India passes a grim coronavirus milestone

The number of people infected by the coronavirus in India crossed 1 million, nearly five-and-a half months after the country reported its first case. The US and Brazil are the only countries that have registered cases in excess of this figure, although the pace of spread there has been much faster. The pandemic has so far claimed more than 25,000 lives in India. Relative to population, India’s numbers are still low, but the steep rise in absolute numbers risks overwhelming the healthcare system, apart from triggering more restrictions that are already hampering economic recovery. Here’s a situation report on India’s Covid-19 outbreak.MUCH TO WORRY 770106314. Pandemic spreading to new areas that may not be equipped to deal with it No. of districts with more than 1,000 cases has risen 20 times April 26: 5 districts July 16: 115 districts5. Rural India seeing more casesCases in UP, Bihar, Odisha, Telangana, Jharkhand grew faster than national average during June 1-July 16 In all these states, testing level is low — 5,000 to 7,000 tests per millionWHY HAS SITUATION WORSENED?Easing lockdown caused virus to spread Some fatigue among people; lax use of face mask States reinventing the wheel and not following Centre’s rulebook Lockdowns not being used to test and isolateSOME SILVER LINING 77010654Asymptomatic cases high, fewer complicated ones New treatment options getting clearer Burden of Covid limited to some states, helps authorities concentrate on worst-hit areas 86% of cases in India from 10 states Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have 50% of cases 10 districts account for 53-54% of case loadFatality rate is low and falling rapidly 77010680Case load is among the lowest in the world relative to population 77010699WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE Ward-level testing of at-risk groups must be expanded Centre has to step in to help states struggling with rising cases More labs needed to expand testing in tier-II and tier-III towns Antigen tests can yield faster results Price of testing in private labs still unaffordable for many, needs to come down Penal action must to ensure use of face masks, physical distancing

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/32sxzTo