India is testing a multi-purpose vaccine that has proved effective against leprosy and boosts immunity in hosts to see if it can help tackle the coronavirus, the chief of country’s largest public-funded research institution told NDTV on Friday.

COVID-19 Cases India Updates: In India, over 13,000 people have been infected and 437 have died.
New Delhi: Coronavirus India Live Updates: The highly infectious novel coronavirus has killed forty three people in the country in 24 hours, taking the total to 480, government data suggests. The virus has infected 14,378 people in the country since the first case was reported in Kerala in January.
The coronavirus pandemic is “a huge challenge but also an opportunity”, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said today. In a tweet this morning, he called for “innovative solutions” by using the country’s “huge pool” of experts. “The #Covid19 pandemic is a huge challenge but it is also an opportunity. We need to mobilise our huge pool of scientists, engineers & data experts to work on innovative solutions needed during the crisis (sic),” the 49-year-old Congress MP wrote.
India is testing a multi-purpose vaccine that has proved effective against leprosy and boosts immunity in hosts to see if it can help tackle the coronavirus, the chief of country’s largest public-funded research institution told NDTV on Friday.
The World Health Organisation has said a specific vaccine for the novel coronavirus that has triggered the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could take at least 12 months or longer.
Several countries including the US and China are working on vaccines to counter the virus that has affected over 21 lakh people across the world and killed nearly 1.5 lakh. In India, over 13,000 people have been infected and 437 have died.
The doubling rate of COVID-19 cases in India has dropped to 6.2 days over the past week, as compared to three days before the lockdown was imposed last month by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government said on Friday.
Meanwhile, 15 to 20 sailors of the Indian Navy have been tested positive for coronavirus. The sailors have been quarantined at a naval hospital in Mumbai. This is the first set of coronavirus or COVID-19 cases being reported in the navy.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases in India Live Updates: 2 more cases in Meghalaya, state count reaches 10: Chief Minister Conrad SangmaMeghalaya reported two more positive COVID-19 cases, taking the state count to 10, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Saturday.
“Two more positive cases detected taking the total to 10 active cases in the state. Both cases are from the house of the first patient one is family and other a helper in the house,” Mr Sangma tweeted.
The state on Wednesday reported its first death due to COVID-19.
Hon’ble HM Sh Amit Shah has conveyed his deep appreciation for effective lockdown & excellent services rendered by all ranks of J&K Police. Hon’ble Home Minister in a telephonic message to DGP Sh Dilbag Singh has also conveyed his compliments for good CT/ L&O management in J&K.
– J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) April 18, 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases in India Live Updates: Police constable, wife test positive for COVID-19 in PuneA 42-year-old police constable and his wife tested positive for COVID-19 in Pune on Friday, news agency ANI reported quoting an official.
The constable along with his wife have been shifted to an isolation ward at a hospital in Pimpri-Chinchwad area and are in stable condition, according to Ravindra Shisve, Joint Commissioner of Pune Police.
Authorities are involved in tracing the contacts of the duo.
Ghaziabad: Food Delivery Force (FDF) of police is distributing food packets&ration among needy amid #COVID19 lockdown. “30 teams are working on it. Through community kitchens we are delivering food&ration packets (enough for 15 days) in remote areas,” says Shailendra Singh, ADM pic.twitter.com/UizCBuoW2F
– ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 18, 2020
On Camera, Madhya Pradesh Sanitation Worker Attacked, Clothes RippedA group of sanitation workers were attacked with axe in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas district on Friday when they went to a neighbourhood to clean the streets. The shocking attack comes weeks after similar incidents in the state in which healthcare workers and civic officials were attacked locals when they went to screen residents for coronavirus.
Hi! Delhi
We are into Lockdown 2.0 in the fight against #Covid_19
If you have any queries about the provisions of the #Lockdown, we will try to clarify them in a #LockdownQuery session. Timing: 4 – 5 PM today
Tweet your question with hashtag #LockdownQuery & we will answer it.
– Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) April 18, 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases in India Live Updates: Over 1,300 cases, 69 virus-related deaths in Madhya PradeshThe total number of COVID-19 positive patients in the state has risen to 1,355, news agency ANI reported quoting state health department. Sixty nine people have died in the state due to the virus, it added.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases in India Live Updates: Rajasthan becomes first state to start Rapid Testing for COVID-19Rajasthan has started Rapid Testing for COVID-19, tweeted Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, adding that its is first state in the country to do so.
#Rajasthan has become one of the first states to start Rapid Testing for #COVID19. We are conducting highest number of tests too. State govt is leaving no stone unturned in this battle against #Corona. Our goal is to save everybody’s life & contain the spread. #__
– Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) April 18, 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases in India Live Updates: Kerala Man Dies Days After Recovering From COVID-19An 85-year-old coronavirus patient, who was successfuly cured and was under treatment for kidney and heart-related ailments, died early this morning at a hospital in Malappuram.
The patient was declared cured of the viral infection after his last three samples taken on April 7, 10 and 13 came out negative, Malappuram District Collector Jafar Malik told PTI.
KV Nandakumar, Superintendent of the Government Manjeri Medical College hospital, where he was admitted said, “The man was in ICU and was undergoing treatment for coronary artery
disease kidney ailment and diabetes.”
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases in India Live Updates: Rajasthan reports 41 new coronavirus cases, state count reaches 1,270At least 41 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Rajasthan, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 1,270, news agency ANi reported quoting the state Health Department.
The Health Department also reported two new deaths in Jaipur, taking the death toll up to 19.
Delhi: People in Chilla village line up to collect drinking water from Delhi Jal Board (DJB) trucks, amid #CoronaLockdown. They says, “we have to queue up for at least 2-3 hours to collect drinking water due to shortage of water. The water tanker comes only once in 3-4 days”. pic.twitter.com/jRo5XpJ01S
– ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2020
“Delhi govt is ensuring that nobody stays hungry during this difficult time. Daily 20 lakh people are being fed by Delhi Govt. Ration is also being provided to ration card holders and needy non-ration card holders.” -Dy CM @msisodiapic.twitter.com/mbjW1TFVQl
– AAP (@AamAadmiParty) April 18, 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases in India Live Updates: 31 new cases reported in Andhra Pradesh in 24 hours31 new COVID19 positive cases reported in Andhra Pradesh in last 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 603, news agency ANI reported quoting Arja Srikanth, Nodal Officer, COVID-19, Andhra Pradesh.
So far 42 people have been successfully treated for COVID-19 while 15 others have died due to the virus .
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases in India Live Updates: Siblings in Hyderabad develop face shields from their savings, provide it free of cost to frontline warriersTwo siblings based in Hyderabad are using up their savings to make face shields for the frontline warriors battling coronavirus, reports news agency ANI.
“These protective face shields will add a layer of protection on the face and eyes. In usual surgical masks and N95 masks, the protection is just for nose and mouth, but eyes are exposed and wearing goggles is a constructive way to protect themselves. These face shields will help them to protect their overall face for a longer time without much discomfort.” said Purva Rathi, an architect, told ANI.
“All the materials that have been used making these shields are simple stationary materials that we use in our field. We are trying to keep it as economic as possible and relatively easy to produce,” she said.
Baby is under proper care & all precautions are being taken. A detailed discussion was held by experts and doctors, & the baby has been allowed to be fed by mother, after proper sanitization. Baby’s sample will be sent for testing today: Dr V Kashyap, Medical Superintendent RIMS https://t.co/HVLln7h6qd
– ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2020
Shri #RamojiRao garu contributed Rs 10 lacs to #CoronaCrisisCharity Thank you Sir for your kind and generous gesture,most importantly for extending a helping hand for the cause of daily wage film workers. Your services to this industry are phenomenal and You are a legend Sir.
– Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) April 17, 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases in India Live Updates: Student hostels in Karnataka to be temporarily converted into quarantine centres Student hostels at Gulbarga University and Central University of Karnataka to be temporarily converted into quarantine centres, reports news agency ANI.
Punjab Department of Higher Education has issued a show-cause notice to Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar for ‘violating government orders & putting in danger lives of about 3200 people’ by ‘not shutting down completely’. #CoronaLockdownpic.twitter.com/qnoFkJmVum
– ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases in India Live Updates: Congress leader turns his office into control room to assist migrant labourersCongress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has turned his Delhi office into a mini control room to help migrant labourers stuck in West Bengal and other states during the lockdown.
Along with his staff and wife Atashi, he attends to the distress calls of migrant workers from across the nation and particularly from the West Bengal. He tries to reach out to the authorities and party leaders for helping these workers.
His wife and staff members are supporting him in managing the calls and preparing data of such stranded people.
The #Covid19 pandemic is a huge challenge but it is also an opportunity. We need to mobilise our huge pool of scientists, engineers & data experts to work on innovative solutions needed during the crisis.
– Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 18, 2020
Coronavirus cases: 14,378 coronavirus cases in India, 480 deathsThe highly infectious novel coronavirus has killed forty three people in the country in 24 hours, taking the total to 480, government data suggests. The virus has infected 14,378 people in the country since the first case was reported in Kerala in January.
Coronavirus Doubling Rate Slows To 6.2 Days From 3 Days Before LockdownThe doubling rate of COVID-19 cases in India has dropped to 6.2 days over the past week, as compared to three days before the lockdown was imposed last month by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government said on Friday. The decline is the result of increased testing, including that of patients suffering from SARI (severe acute respiratory illness) and ILI (influenza-like illness), the government added.”Before the lockdown, doubling rate of COVID19 cases was about three days, but according to data in the past seven days, the doubling rate of cases now stands at 6.2 days,” Lav Aggarwal, a senior Health Ministry official, told reporters during a daily briefing.
The World Health Organisation has said a specific vaccine for the novel coronavirus that has triggered the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could take at least 12 months or longer.
Several countries including the US and China are working on vaccines to counter the virus that has affected over 21 lakh people across the world and killed nearly 1.5 lakh. In India, over 13,000 people have been infected and 437 have died.
India is testing a multi-purpose vaccine that has proved effective against leprosy and boosts immunity in hosts to see if it can help tackle the coronavirus, the chief of country’s largest public-funded research institution told NDTV on Friday.