Lav Agrawal of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that there are 78 districts - an addition of 33 districts - in India where no cases have been reported in the last 24 days.
The MHA in a letter dated April 22 recommended that state government liaison with local chapters of the Indian Medical Association to provide them with all necessary facilities that they require.
MHA on exempt services
The Ministry of Home Affairs in a notification on April 21 has said that the following services would be excluded from the lockdown:
- Bedside nurses and attendants to senior citizens
- Recharge services for mobile services
- Farming and primary sector mills
- Research around the primary sector
China Announces A $30 Million Grant For The WHO
China has given the World Health Organisation a $30 million grant to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. This move comes as the United States cuts funding to the WHO over its belief that the international health body had "failed in its basic duty" to in its response to the outbreak.
Australia bats for inquiry into spread of coronavirus pandemic
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged members of the World Health Organisation to come together and support an independent inquiry into the origins and spread of the coronavirus pandemic, a call opposed by China; with the virus largely believed to have originated in the city of Wuhan. The pandemic has infected close to 2.6 million people, and has killed 1,80,000 globally, according to a tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University
Centre freezes dearness allowances/relief at current levels
The Ministry of Finance issued a notifications stating that central government is freezing dearness allowance for employees and dearness grants for pensioners at current levels in lieu of strained finances due to COVID-19. They were scheduled to pay a DA hike from January 1, 2020. The freeze will be effective till July 2021.
Spain extends state of emergency until May 9
The Spanish Parliament approved an extension of the ongoing state of emergency for the third time on Tuesday, extended its provisions until May 9. The emergency inhibits business and movement, and was first imposed on March 14. Spain has the second highest number of cases in the world after the United States, with more than 2,08,000 cases and 21,700 deaths according to a tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University
922 New Cases, 29 New Deaths
India has reported 21393 cases and 681 deaths of COVID-19 till April 23, 2020.
In the last 24 hours, India has reported around 1406 new cases and 41 new deaths.
Gujarat Death Toll Crosses 100
WIth 13 more deaths, Gujarat has now crossed a 103 deaths.
Expatriates from Kerala settled in various countries, especially the Gulf, should carry mandatorily a COVID-19 negative certificate if they want to return home once the Centre gives it's nod for bringing them back, the state government has said.