Coronavirus Highlights: Gurgaon Paytm employee tests positive

There are 93,042 confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and 3,201 deaths reported globally in 67 countries

7:45 PM

IMF chief says epidemic 'calls for global response'

7:40 PM

IMF briefs media on Coronavirus

7:38 PM

Sarojini Nagar Market to procure masks, distribute to customers amid coronavirus scare

Amid coronavirus scare, the traders' association of Sarojini Nagar Market is planning to procure masks and distribute them to customers when they come to shop.

 

Ashok Randhawa, president of the Sarojini Nagar mini market traders' association, said they will also put up banners in the market informing people about various precautions to be taken in the wake of the current situation.

 

"We will be distributing masks to customers who visit the market. We are planning to procure 1,000 to 2,000 masks in the next few days and will be distributing them to customers.

7:35 PM

IMF members pledge 'all available' resources against Coronavirus epidemic

7:33 PM

Japan confirms three more coronavirus cases at Osaka Music Venue, total rises to 14 - Kyodo

7:31 PM

Animal health experts say there no evidence that pets can be a source of Coronavirus: Reuters

7:30 PM

Lufthansa to ground 150 aircraft due to coronavirus

Lufthansa will ground 150 aircraft due to the coronavirus, the German airline said on Wednesday, confirming what company sources had told Reuters earlier.

 

"We are dynamically adjusting our plans to reflect extraordinary circumstances," a Lufthansa spokesman said.

 

European airline bosses warned on Tuesday that the worst is still to come for the airline industry in terms of economic damage from the coronavirus outbreak, but they predicted that travel demand could stabilise in the coming weeks.

7:29 PM

Japan reports fresh Coronavirus case in Kumamoto Prefecture - Kyodo

7:08 PM

PM, other top BJP leaders to stay away from Holi gatherings due to Coronavirus concerns

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda, on Wednesday said that they would not attend any Holi Milan function in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Holi is on March 10. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath too said that he will not take part in 'Holi milan' later this month in "public interest" and appealed to all the people of the state to refrain from attending social functions.

7:07 PM

Rashtrapati Bhavan will not hold traditional Holi gatherings: President's office

7:03 PM

Italy to close all schools, universities over virus: news agencies

Italy is closing all schools and universities from Thursday until mid-March to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, Ansa and other Italian news agencies cited government sources as saying.

 

The measure was one of several being considered by the government at a meeting on Wednesday to combat COVID-19, which has killed 79 people in Italy and infected more than 2,500, the most in Europe. 

7:03 PM

West bengal schools asked to make students aware of steps to check spread of coronavirus

The West Bengal government has asked all state-run schools to sensitise students about steps needed to reduce the risk of novel coronavirus infection.

 

In a circular, the school education department directed district inspectors of schools to instruct heads of institutes to distribute pamphlets to students, advising them to follow basic hygiene habits like frequently washing hands, using handkerchief/tissue paper while sneezing to reduce the risk of infection.

 

The department will send the pamphlets to schools for distribution among students.

7:01 PM

Coronavirus: Some Delhi-NCR schools announce holidays, advance spring break

Three schools in the national capital and adjoining areas have announced holiday for students and staff as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of coronavirus, while two schools advanced their spring break and others sent out advisories to parents.

 

On Tuesday, a day after the Union Health Ministry reported two fresh cases of coronavirus in the country with one of them in Delhi, two Noida schools sent messages to parents announcing their closure. Read More...

7:00 PM

Coronavirus: Hyd IT park techie tests positive, firms send workers on leave

There was panic at an information technology park in Hyderabad on Wednesday after a techie reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.

 

Some companies at Raheja Mindspace IT Park in the IT hub of Hitech City sent their employees home as a precautionary measure. Read More...

6:47 PM

DMRC issues advisory, to step up cleaning on Metro premises

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday said it would increase the frequency of cleaning on its premises in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

 

DMRC has also issued Do's and Dont's in both English and Hindi regarding the virus.

 

It will also be run on digital screens at major stations like Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Central Secretariat, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi.