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Coronavirus pandemic threat now 'very real', can still be controlled: WHO

Even as the number of positive cases of novel coronavirus rose in India, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan reiterated that only those who are not healthy should wear masks.

By Anubha Rohatgi | Updated: Mar 10, 2020 00:12 IST
Coronavirus pandemic threat now 'very real', can still be controlled: WHO
A firefighter wearing protective clothing, mask and goggles, sprays disinfectant on Tabia't bridge pedestrian overpass in Tehran, Iran, on Monday, March 9, 2020. (Bloomberg)

The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in India on Monday rose to 44 after five new cases were reported - one each from Kerala, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Punjab. Globally, the numbers crossed 110,000 in 100 countries and territories with more than 3,800 dead, according to an AFP tally.

The outbreak has affected the demand for oil as well. The International Energy Agency said that the global oil demand was set to contract in 2020 for the first time in more than a decade as global economic activity stalls due to the coronavirus.

Even as the number of positive cases rose in India, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan reiterated that only those who are not healthy should wear masks, as he listed the steps being taken by the government to control the spread of coronavirus in the country.


Here are LIVE updates on the coronavirus outbreak:

06:30 PM IST

No spectators at Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch lighting ceremony: Organisers

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch lighting ceremony in ancient Olympia will be held without spectators for the first time in more than 35 years. The step has been taken by thee organisers who have introduced tighter measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

"The lighting ceremony of the Olympic flame will be done without the presence of spectators and only 100 invited and accredited guests," the Greek Olympic Committee said in a statement.

The ceremony usually attracts thousands of spectators- both Greek and foreigners.

Greece's Olympic Committee said spectators would be excluded from both the dress rehearsal at the ancient site on Wednesday and the widely broadcast ceremony on Thursday.

The last time that the ceremony was held without any spectators on the grassy slopes of the ancient stadium in the tiny Peloponesian hamlet was in 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.


04:30 PM IST

Iran reports 43 more deaths, toll rises to 237

Iran reports 43 more deaths from novel coronavirus, pushing death toll to 237 amid 7,161 confirmed cases.

The Health Ministry announced the new figure at a news conference Monday.

04:30 PM IST

'Take due precautions': Indian embassy in Italy advises Indian nationals

The Indian embassy in Italy has advised all Indian nationals residing in that country to take due precautions and avoid non-essential travel to Rome for routine consular services. In a series of tweets it sai, "Indian Embassy in Rome is available for emergency services to Indian nationals."

04:00 PM IST

Thane man booked for dumping used face masks in open space

A man has been booked for allegedly dumping used face masks in open space in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said.

03:59 PM IST

Central Armed Police Forces asked to prepare quarantine facilities: Official

The government has directed the Central Armed Police Forces to prepare quarantine facilities with a bed capacity to admit over 5,400 people to deal with cases of coronavirus across the country, officials say.

03:53 PM IST

'Healthy people don't need masks': Health Minister

Only those who are not healthy should wear masks, said Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan while listing steps being taken by the government to control the spread of coronavirus in the country during a press conference in New Delhi on Monday.

“I have already said it: Healthy people don’t need masks. Only people who are unhealthy need to use it so that they do not transmit the illness,” Vardhan said on Monday.

“Voluntary declaration is for the well-being of everyone. All of us will benefit if people start filling out the form,” he added.

03:34 PM IST

'Indian scientists & labs in Iran waiting for clearance to begin working': Health Minister

India has sent its scientists to Iran and waiting for clearance to start working, Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said on Monday. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, he said, " We have sent our scientists and labs to Iran, when we will get custom clearance then they will start working. Right now we are bringing samples from there and when the report of that sample will come negative, we will bring them back." : ANI

03:28 PM IST

Germany says coronavirus cases top 1,000

The number of coronavirus cases in Germany has passed 1,000, official data from the Robert Koch Institute disease control centre showed on Monday.

There are now a total of 1,112 confirmed cases in Europe's biggest economy, with the region of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) reporting 484 infections -- the highest number among Germany's 16 states.

04:30 PM IST

Disneyland Paris staff tests positive for coronavirus: Spokesman

A Disneyland Paris staff maintenance worker tested positive for coronavirus over the weekend, said a Disneyland Paris spokesman: Reuters

03:13 PM IST

Pope celebrates Mass by himself, live-streams it

Pope Francis celebrated morning Mass on Monday all by himself in the chapel of the Vatican hotel where he lives, and offered up prayers for those infected with coronavirus and those caring for them.

The Pope’s Mass on Monday was live streamed, evidence of new measures the Vatican City State has taken to contain the spread of the virus in line with restrictions adopted by the Italian government.

03:11 PM IST

Embassies close in North Korea as diplomats evacuated over virus

Several embassies in North Korea closed Monday as many diplomats were flown out following weeks of tight quarantine restrictions imposed by Pyongyang over the spread of the novel coronavirus.

North Korea has not confirmed a single infection but has imposed strict rules, including closing its borders and putting thousands of its own people into isolation. It has also subjected hundreds of foreigners -- including diplomats -- to a virtual lockdown in their own premises.

Those restrictions were finally eased last week after more than a month, when more than 200 foreigners were allowed to leave their compounds.

03:10 PM IST

Nigeria reports second confirmed coronavirus case

Nigeria reports second confirmed coronavirus case. The country's health minister said the infected person is in isolation in southwestern state of Ogun, reports Reuters

03:05 PM IST

'Asked states to strengthen labs and manpower'

Asked states to strengthen laboratories and manpower to effectively deal with coronavirus: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.

03:01 PM IST

'All passengers coming from other countries being screened at airports'

Union Health Minister: "On 18 January we started universal screening on 7 airports and now 30 airports have been put under screening. All passengers coming from other countries are being screened on the airports. So far, 8,74,708 passengers screened."

02:58 PM IST

'Sending detailed guidelines to all states': Dr Harsh Vardhan

We are sending detailed guidelines to all states on ways to contain coronavirus: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

First published: Mar 09, 2020 06:19 IST