New Delhi:
The number of coronavirus cases in India has reached 16,365, and the death toll jumped to 521. According to the Health Ministry, close to 2,000 people have recovered from the deadly illness.
The number of coronavirus cases has reached 3,648 in Maharashtra, the most affected state both in terms of infections and deaths.
At least 26 Indian Navy personnel in Mumbai have tested positive for the viral infection. The personnel are part of the INS Angre, a logistics and support facility of the Western Naval Command.
The worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 160,755, according to a tally from official sources compiled by Worldometer. More than 2,330,883 declared cases have been registered in 193 countries and territories since the epidemic first emerged in China in December
America tops the casualties list with 38,928 deaths. Italy has over 23,000 dead and Spain, over 20,000 as of now.
Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said “Tomorrow onwards we are re starting some financial activities. As we don't run our economy now, we'll be in financial crisis after we come out of Corona crisis. We're starting some business activities in a limited way. Fortunately,several of our dists have zero positive case.
He said over 70 per cent of novel coronavirus cases reported in the state were asymptomatic and the patients did not know that they were infected.
In a video message, Thackeray appealed everyone to report to the authorities and not hide if anyone shows any symtoms for the deadly novel coronavirus, adding that, however, 75-75 per cent Covid-19 cases are asymptomatic in nature.
"70 to 75 percent positive cases are asymptomatic. At least 52 per cent of the patients are in serious conditions. Many have reported in the last stage. I want to appeal that do not hide symptoms," Thackeray said.
"Out culture is to help each other. Don't worry that you will be boycotted. So come forward," he said.
Maharashtra has so far conducted 66,000 tests and 3,600 people have been found positive for Covid-19, CM Uddhav Thackeray said.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government during the day announced that there will be no relaxation in the ongoing lockdown. A decision will be taken on easing the restriction after a review on April 27. The Maharashtra government, however, announced that it will allow limited financial activities to resume from Monday.
The Finance Ministry today clarified that there is no proposal as of now to reduce pensions of central government employees.
The statement came after some reports claimed that the govt is planning to reduce pensions by 20 per cent.
“It has come to the notice of the Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) that, in the wake of the current pandemic COVID-19 and the ensuing economic scenario, many rumours are afloat that the government is contemplating a reduction or stoppage of pension which has become a source of worry for the pensioners,” the government said in a communique.
Union minister Prakash Javadekar made it clear on Sunday that the central government has so far not taken any decision on starting train or airline services, asserting that any discussion on the issue is futile.
Asked if the government is looking at any timeline to start passenger transport services like trains or airlines, he told PTI, "It has to start one day but which is that one day you don't know at this moment. Discussion about it is futile because we are examining the situation every day and drawing new lessons."
Some airlines, Javadekar said, decided on their own to start bookings from May 4, and noted that Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has already clarified that the government has not taken any decision in this regard.
A final decision on the issue will be taken by the government, he said, advising against any speculation over the matter.
The ongoing nation-wide lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic is scheduled to end on May 3.
Some airlines, including Air India, had opened bookings on select domestic routes from May 4, prompting Puri to advise them to open bookings only after the government takes a decision on starting domestic and international commercial passenger flight services.
"The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarifies that so far no decision has been taken to open domestic or international operations… Airlines are advised to open their bookings only after a decision in this regard has been taken by the government," he had said on Saturday.
Railways had stopped booking passenger tickets since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on April 14 in which he extended the lockdown to May 3.