Delhi Government Declares Coronavirus Epidemic
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that the Delhi Government has declared Coronavirus as an epidemic.
Health Ministry Does Not Support Claim That Higher Temperatures Kill Coronavirus
According to the Press Trust of India, the Health Ministry spoke about the claims suggesting that the Coronavirus does not survive in higher temperatures.
The Health Ministry stated that there is no scientific evidence supporting the theory that higher temperatures kill the Coronavirus.
Though flu is not common in summer, no study or evidence that suggest high temperature kills coronavirus: Health Ministry
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 12, 2020
UNHRC Suspends Geneva Session
United Nations Human Rights Council to suspend session in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
Earlier, the United Nations cancelled in-person meetings in Bonn, Germany and elsewhere through the end of April. These meetings were intended to prepare for November’s global climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated that cinema halls as well as schools and colleges where exams are not currently being held will be closed till March 31.
Andhra Pradesh Reports First Case: AP Health Ministry
Andhra Pradesh reported its first case of COVID-19. A man who returned from Italy to Nellore on March 6 tested positive for coronavirus. The person developed dry cough and was admitted to the isolation ward. His condition is stable. Five people who came in contact with him have been quarantined.
Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences in Tirupati confirmed that he was positive.
MEA Advises Against IPL
The Ministry of External Affairs advised against holding the Indian Premier League in a press conference in Delhi. "I think it is for the organizers to decide whether to go ahead with it or not. Our advice would be to not do it at this time but if they want to go ahead, it is their decision," MEA officials said.
PM Modi Tweets On Coronavirus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the current COVID-19 situation stating that there is no need to spread panic. PM Modi even stated that none of the Central Government ministers would be travelling abroad in the upcoming days.
Say No to Panic, Say Yes to Precautions.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 12, 2020
No Minister of the Central Government will travel abroad in the upcoming days. I urge our countrymen to also avoid non-essential travel.
We can break the chain of spread and ensure safety of all by avoiding large gatherings.
ICMR Suggests Vaccine Can Be Made In 2 Years
The Indian Council of Medical Research reported to news wire agency ANI that they isolated the Coronavirus and have 11 such isolates. These isolates would be used to create vaccines which would take a minimum of 1.5-2 years to be actively used.
Kerala Goes Against Govt's Circular Of Not Allowing Citizens Without A COVID-19 Negative Certificate
The Kerala Assembly on Thursday passed a unanimous resolution against the Centre's circular barring the return of Indians from coronavirus-hit countries such as Italy unless they produce a certificate that proves they have tested negative for the infection. The resolution moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the circular was "inhuman" and was akin to "cruelly abandoning" the expatriate Indians.
China Reports Single Digit Cases From Wuhan
The Chinese government has stated that it has reached the peak of its COVID-19 cases and that the number of cases is now declining.
Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus, is now reporting single digit cases.
China has over 80,900 confirmed cases of the virus