Covid-19 LIVE Updates| Coronavirus pandemic "accelerating," says WHO chief

PM Modi urged citizens to follow lockdown seriously. In a tweet, he asked people to protect themselves and their family members.

लॉकडाउन को अभी भी कई लोग गंभीरता से नहीं ले रहे हैं। कृपया करके अपने आप को बचाएं, अपने परिवार को बचाएं, निर्देशों का गंभीरता से पालन करें। राज्य सरकारों से मेरा अनुरोध है कि वो नियमों और कानूनों का पालन करवाएं।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2020

Barring cargo and emergency evacuation flights, United Arab Emirates announced on Monday that the authorities will temporarily suspend all passenger and transit flights due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Sensex opened in red as Covid-19 pandemic sent several major cities including capital New Delhi into a lockdown.

A foreign national from Philippines died of Covid-19 today morning.

Rajya Sabha MP VivekTankha says his family is not allowing him to break isolation rules. He also said that the house should have adjourned last week.

I am sorry esteemed chairman of Rajya Sabha - My family is not allowing me to break the isolation rule and attend Parliament today. Shud hv adjourned last week ! Please excuse my absence. Concern of many others too. @MVenkaiahNaidu @rajyasabhatv @loksabhatv @ombirlakota

— Vivek Tankha (@VTankha) March 23, 2020

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal encouraged Delhi citizens to fight Covid-19 and follow lockdown instructions.

आज से दिल्ली में लॉकडाउन शुरू। मेरे दिल्लीवासियों, आपने व्यक्तिगत परेशानी उठाकर पल्यूशन को हराने के लिए Odd Even कर दिखाया। आपने डेंगू के खिलाफ महा अभियान को अपनाया। मुझे विश्वास है Covid-19 से अपने परिवार को बचाने के लिए आप लॉकडाउन में भी अपना सहयोग दे कर इस लड़ाई को जीतेंगे।

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 23, 2020

A medical epidemiologist embedded in China's disease control was axed following the tariff war that began between US and China. Dr. Linda Quick, a trainer of Chinese field epidemiologists, was in an ideal position to check the coronavirus outbreak which has crippled people's lives across the planet.

Brazil has issued a decree where it has closed borders with Uruguay for 30 days in order to curb the coronavirus outbreak. Only freight vehicles and citizens from countries whose spouses reside in either nation will be allowed passage.

Despite being committed to hosting the Olympics, Japan PM Shinzo Abe said Covid-19 could make cancellation of the 2020 Olympics 'inevitable".

Renowned Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo has tested positive for coronavirus. He assured his fan via Facebook saying,"We are currently all in good health but I developed a cough and a fever and decided to get tested, and the result came back positive.''

The COC (Canadian Olympic Committee) threatened to not send its athletes to Tokyo 2020 unless it is postponed for a year.

New York is moving towards an Italy-like scenario as 117 deaths were reported from the state on Sunday. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said hospitals need to increase their current bed numbers by at least 50%. Covid-19 numbers are supposed to rise by next week according to Mayor De Blasio.

Head of Rides Uber, India SA issued a statement following the lockdown orders in the city:

In compliance with the government guidelines, we are temporarily suspending all Uber services in your city. This means that Uber rides services will not be available until further notice.

We don’t take such measures lightly, and we ask that you please follow the instructions of the public health authorities.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by COVID-19 in our community. We will keep you informed with the latest information on our Coronavirus response.

Pradeep Parameswaran

Head of Rides Uber, India SA

The trillion-dollar health bill passed by the House of Representatives last week to help US fight Covid-19 fell flat in the US Senate as Democrats and Republicans could not agree on the plan that seeks to offer paid leaves and healthcare benefits to umemployed and LIGs.

Kentucky's Republican Senator Rand Paul has coronavirus. Senator Paul said that he is asymptomatic and he feels fine. He is a top ally of US Prez Donald Trump.