Coronavirus scare updates: Arrangements being made to airlift stranded Indians from Iran

By Anuj Cariappa

| Updated: Friday, March 6, 2020, 0:11 [IST]

New Delhi, Mar 05: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) epidemic is picking up the pace in India after infecting tens of thousands of people and killing more than 3,000 in over 60 countries across the globe.

After the number of coronavirus cases rose to 30 India is on high alert, including 16 Italians tourists in Rajasthan. The government has said that all international passengers will now be screened at airports as concerns mount over the spread of the fatal infection.

Here are the updates on Coronavirus scare:

Newest First Oldest First

12:08 AM, 6 Mar

The Indian government said a team of medical professionals had reached Iran to carry out tests for the infection on the stranded Indians and those found uninfected will soon be evacuated using normal aviation channels.

12:03 AM, 6 Mar

Officials on Thursday said another case of novel coronavirus was reported in Ghaziabad and the middle-aged man had recently travelled to Iran.

12:02 AM, 6 Mar

The World Health Organization warned Thursday that a number of countries were not taking all the the steps needed to fight against the spread of the deadly new coronavirus. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva he was concerned that a "long list" of countries were not showing "the level of political commitment" needed to "match the level of the threat we all face."

9:38 PM, 5 Mar

Air travellers having visited or arriving from Italy and South Korea will require to submit a certificate of having "tested" negative from a health authorities-designated lab in their countries for coronavirus at the departure airport, a senior DGCA official said on Thursday.

9:38 PM, 5 Mar

Over 1,200 persons who arrived in West Bengal from countries under the grip of coronavirus have so far been quarantined, a health department official said on Thursday.

9:27 PM, 5 Mar

The primary classes of all schools in the national capital will remain closed till March 31 to prevent a possibility of spread of coronavirus, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced.

9:27 PM, 5 Mar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Brussels this month to hold a summit meeting with the European Union has been postponed in view of coronavirus outbreak in various parts of the world. Modi was expected to visit Brussels on March 13 for the annual summit which was set to lay ground for deeper trade and investment ties between India and the 27-nation block.

9:27 PM, 5 Mar

Pet dogs and cats are not source of coronavirus, and there is no evidence that companion animals can be infected with the disease, according to Pet Practioners Association of Karnataka. T

9:26 PM, 5 Mar

In a relief to Telangana government, two people from the state have tested negative for coronavirus. Speaking to reporters here, Health Minister E Rajender said the two samples -- one who came from Italy and another, a sanitary worker, who works in an IT company, tested negative.

9:26 PM, 5 Mar

The Madhya Pradesh government will put in place check-up centres at the entrances of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the state to screen visitors for novel coronavirus, an official said.

7:25 PM, 5 Mar

Coronavirus fear is keeping away both traders as well as consumers from buying Chinese goods this Holi, traders body CAIT sai

7:24 PM, 5 Mar

Medical staff for thermal screening at airports to be increased, says Uddhav Thackeray

7:23 PM, 5 Mar

Maharashtra Government launches dedicated helpline number '020-26127394'

7:23 PM, 5 Mar

Need to be cautious during next 10 to 15 days. It is advised to avoid big gatherings during Holi as already requested by PM Modi: Maha CM

6:06 PM, 5 Mar

Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh said 175 people have been tested so far for coronavirus in the state with 157 of them showing no sign of the infection. Of the remaining 18 tested, six are from Agra and one from Ghaziabad, he said, referring to the seven cases which have tested positive. The reports of the remaining 11 are yet to be received from National Institute of Virology in Pune, according to the minister.

6:05 PM, 5 Mar

An isolation ward containing 14 beds has been set up at NDMC-run Bara Hindurao Hospital here for coronavirus patients, North Delhi Mayor Avtar Singh said on Thursday.

6:05 PM, 5 Mar

A 36-year-old man from Kerala, who died after testing negative for coronavirus, was cremated after being wrapped in layers of white cloth and his family was not allowed to get close to his mortal remains. The youth, who had recently returned from Malayasia had died at Kochi on February 29 after being admitted to the isolation ward of the Kalamassery Medical College hospital as he was running high fever.

6:05 PM, 5 Mar

The government on Thursday asserted there is no shortage of raw ingredients or medicines in the country for next three months and a group of ministers is monitoring the situation on a daily basis to ensure preparedness for the challenge posed by the coronavirus outbreak.

6:03 PM, 5 Mar

Seven persons from three families have been isolated at home at Seoni in Madhya Pradesh for suspected exposure to the coronavirus following their return from Italy last month, an official said on Thursday.

4:41 PM, 5 Mar

Iran announces 15 new CoronaVirus deaths, raising total to 107.

3:35 PM, 5 Mar

https://www.oneindia.com/india/coronavirus-scare-live-after-29-confirmed-cases-india-on-alert-3043504.html

Number of positive #Coronavirus cases in India rises to 30 after a person in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh tests positive.

3:35 PM, 5 Mar

Giriraj Singh, Union Minister for Animal Husbandry & Fisheries: Some people are creating panic due to lack of knowledge regarding Coronavirus. Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Dairying Department has already clarified that COVID-19 is not transmitted through meat, egg or fish.

3:34 PM, 5 Mar

The Punjab Government has organised an awareness camp on coronavirus at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

3:28 PM, 5 Mar

5 people with travel history to coronavirus-hit countries kept in isolation in Srinagar hospital.

3:19 PM, 5 Mar

The people from coronavirus afflicted countries, who were screened at airports in Andhra Pradesh, 230 were identified and placed on surveillance for coronavirus threat, the government said.

2:55 PM, 5 Mar

Govt of India: In addition to Visa restrictions already in place, passengers traveling from/having visited Italy or Republic of Korea will need a certificate of having tested negative for COVID-19 from designated laboratories authorized by health authorities of these countries.

2:39 PM, 5 Mar

A 16-year-old Indian girl here has tested positive for the deadly coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed infection cases in the UAE to 28.

2:32 PM, 5 Mar

Hanuman Beniwal, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party MP (NDA): Italy is badly affected with Coronavirus so I requested the govt that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Rahul & Priyanka Gandhi be tested for Coronavirus, since they have recently come back from Italy.

2:10 PM, 5 Mar

Reports says, the novel coronavirus, which has become a cause of concern in various countries, is usually transmitted through droplets during sneezing or coughing. The vast majority of the droplets are less than 100 microns (0.1mm) across.

2:09 PM, 5 Mar

The Health Minister saying that the Indian Govt has the #coronavirus crisis under control, is like the Capt of the Titanic telling passengers not to panic as his ship was unsinkable.

It's time the Govt made public an action plan backed by solid resources to tackle this crisis.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 5, 2020

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said today targets Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan.

2:44 PM, 3 Mar

Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked people to remain calm and do not panic. He also advised people to take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection from the coronavirus.

2:47 PM, 3 Mar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that he held an extensive review on the preparedness for novel coronavirus.

3:17 PM, 3 Mar

Government launches helpline numbers, Coronavirus India helpline number: +91-11-23978046 Coronavirus India helpline email: ncov2019@gmail.com

3:18 PM, 3 Mar

Travel advisory on COVID-19 said, "All regular (sticker) Visas/e-Visa (including VoA for Japan&S Korea) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan& issued on or before 3 March and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect."

3:26 PM, 3 Mar

In view of the emerging global scenarios regarding COVID19 disease, in supersession of all earlier advisories, the government issued the new travel advisory.

3:28 PM, 3 Mar

Reserve Bank of India has stated that globally, financial markets have been experiencing considerable volatility, with the spread of the coronavirus triggering risk-off sentiments.

3:30 PM, 3 Mar

Hotels and tourists sites in Agra have been instructed to inform the office of the Chief Medical Officer as soon as visitors from Italy, Iran or China arrive, so that they can be screened for coronavirus infection.

3:30 PM, 3 Mar

India restricted exports of 26 pharma formulations and drugs in the wake of Coronavirus.

3:32 PM, 3 Mar

Jaipur: Union Health Ministry held a meeting with the Rajasthan Health Dept officials over #coronavirus. RK Singh, ACS Health says, "All the hotels where the Italian tourist stayed are being sanitized. People who came in contact with the infected person, their samples taken". pic.twitter.com/BNusj4Tvnp
— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020

Union Health Ministry held a meeting with the Rajasthan Health Department officials over coronavirus outbreak. RK Singh, ACS Health says, "All the hotels where the Italian tourist stayed are being sanitized. People who came in contact with the infected person, their samples taken".

3:33 PM, 3 Mar

Meanwhile, Telangana government has issued advisory for people amid the outbreak of a positive case of the COVID-19 in the state.

3:33 PM, 3 Mar

Telangana government has also launched a 24/7 helpline service to assist the people who are experiencing symptoms related to the virus.

3:40 PM, 3 Mar

Anurag Bhargav, Chief Medical Officer of Gautam Buddh Nagar: We are also sanitizing the school bus in which the children travelled. https://t.co/y5Ey2iz2Xt
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 3, 2020

Anurag Bhargav, Chief Medical Officer of Gautam Buddh Nagar said regarding the Noida school that has been closed, "Several schoolmates of children of a COVID-19 infected man came into contact with him at a party. We have closed down the school to sanitize it. The infected man is admitted to a hospital in Delhi."

3:45 PM, 3 Mar

The Bengaluru techie working in Hyderabad has been quarantined and is being treated at Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad, following strict screening protocols.

4:07 PM, 3 Mar

The Civil Aviation Ministry conducts a review meeting with all airports to guide the preparations to prevent the spread of the infection in the country.

4:24 PM, 3 Mar

40 students of Noida school sent to isolation for 28 days after parent tests positive for Coronavirus.

4:40 PM, 3 Mar

Iran reports 11 new coronavirus deaths, death toll reaches 77.

5:02 PM, 3 Mar

The Hyatt Regency Delhi on Tuesday asked its employees to self-quarantine for 14 days after it came to light that a COVID-19 patient had dined at a restaurant in the hotel on February 28. Health Ministry officials were seen sanitising the hotel, the report said. The hotel management issued a statement saying that it is taking precautionary measures.

5:08 PM, 3 Mar

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) restricts export of 26 Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) in its revised export policy.

5:09 PM, 3 Mar

Telangana Health Minister E Rajendra said,''Till now not a single person has been affected by #COVID19 in the state, except the youth who arrived from Dubai. 88 people have been identified who came in contact with him,45 of them are being tested, others will also be tested.''

5:57 PM, 3 Mar

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the 14th edition of Art Dubai, which was scheduled to be held on March 25-28, has been "postponed" till further notice, organisers announced on Tuesday. In a statement signed by Benedict Floyd, Pablo del Val, and Chloe Vaitsou, the CEO, artistic director, and international director of the fair respectively, a new Dubai-focused programme has been announced in place of the international fair.

5:57 PM, 3 Mar

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia: Chief Minister was informed about the one positive case. In 25 hospitals, the process of setting up of isolation wards is underway. We have to take care of personal hygiene & develop a habit of washing our hands frequently.

5:58 PM, 3 Mar

IndiGo statement: The Coronavirus affected passenger in Hyderabad travelled on IndiGo flight 6E 96 (Dubai-Bangalore) on Feb 20. All 4 cabin crew who operated this flight have been placed on home observation. We're following all prescribed Airport Health Organization guidelines.

5:58 PM, 3 Mar

Navy’s Milan multilateral naval exercise planned to be held from March 18 in Visakhapatnam may be cancelled in view of Coronavirus. Govt has asked Army, Navy and Air Force to be prepared for quarantine facilities for over 2500 suspected cases in coming days.

5:59 PM, 3 Mar

CISF provides sanitisers, gloves and masks to its airport-guarding troops

5:59 PM, 3 Mar

Wuhan closes makeshift hospital as new coronavirus cases in China drop sharply

6:24 PM, 3 Mar

New dates are being worked out for the Milan exercise in which around 40 countries were supposed to participate.

6:25 PM, 3 Mar

24 people including 3 Indians and 21 Italian nationals residing in a hotel of South Delhi have been shifted to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) camp for testing of Coronavirus. Their test results will come tomorrow.

6:25 PM, 3 Mar

Uttar Pradesh: Six suspected cases of COVID19 found in the state. All suspected patients have been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. Samples have been sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune for testing.

6:50 PM, 3 Mar

Haryana Police has issued an advisory instructing its field units to take immediate action to safeguard on-duty police personnel from potential Coronavirus infection by equipping them with masks, gloves and hand sanitizers etc.

8:00 PM, 3 Mar

Pope Francis, who is suffering from a cold, has tested negative for the coronavirus, an Italian newspaper reported Tuesday, as Italy battles Europe's worst outbreak. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni did not respond to a request for comment on the report in the Messaggero newspaper.