Covid-19 highlights: Soldier from Ladakh tests positive for coronavirus

Phase one clinical trials for the coronavirus vaccine has begun in the US. India and Norway have supported the initiative.

The MoHFW website has updated the numbers of cases of coronavirus in the country. The number of people affected now stands at 125.

The war of words between China and US has escalated as politicians resorted to blame game over coronavirus contagion in both countries. Trump's tweet on coronavirus angered politicians in the US, with NYC mayor Bill De Blasio termed as plain 'bigotry'.

The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2020

Flyers from 'high risk nations' voiced their concerns regarding the time taken to examine them at the Delhi IGI airport. Passengers had to wait in long queues in order to get examined and sent to home or quarantine facilities.

The global death toll due to covid-19 has crossed 7,000. Over 180,000 people continue to be affected by coronavirus.

Karnataka Health Department said that two new cases of coronavirus were reported from the state. The state now has 10 cases of infection.

Karnataka Health Department: 2 new confirmed cases of COVID-19; Total 10 positive cases in the State pic.twitter.com/PQbPmFp7ys

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2020

China reported 20 cases of imported coronavirus infections. 9 of the 20 new imported cases were reported from Beijing and 3 people were in Shanghai, raising total count of infections from abroad to 143, according to China's National Health Commission.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in a blog post published in IMF website said over 20 countries have asked for aid as coronavirus halts economic activity. Iran for example asked a $5 billion emergency loan from the IMF. She said that government must focus spending on healthcare and She said governments should continue to prioritize health spending and provide support to businesses paid sick leaves and targeted tax reliefs.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus advised countries to test suspected cases and not fight the battle against covid-19 'blindfolded' while speaking to the media on Tuesday.

Nikkei 225 index plunged as much as 3.66 percent at one point in early trade, before recovering to 17,180 points on Tuesday morning.

US President Donald Trump believes that 'everyone needs to do a good job' to ensure that the coronavirus epidemic in US ends by July-August, according to AFP.