Coronavirus updates: Italy reports 627 new deaths, toll at 4,032

The Tamil Nadu-Kerala border in Coimbatore will be closed from Friday evening in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, said Coimbatore District Collector, Rasamani: ANI

China will hold a video conference on COVID-19 with about 17 countries, including India. New Delhi will be represented by official of joint secretary rank from health ministry.

Sun Weidong, Chinese Ambassador to India: China will hold a video conference with more than 10 countries in the Eurasian and South Asia on prevention&control of #Covid-19 today.China will support&assist its friendly neighbors in the spirit of solidarity amid adversity. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/qIkIk0GY3A

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2020

The number of imported coronavirus cases in China have risen to a record level, according to data released on Friday, with infected travellers reaching ever more provinces adding to pressure on authorities to step up tough entry rules and health protocols, reports Reuters.

Now the focus is on guarding against cases arriving from abroad as the spread of the coronavirus in Europe and North America sparks a rush home by Chinese expatriates, many of them students, raising fears of a second wave of infections just as China brings its epidemic under control.

Mainland China had 39 new confirmed cases on Thursday, the National Health Commission said, all of them imported.

Of the new imported infections, 14 were found in Guangdong, eight in Shanghai and six in Beijing, the health authority said in a statement.

Two people in Gujarat tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday. Jayanti Ravi, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Gujarat Government said, "2 people from Ahmedabad and 1 from Vadodara have tested positive for coronavirus. The person in Vadodara has a history of travel to Spain, the 2 people in Ahmedabad had travelled to Finland & New York.": ANI

Indian Council of Medical Research says a total of 206 individuals have been confirmed positive among suspected cases and contacts of known positive cases, reports ANI.

A total of 14,376 samples from 13,486 individuals have tested for COVID19 as on 20th March, 10 am.

A 69-year-old woman, who recently returned from the United Kingdom, has tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of cases in Punjab to three, officials said on Friday.

The woman is a resident of Phase 3A in Mohali and becomes the second confirmed case of Covid-19 in the tricity, comprising Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula.

Confirming the report, Mohali deputy commissioner Girish Dayalan said, “We are taking all precautions and will quarantine all those who came in contact with her. We will also be sealing the lane where she resides. The samples of her family members are being sent to PGIMER.”

Delhi government has issued advisory for private sector employers to allow employees to work from home till March 31: A govt official told PTI.

Three more people have tested positive for Coronavirus - one each from Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune & Mumbai, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Friday: ANI.

The total number of cases in the state now rises to 52.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope: 3 people have tested positive for #Coronavirus - one each from Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune & Mumbai. The total number of cases in the state now rises to 52. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/Hcg3ZmJdT6

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2020

Four fresh cases tested positive for coronavirus in Lucknow on Friday morning taking the total number of cases in Uttar Pradesh to 23, said Dr Vikasendu Agrawal, state surveillance officer in the health department, reports HT Correspondent.

“Two are woman aged 20 and 28 while two men aged 35 and 27 tested positive,” said Dr Sudhir Singh, spokesperson of the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) where the samples were tested. The samples were take a day before as these cases developed symptoms and were admitted to the hospital wing of the KGMU.

One of these four has travel history. “We are finding out the exact travel history, their contact list and other details,” said Dr Agrawal.

Two legislators in Kerala are under self-quarantine after they came in contact with an infected in Kasargod in north Kerala. District authorities are preparing a flow chart of the patient who was found to be coronavirus positive on Thursday.

Covid-19 positive cases in Telangana goes up to 16. Three fresh cases were reported on Thursday, according to late night bulletin from the state government.

Sri Lankan government imposes two-and-a-half day curfew to slow spread of coronavirus.

The Shiv Sena on Friday said that on the one hand Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeals to the public to practice social distancing in view of coronavirus outbreak, while on the other he allows Parliament to function for political reasons, reports PTI.

An editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said that thousands of MPs, officials and members of the staff come together in Parliament.

"Shutting down or slowing down the government work on one hand, but being adamant in keeping the Parliament session on the other is certainly not aimed at keeping up the great democratic traditions," it said.

The Marathi daily alleged that the Parliament session is on to give 'support' to the steps being taken for toppling of the Madhya Pradesh government.

"The Kamal Nath government has to prove its majority in the floor test. But the contention of Kamal Nath and his supporters is how to convene the state assembly in the times of corona virus outbreak.

"If Parliament session is curtailed, then Kamal Nath's contention carries weight. Hence it was necessary to keep the Parliament proceedings on despite the emergency situation in wake of the coronavirus outbreak. This is being said in the corridors of Delhi. Whether true or false, only they know," the Sena said.

It also advocated complete lock-down to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.

Malaysia will deploy the army from Sunday to assist police in enforcing a restricted movement order aimed at reining in the spread of a coronavirus, the government said, reports Reuters.

Friday's announcement follows curbs imposed on travel and businesses this week, as infections spiked to 900, with two dead. The majority of cases have been linked to a gathering of 16,000 Muslim missionaries late last month.

Thailand reported 50 new coronavirus infections, taking its tally to 322, a health official said on Friday, with the majority located in Bangkok, the capital,reports Reuters.

A group of 41 new cases is linked to earlier infections, while another, of nine, centres on overseas arrivals and contact with foreigners, Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the disease control department, told a news conference.