India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI, MARCH 17 – The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday informed that the number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the country has risen to 137. Maharashtra with 39 confirmed cases has the highest number of cases followed by Kerala (29). The infection claimed its third life in India on Tuesday as a 64-year-old man, who was tested positive in Maharashtra, passed away at Kasturba Hospital.
Appreciating the medical staff, Dr Harsh Vardhan said, “The doctors, paramedical staff, pilots, airlines’ staff and especially those Indians who braved this critical situation & brought back Indians from other parts of the world, despite social distancing being the best way to safeguard oneself, doctors across the country have been working honestly while taking all risks – I think there are not enough words to appreciate them. I thank all the doctors and paramedics of the country, on behalf of all of you (parliamentarians).”
The Union Health Ministry has also issued travel restrictions for more countries.” Travel of passengers from Afghanistan, Philippines, Malaysia to India is prohibited with immediate effect. No flight shall take off from these countries to India after 1500 hours Indian Standard Time (IST). The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure. This instruction is a temporary measure and shall be in force till 31st March 2020 and will be reviewed subsequently.”- a statement released by the Ministry said.
The Union Health Ministry has decided to allow accredited private labs to conduct tests for COVID-19 in order to enhance capacity for diagnosis and detection of novel coronavirus amid rising cases in the country. Currently, only government labs are permitted to do the test and the Centre is making arrangements to nearly double its capacity to test for the respiratory ailment.
Meanwhile, Malaysia recorded its first death from the coronavirus while the United States and countries across Europe, Asia and the Middle East have closed schools, entertainment venues and all but essential services. Globally, the virus has infected more than 168,000 people and killed at least 6,610, according to the WHO. Almost 80,000 people have recovered from the infection, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.
