COVID-19: India has about 0.2 deaths/lakh population compared to global 4.1

New Delhi: With a recovery rate of 38.73% amongst COVID-19 patients, India has crossed the 60,000 active cases under active medical supervision. Of the active cases, only approx. 2.9% of the cases are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

In terms of case mortality per lakh population, India has so far about 0.2 deaths per lakh population vis-a-vis approx. 4.1 deaths per lakh population for the world as a whole. The status of deaths per lakh population for countries having the highest number of deaths, vide WHO situation report-119, is as follows:

* Latest figures updated for 19^th May, 2020

The relatively low death figures represent timely case identification and clinical management of the cases.

Testing of samples increasing rapidly

More than 24,25,742 samples have been tested. From one laboratory conducting COVID-19 test in January, India has very rapidly increased its testing capacity by adding over 385 government laboratories and 158 private laboratories for testing in the country. Duly forging partnerships with all central government labs, state’s medical colleges, private medical colleges and private sector, the testing capacity in the country has been expanded. Other testing machines like TrueNAT and CBNAAT have also been mobilized to ramp up testing.

Through 14 AIIMS-like mentor institutions, handholding of labs across the country is undertaken to ensure adequate bio-safety standards and accreditation of the laboratories.  To maintain steady supply of testing material to the labs, 15 depots have been created by roping in India Posts and private agencies for distribution. Many Indian companies have been supported to undertake production of testing material which was earlier primarily sourced from abroad. This has helped in maintaining steady supplies across the country.

Health Ministry issues revised guidelines

Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued revised testing guidelines for COVID-19. In addition to earlier criteria, the testing strategy has been widened to include frontline workers involved in containment and mitigation of C0VlD-19, all hospitalized patients who develop lLl symptoms and all symptomatic ILI among returnees and migrants within 7 days of illness. For details, visit here.

Ministry of Health has also issued guidelines on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in workplace settings to deal if a suspect or confirmed case of COVID-19 is detected in these settings. The guidelines can be seen here.

Ministry has also issued guidelines for Dental Professionals in COVID-19 pandemic situation as the Dentists, auxiliaries as well as patients are at high risk of cross-infection. A detailed guideline can be seen here.

These guidelines entail basic preventive measures to be observed by all (employees and visitors) at all times. They also detail the process to be followed if a confirmed case is reported including management of contacts and the process for disinfection.

It is important to ensure effective community awareness on preventive measures such as personal hygiene, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquettes, promote use of face cover and physical distancing.

For all authentic and updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories one can regularly check this website.

Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be emailed at technicalquery.covid19@gov.in and other queries on ncov2019@gov.in and via tweets to @CovidIndiaSeva.

In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare helpline number +91-11-23978046 or 1075 (Toll-free). A list of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available here.