Highlights: World Bank approves $1 billion emergency financing for India

A first prisoner in Italy has died of coronavirus, a prison watchdog group said on Thursday, calling for more early releases of inmates from the country's overcrowded system. Two prison guards have died of the virus, and 19 inmates out of a total inmate population of 58,000 have tested positive, according to Italy's justice ministry, reports AFP.

Eight new positive cases of COVID-19 were detected in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 70 even as the first coronavirus patient of the valley -- a 67-year-old woman from the old city area -- was discharged from hospital after recovering from the disease, reports PTI.

Two deaths were reported in Mumbai due to coronavirus and the death toll in the state of Maharashtra stands at 19.

A 59-year-old woman and her 10-month-old granddaughter have tested positive for coronavirus in Chandigarh. They are primary family contacts of NRI couple (Positive for COVID-19), Chandigarh Health Department said, reports ANI.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has put on hold the oath-taking of 37 newly-elected members till the lockdown in view of the coronavirus outbreak is over, reports PTI.

The United Kingdom's death toll from the coronavirus rose 24 percent to 2,921 as of April 1. As of 0800 GMT on April 2, a total of 163,194 people had been tested of which 33,718 tested positive, the health ministry said, reports Reuters.

Kerala has reported 21 new coronavirus cases, including 8 from the worst hit Kasaragod, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

"75 more persons have tested positive for coronavirus in Tamil Nadu of which 74 are those who participated in the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi.

Total positive cases in the state are now 309, including 264 who attended the Tablighi event," said Beela Rajesh, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary

Home Minister Amit Shah also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to fight coronavirus have been lauded at both domestic and global levels, reports PTI.

Home Minister Amit Shah said that 130 crore Indians are united to defeat the coronavirus pandemic, reports PTI.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also said that out of the 2346 people brought from Markaz Nizamuddin,1810 persons were quarantined & 536 people admitted to city hospitals and the tests of all 2346 persons are being done reports ANI.

Out of 2346 people brought from Markaz Nizamuddin,1810 persons quarantined & 536 people admitted to city hospitals; Tests of all 2346 persons are being done. Due to this it is possible that the no. of COVID19 cases in the city might rise in coming days: Delhi CM https://t.co/dOG8OqDHxY

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2020

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that ₹5000 each will be transferred into the accounts of auto, taxi, e-rickshaw, RTV & Gramin Sewa drivers and all those plying public service vehicles. This might take between a week and 10 days to implement, reports ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he will share a video message with the citizens at 9 am tomorrow, reports ANI.

At 9 AM tomorrow morning, I’ll share a small video message with my fellow Indians: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
(file pic) pic.twitter.com/37vgMRySAE

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2020

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that 2 people who attended Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin have died due to coronavirus.

Till now, there are 219 #COVID19 cases in the city including 108 people from Markaz Nizamuddin; Total 4 deaths including 2 people from Markaz Nizamuddin: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/LgEHKhwq15

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2020

A CRPF doctor based in Delhi has been tested positive for Covid-19, said officials.