From Our Bureau
18th April 2020
A total of 14,378 confirmed cases are reported for COVID-19 in the country. The death toll rose to 480. As many as 1,992 persons, i.e. 13.82 percent of total cases, have been cured/discharged after recovery. Of the 14,378 confirmed cases, only 4,291 (or about 30 percent of total cases) have been linked to Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi, according to the latest update from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
As of now, the mortality rate for COVID-19 is of 3.3 percent. Further analysis of the data indicates that out of the deceased: 14.4 percent of people are 0-45 years age group; 10.3 percent 45 -60 years age group; 33.1percent 60-75 years age group, 42.2 percent are from 75 years and above age group.
The data shows that 75.3 percent of the cases belong to above 60 years age category. Also it is seen that 83 percent of cases had co-morbidities. This brings to fore the earlier highlighted facts that elderly people and people with co-morbidities are at higher risk.
Several steps for prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 are being taken by Government of India along with the States/Union Territories. These are being regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
The implementation of the Action Plan is yielding good results in 23 States/UTs across 47 districts. Kodaggu (Karnataka) is a new district that has been added to this list along with Mahe (Puducherry) that has not reported any fresh cases during the last 28 days.
22 new districts in 12 States have not reported any fresh cases during the last 14 days, which include: Lakhisarai, Gopalganj, Bhagalpur in Bihar; Dholpur& Udaipur in Rajasthan; Pulwama in J&K; Thoubal in Manipur; Chitradurga in Karnataka; Hoshiarpur in Punjab; Rohtak & Charkhi Dadri in Haryana; Lohit in Arunachal Pradesh; Bhardak, Puri in Odisha;
Karimganj, Golaghta, Kamrup Rural, Nalbari & South Salmara in Assam; Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong in West Bengal and Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
After reviewing the worldwide testing methodology, National Task Force of ICMR has issued a Guideline to all states. Additionally, before starting any Rapid Test, States should register any data related to tests for COVID-19 on ICMR website (covid19cc.nic.in/ICMR). (eom)
