1,035 COVID-19 cases, 40 deaths in last 24 hours: Health ministry
COVID-19 cases in India skyrocketed to 7,529 on Saturday, including 242 deaths, according to the health ministry figures as on 5 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the next 3-4 weeks are critical to determine impact of steps taken till now to curb the COVID-19 spread.
Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in India skyrocketed to 7,529 on Saturday (April 11), including 242 deaths, according to the Union health ministry figures as on 5 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the next 3-4 weeks are critical to determine impact of steps taken till now to curb the COVID-19 spread and urged state governments to ensure strict adherence to the lockdown.
Here are the latest updates from the day:
Lockdown extension: The Centre is considering a request made by most states to extend the ongoing nationwide lockdown by two more weeks beyond April 14, government sources said. During a video conference with PM Modi, several chief ministers had suggested extending the lockdown at least by a fortnight. The ongoing 21-day nationwide lockdown is scheduled to end on April 14.
Rise in numbers: According to the health ministry, 1,035 fresh COVID-19 cases and 40 deaths due to the disease were reported in the last 24 hours across the country. The country’s tally now stands at 7,529 total cases, including 652 cured or discharged cases and 242 deaths. However, a tally of numbers declared by the states says total cases have already crossed 8,000 with 287 deaths.
586 dedicated hospitals: A total of 586 hospitals in India have been marked as dedicated COVID-19 hospitals with capacity of over one lakh isolation beds and 11,500 ICU beds reserved for coronavirus patients, according to the Union health ministry. This figure is being augmented every day, based on the evolving situation, said the ministry.
In absence of lockdown: According to statistical analysis, in the absence of lockdown and other containment measures, there would have been 41 per cent increase or 8.2 lakh total cases in the country by April 15, the health ministry said. It asserted that measures like social distancing, lockdown and other containment efforts are important in fighting the battle against COVID-19.
Central ministers to resume office: Sources said all central ministers have been asked to resume office from Monday and put together plans for post-lockdown period to kick-start the economy. All ministries have also been directed that joint secretary and above rank officers will resume work in respective departments and one-third of the essential staff in every ministry need to be present.
Worst-hit states: While Maharashtra saw its tally of confirmed cases rising to at least 1,666 on Saturday, Mumbai alone has more than 1,100 cases now. Tamil Nadu and Delhi have also seen their respective numbers cross the 1,000-mark, while Rajasthan has over 600 cases. The states with over 400 cases included Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
Special trains for transporting food: The government said Indian Railways is running special trains to transport perishable food items and seeds across the country for ensuring their availability during lockdown. It said 67 routes (134 trains) have been identified for Parcel Special Trains for perishable commodities including fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products and seeds for agriculture purpose.
Testing kits not received: A senior ICMR official said five lakh antibody testing kits ordered by the top medical body have not been received yet. The official said that over 1.7 lakh samples have been tested in the country so far for COVID-19, of which 16,564 samples were tested on Friday. The health ministry, meanwhile, reasserted there is no shortage of hydroxychloroquine in India.
Police protection for doctors: The home ministry has directed states and UTs to ensure adequate police protection to doctors and medical staff going to hospitals or quarantine centres during the pandemic. MHA had earlier issued an addendum to exemptions given under Disaster Management Act through which fisheries and aquaculture activities have been allowed during lockdown.
Global situation: The United States became the first country to report over 2,000 deaths in 24 hours on Friday. The global death toll from the virus crossed 103,000 on Friday. With 510 new deaths, Spain reported a dip in fatalities for the third day in a row while 1,000 new deaths were recorded in France. With the highest 18,849 deaths, Italy said the fatalities were starting to level off.
