Covid-19 updates: Coronavirus cases in India rise to 315, confirms ICMR

Italy on Saturday reported 793 new coronavirus deaths, a one-day record that saw its toll shoot up to 4,825 -38.3 per cent of the world's total. The number of COVID-19 infections rose by 6,557 to 53,578, another record, reports AFP.

The Delhi Health Department said that the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the national capital has gone up to 27, reports PTI.

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 315 individuals have been confirmed positive for coronavirus in the country.

The state of Assam reported its first coronavirus case after a four and a half year old girl tested positive in Jorhat. The samples sent to ICMR for reconfirmation, reports PTI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the Maldives government for making a contribution towards the Covid-19 emergency fund and said that this further strengthens the resolve in this collective fight against the pandemic.

Deeply appreciate contribution of USD 200,000 by Government of Maldives to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund. It strengthens our resolve in this collective fight against the pandemic. @ibusolih

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2020

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said that the state to remain in lockdown from March 22 to 31st due to coronavirus. Shops selling daily necessities things like vegetables, dairy and medical items to remain open, reports ANI

Around 540 offences have been registered in Maharashtra for violating orders in place to stop the spread of novel coronavirus, officials said on Saturday. The violations include not observing lockdown, hiding or falsifying travel history, fleeing home quarantine, spreading rumours about the infection and advertising products with the aim of profiting from the outbreak, they said, reports PTI.

Western Railway on Saturday cancelled the jumbo block planned over it on fast line and STA line between Mumbai Central and Matunga Road as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, reports ANI.

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayansamy said that section 144 will be imposed in the state from March 23 to March 31 amid coronavirus fears. He also said that buyers can purchase from 7 am to 9 am in the morning and 6 pm to 9 pm in the evening, reports ANI.

Amid the coronavirus crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a fresh appeal asking citizens to stay where they are for a few days in order to stop the disease from spreading. This is the second time Prime Minister in this week has appealed to citizens to display restraint and avoid unnecessary travel.

मेरी सबसे प्रार्थना है कि आप जिस शहर में हैं, कृपया कुछ दिन वहीं रहिए। इससे हम सब इस बीमारी को फैलने से रोक सकते हैं। रेलवे स्टेशनों, बस अड्डों पर भीड़ लगाकर हम अपनी सेहत के साथ खिलवाड़ कर रहे हैं। कृपया अपनी और अपने परिवार की चिंता करिए, आवश्यक न हो तो अपने घर से बाहर न निकलिए।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2020

Keshav Prasad Maurya, the Deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh has tested negative for coronavirus. He had recently met an uncle of singer Kanika Kapoor. Kanika Kapoor tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday, reports ANI.

A Navy sailor assigned to United States Central Command headquarters in Florida has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, reports AP.

Krupal Tumane, Shiv Sena MP from Maharashtra's Ramtek, has self-quarantined himself as he sat beside BJP MP Dushyant Singh in Parliamentry Committee meeting.

Mauritius has recorded its first death from coronavirus, the health minister said Saturday, just the third in sub-Saharan Africa, as the archipelago nation imposed a lockdown to contain the outbreak, reports AFP.

Spain on Saturday reported a 32 percent spike in new deaths from the coronavirus, bringing the country total to 1,326 fatalities, the second highest in Europe after Italy, reports AFP.