Coronavirus (Covid-19) continues to wreak havoc across the globe and its effect on India in the past few weeks has risen exponentially. India has so far reported 85 positive cases including 16 Italians, of the novel coronavirus. Cases of the infection have been reported from at least 11 states and territories, including Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala, where three patients were discharged last month after they recovered.
Here are the latest updates from across the country and the world:
US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in what critics say was a long-delayed admission of the gravity of the coronavirus crisis that has triggered the shutdown of schools, sporting events, offices and travel in the world's richest country. Trump's declaration Friday frees up some $40 billion in disaster relief funds for local authorities.
State governments and authorities have started taking preventive measures with several offices being shut down and employees being asked to work from home.
The Centre has also decided to allow international traffic only through 19 border checkposts out of 37 and continue the suspension of Indo-Bangladesh cross border passenger trains and buses till April 15, or earlier, if so decided. Officials disclosed that 42,000 people across the country are under community surveillance.
A 68-year-old woman has died of coronavirus in Delhi, the government said on Friday, in the second death linked to the global pandemic in the country. The woman was the sixth case of coronavirus to be reported from the capital and had other conditions including high blood pressure and diabetes.
?In view to stave off the global health crisis prompted by the rapidly spreading coronavirus pandemic across the world, the US Mission in India is cancelling all immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments from March 16 onwards. In an advisory, the Mission has also informed Indian students staying in on-campus housing to petition the respective universities in case asked to vacate.
Canada shut down Parliament and advised against all nonessential travel outside the country while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau governed remotely from his home, in self-imposed quarantine after his wife tested positive for the new coronavirus. Dr. Theresa Tam, the chief public health officer, also advised more social distancing, no handshakes and kisses.
The US Embassy and Consulates in India have cancelled all visa appointments from March 16 in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. US President Donald Trump on Friday officially declared a national emergency that he said would give states and territories access to up to USD 50 billion in federal funds to combat coronavirus. A statement issued by the US Embassy here said, "US Mission India posts, in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, are cancelling immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments from March 16, 2020, onward."?
Australia and New Zealand's limited overs tours have been postponed in the wake of new travel restrictions announced by the New Zealand government on Saturday aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that everyone entering the country from midnight Sunday must self-isolate for 14 days in an effort to contain the outbreak.