Coronavirus update: 110 cases in India, says health ministry

The total number of those infected with the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in India increased to 110, the Union Health Ministry said on March 15, 2020. The first case from Uttarakhand was reported along with one additional case each in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

Maharashtra reported 32 cases — the highest in the country. Kerala reported 22 cases while Uttar Pradesh had 12 cases, according to the health ministry. Delhi and Karnataka had seven and six cases, respectively.

Jammu and Kashmir recorded two cases while there were three cases in Ladakh, according to the health ministry.

Bihar government to bear treatment expenses

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on March 16 said the state government will bear all expenses of the treatment of any patient who tests positive for coronavirus in the state.

Kumar said the treatment cost will be provided from the chief minister's relief fund. The next of kin of a person who dies from the virus will get Rs 4 lakh as compensation, he said.

France's situation ‘deteriorating very fast’

The coronavirus outbreak in France is "very worrying" and "deteriorating very fast", Jerome Salomon, the head of the country's health service said on March 16.

“The number of cases double every three days,” he was quoted as saying by news channel France 24.

Switzerland ups measures amid 841 new coronavirus cases

Switzerland confirmed 841 new cases of coronavirus, raising the tally to 2,200, the country's health authority said on March 15. The Federal Office of Public Health in Switzerland said the death toll rose to 14. All schools in the country were closed as part of measures to curb the outbreak.

South Africa declares state of disaster

South Africa announced a National State of Disaster over the COVID-19 outbreak as the number of people infected reached 61.

President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement in a live national television broadcast on March 15. “We have decided to establish a national command council and will meet three times a week to coordinate all aspects of this emergency response,” Ramaphosa said.

26 countries infected in Africa

Africa reported a rise in the number of cases, with 26 countries now affected by the virus outbreak (COVID-19) on March 16. There were a total 280 recorded cases across the continent, with at least 110 of these from Egypt.

There were 51 cases reported from South Africa and 27 from Algeria. There were 24 cases reported Senegal.

COVID-19 outbreak in New York

The COVID-19 outbreak has spread across New York, US, the city’s officials said, according to a media report on March 14. The officials reportedly told diplomats of the United Nations that everyone in New York had come in contact with the virus, according to the report.

Taiwan prepared for 17 years: CDC worker

Taiwan is ready for an outbreak similar to COVID-19 since the SARS epidemic, for fear of “being left behind by the world again”, a worker for Taiwan's health authorities told news daily Taiwan News.

Coronavirus tests that deliver results within three hours

One of the world’s biggest suppliers of SARS-CoV-2 tests will rush new equipment that can deliver results within three hours, into the Australian market, according to a report in The Guardian.

Australia, like many nations across the globe, facies pressure on its ability to test for SARS-CoV-2 due to what health authorities say is “unprecedented” demand on laboratories.

Pak sees sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, total up to 94

Pakistan recorded 41 new cases of SARS-CoV-2, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 94 on March 16, an official said, according to a Times of India report.

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