Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : The number of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) confirmed cases reached 15,712 in India on April 19, 2020, while 2,301 patients (over 14.19% of total cases) have been cured/discharged after recovery. The number of Coronavirus active cases in the country is 13,295.
Coronavirus death toll increased to 519 in the country including 211 in Maharashtra, 70 in MP, 58 in Gujarat, 43 in Delhi, 18 in Telangana, 17 in UP, 16 in Punjab, 15 each in Andhra Pradesh & Tamilnadu, 14 in Karnataka, 12 in West Bengal, and 11 in Rajasthan, on April 19, 2020, evening.
So far 2,144 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals have been identified at both Centre and State levels. From April 20, 2020, restrictions will be eased in non-containment areas, but containment areas in HOTSPOT districts will not be given any relaxation. States / UTs may impose further additional measures according to local requirements. A high-level Task Force has been formed to work on the frontiers of science related to drug testing and vaccine.
Due to the spread of COVID-19 virus, workers employed in industry, agriculture, construction and other sectors have moved from their respective places of work and are housed in relief/ shelter camps being run by State/ UT Governments. Since additional new activities, outside the containment zones, have been permitted in the consolidated revised guidelines with effect from April 20, 2020, these workers could be engaged in industrial, manufacturing, construction, farming and MNREGA works. In order to facilitate their movement within the State/UT, MHA has issued guidelines.
In order to enable income taxpayers avail full benefits of various timeline extensions granted by the Government of India due to Covid-19 pandemic situations, the CBDT is revising the return forms for FY 2019-20 (Assessment Year 2020-21) which shall be notified by the end of this month, according to a PIB release.
Amidst the uncertainty prevailing today, the one activity giving hope is agricultural activity, which is also providing the reassurance of food security. The efforts of the farmers coupled with timely intervention by the Central and State Governments have ensured that there is minimal or no disruption to harvesting activities and the continued sowing of summer crops.
In Madhya Pradesh, 26 districts have reported Covid positive cases with the state tally increasing to 1,407. Indore continues to be the hotspot with 707 reported cases.
Chattisgarh: With 23 out of the 28 districts falling in the Green Zone as mapped by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Chhattisgarh tops the list of Covid-19 free clusters. Selective economic activity will resume in green zone districts from April 20, 2020.
Maharashtra: The State government is allowing the industries from green and orange zones to start production and processing activities in a restricted manner. The industries will have to arrange the accommodation for their workers to prevent long distance travel for work. Maharashtra has reported 3,648 cases and 211 deaths. However, at 66,896, the state has also conducted the highest number of tests in the country.
Punjab Government has ordered strict enforcement with regard to the compulsory wearing of masks in public and asked the police to take stringent action, including imposition of challans, against violators.