(Contains Press releases concerning Covid-19, issued in last 24 hours, inputs from field offices, social media activities and Fact checks undertaken by PIB)

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

An increase of 1007 new cases and 23 new deaths has been reported since yesterday, with a total of 13,387 confirmed cases for COVID-19 in the country. As many as 1749 persons have been cured/discharged after recovery. Before the lockdown, India’s doubling rate was about 3 days. For the past seven days, the doubling rate is 6.2 days. a total of 1919 facilities having 1,73,746 isolation beds and total ICU beds 21,806 are available.

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GoM reviews current status, and actions for management of COVID-19

The Group of Ministers had detailed deliberation on containment and management of COVID-19. The GoM also discussed the actions taken so far, current status of social distancing measures as a preventive strategy and the stringent actions taken by the Centre as well as the States to contain the spread of COVID-19. Several other measures about strengthening capacity of states including devoting adequate resources for creating dedicated COVID-19 hospitals, equipping the medical institutes with PPEs, ventilators and other essential equipment etc., were also discussed in details.

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RBI announces measures to preserve financial stability and help put money in the hands of the needy and disadvantaged; States and UTs allowed to borrow more to manage COVID-19

Governor, Reserve Bank of India ShriShaktikanta Das today announced a set of nine measures to revive the struggling domestic economy. This follows the earlier set of measures announced by RBI on March 27, 2020. The RBI Governor said that the additional measures are aimed to maintain adequate liquidity in the system and its constituents in the face of COVID-19 related dislocations, facilitate and incentivize bank credit flows, ease financial stress, and enable the normal functioning of markets. The Governor said that the central bank will use all its instruments to address the daunting challenges posed by the epidemic.

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PM lauds measures announced by RBI today; will enhance liquidity and improve credit supply, says PM

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Cabinet Secretary writes to all States/ UTs to ensure Safety, Shelter and Food Security of Migrant Labourers

Government of India has been giving a great deal of importance to the welfare of migrant labourers and stranded persons during the implementation of lock down measures for containment of COVID-19 in the country.Cabinet Secretary has written to all States/UTs to ensure effective implementation of detailed guidelines issued by MHA for ensuring safety, shelter and food security of migrant labourers.The Communication urges States to direct all District Collectors to immediately undertake a review of the situation.

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MHA issues order to exempt certain activities regarding Minor Forest Produce, Plantations, NBFCs, Cooperative Credit Societies and Construction in Rural Areas from Lockdown Restrictions to fight COVID-19

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an order to exempt certain activities under the consolidated revised guidelines to all Ministries/Departments, regarding the Nationwide lockdown to fight COVID-19.

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Smt. NirmalaSitharaman attends the Plenary Meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) of the IMF through video-conference

Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. NirmalaSitharaman attended through video-conference the Plenary Meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee, the Ministerial-level committee of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The discussions at the meeting were based on IMF Managing Director’s Global Policy Agenda titled, “Exceptional Times – Exceptional Action”. The members of the IMFC updated the committee on the actions and measures taken by member countries to combat COVID-19, and also remarked on IMF’s crisis-response package to address global liquidity and members’ financing needs.

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Over 1.51 Crore free LPG cylinders distributed so far to the PMUY beneficiaries under the PradhanMantriGaribKalyanYojana

More than 1.51 Crore free LPG cylinders have been distributed so far to the PMUY beneficiaries under the PradhanMantriGaribKalyanYojana in this month. Under the PMKGY, several relief measures have been announced by the central Government for the welfare of poor, and one of the important component of the Yojana is to provide 3 LPG cylinders (14.2 kg) free to over 8 crore beneficiaries of the PradhanMantriUjjawalaYojana(PMUY) over the period of April to June 2020.

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Telephone Conversation between PM and Prime Minister of Bhutan

Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi spoke on phone with H.E. Dr. LotayTshering, Prime Minister (Lyonchhen) of the Kingdom of Bhutan.The two Prime Ministers discussed the regional situation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and updated each other about the steps being taken by their governments to control its effects.

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Telephone Conversation between PM and King of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi had a telephone conversation today with His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.The two leaders discussed the challenges posed to the world by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the steps being taken in their respective countries to limit its impact. They agreed to support each other’s efforts to the maximum possible extent, by sharing information and best practices and by facilitating needed supplies.

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Agriculture Minister launches “KisanRath”Mobile App to facilitate transportation of foodgrains and perishables during lockdown

Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, ShriNarendra Singh Tomar launched a farmer friendly mobile application today, developed by the National Informatics Centre, to facilitate farmers & traders in searching transport vehicles for Primary and Secondary transportation for movement of Agriculture & Horticulture produce. Primary transportation would include movement from Farm to Mandis, FPO Collection Centre and Warehouses etc. Secondary Transportation would include movement from Mandis to Intra-state & Inter-state mandis, Processing units, Railway station, Warehouses and Wholesalers etc.

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247 Lifeline Udan flights operated during lockdown to transport 418 tons of medical supplies across the country

247 flights have been operated under Lifeline Udan by ir India, Alliance Air, IAF and private carriers. 154 of these flights have been operated by ir India and Alliance Air. Cargo transported till date is more than 418 tons. Aerial distance covered by Lifeline Udan flights till date is more than 2.45 lakh kms.

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FCI moved more than double of its average food grains across the country during the lockdown

FCI has been able to move a record 3.74 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) food grains stocks using 1335 train loads from the surplus states during the lockdown period at an average of 1.7 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) per day. This is more than double its normal average movement of about 0.8 LMT per day. During the same period, a quantity of 3.34 MMT stocks was unloaded in the consuming states to cater to the needs of beneficiaries under the Targeted Public Distribution System (PDS).

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As Part of PMGKY Package EPFO Settles 3.31 Lakh COVID-19 Claims in 15 Days

In just 15 days, Employees' Provident Fund Organization has processed 3.31 lakh claims disbursing an amount of Rs. 946.49 crores. In addition, Rs. 284 crorehave been distributed by the exempted PF Trusts under this scheme, notable among them being TCS.Under this provision, non-refundable withdrawal to the extent of the basic wages and dearness allowances for three months or up to 75% of the amount standing to member's credit in the EPF account, whichever is less, is admissible. The member can apply for lesser amount also.

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RakshaMantri reviews work of Armed Forces Medical Services to contain COVID-19

RakshaMantriShriRajnath Singh today reviewed the functioning of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and their assistance to civilian authorities to contain spread of COVID-19. RakshaMantri was briefed about various actions taken in terms of issuing advisories to Armed Forces personnel, providing assistance to civilian authorities in respect of quarantine facilities, provisioning of hospitals and healthcare in the prevailing situation.

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DRDO Introduces two new products to enable COVID-19 disinfection process

Defence Research and Development Organisation in its continuous quest to contribute towards fight against COVID-19, has been developing several solutions from its existing arsenal of technologies and experience. These consist of innovations and quickly configuring the products for present requirements. Today DRDO introduced two products which can enhance the operations at public places during the pandemic.

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4 Months’ Rental Waiver given to the IT Companies Operating from Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Centers

The Government has taken a major decision to provide relief from payment of rental to the small IT units operating out of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI). Most of these units are either Tech MSMEs or startups. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has decided to provide rental waiver to these units housed in STPI premises in the country from 01.03.2020 till 30.06.2020 i.e. for 4 months period as of now.

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ShriNarendra Singh Tomar conducts detailed review meeting of all flagship schemes of Ministry of Rural Development

ShriTomar advised that around 40 lakh beneficiaries of PMAY(G) who have received second and third instalment of funds must be assisted for quick completion of their housing units. Rs.7300 crores released to States and UTs under MGNREGS to liquidate pending dues of FY 2019-2020 and wage dues for the first fortnight of 2020-2021.
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DD and AIR broadcast Educational content/Virtual Classes

India's Public Broadcaster has been helping students with their studies amidst ongoing lockdown. In collaboration with various State Government institutions, Doordarshan and All India Radio are broadcasting virtual classes and other educational content through their regional channels across the country on TV, Radio and YouTube.

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Road Transport sector helping the common man during the lock-down period

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has taken up the social responsibility of helping people on the roads during the nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19. Soon after the announcement by the Prime Minister on the 24^th last month, field units of the Ministry across the length and breadth of the country were urged to extend necessary help to their workers/ labours and the common people.

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ChitraGeneLAMP-N makes confirmatory tests results of COVID 19 possible in 2 hours

The confirmatory diagnostic test, which detects the N Gene of SARS- COV2 using reverse transcriptase loop-mediated amplification of viral nucleic acid (RT-LAMP), will be one of the world’s first few if not the first of its kinds in the world.

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Arunachal Pradesh: CM says arrangements will be made for patients stranded in capital Itanagar to reach their home districts within the state.
• Assam: Helpline number for people stranded in other parts of the country registered calls from more than 4 lakh families, informs Assam Health Minister HimantaBiswaSarma.
• Meghalaya: The Army Recruitment Rally at Shillong postponed to 5th-8th October, 2020 due to COVID19 outbreak.
• Manipur: Deputy Commissioner permits opening of shops for essential items in Tamenglong district from 1:30 pm till 4:30pm.
• Nagaland: 100 out of 140 samples of persons connected to first COVID-19 case are negative. Results of 40 are awaited.  
• Tripura:Rs. 2.85 crore is provisioned for providing financial support to 25,025 people for 19 days during lockdown.
• Kerala:  Chief Election Officer says by-polls in Kuttanad&Chavara assembly constituencies in the State may not be held due to lockdown. SreeChitra Institute, Tvm, develops Rapid test kits; ICMR approval awaited. 7 new cases & 27 recoveries yesterday. Total cases now 394; recoveries 245; active cases 147.
• Tamil Nadu 32 patients cured & discharged from MGM Govt Hospital, Trichy. State gets 24,000 rapid test kits. Road maintenance likely to resume in rural areas. State setsup committee to work out exit strategy. Total cases 1267; deaths 15; discharged 180.
• Karnataka: Today, 38 new cases confirmed; maximum cases reported from Mysore 12, Mandya 3, Bellari 7, Bangalore 9, Dakshin Kannada 1, Chikkaballapur 3, Bidar 1 &Vijayapura 2. Total deaths reached 13.  82 people discharged. Total confirmed cases  353; deaths 13; discharged 82.
• Andhra Pradesh: 38 new cases in the last 24 hours; total rise to 572. Total cured & discharged 35; deaths 14. State purchases 1 lakh Rapid Test Kits from South Korea.  Extensive testing being done containment zones. Maximum cases from Guntur (126), Kurnool (126), Nellore (64), Krishna (52).
• Telangana: A man from Nizamabad town dies of Covid in Saudi Arabia. 5 more cases reported in Suryapet.  Around 600 sample test results expecting today. State seeks ICMR nod to use plasma therapy for Covid treatment.
• Maharashtra: The tally of positive cases in Maharashtra has now increased to 3,236, with 34 more cases reported till this afternoon. Yesterday, Maharashtra became the first state to cross the 3,000 mark.  Even as the number of people testing positive is increasing in the state, the number of people recovering is also steadily rising.  A total of 295 people, including 166 from Mumbai alone have recovered and discharged.  However, the state has also reported 194 deaths, accounting for almost 40% of all deaths in the country.
• Gujarat: On Friday morning, Gujarat crossed 1,000 positive cases with 92 new cases recorded, taking the state tally to 1,021.  Among the new cases, 45 are from Ahmedabad, 14 from Surat and 9 from Vadodara among others. The death toll in Gujarat is 38. Meanwhile, the state government has sought permission from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to start Convalescent Plasma therapy clinical trials for Covid-19 patients in the state.
• Rajasthan: With 34 fresh positive cases reported today, the Covid 19 positive tally in Rajasthan has now reached 1,169.  Of the new cases, as many as 18 were from Jodhpur.  16 deaths have occurred in the state so far.
• Madhya Pradesh: With 226 persons testing positive, the number of coronavirus positive cases in Madhya Pradesh has risen to 1,164. The virus has now expanded its footprint to 26 out of 52 districts of the state.  Indore has reported the highest 707 positive cases in the state with 163 new cases being reported in the last 24 hours.
• Chandigarh:  The UT Administrator stressed  on the need for universal downloading of the AarogyaSetu App by all Government Officials and the public in general. Mid-day meal facilities in UT schools have also been activated for preparing food packets to be distributed to the needy persons.
• Punjab: To effectively address and resolve medical and stress-related issues during lockdown, the Government of Punjab has launched a special helpline 1800 180 4104 for citizens to connect with a network of senior doctors over tele-conference and get medical advice.

Fact Check on #Covid19

Daily Social Media Report (PIB) for 17.4.2020

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