Highlights: 9,318 infected by Covid-19 in Maharashtra, 729 new cases reported

Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, health ministry official said recovery rate has gone up to 22.77%

Home ministry's official while briefing the press said villages have teams to ensure people do not go hungry.

Health ministry has started its briefing on Covid-19 pandemic.

#WATCH Health Ministry briefing on COVID19 situation (28th April) https://t.co/nFtcFLq0jJ

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Rajasthan health minister said 2,328 cases of Covid-19 in the state are currently active.

Till now, there are 2328 COVID19 positive cases in the state. There has been progress in COVID19 recoveries in the state. We are also increasing our capacity to do COVID19 tests. In one week's time, we will be able to do 10,000 tests per day: Rajasthan Health Minister pic.twitter.com/RId8xKTsET

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

SP leader Akhilesh Yadav said BJP is inciting hatred against Muslims amid the pandemic.

BJP creating hatred against Muslims over coronavirus, says SP leader Akhilesh Yadav; questions Yogi Adityanath's handling of crisis

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 28, 2020

Health minister Sanjay Kumar says 13 fresh cases were reported in the state.

13 more #COVID19 positive cases reported in Bihar today, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 359: Sanjay Kumar, Principal Secretary (Health) #Bihar (file pic) pic.twitter.com/BlPGx6JujF

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Despite a rise in revenue in the first quarter, Pepsico will not forecast its revenue predictions for 2020.

The Asian Development Bank approved Govt of India's loan of 1.5 billion dollars. The money will be used to ensure social and economic protection of the poor and fighting the pandemic day.

$1.5 billion loan approved to Govt of India to help fund its response to COVID-19 pandemic, incl support for immediate priorities such as disease containment&prevention, as well as social protection for poor&economically vulnerable sections of the society: Asian Development Bank

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

RBI announced that employees were donating a day's salry to PM's Covid-19 relief fund.

Employees of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have decided to contribute one or more days' salary to the PM CARES Fund. The total contribution from the employees amounting to ₹7.30 crore is being remitted to the PM CARES Fund: RBI pic.twitter.com/OSP638ybA8

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

PM Narendra Modi after speaking to Indonesian PM Joko Widodo outlined that India and Indonesia, who are also Compreshensive Strategic Partners, can work closely to deal with the health and economic challenges that Covid-19 possesses.

Discussed COVID-19 pandemic with good friend President @Jokowi. As close maritime neighbours and Compreshensive Strategic Partners, close cooperation between India and Indonesia will be important to deal with the health and economic challenges posed by this crisis.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 28, 2020

Dr Harsh Vardhan quoted some experts' opinions where he said that peripheries of Delhi's sealed areas be extended to fight the pandemic in the capital.

According to experts, we need to increase the periphery of sealed areas in Delhi to fight COVID19 better: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on review meeting on COVID19 situation in Delhi pic.twitter.com/AwryIMLjH5

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Union minister Dr Harsh Vardhan pointed out that 4.11% workers are affected. Union health minister further added that hotspots need to come down from their current numbers.

In Delhi, 4.11% health workers (incl 13 paramedics, 26 nurses, 24 field workers, 33 doctors) are COVID19 affected. This is worrying; Currently, there are around 100 hotspots in Delhi, this number should go down: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan https://t.co/1ooJf7AxXy

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

WHO said it wants to use Panama as an air hub for sending medical supplies and protective equipment to the rest of the Latin American countries.

Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan while speaking to ANI said that India will be able to produce T-PCR and antibody test kits by May. He said that will help in meeting the target of 1 lakh test per day by May 31.

We will be able to produce RT-PCR and antibody test kits in India by May. All processes are in advanced stage and production will start after getting approval from ICMR. It will help us in meeting our target of 1 lakh test per day by May 31: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan pic.twitter.com/sSK1zASVsB

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020

Coronavirus cases in Pakistan climb to 14,079 while death toll in the country has touched 300. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 3,233 people have fully recovered from the virus.