India in COVID
India entered phase of lockdown on March 24th, 2020
when the total number of cases was less than 606 with 10 deaths. The
increase in number of cases was exponential high to 33,000 and 1075
deaths on April 30th; 182,143 / 5164 (May
31st); 566,840/16,893 (June 30th);
and 1,192,915 / 28,732 (July 22nd). As on July
22nd, India ranks 3rd in total
cumulative cases and 7th in the total number of
deaths. On analysis the total number of cases per million, India ranks
104th (865/million) and stands 100thin total death per million (21/million). Though the total number seems
to increase, majority of the cities, when there was an initial peak of
cases has plateaued (1, 3).
The Indian Government left no stones unturned to be with the people
during this global predicament. The phase of lockdown extended from
25th March 2020 to 31st May 2020.
There was phased measure to “Unlock” starting from1st June 2020.
During the period of lockdown people were ban to step out of their homes
except for hospitals, pharmacies, banks, grocery and other essential
services. During the 4th phase of lockdown, the Union
Ministry of Health gave the power to the individual state government to
delineate the districts into three different zones – Red (hot zone),
Orange, and Green. These zones were categorised based on the total
number of cases, cases per lakh population, doubling rate over a seven
day period, case fatality rate, testing ratio and sample positivity
rate. These zones will have a different set of restrictions for the
citizens – maximum for the red and the least for the green.
All educational, training and research institution were suspended. There
are steps being taken to integrate the private and public health care
system. Few state governments have already undertaken certain private
health care with the interest of the people. Separate Covid blocks are
designated in public health sectors. Efforts are being taken to convert
railway coaches to beds in need to dire emergency. Emergency military
hospital has been established to handle COVID 19 patients during
emergency. To handle the crisis, government has converted stadiums,
large auditoriums, convention centers, colleges to “emergency care
centres” to handle COVID-19 patients. Doctors, nurses, paramedics,
technicians, and other health care professionals involved in the care of
Covid-19 patients will get a special insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh
($65000) during this period. India’s average number of bed/1000 person
is less than one. Hence there have been efforts to increase the number
during crisis. Numerous education awareness programs were organised by
celebrities through radio, television and social media.