COVID-19 CASES RISE TO 12,380 IN INDIA WITH DEATH TOLL AT 414

From Our Bureau                       

16th April 2020

The total number of COVID-19 cases rose to 12,380 in the country today. The death toll has increased to 414. As many as 1,489 persons have been cured/ discharged after recovery, according to the latest update from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of COVID-19 cases in India is 3.3 percent and the percentage of people recovered so far is 12.02 percent.

The Government of India is taking several steps for prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 through a collective effort with the States and Union Territories. These are being regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare held a video conference with health functionaries and senior officials as well as field officers of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the containment measures for COVID-19 in India.

The Minister was apprised that WHO officers working at district level are doing technical coordination for the development of Micro Plans for clusters and outbreak containment with States/ UT officials and also helping them in devising a strategy for continued surveillance of districts. WHO’s national polio surveillance network team will support Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to further strengthen the ongoing surveillance and response based on transmission scenarios & testing of cases.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan also held an interaction with Indian industry leaders organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) where he thanked them for contributing to the PM-CARES fund. He assured them that the Government is aware of the difficulties faced by them and allayed their concerns with respect to measures being undertaken for revival of the economy. He also encouraged them to make best use of the Make in India opportunities in healthcare posed by COVID-19 so that the country comes out more resilient and self-reliant in providing critical health care equipment.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a public advisory for safe drinking water practices during the lockdown. The public health departments have been advised to augment water supplies with special focus on relief camps and for vulnerable sections of the society. Appropriate use of chlorine tablets, bleaching powder and hypochlorite solution is also advised. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also issued detailed guidelines to all the States / UTs on enabling delivery of essential health care services to meet the unprecedented

demand on the current healthcare system during the outbreak. These services include maternal child health, prevention and management of communicable health diseases, treatment of chronic diseases to avoid complications and addressing emergencies. It has also been advised that these services should be provided while ensuring safety for healthcare workers. Besides COVID-19 dedicated facilities, remaining facilities shall continue providing such services with the help of Not for profit and the private sector. Tele-health services should be promoted to prevent overcrowding.

It has also been suggested that the services such as immunization and ante-natal care should be reorganised during the period of lockdown or restrictions and days can be fixed for such services duly adhering to physical distancing and other prevention of infection protocol. Pregnant women, children with SAM (Severe and Acute Malnourishment), TB, leprosy, HIV, viral hepatitis, COPD, dialysis should be followed through the primary health care team at Sub Health Centre and Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs).

As of now, 325 districts have not reported any cases. Mahe, Puducherry has not reported any fresh positive case since the last 28 days. The following districts have not reported any new case during the last 14 days:

 (eom)