Health

New Delhi, Mar 18 (PTI) The Delhi government on Wednesday said it has disinfected 7,877 public service vehicles, including auto-rickshaws, so far to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said, "We advise the owners and operators of public service vehicles to act responsibly and get their vehicles disinfected on a daily basis so that we can overcome this crisis. We are providing this facility free of cost for everyone."

Jammu, Mar 18 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday accorded sanction to rolling out the J&K Health Scheme to provide free of cost Universal Health Coverage to all residents of the Union Territory in convergence with Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY.

The decision was taken by the administrative council which met under the chairmanship of Lt Governor G C Murmu here, an official spokesperson said.

New Delhi, Mar 19 (PTI) The novel coronavirus cases in India rose to 169 on Thursday after 18 fresh cases were reported from various parts of the country, according to the Health Ministry.

The cases include 25 foreign nationals -- 17 from Italy, 3 from the Philippines, two from the UK, one each belonging to Canada, Indonesia and Singapore.

ATHENS, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Greece imposed restrictions on the movement of migrants living in overcrowded camps on islands to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the migration ministry said.

Over the next 30 days, people living in camps will be allowed to temporarily exit the facilities only in small groups, every hour between 0700 and 1900 (0500-1700 GMT), in order to obtain food and supplies from nearby towns and villages.

Only one person from each family will be allowed to leave the camps.

MALE, Maldives, Mar 19 (NNN-PSM) – The Maldives government today (Thursday) announced that, all citizens arriving from foreign countries will be kept in isolation for 14 days.

Maldives’ Health Protection Agency (HPA), said that, all citizens arriving from countries that are exempt from temporary travel restrictions, will be kept in home-quarantine for 14 days starting today (Thursday).

However, citizens arriving from the United States will be kept in a government arranged isolation facility for 14 days, the HPA said.

MUSCAT, Mar 19 (NNN-ONA) – The Omani Ministry of Tourism, Wednesday, called on all tourist delegations, to leave the country, as part of its precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The ministry calls upon travel and tourism companies, to provide advice to tourist groups, to leave and return to their home countries,” said a ministry statement.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Transport announced the suspension of all public transportation in Oman, including buses, ferries and taxis, starting today (Thursday).

PRETORIA, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has met leaders of the country’s main political parties and has appealed for solidarity in the fight against coronavirus.

At a news conference, opposition politicians confirmed they were backing the government’s efforts.

But the interim leader of the Democratic Alliance, John Steenhuisen, urged the government to do all it could to protect jobs and limit the damage to the already struggling economy.

ROME, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy on Wednesday reported nearly 500 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, the highest one-day official toll of any nation, as US Pres Donald Trump ordered sweeping new action against the pandemic and declared himself a war president.

With the number of global coronavirus infections shooting past 200,000, governments announced new containment measures and the US Congress approved a $100 billion emergency relief package.

WASHINGTON, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two US lawmakers including a Florida representative on Wednesday became the first members of Congress to announce they have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart’s office said in a statement that “just a short while ago, he was notified that he has tested positive for COVID-19.”

The Republican who represents part of Miami follows that city’s Mayor Francis Suarez, who announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus last week.

Muzaffarpur (Bihar), Mar 18 (PTI) A petition was filed on Wednesday before a court here accusing Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan of failing to put a check on "black marketing" of face masks and hand sanitizers, the demand for which has spiked in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Social activist Tamanna Hashmi filed the petition before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Mukesh Kumar where it has been posted for hearing on March 30.