Coronavirus latest updates: Investors lose nearly Rs 7 lakh cr, states given guidelines

NEW DELHI: The number of Covid-19 cases in India rose by two to 43 on Sunday, when a three-year-old in Kerala and a 63-year-old woman in Kashmir tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Among the 43 persons found positive for Covid-19 in India, 16 are Italian nationals who were touring Rajasthan.

Here are the latest updates of coronavirus outbreak in India and around the world —

IAF aircraft to leave for coronavirus-hit Iran tonight to bring back Indians

An Indian Air Force transport aircraft will be sent to Iran on Monday night to bring back Indians stranded in the coronavirus-hit nation, official sources said.

The C-17 Globemaster military aircraft is expected to depart from the Hindon airbase around 8 pm, they said.

About 2,000 Indians are living in Iran, a country that has witnessed increasing numbers of coronavirus cases in the last few days.

Three days ago, a Mahan airline plane had brought swab samples of 300 Indians from Iran to India.

Investors lose nearly Rs 7 lakh cr

Investor wealth plummeted by nearly Rs 7 lakh crore on Monday as equity markets crashed tracking global equity sell-off amid mounting fears of an economic slowdown due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Market capitalisation (m-cap) of the BSE-listed companies saw a massive decline after the Sensex plunged over 2,467 points during the day, the 30-share index settled 1,941.67 points or 5.17 per cent lower at 35,634.95.

Likewise, the NSE Nifty slumped 538 points or 4.90 per cent to close at 10,451.45.

The carnage in the equity market wiped out investor wealth worth Rs 6,84,277.65 crore, taking the total m-cap to Rs 1,37,46,946.76 crore on the BSE at the end of Monday’s trading session.

Global coronavirus cases passes 110,000: AFP tally

The number of novel coronavirus cases worldwide has crossed 110,000 in 100 countries and territories with more than 3,800 dead, according to an AFP tally.

States asked to form rapid action team: Harsh Vardhan

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said the government is prepared to deal with novel coronavirus and his ministry is sending directives, including guidelines, to states in all the languages on ways to contain it.

In a press conference, Vardhan also informed that states have been asked to form early rapid action team to deal with coronavirus.

The minister also asked states to strengthen laboratories and manpower to effectively deal with coronavirus.

Iran announces 43 new coron