Maharashtra has the highest number of cases at 43, followed by Kerala at 29.
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in India climbed to 147. Among the states, Maharashtra has the highest number of cases at 42, followed by Kerala at 29. According to officials, the total number of passengers screened at the airport so far is 13,54,858.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday held a review meeting on containment and management of COVID-19 and directed that teams of officials must regularly inspect and monitor quarantine facilities for ensuring necessary amenities are being provided.
This came after criticism over inadequate facilities at quarantine centres and videos were shared on social media.
The meeting was attended by senior health ministry officials, the directors or medical superintendents of central government hospitals including of Safdurjung Hospital, RML Hospital and AIIMS-Delhi.
Preparedness of hospitals in terms of availability of testing kits, personnel protective equipment, medicines and isolation wards were assessed by the minister.
Here are the Live updates on coronavirus in India
16:43 IST Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Indian Army has issued advisory to all commands regarding COVID19. All wargames and conferences are hereby postponed till further orders. All training activities to be postponed or cancelled, in view of the current circumstances
As per Indian Army advisory, troops returning from leave, especially from COVID hotspots or likely to be in contact with persons having international travel history may be screened and quarantined on arrival in the unit
Leave granting authorities have been told to grant leave only on essential or compassionate grounds till situation improves: Indian Army
Indian Army has also asked the formations to regulate entry into canteens and essential item stores in shopping complexes. All non-essential stores have been asked to be shut down.
16:43 IST Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Haryana Woman and Child Development Minister Kamlesh Dhanda: All Anganwadi centres will remain closed till March 31 as a preventive measure to contain coronavirus in the state
16:36 IST Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan held a meeting with senior officials to review the quarantine facilities for evacuees, including those at airports and other key transit points, in terms of segregation of passengers, transportation to quarantine facilities and checks-ups.
The minister directed hospitals to ensure adequate availability of protective gear for all healthcare workers.
16:31 IST Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Chief Public Relation Officer, Western Railway: 4 persons suspected to have COVID19 who had flown down from Germany and were heading to Surat, were deboarded from Garib Rath train in Palghar today. They had 'home quarantine stamp' on their hands, still they were defying the protocol
02:30 PM | March 18, 2020
Two more coronavirus cases recorded from Bengaluru tweets B Sriramulu, Minister for Health and Family Welfare & Backward Classes Welfare Government Of Karnataka.
02:15 PM | March 18, 2020
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra has been closed from today. Operations of all inter-state buses, both incoming and outgoing from J&K, are banned from today due to coronavirus scare: Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Jammu & Kashmir.
02:10 PM | March 18, 2020
At the Supreme Court hearing, Congress seeks fresh election in Madhya Pradesh before the floor test.
01:50 PM | March 18, 2020
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy seeks leave from Parliament, goes into self-quarantine. In a statement, he said, "In view of such unprecedented alarming situation which is fast deteriorating, I have decided to remain in self-quarantine at home for the remaining part of the ongoing Budget Session."
01:45 PM | March 18, 2020
Chief Medical Officer, Gautam Buddh Nagar: A person, with a travel history to Indonesia, has tested positive for coronavirus. This is the fourth positive case of Coronavirus in Gautam Buddh Nagar.
12:30 PM | March 18, 2020
Petition in SC by BJP's SS Chouhan, & others to hold floor test in MP Assembly: Advocate Dushyant Dave, representing MP Congress MLAs, argued before SC 'today we're in a peculiar situation. Public of MP trusted Congress. The single largest party had won a vote of confidence that day'
11:30 AM | March 18, 2020
All BJP state units have been informed that the party will not participate in any sit-in protest for the next month. In a separate circular, it said that one should be alert, listing things what one should do, what not to do it also urged people to not panic.
11:00 AM | March 18, 2020
In view of Covid 19 outbreak in Maharashtra, Bombay High Court will now take up very urgent court cases via video-conferencing apart from the ones on court premises. Justice A K Menon will be hearing urgent matters via video conferencing on all working days between 1 pm to 2 pm every day.
9:10 AM | March 18, 2020
The total number of COVID19 cases in India has risen to 148 - of which 122 are Indian and 25 are foreign nationals, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at 09:00 am on Wednesday (March 18, 2020).
9:00 AM | March 18, 2020
The Rajasthan Forest Department has closed all forest safari in the state due to coronavirus, till further orders. All jungle safaris including the ones at Ranthambore National Park, Sariska, Jhalan Leopard Safari. Online advance booking has also been cancelled.
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