Delhi Government Shuts Schools, Colleges And Cinemas Till March 31

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal order shutting of schools, colleges and cinema halls till March 31 to counter spread of coronavirus. The Delhi government has already shut primary classes earlier but middle and the secondary classes were allowed to function in view of final exams.

Delhi declares coronavirus as an epidemic

Arvind Kejriwal took the step in the wake of increasing number of coronavirus cases in the country. The total number of COVID-19 cases has become 73 with Kerala being the hardest affected state. It has 17 cases of coronavirus infection. It has also shut educational institutions and public places like cinema halls.

The Maharashtra government banned sale of tickets for 2020 IPL opening match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in the wake of spread of coronavirus. Also, the remaining two ODIs between India and South Africa will be played in empty stadiums.

The virus was declared a pandemic

The World Health Organization has already declared the virus a pandemic and asked the countries to take effective measures to contain the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus. The government of India suspended all visas for a month as tough measure to prevent spread of the deadly virus to other parts of country and the globe.

Also, the travellers returning from China Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany are asked to remain in quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. PM Modi said that no central minister would travel abroad.

Source: https://bit.ly/2Qb0ZOE

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Britain Will See More Deaths From COVID-19: Boris Johnson

On Thursday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned of more deaths due to coronavirus while the chief scientific advisor of the government said that there could be 10,000 coronavirus infections in Britain.

Also, Britain and EU agreed to cancel face-to-face trade negotiations in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The negotiations were planned for next week in London.

UK PM Boris Johnson’s warning

He said that the virus was going to spread further. Flanked by the top scientific and medical advisors of the government, he made an announcement regarding the “delay-phase” of the government.

The British plan of containing the outbreak will work in three phases – containment, delay and mitigation. In the delay phase, the government will implement social distancing measures like reducing large gatherings and closing schools.

But he said that no public meetings would be cancelled and schools would remain open. At the same time, he warned that the advice could change if the virus spread further.

Boris Johnson faced criticism for delayed response

He agreed that the outbreak has triggered panic in the business, trade and every day life and the global market. But he defended his late response. He said that he was working on the advice and he would do the right thing at the right time.

He said that people with mild symptoms should isolate themselves in their homes but this advice would change with the spread of virus. In worse situation, the families would be advised to isolate themselves.

Source: https://bit.ly/39QTS5V

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India Suspends All Visas For A Month Over Coronavirus Scare

The government suspends all Indian visas in the wake of spread of coronavirus spread in the country and the World Health Organization declaring it a pandemic. All existing visas — except diplomatic, official, UN/International organisations, employment and project visas — will be suspended till April 15.

The visa suspension will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure. Earlier the visa facility was partially suspended from the COVID-19 nations.

Highlights of the news

• The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. It means that it has affected the globe and infected a large number of people.

• The government communique related to visa suspension reads that visa free travel facility granted to OCI card holders is kept in abeyance till 15 April 2020.

• It also said that all incoming travellers from COVID-19 nations after February 15, would be kept in quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.

• International traffic through land borders will be directed to designated check posts with robust screening facility.

• India has a total of 67 confirmed coronavirus cases. Fresh cases are reported from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Kerala and Karnataka.

• The Maharashtra government has banned ticket sale for IPL 2020 opening match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in the wake of rising coronavirus cases.

• Health being on the State List, every state is asked to take whatever measure it can take to contain the spread of coronavirus infection.

Source: https://bit.ly/3aPXq8w

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India Had A Total Of 58 Coronavirus Cases On Tuesday

With 11 fresh cases of coronavirus were reported from Kerala and Karnataka, the total number of coronavirus cases in India reached to 58 on Tuesday. Meanwhile the central government airlifted 58 Indians from Iran, one of the worst-hit by the outbreak.

Highlights of the big story

• The evacuation from Iran was the second in two weeks by Indian Air Force’s larges military aircraft, C-17 Globemaster.

• Kerala has shut its cinema halls down till March 31 in the wake of 12 new cases in three days.

• 8 new cases were reported from Bengaluru, Delhi, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Punjab and Pune.

• The 63-year-old woman from Jammu and Kashmir with a travel history to Iran was among the two cases that were declared “high viral load cases”.

• Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said that over 8.74 lakh passengers coming from foreign countries had been screened. Also, the cruise ships are prevented to dock at Indian ports.

• Billions of dollars were wiped off global markets including domestic market on Monday.

• The Manipur government closed all entry points with Myanmar to prevent spread of coronavirus.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi defers his visit to Bangladesh next week after detection of coronavirus cases in the country. He was called to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

• The coronavirus scare could cost the global economy between $0.1 and $2.0 trillion warned UN economists. Also, they asked to increase spending to prevent the infection.

Source: https://bit.ly/2IC691Y

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Happy Holi 2020: Play Holi With Herbal Colours But Stay Alert From Coronavirus

Before Holi, demand for herbal colours has increased in city markets. According to Sadar Bazar traders, 80% of the demand constitutes herbal and flower colours. But harmful dyes containing chemicals are also being sold in the market.

Harmful effect of synthetic colours

• Green colour made of copper sulphate can cause eye problems like allergy, swelling and light problems.

• Silver colour is made of aluminium bromide that can cause skin cancer. But this colour is more popular these days.

• Red colour could contain mercury that can also cause skin cancer.

• Many popular colours have heavy metals like silica lead that causes skin allergies and eczema problems.

People are advised to avoid synthetic colours and use only herbal colours that are 100% natural and safe. Also, there is warning for coronavirus. Playing Holi in groups could be dangerous as coronavirus spreads through human contacts.

Medical advice by doctors and others

• Dr Kabir Sardana Dermatologist advised not to use China made colours in any situation. He urged to play Holi without colours and avoid getting wet.

• Dr Ajay Lekhi, former president of Delhi Medical Association, said that people could play Holi only with herbal colours, sandalwood and turmeric.

• Actor Sandeep Mohan said that harmful colours always damage the skin. People should avoid playing Holi with colours. He suggested herbal colours for Holi.

Traders said that herbal colours are more in demand. People are showing interest in natural colours. They further said that orange and yellow colours were more in demand.

Source: https://bit.ly/2TzKjm7

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First Coronavirus Patient In Bhutan Is A US National With Travel History To India

On Friday, Bhutan confirmed the first case of coronavirus in the country. The patient was a 76-year-old US citizen with a travel history to India. He travelled with his 59-year-old partner and 10 passengers.

Coronavirus in Bhutan

The first coronavirus patient had been kept in isolation in the COVID-19 hospital since his return from Guwahati on March 2. Considering his old age and underlying conditions, he had been kept on oxygen support. He had his partner and 10 passengers out of which 8 were Indian nationals.

His close contacts – his partner, driver and guide – also had been quarantined at the designated hospital but they were asymptomatic till their admission in the hospital.

Bhutan on alert mode

The Indian passengers travelling with the coronavirus patient had also been quarantined. Also, the 90 contacts had been traced to prevent spread of the virus. Contact tracings were done according to the itinerary of the patient. Starting from Paro airport to Thimphu, to Punakha and back, the officials are tracing everyone that had come in contact with the patient.

Also, the four crew members of the flight and staff of Le Meridien and Densa Boutique Resort were asked to go on “home quarantine” where they were advised to stay away from family members until all suspicions were ruled out.

The government was working closely with Indian embassy to provide the best care to Indian nationals. Also, the health officials were closely monitoring the health of people sent on “home quarantine”.

Source: https://bit.ly/2VNeJmy

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UMF Postpones March Festival Due To Coronavirus Scare

Miami city officials want the UMF organizers to postpone the March festival slated to be held at Bayfront Park on March 20-22. It is a precautionary measure taken to protect Miami-Dade County residents from the coronavirus spread.

Miami Mayor talked to UMF organizers

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Commissioner Joe Carollo want the electronic dance music festival to be postponed. They talked to UMF organizers regarding this. It is to be noted that the festival attracted around 170,000 fans last year. This year, the organizers were expecting fans from more than 100 countries in the festival.

UMF organizers postponed the event

The organizers decided to postpone the festival to help public health officials that are working on to control the spread of coronavirus that has spread to more than 80 countries. The UMF organizers are working the final draft of the deal to make a formal announcement regarding postponement of the March festival.

 

UMF cancelled Abu Dhabi event

 

The organizers even cancelled the Abu Dhabi event that was to happen this week. But fans – EDM music stars David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Marshmello, The Chainsmokers – looked disappointed. Soon they started reacting on social media. There were tens and thousands of fans that have already paid for the event and now they have to set their plans aside.

One fan demanded that the organizers should give the option of refund or get ready for a lawsuit by the EDM community. But they are hopeful that the organizers would refund tickets to save their brand.

Source:- https://bit.ly/38vsDwa

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Say Namaste To Avoid Handshake Says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested his countrymen to greet people without touching each other. And he recommended the Indian way of greeting people with folded hands instead of regular handshake.

Do Namaste instead of handshake

Benjamin Netanyahu asked his countrymen to avoid shaking hands just he did. Namaste is the customary way of greeting each other with folded hands in India. His familiarity with Indian customs and traditions isn’t surprising because of his closeness to Indian PM Narendra Modi. He had been in India in January 2018 and Mr. Modi visited Israel in 2017.

Mr. Netanyahu recommended strong measures

He was speaking to the press after a review meeting to fight the spread of coronavirus in Israel. He said that several measured would be announced to prevent the spread of infection. He further said that they had taken select isolation and flight policies and measures for flights.

Coronavirus in Israel

Israel has banned public gatherings of more than 5,000 people and people are advised to avoid from going abroad. Today, there are 7,000 people in home-quarantine. There are 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus but still no deaths reported. Coronavirus spreads through contact with droplets from infected persons. Tiny droplets from sneezing and coughing by infected persons can cause infection.

Global condition of coronavirus

The infection has spread to over 60 countries and there are approximately 90,000 infected people across the globe. The virus that originated in China last December has taken 3,000 lives globally.

Source: https://bit.ly/2VOoiSm

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Coronavirus In India: Do’s And Don’ts To Remain Safe

In India, the biggest challenge with coronavirus is that people have little knowledge about the infection. They need to know how it spreads, how to check it and what are the preventive measures and treatment options.

Defeat coronavirus with awareness

There is much panic about this virus and infection. People are afraid of losing their lives due to infection. But the truth is that you can remain safe from coronavirus by taking the following measures.

  1. Wash hands frequently with soap
  2. Use hand sanitizer
  3. Don’t reuse tissue papers
  4. Always cover your mouth with tissue when coughing and sneezing
  5. Use hands to cover your mouth while coughing if you don’t have tissues
  6. Don’t sneak in front of the mouth nor cough
  7. Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth without washing hands
  8. Avoid contact with the sick
  9. Maintain safe distance from people and avoid shaking hands
  10. See doctor immediately for high fever and cough

Coronavirus has spread to 70 countries and infected almost 1 million people. WHO has declared coronavirus a global health emergency after the death of 3,000 people. India also has got the infection but there is more panic than awareness.

Aware people about coronavirus

It is the responsibility of media to spread awareness about coronavirus. It is only with knowledge and education that India can fight with this virus. If you take all necessary measures then you will never get infected with coronavirus.

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Coronavirus Shows Signs Of Slowing In China But It Is Increasing Outside China

While the coronavirus is still a major health issue in other countries, China reported a slump in the number of new infections and death in more than a month on Tuesday. Recently, three residents of a nursing care facility near Seattle died of coronavirus infection.

China records lowest number of coronavirus infections

There were only 125 confirmed cases and 31 coronavirus deaths in the last 24 hours in China. And it is the lowest figure of officially confirmed coronavirus cases since January, when Xi Jinping issued his first public orders on coronavirus.

In Hubei Province, 2,410 coronavirus patients were released from medical facilities. Hubei is the area where the epidemic erupted and took enormous form. China restricted movement of 700 million people in order to contain the infection. But experts warned that the real test of coronavirus will be when China frees its citizens from the lockdown state.

Coronavirus outside China

South Korea had a total of 4,800 confirmed cases on Monday. It saw the second largest outbreak after China. In Europe, the people were warned to prepare for a bigger outbreak of coronavirus. In Iran that was the largest outbreak in Asia; there were 1,501 confirmed cases. Coronavirus has spread to 70 countries. The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world has reached 90,000 and number of deaths reported are 3,000. In the US, the infection has reached 100 mark.

Source: https://nyti.ms/2TjLHJr

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