the state. According to health department officials, his wife and daughter too tested positive for the virus on Tuesday.
Mizoram, Manipur has shut its border with Myanmar indefinitely amid the novel coronavirus scare.Mizoram had on Monday also sealed its borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, and banned the entry of foreigners to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
In Kerala, schools and colleges and cinemas will remain closed in the state till March 31. Classes 1 to 7 of all schools — state, CBSE and ICSE boards — will remain shut and examinations which have begun for them will be put on hold. Examinations for class 10, class 12 and vocational higher secondary will, however, continue. Final examinations of class 8 and 9 also will proceed as usual. Temple and church festivals, which witnesses mass gatherings should be avoided, but rituals can be held in a low key manner.
The coronavirus threat also cast a shadow on Holi celebrations which were subdued across the country.
Passengers from 12 countries are being screened, including those from Kathmandu, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.India has imposed “some restrictions” on export of certain medical equipment to China in view of their shortage of supply in the country, and the precautions taken are in accordance with World Health Organisation’s (WHO) advisory for the coronavirus outbreak.
India also restricted export of about 26 Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and formulations including antibiotics, vitamins and hormones like Paracetamol, Tinidazole, Metronidaxole, Vitamins B1, B6, B12, hormone progesterone, with immediate effect.
Telangana has allocated Rs 100 crore for preventing and containing a possible outbreak.Private hospitals have been given a directive not to delay reporting cases. Three designated hospitals for isolating patients have been set up.
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