Government Launches Corona Kavach
The National e-Governance Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has developed a location-based COVID-19-tracking app called the Corona Kavach application.
This app geo-traces the location of the user and lets them know if they've come in contact with a coronavirus-infected person.
Corona Kavach comes with additional features that can track your breathing capacity, and a survey form which lets you check symptoms, and guides you to see a doctor if need be. It asks for the location through a single verification process.
India Thinks Of Changing Testing Strategy
India has decided to start antibody testing for COVID-19 to confirm whether a person has previously been infected with the virus. This new strategy will help a move that will help understand the spread and epidemiology in the country.
This test is different from the current diagnostic tests that check for infection through swabs. This test will look for antibodies in the blood.
These tests will allow doctors to determine if a person has previously had a viral infection, based on the presence of antibodies in the blood, even if they were asymptomatic.
The ICMR invited bids on Wednesday for the antibody kit for the diagnosis of Covid-19.
UN Security Council Will Not Discuss COVID-19
According to Hindustan Times, the United Nations Security Council will not discuss the issue of COVID-19. China which is leading the Security Council currently, shot down the proposal raised by Estonia with the help of Russia and South Africa and stated that there was not enough consensus to discuss the proposal.
Anti-malarial Drug Not To Be Sold On Counters
After the ICMR declared that anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine could be used for prophylactic treatment, many started hoarding and buying the medicine. The ICMR has finally declared it an H1 drug which makes it tough to be procured from over the counters and now mandatorily requires a doctor's prescription.
United States Beats China In Number Of Cases
,The United States of America has reported over 85,600 cases of COVID-19 beating China which has over 81,000 cases. The USA now has over 1,800 deaths. New York has around 40,000 cases of COVID-19.
Italy and Spain have reported more number of deaths than China. Italy with over 8,000 deaths while Spain has reported over 4,000 deaths, China reocrded 3.200 deaths.
Operation Namaste
The Indian Army has coded its COVID-19 operations as Operation Namaste. The Indian Army has 8 quarantines so far for tackling COVID-19. These are in Jodhpur, Jhansi, Deolali, Kolkata, Chennai, Suratgarh, Hindon, and Manesar.
India Crosses 700 Cases, Death Toll Reaches 17
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has reported 724 cases of COVID-19 with 17 deaths in India. The country has reported 32 new cases since the last update.
Maharashtra has reported 1 new death along with only 5 new cases and 15 people have also recovered.
Kerala with 137 cases, now has the highest number of cases in the country.
The number of cases in Karnataka rose to 55 making it the state with the third highest cases in the country.
India Sees 3 New Deaths, 43 New Cases
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has reported 692 cases and 16 deaths in the country as of March 26, 2020.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported its first case. Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra reported new deaths.
Kerala Cases Raise To 126
Kerala reported 19 new cases taking the state's total to 126 positive cases.
International Airlines To Stay Suspended
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation stated that international commercial airlines will not be allowed to land in India till 18:30 April 14, 2020.