Coronavirus LIVE: One-size-fit-all lockdown brought untold misery to farmers, migrant workers, says Rahul 

COVID-19 lockdown extended till April 30 in Union Territory of Puducherry: Chief Minister V Narayanasamy

The one-size-fit-all lockdown has brought untold misery & suffering to millions of farmers, migrant labourers, daily wagers & business owners.

It needs a “smart” upgrade, using mass testing to isolate virus hotspots & allowing businesses in other areas to gradually reopen, tweeted Rahul Gandhi

No.of containment zones in Delhi increases to 47 after Balaji Apartment, Sant Nagar, Burari, in and around area of A-1B/75 A Krishna Apartment, Paschim, in and around area of A-280 JJ Colony, Madipur and in and around area of 36/4, East Patel Nagar were included too.

The state cabinet met today & decided to extend lockdown till 30th April with exemptions. Here are few exemptions: CM of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu

2 more deaths reported in Pune today taking the total tally of deaths in the district to 34 now. A 40-year-old man and 50-year-old woman died today, both had tested positive for Coronavirus and also had co-morbidity: Health Officials, Pune Maharashtra

Mumbai: 150 new positive cases & 9 deaths reported today in Mumbai. Of the 9 deaths today, 7 had co-morbidity. Total number of cases now stands at 1549 and total deaths at 100 in the city. 43 patients have been discharged today; total 141 discharged till date

Mumbai: 2 new COVID-19 positive cases reported in Dharavi today. Till now, the total number of positive cases in Dharavi is 49, 5 deaths

Tamil Nadu reports 98 more COVID19 cases; Tally goes up to 1,173: State govt

These suggestions by the congress President Sonia Gandhi will help people who are facing lack of ration and grains.

Free of cost ration for the next 6 months will help the needy- those who have ration cards and those who do not, tweeted Priyanka Gandhi.

65 doctors & health workers at Trauma Center of King George's Medical University (KGMU) kept in quarantine, as a precautionary measure, after a 64-year-old man who later tested positive for Coronavirus, came there on April 11 with complaints of breathing difficulties: KGMU administration

6 more COVID-19 cases reported in Punjab today, taking the total number of positive coronavirus cases in the state to 176. Of the 6 new cases, 4 have contact history: Government of Punjab

Free COVID-19 testing only for poor, says Supreme Court, gives option to centre to add more categories, reported NDTV

3 healthcare workers of the hospital have tested positive, while 112 healthcare staff have tested negative. COVID-19 test was conducted on all 115 healthcare workers who were quarantined 2 weeks back: Dr DS Rana, Chairman, Board of Management (BOM), Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi

UP CM Yogi Adityanath directs officials to take stringent action against people who are found to be hiding information about being infected with Coronavirus and spreading it "intentionally

324 people have died of coronavirus in India with 51 deaths in the last 24 hours, making it the sharpest spike yet, reported NDTV

Twenty-five districts across 15 states which had detected COVID-19 infections earlier have contained the spread and reported no new cases in 14 days, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

The ministry asserted that the government has enough stocks to conduct tests for up to six weeks and over two lakh samples have been tested so far.

Addressing a press briefing here, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said 796 new COVID-19 cases and 35 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 9,152 and deaths 308.

"Twenty-five districts across 15 states which had reported cases earlier have contained the virus and have not detected new ones in 14 days. This is a positive development," he said.

The districts are Gondia (Maharashtra), Raj Nand Gaon (Chhattisgarh), Davangiri (Karnataka), South Goa, Wayanad and Kottayam (Kerala), West Imphal (Manipur), Rajouri (J&K), Aizwal West (Mizoram), Mahe in Puducherry, SBS Nagar in Punjab, Patna, Nalanda and Munger in Bihar, Pratapgarh in Rajasthan, Panipat, Rohtak and Sirsa in Haryana, Pauri Garhwal in Uttrakhand and Bhadradari Kothagudem in Telangana.

Agarwal also said that the Core Strategy Group on COVID-19 was working on rapid and economical diagnostics as well as new drugs.

25 new cases of COVID-19 reported in J&K today; all from Kashmir Division. Total number of positive cases stands now at 270 in the Union Territory: Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary-Planning, Jammu and Kashmir

Maharashtra: 25 staff members of a hospital in Mumbai have tested positive for COVID-19. They are all being treated at the ICU of the hospital itself. All are stable now.

97 people tested for COVID-19 in Himachal Pradesh today, of which 28 were negative & results of 69 are awaited. Currently, the total number of positive coronavirus cases in the state is at 32, including 15 active cases, 12 recovered,& 1 death: N Jindal State Special Secy

Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi writes to PM suggesting measures to overcome chronic food insecurity amid Coronavirus pandemic:

First, the provision of 10 kg grains/person to NFSA beneficiaries must be extended for an additional period of 3 months i.e. till September, 2020. Given the chronic economic distress faced by these beneficiaries, the food entitlements may be provided free of cost.

Second, 10 kg grains/person may be provided free of cost, for a period of 6 months, to those who may be facing food insecurity but not holding ration cards. I would like to bring to your notice that all migrant labour who have been facing acute distress may not be holding NFSA cards. In addition, many deserving people have been excluded from the NFSA lists.

The first consignment of COVID-19 kits from China will arrive in India on April 15: Raman R Gangakhedkar, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

62 hotspots have been identified in other 25 districts. 1,62,664 houses have been identified here with the presence of 9,50,828 people in these areas. 80 positive cases found here: Awanish K Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department

Lockdown in Tamil Nadu extended till 30th April by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami

States are working continuously to enforce lockdown measures. Retired personnel, NSS (National Service Scheme) & NCC cadets, & officials of other depts too are assisting police in enforcing lockdown measures: Punya Salila Srivastava, Joint Secy, Ministry of Home Affairs.

At least three staffers of a Delhi Hospital have tested positive for novel Coronavirus, a hospital communication official told IANS on Monday.

"Three hospital staffers have tested positive. These include a doctor, a nurse and one non-medical staff member," said the official of Max Hospital, Saket.

She also said that all of them are recovering.

The official told IANS, "They have not contracted the virus from the hospital as per our records."

No new COVID-19 positive case reported in the state in the last 100 hours. 7 positive patients have recovered till now: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat

Most of the 30 Covid-19 patients in Assam are recovering and their discharge from hospitals is expected to start on Wednesday.

"Most patients, earlier infected by nCoV, are either stable or good. If everything remains fine, their discharge is likely to start from April 15," said Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, here on Monday.

Addressing the media, he said, "Of the 3,209 swab samples collected, 3,070 were found negative. Of the 1,421 samples of Tablighi Jamaat meet participants, 29 tested positive and 1,358 negative. Test report of 34 samples are awaited."

47 people, out of the total 550 positive cases in the state, have been discharged from the hospitals after making a full recovery: State Principal Health Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Monday extended Tamil New year greetings on the eve of the festival.

This is the first major festival to be celebrated in the state during the ongoing lockdown imposed by the government to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

In his greetings, Purohit said the new year is celebrated on the first day of Tamil month 'Chithirai' every year to "mark the onset of peace, prosperity and joy in our families" and stressed on social distancing.

"It (the new year) marks the greatness of our tradition, heritage and culture. May the state and its people be filled with hope and happiness for a glorious future during this year," he said in his message.

Both leaders stressed the importance of strategic partnership between India and Vietnam and expressed satisfaction at the recent progress on various fronts. They also reviewed regional & international developments: Prime Minister's Office

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation today with Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam. The two leaders agreed on potential for bilateral collaboration in fighting COVID-19, including for facilitating supplies of required medical equipment. They also committed to provide necessary support to each other’s citizens present in their territories: Prime Minister's Office.

Madhya Pradesh: 42-year old man succumbs to Coronavirus in Indore, taking the death toll in the city to 33, say officials.

With 43 more people testing positive for COVID-19 cases rise to 847 in Rajasthan. Of the fresh cases, 20 have been reported in Jaipur, 11 in Bharatpur & 7 in Jodhpur: State Health Department

Supreme Court today deferred for 4 weeks, all the petitions before it which sought directions or orders to 'bring back Indians stranded in various countries abroad'

PM Modi to address nation tomorrow at 10 am over Covid-19 and lockdown

Construction on government projects will resume from April 15 in Uttar Pradesh while maintaining norms of social distancing by workers: Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya

The prisoners who have been in detention centers in Assam for more than 2 years can be released on a personal bond with one surety, said SC while hearing a case pertaining to decongestion of jails amid Coronavirus pandemic.

The operation theatre was kept ready as soon as I received the call from DGP Punjab. It was a very challenging surgery and took about 7 1/2 hours. He (Punjab ASI whose hand was chopped off) is stable today but recovery will take time: Prof Jagat Ram, Director, PGI Chandigarh

One more tests positive for COVID-19 in Assam, cases rise to 30: Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

During the holy month of Ramzan, starting from 24th April, Muslims should offer prayers at their homes & refrain from going to mosques & 'eidgahs' in view of Coronavirus pandemic: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union Minister of Minority Affairs

During 2nd phase of lockdown from April 15-30April in the state, some activities exempted from restrictions. Agriculture&allied activities incl harvesting of crops, irrigation,transportation of seeds&agriculture products allowed: Pradeep Jena, Addl Chief Secretary & SRC, Odisha

Movement of agriculture machinery,&cold storage&godowns will be allowed to operate. All kind of fisheries & allied activities along with the veterinary activities to be allowed: Pradeep Jena, Addl Chief Secretary & SRC,

Home delivery of all goods through e-commerce platforms and online platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and Big Basket and others will be allowed during the second phase of lockdown in the state from 15-30 Apr: Pradeep Jena, Addl Chief Secretary & SRC,

Rajasthan: CCTV cameras capture some women spitting in plastic bags &throwing them in some houses in Vallabhvadi area of Kota despite ban on spitting in public in view of COVID-19. "Area has been sanitised&search is on for accused," says Gumanpura Circle Inspector Manoj Sikarwar.

Maharashtra Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad quarantines himself after he came in contact with a person who tested positive for Coronavirus

The way doctors, nurses, police personnel, sanitation workers etc are frontline workers, the same way media persons are also frontline workers. Media persons should also take care and follow all precautions: Union I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar

15 more COVID-19 cases reported in Karnataka, total number of coronavirus positive cases in the state at 247, including 6 deaths & 59 discharged. Of the 15 new cases, 13 have contact history, 1 has history of travel to Delhi & 1 has history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections.

Two persons, out of Nida hospital on Friday after testing negative for COVID-19, readmitted as third sample tests positive, reported NDTV

82 new COVID19 cases including 59 cases in Mumbai reported in the state today; the total number of positive cases in the state is now 2064: Maharashtra Health Department

12 new COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh, total rises to 432: Health Department

Forty-three people, including a BJP member, have been booked for allegedly violating lockdown norms in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district, police said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Yadav said the FIRs were lodged and copies of it were delivered to the residences, and also put up outside the houses of the people, which included BJP member Vipul Tyagi

Two more coronavirus patients died in Gujarat, taking the death toll in the state to 26, a health official said on Monday.

A 76-year-old man, who was also suffering from heart and lung ailments, died at the SVP Hospital in Ahmedabad.

Besides, a 27-year-old man from Vadodara, who was admitted with dengue, tested positive of coronavirus and died while undergoing treatment at a hospital, state principal secretary (health) Jayanti Ravi said.

With this, total 26 coronaviruspatients have died in the state.

"Maximum cases of death in the state are of patients who are elderly and with some co-morbid conditions," Ravi said.

The government on Monday declared almost the entire old city areas of Srinagar as red zone sealing localities falling under the jurisdiction of eight police stations.

District authorities said on Monday the area was sealed as red zone to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Srinagar city that has a population of 1.2 million.

Roads have been dug to erect barricades fitted with cross rods to prevent vehicular and pedestrian movement in old city areas where the maximum population of Srinagar city is concentrated.

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is now preparing to seal 59 new Corona hotspots that have emerged in the state during the past two da

The Delhi Congress has demanded special emergency allowance for frontline corona warriors including doctors, nurses, para medical staff, sanitation workers, police personnel, Corona positive patients and other patients who are fighting against Coronavirus.

In a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Congress President Anil Chaudhary wrote that the party is with the government in the fight against the deadly virus but highlighted the shortcomings.

"In Lok Nayak Hospital, nurses who were asked to quarantine themselves after treating COVID-19 patients have been provided accommodation in the same building that houses both infected patients as well as those displaying symptoms. But instead of offering single rooms with attached bathrooms to the nurses, who have all been in close contact with Covid-19 patients, the hospital has asked two nurses to share a room," the Congress alleged.

"Doctors and nurses are assaulted and misbehaved in Vishnu Staff Nurse of Action Balaji Hospital by Delhi Police," Chaudhary added

A 10-month-old girl has died at the Chaurasi village primary school quarantine centre in Siddharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

The girl's father Rajendra Prasad said that on Thursday evening his daughter was restless and developed measles-like symptoms on Friday and died the following day. This is the first quarantined infantile death in the state.

Total number of deaths rise to 308, 35 deaths in last 24 hours; India's total number of Coronavirus positive cases rises to 9152 (including 7987 active cases, 856 cured/discharged/migrated and 308 deaths): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

United States records 1,514 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, Johns Hopkins University: AFP news agency

Thabaal Thanthi Nagar in Madurai has been declared a COVID19 'containment zone'; the movement of people in the area is restricted to avoid COVID19 transmission. The total number of positive cases in the state is 1075.