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

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

As of now, 4,257 people have been cured with a recovery rate of 19.89%. Since yesterday, an increase of 1409 new cases has been reported. Also, a total of 21,393 people have been confirmed positive as of now for COVID-19 in India.78 districts from 23 States/UTs have not reported any fresh cases during the last 14 days.

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Promulgation of an Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 in the light of the pandemic situation of COVID-19

Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 22nd April 2020 has approved promulgation of an Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 to protect healthcare service personnel and property including their living/working premises against violence during epidemics. The President has given his assent for promulgation of the Ordinance. The Ordinance provides for making such acts of violence cognizable and non-bailable offences and for compensation for injury to healthcare service personnel or for causing damage or loss to the property in which healthcare service personnel may have a direct interest in relation to the epidemic.

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Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package :Progress so far

More than 33crore poor people received financial assistance of Rs 31,235crore under the Pradhan MantriGaribKalyan Package; Rs 10,025 crore disbursed to 20.05 crore to Women Jan Dhan account holders; Rs 1405crore disbursed to about 2.82 crore old age persons, widows and disabled persons; First instalment of PM-KISAN :Rs16,146 crore transferred to 8crore farmers; Rs 162 crore transferred in 68,775 establishments as EPF contribution, benefitting 10.6 lakh employees; 2.17 crore Building & Construction workers received financial support amounting to Rs 3497crore; Pradhan MantriGaribKalyan Ann Yojana:39.27 crore beneficiaries distributed free ration of food grains; 1,09,227 MT of Pulses dispatched to various States/UTs; Pradhan Mantri UjjwalaYojana : 2.66 crore free LPG cylinders delivered.

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Prime Minister to interact with Gram Panchayats across the country on 24th April

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shall be addressing various Gram Panchayats across the country on Friday, the 24^th of April 2020. The Day is celebrated annually as the National Panchayati Raj Day.As the country is observing Social Distancing through Lockdown, the Prime Minister shall be interacting with various participants through video-conferencing.

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Telephone Conversation between PM and Prime Minister of the Ireland

During a telephone call today with the Prime Minister of Ireland, H.E. Dr. Leo Varadkar, Prime Minister discussed the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps being taken by both countries to control its health and economic impact. Prime Minister Varadkar appreciated the role being played by Indian origin doctors and nurses in fighting the infection in Ireland.

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Procurement of Pulses & Oilseeds on MSP is currently in progress in 20 States during Rabi season 2020

A quantity of 1,67,570.95 MT of Pulses and 1,11,638.52 MT of Oilseeds has been procured by NAFED and FCI valued at Rs 1313 Crores through which 1,74,284 farmers have been benefited.A separate cell has been constituted for monitoring supply and prices of essential goods and fruits & vegetables along with inter-state movement for Northeast region.

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Raksha Mantri inaugurates DRDO developed Mobile Laboratory to test COVID19 samples

The Mobile Lab will be helpful to carry out diagnosis of COVID-19 and also virus culturing for drug screening, Convalescent plasma derived therapy, comprehensive immune profiling of COVID-19 patients towards vaccine development early clinical trials specific to Indian population. The lab screens 1000-2000 samples per day. This lab can be positioned anywhere in the country, as per requirement.

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Power Ministry advises States/UTs to allow construction activities in the power projects outside Municipal limitsduring nation-wide lockdown

Union Power Ministry has advised the State/UT administrations to allow construction activities in the power projects outside Municipal limits during nation-wide lockdown for COVID-19 outbreak as per the guidelines issued Union Ministry of Home Affairs on 15.04.2020. These activities may be permitted after observing necessary health protocols to curb COVID-19.

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HRD Minister releases Alternative Academic Calendar for the upper primary stage

In order to engage students meaningfully during their stay at home due to COVID-19 through educational activities at home with the help of their parents and teachers, the alternative academic calendars at primary and upper primary stage (Classes VI to VIII) have been developed by the NCERT under the guidance of the MHRD.

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Pharma Secretary asks State Drug Controllers to help Pharmaceutical firms in augmenting production of medicines in the country

State Drugs Controllers (SDCs) have been requested to ensure the availability of essential medicines and medical devices required in the management of COVID-19 treatment. They were also requested to ensure the utilization of manufacturing capacity to full extent so that sufficient stocks without any hindrance can be made available at all levels.

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On 22nd April 2020, Indian Railways did record foodgrain loading of 112 rakes equivalent to 3.13 Lakh Tonnes

Indian Railways continues with its efforts to ensure that farm products like foodgrains are picked up on time and transported nationwide. From 01.04.2020 to 22.04.2020, the total food grains loaded and transported by Indian Railways was 4.58 million tonnes as compared to 1.82 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year

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Corona warriors of Lifeline Udan continue to work with endless energy to support India’s fight against Covid-19

330 flights have been operated under Lifeline Udan by Air India, Alliance Air, IAF and private carriers. 200 of these flights have been operated by Air India and Alliance Air. Cargo transported till date is around 551.79 tons. Aerial distance covered by Lifeline Udan flights till date is over 3,27,623km.

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Ministry of Tourism organises 6th webinar of DekhoApnaDesh Series on‘Making India an Inclusive Travel Destination For All’

The objective of these Webinars is to create awareness about and promote various tourism destinations of India – including the lesser known destinations and lesser known facets of popular destinations. In addition, thematic Webinars are also being organised on subjects such as Accessible Tourism. The 6th Webinar of the series was organised on 22nd April 2020 on the subject ‘Making India an Inclusive Travel Destination For All’.

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Ministry of Tourism organises 7th Webinar of DekhoApnaDesh Webinar Series- ‘Photowalking® Varanasi: A Visual Treat, विरासत, संस्कृतिऔरव्यंजन’

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No provision of free internet by Department of Telecom

Fact Check Unit of Press Information Bureau has clarified in a tweet that Department of Telecom is not giving free internet to all users till 3^rd May, 2020. The fake information in circulation has claimed that free internet is being provided to all by the Department to enable them to work from home, and can be availed by clicking on a given link.

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IIFPT supports the battle against COVID-19 by manufacturing and supplying nutrient-rich foods to Covid-19 patients

Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology has been manufacturing nutrient-rich foods for COVID-19 patients under medical examination and those who recently recovered from pandemic after treatment at Thanjavur Medical College, Tamil Nadu.

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KVIC Comes To The Rescue of Cocoon Farmers In Tamil Nadu

When the country was struggling hard with deadly Corona virus, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), an autonomous body under Ministry of MSME, in collaboration with its Khadi Institutions (KIs) in Tamil Nadu has discharged its responsibility once again by purchasing cocoons from cocoon farmers.

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Faridabad District Administration takes various initiatives to fight COVID-19; uses technology to monitor and spread awareness

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Scientists working on anti COVID drugs using garlic essential oil

Department of Biotechnology’s Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (DBT-CIAB) at Mohali, has planned a bouquet of research projects aimed at generating products that could be used for prevention, diagnosis or cure of for the deadly COVID 19 infection that is currently sweeping over the entire world.

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CSIR decides to develop/repurpose an approved immunomodulator, Sepsivac®, to enhance innate immunity of the body to limit the spread of COVID-19 and fasten the recovery of the patients of COVID-19

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Kerala: Three more Keralites died of Covid19 in US, UK and Gulf. Over 40 Keralites have so far succumbed to the pandemic abroad. No chances of community transmission in Kulathupuzha village of Kollam as all the 36 contacts are strictly quarantined.11 new cases reported yesterday. Total cases: 437, Active cases: 127.
• Tamil Nadu: No new Covid19 cases reported in Puducherry in last 10 days. First positive case reported in Dharmapuri. Hundreds of foreign nationals fly back home in 30 rescue flights from Chennai. Chennai Corporation's tele-counselling service gets around 300 calls daily. 33 new cases yesterday. Total cases: 1629, Deaths: 18, Discharged: 662.
• Karnataka: State decides to hike doctors salary in the wake of Covid-19. State brings ordinance to protect health workers. Lockdown restrictions eased: clinics, IT companies to operate with essential staff. 16 new cases confirmed today. Bengaluru-9, Mandya-2, Vijaypura-2, Total cases-443, Cured-141, deaths-17.
• Andhra Pradesh: Governor appeals to Muslims to stay indoors and offer prayers at home during the Holy Month of Ramzan. 80 new cases found in the last 24 hours with increased testing. Total Positive Cases: 893, Active Cases: 725, Recovered: 141, Deaths: 27. Districts leading in +ve cases: Kurnool (234), Guntur (195), Krishna (88), Chittoor (73), Nellore (67), Kadapa (51), Prakasam (50).
• Telangana : Number of new cases from all districts has reduced drastically, only Old City in Hyderabad is showing increasing trend.  Over 5 lakh white ration card holders yet to receive the Rs 1,500 financial aid; issues with bank account numbers of 5.26 lakh card holders; State trying to reach them through the postal department. Total cases reach 943; active cases 725.
• Arunachal Pradesh: State Government announces that quarantine facilities are being prepared for returnees to the state whenever it is permitted.
• Assam: Higher Secondary Education Council announced that the students of HS 1st year 2019-2020 academic year will be promoted to HS 2nd year 2020-2021 academic session.
• Manipur: In Manipur, fencing on Indo-Myanmar intensified and vigil increased in the wake of COVID19.
• Mizoram: Police Wives Association donated  Rs.5 crore towards CM Relief Fund for Covid-19 and also 600 masks for duty personnel in Aizawl.
• Nagaland: State Home Commissioner said that there is proper availability of food stocks, fuel and medicines in all districts of the state.      
• Nagaland: Bio Safety Lab 3 (BSL-3) being set up in Kohima.
• Sikkim: State government to carry out a drive to make it necessary to download ArogyaSetu Mobile App for every citizen in the state and also for everyone travelling to the State.
• Tripura: CM, Biplab Kumar Deb visited the relief camps for the people affected by hailstrom and assured them for all possible help at the earliest.
• Chandigarh: Decides to enhance the stipend being received by interns of medical college from Rs 300 per day to Rs 600 per day. Thus, the students who are presently playing a major role in fight against COVID19 will get Rs 18,000/- per month w.e.f 1st April, 2020. 24,000 families have already been distributed wheat and pulses under PMGKAY. 1,43,694 cooked food packets have been distributed among the destitute and needy persons in various parts of the city. 1.77 lacsAarogyasetu applications have been downloaded in the UT.
• Punjab: Punjab dispatched 1.25 lakh metric tonnes of rice and wheat to other states through 50 special Trains. The Government agencies and private traders have procured 4,36,406 metric tonnes of wheat in Punjab on seventh day of procurement.  1,797 MT has been procured by the private traders (arhtias). Underlining the stringent lockdown measures initiated by Punjab, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has lauded state health department for aggressively tackling Covid-19 threat with prompt identification, testing and containment strategy.
• Haryana: Workshops relating to farm equipment open up in Haryana as the government further relaxes lockdown norms in order to facilitate smooth harvesting. Haryana CM Sh. ManoharLalKhattar launched a website to facilitate bank customers to avail services and at the same time maintain the norms of social distancing.
• Himachal Pradesh: The CM urged the Deputy Commissioners to create awareness among farmers to maintain social distancing while harvesting their produce. He also instructed the officers to give priority in dealing with the corona epidemic and ensure the convenience of the public.
• Maharashtra: With 431 new coronavirus positive cases in Maharashtra, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 count in the state increased to 5,652 today.  Among the total people infected as on date, 789 have recovered and 269 have died.    Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has said that the coronavirus hotspots in Maharashtra have come down from 14 to 5 and the rate of doubling of cases in the state has improved to 7.01 days from 3.1 days earlier this month.
• Gujarat: 135 new coronavirus cases were reported in Gujarat, taking the total reported cases to 2,407. Compared to 19 per cent recovery rate of Covid-19 patients in the country, Gujarat has the lowest recovery rate at 6.3 per cent.  Along with Maharashtra, the mortality rate in Gujarat is also high.
• Rajasthan: In Rajasthan, total cases of Covid 19 have climbed to 1,935 with 47 new cases reported today.  Of all the new cases, 20 cases are from Jodhpur, 12 in Jaipur and 10 in Nagaur.

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YB