Coronavirus Latest Updates:India COVID-19 death toll rises to 35,cases increase to 1,397,Mar 31, 2020 11:24 pm

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Latest Updates in India State-Wise: The total number of Covid-19 cases in India has reached 1251, including 1117 active cases, while 101 people have been cured/discharged.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Latest Updates in India State-Wise: The total number of Covid-19cases in India has reached 1397, including 1238 active cases, while 124 people have been cured/discharged. As many as 35 people have died because of Covid-19, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s update at 8.30 PM on Tuesday. Delhi cases have risen to 97, while 47 have tested positive in Madhya Pradesh.

The Government has identified 10 “hotspots” across the country where an unusual transmission of the disease has been detected. These places are Dilshad Garden and Nizamuddin in Delhi, Noida Meerut, Bhilwara, Ahmedabad, Kasargod, Pathanamthitta, Mumbai and Pune. According to the officials, a place is identified as a “cluster” where more than 10 cases are detected while “hotspots” are such places where several clusters are detected.

The Government has decided to step up testing in the identified hotspots to stop the spread of the disease to other areas. Hundreds of people from the Nizamuddin area in Delhi are being tested for potential Covid-19 infection. Violating lockdown conditions, a religious gathering was organised in Nizamuddin where several coronavirus positive cases have been found among those who attended the event.

As coronavirus cases from the capital rise, Delhi government has written to LG Anil Baijal for registering an FIR in connection with Nizamuddin religious congregation, said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He added that the government won’t hesitate to take strict action in such cases where the lives of people are put in danger. Till now 1,548 people have been brought out of Markaz (Nizamuddin), 441 of them were symptomatic and they have been shifted to hospitals and their tests are being conducted, Kejriwal said. 1,107 who did not show symptoms have been sent to quarantine, added Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Advisory on Social Distancing Measure in view of spread of                                              COVID-19 

disease Social distancing is a non-pharmaceutical infection prevention and control intervention implemented to avoid/decrease contact between those who are infected with a disease causing pathogen and those who are not, so as to stop or slow down the rate and extent of disease transmission in a community. This eventually leads to decrease in spread, morbidity and mortality due to the disease. In addition to the proposed interventions, the State/UT Governments may prescribe such other measures as they consider necessary. All these proposed interventions shall be in force till 31st of March, 2020. They will be reviewed as per the evolving situation. The following interventions are proposed

1. Closure of all educational establishments (schools, universities etc), gyms, museums, cultural and social centres, swimming pools and theatres. Students should be advised to stay at home. Online education to be promoted.
 2. Possibility of postponing exams may be explored. Ongoing exams to be conducted only after ensuring physical distance of one meter amongst students.
 3. Encourage private sector organizations/employers to allow employees to work from home wherever feasible.
 4. Meetings, as far as feasible, shall be done through video conferences. Minimize or reschedule meetings involving large number of people unless necessary.
5. Restaurants to ensure handwashing protocol and proper cleanliness of frequently touched surfaces. Ensure physical distancing (minimum 1metre) between tables; encourage open air seating where practical with adequate distancing.
6. Keep already planned weddings to a limited gathering, postpone all non-essential social and cultural gatherings.
 7. Local authorities to have a dialogue with organizers of sporting events and competitions involving large gatherings and they may be advised to postpone such events.
8. Local authorities to have a dialogue with opinion leaders and religious leaders to regulate mass gatherings and should ensure no overcrowding/at least one metre distance between people.

 9. Local authorities to have meeting with traders associations and other stakeholders to regulate hours, exhibit Do’s and Don’ts and take up a communication drive in market places like sabzi mandi, anaj mandi, bus depots, railway stations, post-offices etc., where essential services are provided.
10. All commercial activities must keep a distance of one meter between customers. Measures to reduce peak hour crowding in markets.
11. Non-essential travel should be avoided. Buses, Trains and aeroplanes to maximize social distancing in public transport besides ensuring regular and proper disinfection of surfaces.
12. Hospitals to follow necessary protocol related with COVID-19 management as prescribed and restrict family/friends/children visiting patients in hospitals.
13. Hygiene and physical distancing has to be maintained. Shaking hands and hugging as a matter of greeting to be avoided.
14. Special protective measures for delivery men/ women working in online ordering services.
15. Keep communities informed consistently and constantly. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare