From Our Bureau
07th April 2020
The Corona Virus (CPVID-19) pandemic situation continued to be critical globally, with the confirmed cases across the world jumping to 12,79,722 and the death toll soaring to 67,594 in the 211 affected countries and territories.
According to the latest update from the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases increased by 68,766 and the confirmed death toll rose by 5,020 in the last 24 hours.
In India, the number of confirmed cases touched 4,864 and the death toll reached 117 on 7th April. In all, 326 persons have been cured/discharged from the hospitals after recovery.
In Telangana State, the total number of confirmed cases increased to 404, with 11 deaths and 45 cases discharged.
Globally, European region continued to be the worst-hit, with 6,86,338 confirmed cases and 52,809 deaths. American region came next with 3,84,242 confirmed cases and 11,097 deaths. Western Pacific region’s tally stood at 1,13,641 confirmed cases and 3,892 deaths. Eastern Mediterranean region reported 79,565 confirmed cases and 4,149 deaths. South-East Asia region recorded 9,132 confirmed cases and 362 deaths and African region witnessed 7,029 confirmed cases and 294 deaths. WHO Risk Assessment at global level remained very high.
One new country/territory/area reported cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours: São Tomé and Príncipe. Today, 7th April, marks World Health Day and this year WHO pays tribute to the incredible contribution of all health workers, especially nurses and midwives. Nurses are the largest component of the health workforce and play a fundamental role in combatting COVID-19 and achieving Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. WHO has published the first-ever report on the state of the world’s nursing workforce. It renews calls on governments to invest in nurses.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros has reiterated concerns regarding the shortage of medical masks and other PPE and reminded people that masks should be used as part of a comprehensive package of interventions. WHO has released guidance on the use of masks in communities, during home care, and in healthcare settings. WHO is improving supply networks and logistics in clinical environments, and sending equipment and testing kits worldwide.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, on its update on COVID-19, said that various pre-emptive, proactive and graded measures have been taken by Government of India along with the States/UTs for the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in the country. These are being regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued guidelines for cluster containment and outbreak containment. Technology-led initiatives for undertaking surveillance, monitoring quarantine facilities, tracking the health of suspected patients and their contacts placed under home quarantine, providing up-to-date information to citizens, making predictive analytics using Heat Maps, with real-time tracking of ambulances and disinfection services, virtual training to doctors & healthcare professionals and tele-counselling are being conducted across various Districts.
The Ministry has published an updated training resource material and video material for COVID-19 management. A Guidance Document on appropriate management of suspect/ confirmed cases of COVID-19 has also been issued. Three types of facilities shall be set up for various categories of COVID-19 cases as a mechanism for triaging and decisions making for identification of the appropriate COVID-19 dedicated facility for providing care to COVID-19 patients:
1. COVID Care Center (CCC): Mild or very mild cases or COVID suspect cases.
Makeshift facilities. These may be set up in hostels, hotels, schools, stadiums, lodges etc., both public and private. If need be, existing quarantine facilities could also be converted into COVID Care Centres, necessarily be mapped to one or more Dedicated COVID Health Centres and at least one Dedicated COVID Hospital for referral purpose.
2. Dedicated COVID Health Centre (DCHC): Shall offer care for all cases that have been clinically assigned as moderate. These should either be a full hospital or a separate block in a hospital with preferably separate entry/exit/zoning. These hospitals would have beds with assured Oxygen support.
3. Dedicated COVID Hospital (DCH): Shall offer comprehensive care primarily for those who have been clinically assigned as severe. Should either be a full hospital or a separate block in a hospital with preferably separate entry\exit. Fully equipped ICUs, Ventilators and beds with assured Oxygen support.
Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Government of Telangana, in a media bulletin, said that in view of COVID-19 global pandemic, the State of Telangana has strengthened surveillance, contact tracing and containment measures against the possible spread of the disease. The number of COVID-19 cases increased to 404, with 40 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. These cases were reported from 25 out of 33 districts in the State.
The Director of Public Health said that till date there is no evidence of community transmission in Telangana. Daily video conference is being conducted by Chief Secretary with all concerned officials. 6 Diagnostic labs are functional 24/7 to meet the Diagnostic demand. The travelers and their contacts of Markaz, Delhi are being tracked, tested and treated for COVID-19. Containment activity has been taken up in all the districts where the positive cases are reported.
In an advisory and appeal to the public, the director said that staying indoors and staying at home is the best method to prevent spread of COVID-19 infection. The citizens are requested and encouraged to Self Report at the government health facilities in case of onset of symptoms like fever, cough and breathing difficulty. The citizens are requested to reach out and access the nearest government Health facility if they have a travelled to Markaz, Delhi OR Contact with any person who has travelled to Markaz, Delhi.
Citizens can contact helpline 104 in case of any doubts or queries pertaining to signs and symptoms, admission, diagnosis and treatment. The public is requested to stay calm and not to panic. The State is taking all the measures to contain the spread of the virus to protect and safeguard the public. Citizens are asked to maintain personal hygiene, hand hygiene, social distancing, cough hygiene and other preventive measures. (eom)
