Top 10 Covid-19 updates: Private labs to test for free after SC order; patient count rises to 5,274
A quick look at the Covid-19 updates you need to know from today.
- The Uttar Pradesh government announced on Wednesday that it will seal coronavirus hotspots in 15 districts including Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow and Agra. The Delhi government also sealed off 20 areas, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.
- The Supreme Court directed the Centre to issue orders to make tests for Covid-19 at private laboratories free of cost. Passing an interim judgement, the court said it would consider later whether such private labs should be reimbursed for expenses they incur as a result.
- In an all-party meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the nationwide lockdown to slow down the coronavirus pandemic may have to be extended beyond April 14.
- The number of coronavirus cases in India rose by 485 to 5,274 on Tuesday evening, with 149 deaths, the Union Health Ministry said. As many as 25 deaths were confirmed by the Centre between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, and none after that.
- Delhi, Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh made it compulsory to wear facial masks when stepping out. They have allowed the use of cloth masks.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to divulge information on those who attended the Tablighi Jamaat markaz from the state, saying the virus did not discriminate on the basis of caste or religion.
- Maharashtra, which has the highest number of Covid-19 cases in India, recorded 117 new infections, taking the total number to 1,135, including 72 deaths.
- The Indian Council of Medical Research says a total of 1,27,919 samples have been tested so far as of 9 pm, including 13,143 today. Of those tested today, 320 tested positive for coronavirus.
- The Centre asked states and Union Territories to ensure availability of essential goods by invoking Essential Commodities Act, 1955. In a letter, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also urged them take steps to prevent hoarding to ensure essential items are available at fair prices to public.
- The coronavirus crisis may push 40 crore Indians working in the informal sector further into poverty, a report by the United Nations said on Tuesday.