Telangana government on Wednesday imposed a ban on spitting in public places and institutions as a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19. "Spitting of paan/any chewable tobacco or non-tobacco product, etc, in public places and institutions is banned with immediate effect," an official notification read. "It's of utmost need to impose restrictions on unhealthy practices," it further read.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has announced that the lockdown in the state has been extended till April 30, becoming the first state in the country to do so. All educational institutions in Odisha will also remain closed till June 17, the state government announced. PM Narendra Modi had announced the nationwide lockdown till April 14.

Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate on Thursday released a list of fruit and vegetable vendors serving in coronavirus hotspots in Noida, that have been sealed. The list contains the names of the vendors as well as their contact numbers. Uttar Pradesh government announced on Wednesday that hotspots in 15 districts will be sealed and essentials will be delivered to homes.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday ordered to completely seal Bhopal, Indore and Ujjain after rise in coronavirus cases. The CM's office also stated that there will be total lockdown in 14 other districts. Meanwhile, the state has reported around 229 cases of coronavirus and 13 deaths due to the virus, the Health Ministry stated.

A doctor at JP Hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal, Sachin Nayak, has started to live in his car to avoid spreading COVID-19 infection at home in case he caught it at work. He has stocked up his daily use items and books in the car itself. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised Nayak and tweeted, "Sachin ji, salute to your spirit."

Bihar government on Wednesday announced that students from Class 1 to 9 and 11 will be promoted to the next grade amid the lockdown following the coronavirus pandemic. Many other states including UP, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh had earlier decided to promote students to the next grade without examinations. As per the official data, Bihar has recorded 38 COVID-19 cases so far.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has crossed 15 lakh across more than 190 countries/regions today, AFP tally has revealed. It further stated that 87,320 people have died due to Covid-19. Meanwhile, 3.2 lakh people have recovered across the world. India has reported over 5,700 confirmed cases and 166 deaths due to the virus.

In Dubai, marriages and divorces have been suspended 'until further notice' to avoid gatherings that could spread COVID-19. Couples who have already completed marriage formalities have been told not organise wedding parties "even among their immediate circles". Dubai's justice department on Wednesday said that the decision was taken as a measure to prevent COVID-19 spread.

TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay said that PM Narendra Modi, during an all-party meeting on Wednesday, dropped enough hints of extending the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bandyopadhyay added, "The PM said lifting the lockdown at one go is not advisable as several experts and states have suggested extending it. He said he will discuss the issue with the CMs".

A 32-year-old man died at a hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district on Wednesday, hours after submitting samples for coronavirus testing. An official said that the patient, who was admitted to the isolation ward, had trouble breathing and had fever, cough and cold. The samples were sent out for testing to determine if the patient was Covid-19 positive.

Rajasthan has recorded 30 more COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking the state's tally to 413, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said. All new cases have travel and contact history, Singh added. As per reports, seven cases each have been reported in Jhalawar, Tonk and Jhunjhunu, five in Jaisalmer, two in Banswara and one each in Barmer and Jodhpur.

Five people have tested positive for coronavirus in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh and their contact tracing is underway, said District Collector Tanvi Sundriyal on Thursday. Sundriyal added that a curfew has been imposed in Khandwa to contain the spread of coronavirus. Notably, 229 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh so far, and there have been 13 deaths.

After US President Donald Trump thanked PM Narendra Modi for clearing the export of Hydroxychloroquine amid coronavirus pandemic, PM Modi replied to him. "Times like these bring friends closer. The India-US partnership is stronger than ever. India shall do everything possible to help humanity's fight against COVID-19," the PM tweeted. "We shall win this together," he added.

Punjab Education Department on Wednesday issued notices to three private schools in Mohali for defying government orders and demanding fees amid lockdown. Punjab Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla said Doon International School, ATS Valley School and Lawerance Public Senior Secondary School were issued notices. Two other private schools were also issued notices on Tuesday regarding the same.

After 10 coronavirus cases were reported in Kota, the district administration has put a ban on taking selfies while distributing food items to needy. "We have asked all subdivision officers to ensure that social distancing is being practised while distributing food packets," District Collector Omprakash Kasera said. He also instructed officers to take action against those who flout guidelines.

IIT Kharagpur has donated ₹1 crore to the PM-CARES Fund set up by the government to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The institution raised the money from the faculty, non-teaching staff, and other sources. "I'm glad to see people have come forward...and within a week we have been able to pledge the amount," IIT Kharagpur Director Virendra Tewari said.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police hospital at Greater Noida has been declared a hospital for coronavirus patients by the MHA, ITBP Director General SS Deswal said. The 200-bed hospital has been vacated by other patients and training has been imparted to the staff for dealing with the disease. Meanwhile, ITBP's facility in Chhawla, Delhi is being used as a quarantine camp.

Amid coronavirus spread, screening of patients having symptoms of influenza and severe acute respiratory illness in Bihar has been made mandatory. "All DMs and the CSs have been directed to ensure it without fail and request the private hospitals to assist and support in this medical urgency," Principal Secretary of Health Sanjay Kumar said.

Actress Hina Khan took to Instagram to share a video on how to make reusable masks at home. "I tried to make the process and the masks, both as interesting as possible...hope it will encourage a lot of you to make one for yourself. #WeAreInThisTogether #LetsFightCovid19," she wrote. India has reported more than 5,700 coronavirus cases.

Actor and comedian Kiku Sharda said that it feels nostalgic to know that two of his old comedy shows, 'Partners' and 'Akbar Birbal' are returning to TV and will be aired again, amid the coronavirus lockdown. "I hope that these popular shows will keep people glued to their TV screens and divert their mind from the coronavirus scare," he added.

On actress-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan's 72nd birthday on Thursday, her children Abhishek Bachchan and Shweta Bachchan Nanda wished their mother. "I carry your heart...in my heart...anywhere I go you go," Shweta wrote on Instagram. Abhishek, on the other hand, wrote, "As every child will tell you, their favourite word is...MA!...although you're away in Delhi...we...carry you in our hearts."

Veteran actress Manisha Koirala said that rather than making an "instant star out of airport looks", we should have stars who can "perform well". "We should have stars who we can look up to...I want to see that change," she added. "I feel sad for the person who [gets] instant success...it doesn't have depth...substance," Manisha further said.

Actor Sonu Sood has offered his hotel in Mumbai as a residential facility to doctors and healthcare workers who are treating COVID-19 patients. "It's my honour to be able to do my bit for...doctors, nurses and para-medical staff of our country," he added. "We have already approached municipal and private hospitals and informed them about the facility," Sonu further said.

A 34-year-old man who was caught stealing surgical face masks from a hospital in the UK has been jailed for three months, police said on Wednesday. Police said Lerun Hussain had been detained by security staff at King's College Hospital in south London as he tried to steal three masks. Over 60,730 coronavirus cases reported in the UK.

MIT scientists used airbrushed inks to create interactive surfaces which could be used to control objects including TV and lights. The UI was first designed in a 3D editor and a stencil was exported for the surface. Layers of conductive inks, including conductive copper ink, were then sprayed onto it. Later, a microcontroller connected surfaces and the controller of appliances.