As the nation entered the 21-day lockdown, serpentine queues, crowded markets, and harassment of e-commerce and food delivery people by police departments seemingly unaware of what was allowed and what wasn’t, marked the first day of this three-week lockdown to cease the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The US finally agreed on a deal on a $2 trillion stimulus package to help individuals and companies affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In India, several states and some central government departments have announced similar packages – but for specific worker groups. A larger relief package is expected.

As on Thursday, India had total 694 cases of Covid-19 and had seen 16 deaths. 44 people among these 694 have been cured and discharged.

Here Are The Live Updates On The Coronavirus Outbreak:

Coronavirus cases soar in India, 694 people affected

So far coronavirus has killed 16 people nationwide but cases soared on Thursday and now 694 cases have been reported so far of which only 45 patients have been cured.

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08:19 PM 
Chinese President Xi Jinping says removal of trade barriers necessary
Chinese premier Xi Jinping says global economic recovery can only begin if G20 countries remove trade barriers at G20 meet. #BREAKING Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged G20 countries to remove trade barriers as part of efforts to spur a global recovery after the economic shock of the coronavirus pandemic.

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07:46 PM
Bihar registers fresh coronavirus case, 20-year-old affectedA 20-year-old boy has tested positive for Covid-19, cases in Bihar reach 7.

Bihar: One more #COVID19 case in the state, a 20-year-old boy from Patna with no travel history, confirms Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH). The total number of positive cases in the state rises to 7. pic.twitter.com/AYsjG7ElGu

— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020

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07:43 PM

IGMC dean Dr. Keoliya said a patient who had coronavirus has been discharged after the second sample tested negative.

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07:39 PM

‘Will reach level of community spread soon’: Nigerian govt
Information Minister Lai Mohammed fears that coronavirus cases will explode in the coming days in Nigeria. The most populous country in Africa has reported 51 cases and 1 death.

 

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07:35 PM
Assam to set up four 300-bed hospitals to tackle coronavirus
Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he “had discussions with a leading private sector construction company regarding the temporary hospitals. Almost all parliamentarians from both ruling and opposition parties of Assam have also offered to contribute funds to set up the hospitals.” Sarma said the facility will be built in Sarusajai Sports Complex and will be ready within a week.

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07:07 PM
Agriculture ministry says 300 more mandis will begin operation from Friday
The agro ministry said to PTI that 1,600 mandis are functioning across the country, more 300 mandies will be made operational by Monday.

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07:02 PM
Our responsibility to help least developed nations: Saudi King at G20
King Salman of Saudi Arabia who is chairing the G20 meet says that it is the responsibility of G-20 nations to help impoverished nations overcome this coronavirus-stemmed crisis.

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06:51 PM

DGCA has extended suspension of commercial flights due to pandemic
Suspension of international commercial passenger flights has been extended by DGCA until April 15, 2020. It has been decided that scheduled international commercial passenger services shall remain closed till 6:30 hrs (GMT) of April 14, 2020. This will not apply to approved international all-cargo operations & flights: Directorate General of Civil Aviation

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06:39 PM
Maharashtra CM says essential goods shops can remain open for 24 hours
After holding a review meeting Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said in order to prevent inconvenience to people during coronavirus lockdown essential goods shops can remain open for 24-hours.

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06:37 PM
CRPF donates ₹33.81 crore for PM relief fund
CRPF officers have donated their one day salary to Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. The paramilitary force said in a statement, “CRPF personnel have decided to make a humble contribution of one day salary to Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. We are dutifully commited to stand firmly with our Nation in this challenging time of COVID-19 spread.It’s an unanimous decision and a sincere effort by our personnel. The effort was to make the immediate contribution with the noble intent to keep it unrevealed. The CRPF remains steadfast towards its motto of service and loyalty.”

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06:19 PM
China fears second wave of coronavirus infectionImported coronavirus cases are on the rise in China, as the nation reported 67 new cases, bringing the imported cases to 541 in the country. The total number of cases now stands at 81,285 while the NHC reported a total of 3,287 deaths at the end of Wednesday, up six from the previous day. 

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06:16 PM
London hospitals experience ‘tsunami of patients’ as coronavirus cases riseEngland’s National Health Service is buckling under the stress of rising coronavirus cases. NHS has asked people to volunteer and has reemployed retired doctors.

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06:04 PM
Covid-19 cases continue to rise in Jammu and Kashmir, 2 more test positive
2 more persons, according to PTI, have tested positive for coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir. The statewide affected numbers have now reached 13.

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05:52 PM
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee inspects social distancing exercise
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee took to the streets to explain social distancing to common people in Kolkata. In a 173 second video, CM Banerjee can be seen in a protective mask directing vendors and officials.

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05:47 PM
Survey says 64% of India businesses will survive Covid-19 onlsaught
An Indeed.com survey says that 64 per cent of Indian businesses are ready or getting ready to ride through the ongoing crisis due to COVID-19. 3% of small and medium businesses also remain assured that this crisis can be overcome.

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05:52 PM IST
Germany ramps up testing capabilities
Germany has boosted its testing capabilities to 500,000 a week, according to a AFP report. Christian Drosten, head of Institute of Virology at Berlin’s Charite University Hospital, said, “The reason why Germany has so few deaths compared to the number of infected people can be explained by the fact that we carry out an extremely large number of laboratory diagnostic tests.” Germany carried out 50,000 tests last week.

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05:05 PM
More than 2,50,000 people are affected by Covid-19 in Europe
As cases continue to surge in Spain, Europe has become one of the epicenters of the Covid-19 disease. With 258,068, including 14,640 dead, Europe’s healthcare faces a tough battle ahead. These numbers are compiled by WHO and national health ministries of Spain, Italy and other European nations.

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04:52 PM
Spanish MotoGP cancelled due to Covid-19
The Spanish Moto Grand Prix is the latest sporting event which was to be held at the Jerez circuit was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The organisers said, “The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has obliged the event to be rescheduled.”

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04:47 PM
No rise in cases if people strictly adhere to rules: Health Ministry
ICMR’s R Ganga Ketkar while speaking to the press said that the steps taken by the Centre are followed then there will no rise in cases in the country. The steps taken by the government are so effective that if we follow them strictly, the #coronavirus cases will hardly increase in the country: R Ganga Ketkar, Indian Council of Medical Research

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04:33 PM
‘No hard evidence of community transmission of covid-19 in India’: Health Ministry
The Health Ministry, according to PTI said that there is no evidence of of community transmission of covid-19 in the country.

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04:31 PM
Ambulances, doctors struggle to contain outbreak in Spain
Healthcare workers in Spain are in a race against time to save coronavirus patients as cases spiked in the European nation as overall number of coronavirus cases soared to 56,188 from 47,610.

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04:25 PM IST
PM Modi asks Centre to scale up medical equipment supply
PM Modi in his cabinet meeting on Wednesday asked Centre’s ministries to scale up production of medical equipments.

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04:02 PM IST
China asks Pakistan to reopen border to transfer medical supplies
China has asked its ‘all-weather ally’ Pakistan to reopen its borders so that the nation can send medical supplies to coronavirus-hit nation. The Chinese embassy in a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the governor of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China would like to donate a batch of medical materials to Gilgit-Baltistan, according to a news agency in Pakistan.

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03:42 PM IST
Nagpur reports one more coronavirus positive case
Cases in Maharashtra continue to spike as one person has tested positive for coronavirus in the state. Mahahrashtra has reported 125 cases so far.

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03:35 PM
Singaporean economy, a barometer of global trade health, shrinks sharply
The Singaporean economy which is headed for a recession after shrinking by 2.2 per cent signals that the world is heading for a deep, painful recession with more than three billion people now under lockdown, according to a report by AFP.

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03:22 PM

Kotak Mahindra employees will get reimbursement for Covid-19 test
Kotak Mahindra, a financial services company, told its employees that family members and employees themselves will be reimbursed if they have been advised to take the Covid-19 confirmatory test. In a statement, Kotak Mahindra Bank, “All employees or immediate family members that are advised to go for COVID-19 testing will have the cost of the test done through private labs reimbursed to them.”

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03:19 PM
Iran coronavirus death rates continue to rise as 157 people reported dead
Iran’s death toll due to coronavirus has reached 2,234 according to AFP, as 157 new deaths due to Covid-19 were reported on Thursday.

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03:16 PM
Coronavirus financial package first step in the right direction: Rahul Gandhi
Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi says India owes a debt to its farmers and the financial package assisted is what was really needed for the daily wage labourers who were bearing the brunt of the ongoing lockdown. The Govt announcement today of a financial assistance package, is the first step in the right direction. India owes a debt to its farmers, daily wage earners, labourers, women & the elderly who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing lockdown.

The Govt announcement today of a financial assistance package, is the first step in the right direction. India owes a debt to its farmers, daily wage earners, labourers, women & the elderly who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing lockdown.#Corona

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 26, 2020

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02:34 PM IST

Septuagenarian dies in Rajasthan due to Covid-19
A 73-year-old man who died tested positive for Covid-19 died in Bhilwara, PTI said quoting Rajashtan Health Department officials. Co-morbidity was also one of the primary reasons for the man’s death.

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02:13 PM
₹1.7 lakh cr package to be immediately implemented
₹1.7 lakh crore economic package will be implemented with immediate effect; cash doles from April 1: FM.

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02:04 PM
Centre requests states to use district mineral fund
District Mineral Fund: Central Govt to request State Govts to use this fund to augment medical testing and screening and providing health attention, announces FM Sitharaman

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02:04 PM

Centre orders state govts to use welfare fund for construction workers
Welfare for building and construction workers, registered 3.5 crore workers to be benefited, Central Govt has given orders to State Govts to use fund (Rs31,000 crore) to provide relief, announces FM Sitharaman

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01:57 PM IST
EPFO scheme regulation amended
EPFO scheme regulation will be amended, to allow non-refundable advance of 75% of the amount, now workers can withdraw 3 months wages, whichever is lower. It will benefit 4.8 crore workers registered with EPF.

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01:53 PM
PF contributions for those firms with upto 100 employees in organised sector
PF contributions for those firms with upto 100 employees and those who earn upto than ₹15,000 per month

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01:51 PM
Govt of India will pay the PF contribution for both the employer and employee for next months
Govt of India will pay the EPF contribution for both the employer and employee for next 3 months

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01:47 PM
Free cylinders for 3 months to women under Ujjawala scheme
Women under Ujjawala scheme: Three cylinders free of cost for three months t be provided to them. Eight crore women to benefit

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01:45 PM
₹500 per month for 3 months to women jan dhan account holders
Women jan dhan account holders will get an amount of ₹500 per month for next 3 months

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01:43 PM IST
Farmers to benefit from direct cash transfers
8.69 crore farmers to be immediately benefited through Direct cash transfers. Instalment of ₹2000 in the first week of April will be transferred: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

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01:42 PM IST
One time ex-gratia payment of ₹1000 to old, widowed, disabled
Old age people, widowed, disabled: Additional one time ex-gratia amount of ₹1000 in two instalment. Expected to benefit 3 crore people.

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01:37 PM
FM announces food allocation for poor
Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Ann Yojna(for next 3 months):80 cr poor ppl covered(2/3rd of India’s population), in addition to already allotted 5Kg of rice/wheat per person,an additional 5kg will be free. Additional 1kg pulse (acc to regional preference) will be given,announces FM

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01:28 PM
Medical insurance for those at risk and attending to coronavirus patients
Medical insurance for those at risk and attending to coronavirus patients

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01:27 PM IST
Package worth ₹1.7lakh cr for poor
FM Sitharaman addresses media: A package is ready for the poor who need immediate help like migrant workers and urban and rural poor. No one will go hungry. The package is worth ₹1.7 lakh crore: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

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01:25 PM
Don’t want anyone to remain hungry
Don’t want anyone to remain hungry, without money in hand: FM Sitharaman

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01:21 PM
Delhi Metro to remain closed till April 14
Delhi Metro will remain closed till April 14, 2020, according to a DMRC statement. “We have received a few queries regarding the tenure of the closure of the Metro services. It is hereby informed that, in light of the lockdown issued by the government, Metro services will remain closed till 14 April 2020.”

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01:19 PM
Bihar CM announces ₹100 relief package for poor
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a ₹100 crore relief package for the poor in wake of coronavirus lockdown.

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12:51 PM
Food delivery executives who have ID cards will be allowed during Covid-19 lockdown, says Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also said that all food delivery executives who have indentification cards will be allowed to move in Delhi during the 21-day nationwide lockdown.

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12:50 PM
Will allow all essential service providers during lockdown: Delhi CM
Along with the Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal’s announcement of keeping essential services shops for 24 hrs, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that all essential service providers will be allowed to move during lockdown.

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12:39 PM
Essential services shops to open 24 hrs in Delhi, says Lt Governor
Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal said that all essential services shops can remain open 24 hours in Delhi so that there is no rush of people.

12:20 PM
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to address media at 1 PM
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will address the media at 1 PM this afternoon on the coronavirus outbreak in India She will be announcing an economic package soon to deal with the COVID 19 impact, reports PTI.

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12:18 PM
Four new COVID-19 cases reported in Lucknow
Four new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Lucknow, taking the total tally of coronavirus cases in the state to above 40 on Thursday, reports ANI.

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11:58 AM
Air quality in Ghaziabad and Noida improves amid COVID-19 lockdown
An improvement in the Air Quality Index was seen in Noida and Ghaziabad on Thursday due to the 21 day national lockdown imposed to fight the coronavirus pandemic. The AQI in Noida stood at 76 (satisfactory) and 92 (moderate) in Ghaziabad.

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11:52 AM
Sonia Gandhi writes to PM Modi, lists suggestions to govt
Congress President Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying that the 21 day nationwide lockdown announced is a welcome step. She urged the need to provide N 95 masks and hazmat suits to doctors, nurses and health workers. She also asked the Union government to begin construction of temporary facilities and come up with ICUs and ventilators in geographical areas where the outbreak is expected to be concentrated in the near future.

10:49 AM
Thailand reports 111 new coronavirus infections
Thailand reported 111 new coronavirus infections, taking its tally to 1,045, the government said on Twitter on Thursday. A state of emergency took effect. Authorities in Thailand, which has suffered four deaths in the pandemic, set up checkpoints on major roads linking provinces so as to increase screening in a bid to limit spread of the virus., reports Reuters.

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10:44 AM
Positive cases touch 649, include 13 deaths, says Health Ministry
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that a total of 13 people have died and 649 cases have been confirmed due to the novel coronavirus.

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09:44 AM
2 new positive cases of Coronavirus in Mumbai and Thane
Maharashtra’s health ministry confirmed 2 new cases of coronavirus,taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 124, reports ANI.