IndianEra > Coronavirus > India Kickstarts ‘Mission Corona’, COVID-19 Cases Reach 62

Coronavirus fears in India are growing with each passing day and the latest number of COVID-19 cases has been reported as 62.

On March 11, 2020, the state authorities confirmed new cases, 8 in Kerala, and 3 each in Karnataka and Maharashtra.

At the global level, around 4,027 cases have reported dead due to coronavirus outbreak.

To tackle the situation, the Government of India has issued high alert across the nation and called for the ‘Mission Corona’.

The Indian government has set up a toll-free number 24/7 helpline number for reporting #Coronavirus (COVID-19)Toll-free 011-23978046

The Drug Controller General of India has reportedly approved the ‘restricted use’ of the combination of second-line HIV drugs, Lopinavir and Ritonavir, for #TreatingCoronavirus.

Quarantine Centers in 37 Locations

Quarantine Centers in 37 Locations

The government has directed 20 key ministries and key departments to immediately identify facilities for use as quarantine centers and temporary hospitals with isolation wards.

The armed and paramilitary forces have been directed to prepare quarantine facilities with at least 5,400 bed capacity at different health centers in 37 locations across the nation.

They were also asked to set up 75 isolation wards as early preparations to control the large-scale outbreak.

“The aim is to build capacity. These forces have also been asked to earmark and depute their respective team of doctors, paramedics and sanitation officials who will man these quarantine facilities,” a senior official said.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which is currently running a quarantine center in Delhi, has been tasked to conduct workshops and training modules for specialist trainers.

As the reports say, the second batch of people, Indians and foreigners, evacuated from the Wuhan city are currently at the ITBP center.

58 Indians from Iran are Back

58 Indians from Iran are Back

To the latest, the Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft evacuated 58 Indians from the novel coronavirus-hit Iran on March 10, 2020.

The C-17 Globemaster reached Tehran on March 09, 2020.

Iran has seen the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the past few days.

“The IAF aircraft has landed. Mission completed. On to the next,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

“Thanks to the efforts of our Embassy @India_in_Iran and Indian medical team there, operating under challenging conditions. Thank you @IAF_MCC. Appreciate cooperation of Iranian authorities. We are working on the return of other Indians stranded there (sic),” MEA added.

From the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad, the arrived passengers were moved to a medical facility.

This is the second such operation by the C-17 in the last two weeks, after it brought back 76 Indians and 36 foreigners from Wuhan city on February 27, 2020.

Also Read: Coronavirus Spread Import Risk for 10 Nations, India 17th Globally

Coronavirus Mortality Higher Than Seasonal Flu: WHO

Meanwhile, in a fresh release, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the COVID-19 mortality rate is higher than the seasonal flu.

It said more people were susceptible for COVID-19 than expected and some are likely to suffer the severity.

“Globally 34% of reported Covid-19 cases have died. By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1 percent of those affected,” says WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

In its latest report, UN said the COVID-19 reproductive rate, the rate of spread from one to other, is between 2-2.5 people for coronavirus, higher than seasonal influenza.

What is Coronavirus

As per the stats, 80 percent of coronavirus infections are reportedly mild or asymptomatic, 15% come under severe infection demanding oxygen and 5% are considered as severe cases requiring ventilation.

The virus has so far hit around 1,10,041 people and killed around 3,825 people in more than 90 countries.

Experts say that the death rate would gradually come down as more cases are reported. According to them, milder cases are likely going undiagnosed currently.

“As we get more data, we are understanding this virus, and the disease it causes and more and more. This virus is not SARS, it’s not MERS, and it’s not influenza. It is a unique virus with unique characteristics,” reads WHO’s statement.

Also Read: Coronavirus Alert! World Nations React to ‘Global Health Emergency’

Govt is Prepared: Health Ministry

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

Earlier on March 09, 2020, the Health Minister Harsh Vardhan informed that the government is well prepared to deal with novel coronavirus and has also issued directives to the state governments.

“We are sending detailed guidelines to all states on ways to contain coronavirus. Have asked states to strengthen laboratories and manpower to effectively deal with coronavirus and form early rapid action teams,” the Minister told the media.

Coronavirus Protection

Directives to Ministries and Departments

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba has passed directives to Defense and Railway ministries, and ESIC to support in extension of their hospital and lab facilities for public use.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also been tasked with the job of facilitating diagnostics and required vaccines in need.

The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) was also urged to closely monitor the export of essential APIs, drugs and masks, alongside facilitating API imports in coordination with the Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is monitoring global updates, returning Indians from outside, visa restrictions and other key aspects.

The Health Ministry has also asked MEA to ensure India’s trade with importing nations doesn’t face restriction on account of coronavirus fears.

The rural and urban affairs ministries are also actively working with the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) to maintain environmental sanitation and spread awareness about the spreading virus.

The Ministry of Tourism has also been urged to ensure sanitation across all public transport facilities to prevent the coronavirus spread.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) in India

Total COVID-19 cases in India, as of March 11, 2020

State  Cases
Rajasthan 17
Kerala 17
Uttar Pradesh 8
Maharashtra 5
Delhi 4
Karnataka 4
Ladakh 2
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) 1
Tamil Nadu 1
Telangana 1

COVID-19 Safety Precautions

Stay tuned to Indianera for more about #CoronavirusOutbreak and other interesting news!

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Posted by IndianEra, 10/03/2020