Coronavirus Live Updates: Hyderabad Techie Diagnosed with Covid-19

With alertness and safeguards, we all can help contain the outbreak of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. In a precautionary measure, the Rashtrapati Bhavan will not hold the traditional Holi gatherings: President Ram Nath Kovind.

Coronavirus: HRD ministry directs states, CBSE to spread awareness among students

In order to create awareness among students, preventive interventions such as frequent hand wash, respiratory etiquettes (using handkerchief over mouth while coughing or sneezing, use of tissue paper or using sleeve of shirt covering upper arm, staying away from school when sick, avoiding public gatherings) would help in preventing or reducing transformation of not only this disease but also a large number of other communicable diseases, HRD Secretary Amit Khare said 

Italian govt to close schools, universities to contain coronavirus

The Italian government has decided to close schools and universities across the country until mid-March in a further attempt to contain the worst coronavirus outbreak in Europe, Ansa news agency reported on Wednesday. 

Iran cancels Friday prayers in major cities amid outbreak

Friday prayers in Iran have been canceled across all provincial capitals amid the country's growing coronavirus outbreak: State media 

3 Delhi-NCR schools closed, 2 advance spring break as precautionary measure

Three schools in the national capital and adjoining areas have announced holiday for students and staff as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of coronavirus, while two schools advanced their spring break and others sent out advisories to parents. 

Read: Coronavirus Updates: Facts and Figures 

The World Health Organization Head said on Tuesday that the global mortality rate for Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus was 3.4 per cent.

Two samples from Telangana sent to Pune for confirmation on COVID-19, 45 others test negative

Samples of two persons have been sent to the National Institute of Virology at Pune for confirmation of coronavirus, health authorities said on Wednesday, as the government stepped up precautionary measures. The virus scare hit the IT corridor at Cyberabad herewitha complex, housing software companies, being "closed" for sanitisation after a person working there was suspected to be suffering from the infection. 

Govt working proactively to deal with coronavirus, PM monitoring situation daily: Javadekar

While only the virology institute based in Pune was fit for conducting tests for coronavirus, the government has now set up 15 more labs and is in the process of establishing 19 additional centres: Javadekar 

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation: Delhi metro staff has been sensitised and guidelines have been circulated regarding Do’s and Dont’s to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Instructions are being issued to increase the frequency of cleaning within the metro premises.

Coronavirus outbreak: Almost 91,000 cases reported across globe, 80,000 from China

There are almost 91,000 cases globally of which more than 80,000 are in China. China’s death toll was 2,946, with more than 166 fatalities elsewhere on Wednesday.

(Reuters)