COVID-19 patient can infect 406 in 30 days without quarantine: Govt

The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday (April 7) said about 70 per cent of coronavirus-infected people either show mild or very-mild symptoms of the disease and may not require hospitalisation.

In a set of guidelines issued on Tuesday for the management of COVID-19 cases, the health ministry urged people to practice social distancing and follow the lockdown.

Joint Secretary Lav Aggarwal pointed out that a recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) shows that a patient who breaks lockdown restrictions and defies social distancing can infect nearly 406 people in 30 days.

Related news: 13 deaths, 508 COVID-19 cases in 24 hrs: Numbers rise to 4,789; toll 124

With just a week left for the 21-day nationwide lockdown to conclude, the state governments observed the number of cases increasing steadily and urged the Centre to extend the same.

The Central government, on Tuesday, also indicated that it is observing the situation, further asking states to take legal action and pronounce a two-year jail against those defying lockdown or quarantine restrictions.

The country has recorded 13 deaths and 508 new coronavirus cases within the last 24 hours, taking the number of reported cases to 4,789 and the death toll to 124 as of Tuesday.