"Through a massive effort around 22,000 Tablighi Jamaat workers and their contacts have been quarantined,” said Punya Salila Srivastava, joint secretary in the home affairs ministry, at a press conference in Delhi.
Lav Aggarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry, said at the same press conference 1,023 coronavirus cases in 17 states were related to the Jamaat’s congregation. "Around 30 per cent of the total cases are related to the religious congregation so far. We need to understand that we are as strong as the weakest link,” he said.
The Jamaat organised the gathering between March 10 and March 15 when the country had not restricted people from coming out in public, but at a time when the World Health Organisation had declared the disease as a pandemic that required international efforts to contain.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, last week called the Jamaat’s congregation a “Taliban crime”.
"When the entire country is together to fight coronavirus, in such circumstances, such a thing is a crime. Not just the law, but even the Almighty will not forgive such a thing. It is very unfortunate that the lives of so many people were endangered because of such a careless approach,” he said.
Centre puts curbs on exports of diagnostic kits
The government on Saturday put curbs on exports of diagnostic kits with a view to discourage shipments, amid the coronavirus outbreak. The move would help in dealing with the Covid-19 crisis, as these kits are required for testing of patients. Earlier, exports of these products were allowed without any restrictions.
Modi, Trump resolve to deploy full strength of ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on Saturday held a detailed discussion on the situation arising out of the coronavirus outbreak and resolved to deploy the full strength of the India-US partnership to fight the pandemic.
PM to interact with floor leaders of political parties
The PM will interact with floor leaders of various political parties via a video link on April 8. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the PM will interact with floor leaders of all those parties who have more than five MPs in both houses of Parliament.
FHRAI member hotels offer government access to over 45,000 rooms
Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) on Saturday said its member hotels have offered the government access to over 45,000 hotel rooms across the country for quarantine purposes.
-
Delhi: Sisodia demands funds from Centre to combat coronavirus outbreak
-
IAS officer among two top health officials in MP to test positive
-
NCW to issue urgent advisory on stranded women migrants
-
Give Rs 1 trillion to states to help them deal with coronavirus, says Congress to Centre
-
Health ministry issues guidelines for states on oxygen supply to facilities handling cases
-
Two patients test positive at Ganga Ram hospital; 108 staff quarantined
-
Delhi Police sets up isolation centre for its personnel
-
Anti-parasitic drug kills coronavirus in lab grown cells: Study
-
Shining torches in sky won't solve problem: Rahul Gandhi
-
8 more cases in Noida
 "People who showed coronavirus symptoms being taken to various hospitals from Nizamuddin in New Delhi on Tuesday Photo: Dalip Kumar")