Coronavirus Updates: 'Do namaste, instead of handshake', advises Israeli PM
In India, the number of coronavirus cases rose to 28 on Wednesday, up from six a day earlier. Suspecting the emergence of cluster cases of the virus, the government has stepped up the level of preparedness against COVID-19.
- 03:44 PM IST
Coronavirus testing lab to be set up at LHMC: Delhi CM Kejriwal
- 03:43 PM IST
Delhi govt forms task force to deal with coronavirus
- 03:31 PM IST
European Central Bank restricts all non-essential staff travel
- 03:30 PM IST
Facebook gives WHO free ads in battle with coronavirus misinformation
- 02:55 PM IST
Iraq reports first coronavirus death
The number of new cases of coronavirus infections in India on Wednesday rose to 28, said Union health minister Harsh Vardhan. With the numbers rising, India will now screen passengers from all countries as a precautionary measure against COVID-19. New Delhi had earlier put passengers from 12 countries under the scanner.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that he will not participate in any Holi milan events in the wake of coronavirus scare. He cited experts’ advice against mass gatherings to contain the spread of disease.
Meanwhile, China has seen a slight drop in new cases of the virus that has affected tens of thousands of people. Authorities in China reported 119 new cases, a drop from 125 the day before. Another 38 deaths from COVID-19 were announced, bringing mainland China's total in the outbreak to 2,981.
Till date, more than 3,000 people have died from coronavirus and over 90,000 have been infected worldwide.
Here are the latest updates:
Coronavirus testing lab to be set up at LHMC: Delhi CM Kejriwal
A coronavirus testing lab will be set up at Lady Hardinge Hospital in the national capital and also at LNJP Hospital, if necessary, says Delhi CM Kejriwal.
Delhi govt forms task force to deal with coronavirus
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said a task force has been formed under his leadership to deal with the coronavirus situation in the national capital. He added that the task force members have been asked to deal with the situation as an emergency. But he added that there is no need to panic.
European Central Bank restricts all non-essential staff travel
The European Central Bank has restricted all non-essential travel by members of its Executive Board and staff and cancelled conferences and visits amid the coronavirus outbreak in Europe, reports Bloomberg.
The action comes a day after the International Monetary Fund and World Bank said they would use a “virtual format” to convene their spring meetings scheduled for mid-April in Washington on concern about the spread of the disease. Numerous companies and institutions have been forced to address health safety risks, and the ECB faces a particular challenge as its decision makers come from 19 different countries.
Facebook gives WHO free ads in battle with coronavirus misinformation
Social media platform Facebook will provide free advertisements to the World Health Organization (WHO) as it seeks to ensure users are not misinformed about the virus, its risks and how to react to it, Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said on Tuesday.
"We're giving the WHO as many free ads as they need for their coronavirus response along with other in-kind support," Zuckerberg said in the Facebook post.
Iraq reports first coronavirus death
Iraq reported its first coronavirus death on Wednesday, an elderly man in the Kurdish province of Sulaimaniya, the local health department said.
Iraq has so far has recorded 31 cases of the new coronavirus, one Iranian student who has since been sent home and 30 Iraqis who had all visited Iran recently.
First published: Mar 04, 2020 14:30 IST