(Contains Press releases concerning Covid-19, issued in last 24 hours and

Fact checks undertaken by PIB)

Updates on COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

An increase of 1035 cases has been noted in COVID-19 confirmed cases in India since yesterday and an increase of 855 has been reported in Active Cases. Total deaths that have occurred as of today is 239. As many as 642 persons have been cured/discharged after recovery. As of now total 7447 confirmed cases have been reported.Government of India in its continual efforts, following a graded response approach, is ensuring that there is no shortage of supplies of critical items which includes PPEs, N95 masks, testing kits, medicines and ventilators with each State across the country.

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PM interacts with CMs to strategize ahead for tackling COVID-19

Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi today interacted with Chief Ministers of all states via video conferencing to strategize ahead for tackling COVID-19.Prime Minister observed that the combined effort of the Centre and the States has definitely helped reduce the impact of COVID-19 but since the situation is rapidly evolving, constant vigilance is paramount. Talking about the Exit Plan from Lockdown, Prime Minister said that there seems to be a consensus amongst the states on extension of Lockdown by another two weeks.

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MHA issues 5th Addendum to exempt Operations of Marine Fishing/Aquaculture Industry and its Workers from Lockdown Restrictions to fight COVID-19

Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an addendum to the consolidated guidelines to all Ministries/Departments, regarding the Nationwide lockdown to fight COVID-19.The 5^th addendum exempts from lockdown restrictions the operations of the Fishing (Marine)/Aquaculture Industry, including feeding and maintenance, harvesting, processing, packaging, cold chain, sale and marketing; hatcheries, feed plants, commercial aquaria, movement of fish/ shrimp and fish products, fish seed/feed and workers for all these activities.

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Dr. Harsh Vardhan chairs a video conference with States regarding the steps taken on COVID-19

Pointing to the critical importance of the next few weeks to break the chain of transmission of the disease, Dr Harsh Vardhan urged all to ensure social distancing and spread awareness about personal hygiene, which shall help in a resolute and collective fight against COVID-19.He urged States to promote mobile app ArogyaSetu to bring the people of India together in a resolute fight against COVID-19

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Government approves ex-gratia compensation for more than one lakh FCI employees in case of death due to COVID-19

The Government has approved the proposal for grant of ex-gratia monetary compensation to 1,08,714 workers and officers of the Food Corporation of India, including 80,000 labour who are working 24x7 to supply food grains across the country amidst the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic.

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Action taken by Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare during lockdown

In order to facilitate the farmers and farming activities at field level during the lockdown period, the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, is taking several measures.

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Overcoming lockdown restrictions, sowing of Summer Crops continues uninterrupted

Sowing of the Summer Crops has progressed satisfactorily despite the difficulties experienced due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the 21-day lockdown. total area under the Summer Crops (including Rice, Pulses, Coarse Cereals and Oil Seeds) cultivation has jumped significantly, registering 11.64% increase over last year.

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Department of Commerce has Provided a number of Relaxations / Extensions of various Compliance Deadlines etc. to address Corona Pandemic Related Hardships of Exporters

In order to give relief to businesses and affected individuals amidst the stress caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry has introduced several relaxations and extensions in deadlines etc. with regard to compliances mandated under its schemes and activities.

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Around 2,000 NCC cadets employed and 50,000 more volunteered to contribute in fight against COVID-19

National Cadet Corps (NCC) volunteer cadets are helping civil administration by working shoulder to shoulder with civil, defence and police personnel under ‘Exercise NCC Yogdan’ in fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic since April 01, 2020.

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More than 1 million free hot cooked meals distributed to needy persons by Indian Railways

Indian Railways staff from a number of Railway organizations like IRCTC, RPF, Zonal Railways and others have worked tirelessly to keep alive the Railways’ commitment of social service by selflessly and voluntarily providing hot cooked meals to needy people after the lockdown due to COVID-19.

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AYUSH reiterates immunity boosting measures for self-care during COVID 19 crises

Ministry of AYUSH had issued an advisory on various immunity enhancing steps from the time tested approaches of Ayurveda. The advisory has again been reiterated in these testing times to support the efforts of all as a measure towards enhancing ones immunity.

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Railway personnel respond to over 2,05,000 queries in first two weeks of lockdown on Helplines (138 & 139), Social Media & Email

In order to assist railway passengers, other citizens and help resolve issues in freight operations, Indian Railways has upscaled the helpline facilities after declaration of Lockdown.

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EPFO puts in place Online Mechanism to credit EPF and EPS Accounts of Subscribers as per PM GareebKalyanYojana

Employees Provident Fund Organization has put in place an electronic mechanism for crediting EPF and EPS accounts of its subscribers as per the package announced by the Union Government under PM GareebKalyan Yojana on 26.3.2020 for helping the poor to fight Corona pandemic.

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Railways identifies 67 routes for Parcel Special Trains to supply perishable commodities including fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products and seeds

Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare asks Mission Directors of Horticulture and Concerned Secretaries of States/UTs to mobilize all their resources to take advantage of these special trains

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TRIFED offers Supply of Masks made by TRIFED Artisans/SHGs, Van Dhan Beneficiaries & NGOs for basic safety from Corona Virus

Supply of masks made by these suppliers would help establish a model for creating livelihoods with safety for them.

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Press Statement from Central Administrative Tribunal

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Telemedicine Guidelines Approved for Homoeopathic Practitioners

AYUSH Minister ShriShripadNaik inaugurated International Webinar on World. Homoeopathy Day.Most of the speakers spoke about potentials of Homoeopathy which can be harnessed in the containment of COVID 19 and presented facts about use of adjuvant homoeopathy along with standard care for COVID patients.

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1194 tourists assisted till 9th April through ‘Stranded in India’ portal

The StrandedinIndia portal of the Ministry of Tourism continues to provide support to the tourists. Till 9th April, the number of tourists who have been assisted are 1194. In addition, the regular toll free helpline 1363 which the MoT runs has had 779 calls from 22 March to 9th April.

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OFB comes up with two-bed tents for screening, isolation & quarantine

Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is playing an important role in the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19). They have come up with Two-Bed Tents, Hand sanitisers and face masks, Fumigation Chamber, and Handwashing System.

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OFB units in UP and Tamil Nadu get NABL nod to test fabric for manufacturing of coveralls in fight against COVID-19

In a significant development, two units of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) namely the Small Arms Factory (SAF) Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and the Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF) Avadi in Tamil Nadu (TN) have been granted accreditation by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for conducting the ‘Test for Blood Penetration Resistance’ today as the test equipment manufactured by them met the ASTM F 1670:2003 and ISO 16603:2004 standards.

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IIT, BHU's innovation center makes full body Sanitization Device

The device can be mounted anywhere and it works in an automated manner. The device is sensor based which can be installed outside any premises. The sensor based installed machine will automatically detect a person coming in front of the device and will spray 10-15 ml of sanitizer for 15 seconds and this will sanitize the person's entire body, clothes, shoes, etc.

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Amidst COVID-19 lockdown, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal holds interactive session with COVID-19 with renowned preacher Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

Madhya Pradesh: The number of positive cases in Madhya Pradesh has risen to 435. Meanwhile, the state government has allowed MLAs to utilize Local Area Developmemt Fund to fight Covid 19

Chattisgarh: 8 new Covid 19 cases were reported in Chhattisgarh, taking the total positive cases to 18. Nine of them have since  recovered.

Rajasthan: Rajasthan has banned  photography during volunteer distribution of food and ration among the needy, in a bid to maintain dignity of the distressed and to prevent publicity of the event. 

Maharashtra: Following Odisha and Punjab, Maharashtra has also decided to continue lockdown in the state till April 30th. Chief Minister has indicated there would be some concessions in less affected areas while more stringent measures will be introduced in hotspots like Mumbai and Pune..A team at the Indian Institute of Technology of Bombay (IIT-B) has developed a “digital stethoscope” that can listen to heart beats from a distance and record them, minimising the risk of healthcare professionals contracting theCovid 19 infection.

Arunachal Pradesh: In Arunachal Pradesh, Pasighat, East Siang based garment and apparel industry Elam now producing PPEs and Masks.

Assam: Assam Health Minister, HimantaBiswaSarma said anyone coming to Assam from other States or Countries will be quarantined for 14 days.

Manipur: Manipur Education Minister urges private schools not to charge fee during lockdown. Online classes being arranged for higher education.

Mizoram: Mizoram School Education Department has come up with an innovative arrangement to conduct Home schooling via television for children.

Meghalaya:MeghalayaCM says lockdown will not be fully lifted, but there will be easing; no movement from outside the state.

Nagaland: In Nagaland, Dimapur district admin asks genuine stranded students to provide details and their problems at Helpline numbers.

Sikkim: During lockdown, Voluntary Blood Donors Association of Sikkim (VBDAS) has organized 12 mini Blood Donation Camps assuring to fulfil requirements of blood in all the Blood Banks of Sikkim.

Tripura: Tripura CM tweeted about taking part in video conference with PM & other CMs, apprised PM about COVID19 situation of Tripura.

Kerala: Based on a petition, Kerala HC today sought report from Union Govt the chances of bringing back Indians stranded abroad. One more death at Govt. MC, Pariyaram in Kannur.71/M is a native of Mahe-UT of Puducherry, an enclave in Kerala; source of disease unknown. Five areas in Kasargod hotspot placed under triple lockdown. Active cases till yesterday is 238.

Tamilnadu: State may extend the lockdown by 2 more weeks. 8 firms offer to manufacture & supply PPE kits to Tamil Nadu. 77 new cases yesterday; Total cases 911; deaths 20; active cases 858; recovered 44; no. of samples tested 8410; results pending 661.

Karnataka: Today 7 new cases added till afternoon; Mysore 5, Bangalore 1 &Bidar 1. Total confirmed cases 214; deaths 6; recovered 34. After video conference with PM, CM announced extension of lockdown till April 30.

Andhra Pradesh: State Govt. appoints new SEC through an ordinance removing incumbent. TDP Chief objects to decision. 21 new cases reported till afternoon today, total cases rise to 402. Kurnool (82) Guntur (72) Nellore (48) are leading districts with +ve cases. In the last 24 hours, 909 samples tested; 37 proved positive. Active cases 385; cured 11; deaths 6;

Telangana: 6 more +ve cases reported till afternoon; total rise to 493. Five government hospitals notified to treat Covid-19 patients. First railway corona hospital to be functional soon in Telangana. People in State utilising the telemedicine facility introduced in districts to consult doctors and specialists during Lockdown.

Fact Check on #Covid19

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