Representative Image.
NEW DELHI: The novel coronavirus that struck the world in December 2019 continues to spread across countries affecting the global economy and leaving health facilities scrambling to grasp the situation. While the possibility of a vaccine still looks a like a far cry, governments gear-up to maximize usage of existing infrastructure to contain the virus that has led to the death of over 7,000 people.
Here is a look at the latest developments from India and around the world —
147 cases in India
In the first case of the coronavirus in the Indian Army, a 34-year-old soldier has tested positive for the infection in Leh, taking the total number of cases in India rose to 147. The confirmed cases include 24 foreign nationals and three persons who died in Delhi, Karnataka and Maharashtra. According to the health ministry’s data, 14 people have been discharged or recovered. Till Tuesday evening, health ministry count stood at 138 confirmed cases which was updated to 147 on Wednesday morning.
Non-emergency leave of paramilitary men to be cancelled, govt says
All non-emergency leaves of paramilitary personnel should be “cancelled” in order to minimise the risk of contracting coronavirus during travel and they should get into “battle mode” to combat the pandemic by ensuring personal and public safety, according to a government order.
A four-page directive was issued by the medical wing of the Union home ministry on Tuesday stating that the next three weeks are crucial in checking the spread of the virus and lack of caution can affect the forces, around 10 lakh personnel-strong, deployed for ensuring the country’s internal security and border protection.
The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) or the paramilitary forces include the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB) apart from the counter-terrorist force National Security Guard (NSG) and the Assam Rifles.
“All non-emergency leave of any kind may be cancelled forthwith. This will cut down travel risk as well,” the guidelines, accessed by PTI, said.
“Avoid international or domestic air, bus or train travel for at least a month except when it is essentially required. Long distance travel is biggest cause for spread (of the virus),” it said.
It has also asked these forces to postpone all meetings and regular departmental reviews related to promotions, medical review, sports tournaments and recruitments.
Colleagues of Ladakh jawan who tested positive for COVID-19 quarantined
The Army has quarantined all soldiers and colleagues of the jawan who has tested positive for COVID-19 in Ladakh, according to Army sources.
The jawan was attached to the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre in Leh. According to senior Army sources, the Lance Naik tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday.
The father of the 34-year-old jawan had returned to India on February 27 after pilgrimage to Iran and was quarantined and kept in isolation in hospital in Ladakh after testing positive for the novel coronavirus.
According to sources, the soldier who was also quarantined on March 7 was detected positive on March 16 and was kept in isolation at hospital. The jawan’s sister, wife and two children are also under quarantine.
Classes 1-8 students in Uttar Pradesh to get promoted without exams
Students of classes one to eight of all government primary schools in Uttar Pradesh will get promoted without having to appear in examinations in view of the c