COVID-19 cases rise to 30, EU summit rescheduled

A man from Ghaziabad with a recent travel history to Iran has tested positive for novel coronavirus, taking the total number of such cases in the country to 30 as the government on Thursday asked states to form rapid response teams at district, block and village levels.

In some relief for Telangana, blood samples of two persons from the state which were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation tested negative. Telangana Health Minister E Rajender said the samples were of a man who came from Italy and a sanitary worker at an IT company. He said a software professional from the state working in Bengaluru who tested positive is suspected to have contracted it in Dubai and his condition is improving. The man is currently undergoing treatment at the state-run Gandhi hospital in Hyderabad.

Primary schools closed till March 31 Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced that all primary schools in the national capital will remain closed till March 31 to prevent the possibility of spread of coronavirus.

Primary classes of Kendriya Vidyalayas in the national capital will also remain closed till March 31.

No EU summit: The outbreak also cast a shadow on the India-EU summit which was slated to be held later this month and will now be rescheduled.

No shortage of drugs: Amid reports of coronavirus outbreak in China affecting the Indian pharma industry, Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Sadanand Gowda said there is no shortage of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients for at least three months.

Don’t consume raw meat: Food safety regulator FSSAI on Thursday said imported food items, including those from coronavirus-affected nations, are “safe” but cautioned people against eating raw or undercooked meat and unprocessed food products.

Mughal Gardens closed: The Mughal Gardens will be closed for public from Saturday in view of the coronavirus outbreak, Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Thursday.