The number of COVID-19 positive cases in India exceeded 3,100 and the death toll touched 94 on Saturday, according to State and Health Ministry reports. Despite the rise in cases, Joint Secretary at the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said the revised testing guideline is still under consideration and would be released by April 4.
Worldwide, confirmed infections rose past 1 million and deaths topped 58,000, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Experts say both numbers are seriously undercounted because of the lack of testing, mild cases that were missed and governments that are underplaying the crisis.
The Hindu has brought out a multi-language e-book on essential COVID-19 information, in addition to covering the developments related to the coronavirus pandemic as it unfolded.
Here are answers from experts on your queries about the virus, a list of State Helpline numbers, a State-wise tracker for COVID-19 cases, deaths and testing, and a map of confirmed cases in India.
The new 24/7 national helpline numbers are 1075, 1930, 1944 (dedicated to Northeast), 1800-112-545 and 011-23978046.
Email: ncov2019-at-gmail.com.
The Prime Minister has announced a WhatsApp helpdesk number: 9013151515.
Here are the latest updates:
12 pm | USA
New York State records highest number of deaths in single day from COVID-19
The New York State reported its highest number of 562 COVID-19 deaths in a single day, with a person dying almost every two-and-a-half minutes, as Governor Andrew Cuomo allowed redistribution of ventilators and protective gear to hospitals with greater need.
Coronavirus cases in the state, the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S., crossed 1,00,000 and it recorded the highest increase in the number of deaths from the virus in a single day between April 2 and 3, Mr. Cuomo said.
The death toll in the state now stands at 2,935, an increase of 562 deaths in just one day, Mr. Cuomo said.
The curve continues to go up, Cuomo said while addressing reporters on Friday.
– PTI
11.50 am | Madhya Pradesh
A 42-year-old man from Indore died of COVID-19 on Saturday morning while undergoing treatment at a hospital, according to officials.
He had no travel or contact history, but was suffering from obesity and hypertension, according to officials at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College in Indore.
So far, Madhya Pradesh has reported 10 deaths owing to the illness, with six in Indore alone.
11.40 am | Malawi
Malawi announces first coronavirus cases
Malawi on Thursday announced its first three coronavirus infections, one of the last African countries to report the potentially deadly disease.
The southern African country was one of the few without any confirmed cases along with the Comoro