As the 21-day lockdown ends today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended it till May 3. In his third address to the nation in the last one month, Mr. Modi urged Indians to take ‘seven sacred vows’ in these tough times.
The Union Health Ministry in its daily COVID-19 update said that 10,363 have been tested positive so far and there have been 339 deaths. Reports from States, however, put the figure of persons tested positive at 10440 and death toll at 358.
According to WHO’s April 14 updates, globally, there are 17,76,867 confirmed cases and 1,11,828 deaths.
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.
Here are the latest updates:
5.15 pm | New Delhi
Employers get extension for filing ECI contribution
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has extended the deadline for employers to file ESI contributions for February and March to May 15, the Union Labour and Employment Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The country is dealing with a very challenging situation due to COVID-19 pandemic. Many establishments are temporarily closed and workers are unable to work,” the Ministry said.
As a relief measure for employers, ESIC would give the extension and not charge any penalty or interest for the period, it said. Earlier, an extension till April 15 and May 15 for February and March contributions respectively had been given. Now, the deadline for both months’ contributions had been shifted to May 15.
This move would benefit the 3.49 crore workers insured under ESI and 12,11,174 employers, the Ministry said.
Meanwhile, for the welfare of workers hit by the lockdown imposed to curb COVID-19, the Ministry said in another statement that it had set up 20 control rooms that workers could call for help with “wage-related grievances”.
— Damini Nath
5.10 pm | Maharashtra
68-year-old man second COVID-19 victim from Aurangabad
A 68-year-old man on Tuesday became the second COVID-19 fatality from Aurangabad in Marathwada region of Maharashtra, officials said.
The swab sample of the deceased was initially tested negative for novel coronavirus when he was admitted in the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on April 8, he said.
“His another swab sample was sent for testing on April 11 while he was under treatment, which tested positive. The patient was on a ventilator support. He breathed his last at 1: 30 pm,” said GMCH Dean Dr. Kanan Yelikar.
The man was apparently infected by his son, who was found positive for COVID-19 after returning from Pune, Dr Yelikar said.
Earlier, a 58-year-old man died of COVID-19 in the first week of April.
— PTI
5.05 pm | United Kingdom
Coronavirus could see UK GDP fall 13% in 2020: watchdog
Britain’s economy could shrink by 13 per cent in 2020 in the case of a three-month coronavirus lockdown, according to a scenario published Tuesday by fiscal watchdog the Office for Budget Responsibility.
“The resulting 13 per cent fall in annual GDP in 2020 would comfortably exceed any of the annual falls around the end of each world war or in the financial crisis,” the OBR said.
5.05 pm | Global tally
Global death toll tally crosses 120,000
The novel coronavirus has killed more than 120,000 people worldwide, nearly 70 percent of them in Europe, according to a tally compiled by AFP on Tuesday from official sources.
A total of 120,013 deaths have now been recorded since the epidemic first emerged in China in December, 81,474 of them in Europe.
The figures were collated using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO).
5.00 pm | Odisha
Coronavirus statistics going down in Odisha: Patnaik
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed happiness on Tuesday over coronavirus statistics going down in the state.
Reviewing the COVID-19 situation in the state at a high level meeting through video-conferencing, Mr. Patnaik asked police to ensure that movement of agriculture products do not stop and those indulging in domestic violence during lockdown are punished.
“I am pleased to see coronavirus statistics are leveling in the state and going down. It is a good sign,” Mr. Patnaik said.
According to the latest count, Odisha has 56 confirmed cases of COVID-19, out of whom 18 have recovered. One person has died in the state due to the deadly virus.
4.45 pm | New Delhi
All pending MGNREGA payments cleared: Tomar
All pending payments of beneficiaries under MGNREGA have been cleared, Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar tells PTI.
Besides pensions additional cash is being transferred in accounts of more than 2 crore widows, senior citizens and specially-abled.
Plans for MGNREGA approved to kick-start work after lockdown, he adds.
4.40 pm | New Delhi
Increasing sampling zone
Testing is being done on the basis of our sampling criteria, otherwise we cannot ensure proper use of the testing kits, says Health Ministry spokesperson.
We are increasing our sampling zone and are also introducing rapid tests, he adds.
4.30 pm | New Delhi