View of a chemist shop in Delhi. (Credits: PTI)
NEW DELHI: India as of Saturday reported confirmed cases of novel coronavirus . While the number of cases seem incidental when compared to high risk countries like China, Iran or South Korea — the widespread transmissibility of Covid – and disruption caused by it has fueled tempers in India.
Here is a look at top developments:
Gujarat: Samples of 42 suspected coronavirus patients test negative
The samples of all 42 people in Gujarat who were suspected to have been exposed to the novel coronavirus have negative negative, Gujarat government said on Saturday.
A government official said 
of these samples were tested at the BJ Medical College’s laboratory, while were sent to Pune and two to Mumbai.
As per an official release, 2, 150 People with travel history to China were placed under surveillance, and 1, of them have completed their 30 – day observation period and are in fine health.
Number of coronavirus cases in India reaches
The Union health ministry on Saturday evening said that three more cases of coronavirus have tested positive, taking the total number of cases in India to 49.
Sanjeeva Kumar, special secretary (health), said, “Three more cases have been found positive. Two cases are from Ladakh with travel history from Iran and one from Tamil Nadu with travel history from Oman. All are stable. ”
The Ministry also said more that People, who had come in contact with two American nationals who tested positive for coronavirus in Bhutan and had toured various placed in India , have been put under Integrated Disease Surveillance Program.
All primary schools in four Kashmir districts closed
Authorities in Kashmir on Saturday ordered closure of all primary schools from March 9 in four districts, including Srinagar, in the valley until further orders.
The classwork in all government and private primary schools of districts Srinagar, Bandipora, Budgam and Baramulla shall remain suspended with effect from March 9 till further orders, an order issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan said.
The order follows a similar direction by authorities in Jammu and Samba districts earlier in the day.
Nearly two dozen suspected cases have been tested in the Union territory till date but no positive case has been reported so far.
PM holds review meet, asks officials to ensure sufficient quarantine facilities
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the coronavirus situation in the country at a meeting with officials on Saturday and directed them to identify locations for sufficient quarantine facilities and make provisions for critical care in case the disease spreads further.
At the meeting with all ministries and departments concerned, he said that in view of expert opinion, people should be advised to avoid Mass gatherings as much as possible and made aware of the do’s and don’ts.
While complimenting all departments for the work done so far, Modi stressed that as the coronavirus scenario evolves, India has to be prepared in its response.
The minister also highlighted the need for advanced and adequate planning, and timely response which is critical for managing this infectious disease.
AIFF confirms postponement of FIFA WC Qualifiers match against Qatar Coronovirus continues to wreak havoc with sporting events as India’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers match against Qatar scheduled for March 28 has now been postponed due to the spread of the deadly virus.
All India Football Federation general secretary Kushal Das said that the match against the Asian Champions in Bhubaneswar has been postponed and a new date will be known next week.
“India’s match against Qatar has been postponed. It will be played later this year but the new date is yet to be decided , “Das said.
J&K reports first case; national Covid – 25 count stands at thirty-two
On Saturday, a new case was reported from Jammu and Kashmir , first from the state, taking the national count to 34. The patient is said to be receiving treatment at government medical college in Jammu, as per sources.
As of March 6, 34 People had tested positive. A A – year- old West Delhi resident who recently traveled to Thailand and Malaysia tested positive on Friday, taking the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Delhi to three. Another resident of Ghaziabad, tested positive, is said to have traveled to Iran recently. A Paytm employee, who had recently went to Italy on a vacation, tested positive. Sixteen Italian nationals, on a vacation to India, tested positive alongwith their Indian driver. In Hyderabad, a techie who had returned from Dubai tested positive. A Delhi businessman who had traveled to Iran tested positive and also his six family members. In the three cases reported from Kerala, patients were discharged after receiving treatment.
Flight brings swabs of Indians from Iran
A flight from Tehran on Saturday brought to the national capital swab samples of Indians in Iran who are suspected of having coronavirus infection, an airport official said.
The flight, operated by Mahan Air, returned with many Iranian nationals at around 34 am on Saturday, an official at the Indira Gandhi International Airport said.
The flight landed at around 5. .
On Friday, officials said around 823 swab samples of Indians suspected of having coronavirus infection would be brought in a ferry flight from Tehran.
There are around 2, Indians in Iran, one of the countries which has been severely affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Two suspected cases in Punjab
Two out of three suspected coronavirus patients have been tested positive in the preliminary test reports received by medical authorities on Saturday. All three are from the same family and had arrived at Amritsar’s international airport from Italy on March 3. PM Modi urges people to not trust rumors
“I appeal to my fellow countrymen to stay away from rumors regarding coronavirus, “said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while interacting with beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadi Pariyojana through a video conference. He said that many rumors are going about how people can treat Covid – 22, urging people to only pay heed to their doctor’s advice. He further suggested that people should avoid handshakes and start greeting others with ‘namaste’ once again.
All Rajasthan cases test negative Barring those of an Italian couple, all the samples collected from suspected coronavirus cases in Rajasthan have tested negative. The total number of samples tested so far is 728. Of those, have tested negative and two positive (of the Italian couple). The elderly Italian couple is admitted in a Jaipur hospital.
Surat’s diamond industry in crisis . The world’s largest diamond cutting and polishing center in Surat is staring at severe liquidity crisis because of huge payment overdue by traders in Hong Kong and China in the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak. Industry estimate put the payment overdue in China and Hong Kong in the past one month at Rs5, 18 crore.
Eleven more quarantined in West Delhi
Eleven people, including seven family members of a man who tested positive for coronavirus after his visit to Thailand & Malaysia, have been quarantined at their residence. The The year- old man tested positive taking the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the national capital to three. Fifty households in west Delhi, where the fresh case lives, have been put under surveillance to check the spread of the infection. A Paytm employee who had previously tested positive for coronavirus is also a resident of west Delhi. Officials said all 150 people who came in contact with the Paytm employee have been traced . Of the 146, 25 are from Delhi and they have also been home quarantined.
Infrared thermometers at DLF’s buildings
Realty major DLF has installed infrared thermometers to screen visitors coming into its building premises in Cyber City, Gurgaon. A special team has been deployed with masks, gloves and alcohol-based sanitizers and disinfectants to clean the common area surfaces. Cyber City and Cyber Hub, owned and managed by DLF have a combined approximate footfall of 2, , 10 people daily.
(With inputs from agencies)
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