New Delhi: A total of 35,043 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the country so far. As per the Health Ministry officials, 8,889 patients have recovered and discharged from the hospitals, while 1,147 patients have died.
Briefing media in New Delhi today, a Health Ministry official said, recovery rate has improved to above 25 per cent in 14 days which is a positive sign. Just over 25 thousand people are under medical supervision. He said, 1,993 new cases has come in last 24 hours. While 564 people were recovered and 67 people lost their lives. He said, State and District Administration should ensure through focused efforts that Red and Orange Zone districts, break the chain of transmission through effective and stringent containment measures.
The Health Ministry official said, simple actions such as hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, environmental hygiene and physical distancing can go a long way in preventing the spread of this disease. He said, there will be a new normal and people need to be careful, aware and . Even outside COVID-19 containment zones, people have to follow all government guidelines and there is a need to consciously change the approach. He said, containment zones should be delineated, considering, mapping of people with COVID-19 and their contacts, geographical dispersion of patients and contacts, areas with a well-demarcated perimeter and enforceability. There is no shortage of medical equipment in the nation today, he added.
Chairman of Empowered Group-3 said, production of Hydroxychloroquine has been augmented from 12.2 crore tablets to 30 crore per month now and nine crore tablets have been supplied as against requirement of 2.5 crore. He said, against a demand for 35 lakh combined RT PCR testing kits, ICMR has ordered more than 21 lakh and close to 14 lakh kits have already been received. He said, Centre has decided to handhold states in purchasing VTMs and RNA extraction kits. The Chairman said, maximum demand for PPEs is projected at two crores and Government has placed orders for over 2.2 crores. He informed that domestic production has risen to 1.87 lakh per day. He said, from a production capacity of around three thousand 300 COVID-19 PPEs per day in March end, in one month, Government has increased the capacity to 1.8 lakh PPEs per day and soon it will be above two lakh per day. He said, in a short span of time, India has increased its capacity for domestic production of N-95 masks to 2.3 lakh per day.
The Chairman said, while projected demand for N-95 and N-99 masks is 2.7 crore, Government has ordered 2.5 crore, out of which 1.5 crore is from domestic manufacturers. He said, within the nation 2.3 lakh the masks can be produced per day. He expressed confidence that there will be no shortage.
The Empowered Group Chairman said, nine new labs for PPE testing have been added in 15 days. He informed that DRDO has
developed 3 types of new PU coated nylon and have transferred the technology to domestic manufacturers. He said, more than 4 lakh oxygen cylinders are available which is sufficient for today’s requirements. Government has placed order for more than one lakh oxygen cylinders  and industrial oxygen too is being converted into medical oxygen.
The Empowered Group Chairman said, through hand-holding and facilitation and assistance through training and installation, demand for ventilators is being met. He said, against a total demand for 75 thousand ventilators, close to 20 thousand are available and additional orders have been placed for more than 60 thousand. He expressed confidence of meeting the full requirements of the nation.
Home Ministry Official said today that the Ministry has allowed movement of stranded persons such as students, migrant workers, tourists and pilgrims through rail as well. She said, States and Railway Board will make necessary arrangements for it. She informed that the Central Armed Police Forces are playing a pivotal role in the nation’s fight against COVID-19, in enforcing lockdown measures, provisions of COVID-19 beds in hospitals under the Forces, distribution of masks and PPEs and promoting public awareness. She said, Ministry of Home Affairs has re-iterated to all States and Union Territories that, as per the consolidated revised guidelines on lockdown measures, no separate passes are required for through traffic of trucks and goods carriers, including empty trucks.AIRN
