Coronavirus: Latest updates on COVID-19 crisis around the world

Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus crisis in India and other parts of the world on Wednesday. 4:00 p.m.

Union Health Minister directs teams to visit quarantine facilities to assess and monitor amenities. 3:52 p.m.

BJP activist arrested for hosting cow urine consumption event to fight COVID-19 3:49 p.m. Swiss firm Roche Diagnostics India receives license for conducting coronavirus tests after approval from drug regulator DCGI, making it the first private firm to get such permission.

3:33 p.m. From checking flu symptoms among soldiers on their return from leave to cancelling non-essential travel and conference, the Army says it has taken a series of measures to prevent coronavirus spread among the forces.

3:26 p.m. IIT, Ropar announces it will provide online courses to students as classes in the college remain suspended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

3:17 p.m. The ADB announces a USD 6.5 billion package for its developing member countries to fight the coronavirus pandemic. 3:11 p.m.

CBSE has directed board examination centres to ensure sitting arrangement with adequate distance between students to contain the coronavirus spread. 3:09 p.m.

As many as 276 Indians have been infected with coronavirus abroad, including 255 in Iran, 12 in UAE and five in Italy, the government informs the Lok Sabha. 2:43 p.m.

A resident of Noida, who recently returned from Indonesia, tests positive for the novel coronavirus, Gautam Buddh Nagar health officials say. 2:31 p.m. The UK must act like a "wartime" government and do whatever it takes to support the country's economy, PM Boris Johnson says as Britain's death toll from COVID-19 rose to 71 and the number of cases stand at nearly 2,000.

2:16 p.m. A 25-year-old junior resident doctor at King George Medical University in Lucknow tests positive for novel coronavirus after coming in contact with two patients undergoing treatment for the disease at its premises, hospital spokesperson says.

2:15 p.m. The Delhi Zoo administration on Wednesday shut the zoological party till March 31 in view of the coronavirus outbreak. 1:27 p.m.

Coronavirus is not artificially made, but the product of natural evolution, a new study says 1:22 p.m. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the National Restaurant Association of India asks all members to shut down restaurants till March 31 or till such time when no new cases are reported.

12:38 p.m. An Army officer attached to the College of Military Engineering in Pune was asked to self-quarantine after he showed symptoms of flu, sources say.

Former Union minister and BJP MP Suresh Prabhu has quarantined himself at his residence for the next 14 days, as a precautionary measure following his return from Saudi Arabia. 12:20 p.m.

Hundreds of distressed Indian students, stuck in the Philippines, are seeking help through video messages due to travel restrictions imposed by India to contain coronavirus spread. 12:12 p.m.

The Kolkata Police warns rumour-mongers of strict action against spreading fake news on social media over novel coronavirus. 11:56 a.m.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rajasthan High Court will function for only two hours a day till March 31, and take up matters that require urgent hearing during which the accused will be exempted from appearing in person before the judges. 11:30 a.m. Students of classes one to eight of all government primary schools in UP will get promoted without having to appear in examinations due to coronavirus outbreak, official says. 10:45 a.m.

The novel coronavirus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, can be stable for several hours to days in aerosols and on surfaces, according to a new study. 9:47 a.m. The number of novel coronavirus cases in India rises to 147, with 10 fresh cases reported from various parts of the country, Health Ministry says.

9:00 a.m. A 34-year-old soldier has tested positive for novel coronavirus in Leh, Army sources say.

8:57 a.m. The epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Wuhan city in China, reported a single confirmed case for the second consecutive day on Tuesday even as 11 people died of the deadly disease in the country, taking the toll to 3,237, health officials 7:52 a.m.

The number of deaths due to the new coronavirus in the US reaches 105, with the outbreak spreading to all 50 states. 7:40 a.m.

S&P Global Ratings lowers India's economic growth forecast to 5.2 per cent for 2020, saying the global economy is entering a recession amid the coronavirus pandemic. 4:57 a.m.

In order to give relief to the Americans adversely impacted by the coronavirus, President Donald Trump instructs that money be sent to them directly as soon as possible, White House officials say. 4:12 a.m.

China is engaged in a disinformation campaign to shift its responsibility in the spread of the coronavirus, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo alleges. 2:31 a.m.

The World Bank announces increasing to USD14 billion the amount of fast-track financing to assist companies and countries in their efforts against COVID-19 pandemic..