As per the data shared by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India on Sunday morning, i.e., June 7, 2020, India witnessed its biggest single day spike of 9,971 fresh cases and 287 casualties.
With total number of cases in tune of 2,46,628 and 6,929 casualties, India has now surpassed Spain’s tally of COVID-19 cases to become the world’s 5th most affected country by the outbreak. The total number of cases in Spain are 2,41,310 and there have been 27,135 casualties. The only countries ahead of India are United States (U.S.), Brazil, Russia and United Kingdom (U.K.).
This comes a day after India superseded Italy, in terms of total number of cases of the outbreak. Worldwide, 66,63,304 people have been infected by the outbreak and there have been 3,92,802 casualties. United States (U.S.) is the worst hit country having 19,59,009 cases and 1,11,374 casualties.
For the past 4 consecutive days, India has been recording more than 9,000 cases every day. The Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi – Randeep Guleria, once gain in an exclusive interview with a news channel, said that worst for India is yet to come. The only thing is that the peak may arrive at different times for different States.
Guleria said, “The peak is yet to come. And yes, our cases are definitely on a rise but that was expected given our population. We can’t compare India to other European countries. India’s population is greater than two to three countries in Europe combined. Our mortality rate is much less than theirs.”
In other developments, the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), a lab under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has developed an indigenous Naso Pharyngeal (NP) swabs for collecting samples from the throat cavity of COVID-19 patients. NP swab is a medical device with stringent specifications of quality, polymer grade, dimensions and sterilization. An NP swab consists of a cylindrical plastic stick with a brush-like tip of synthetic bristles / flocks. The flocking process helps align the fine bristles in a parallel orientation on the stick head, except that this has round uniform geometry and the NP swab bristles are of micron diameter. NCL claims to produce 1 lakh NP swabs per day.
Besides, the Delhi Medical Association has slammed the Arvind Kejriwal Government after the latter announced to take strict actions against hospitals who are refusing the COVID-19 patients and are indulging into black marketing of beds.
A statement from Delhi Medical Association read, “The doctors are giving their best and are helping in reducing cases every day. Instead of praising them, the government is filing case against them.”
The association also complained that at this hour, when doctors are already overstressed, the Government is unnecessarily putting pressure on them. It also condemned the FIR filed against Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for alleged violation of the COVID-19 testing guidelines. The President of Delhi Medical Association – Dr. B.B. Wadhwa has placed a demand of appointing the representatives from the Association with the Delhi Government Officials in every hospital to look after the care facilities. He also demanded adequate number of testing facilities.
Addressing media via video conferencing today, Kejriwal announced that Government hospitals and some private hospitals of Delhi will be reserved only for Delhi residents. A total of 10,000 beds will be reserved for Delhiites.
Speaking on the occasion, Kejriwal said, “For now, we have decided that the 10,000 beds under the Delhi government will be kept for residents. The beds under the Central government can be used by all. Private hospitals covering special treatment will be opened to all.”
Broadcasting his address on twitter, Kejriwal tweeted, “Delhi’s health infrastructure is needed to tackle Corona crisis at the moment.”
The decision was made on the findings of 5-member Committee, formed by the Delhi Government, which said that Delhi may witness 1 lakh cases of COVID-19 by June end 2020. Based on the projection, the Committee has asked the Government to arrange an additional 15,000 beds. By July 15, 2020, Delhi would require additional 42,000 beds.
The Chairman of the Committee – Dr Mahesh Verma said, “We have studied the trends of other cities like Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Chennai. Our calculations project more than one lakh cases in the national capital by the end of June. We want that no patient should suffer. We are getting prepared to combat the virus.”
The doubling rate in Delhi is 15 days. About 25% of patients will require hospitalisation. Most of the patients would have a medical condition of ‘hypoxia’ and 5% would need a ventilator.
