CORONA OUTBREAK 2020


DAILY BRIEFING

July 17, 2020

 

With the highest single day spike of over 34k Covid-19 cases, India's covid-19 tally breaches 1 million mark on Friday (as per the Govt. Sources).

Due to daily spurt in Covid-19 cases since the last week of June, India has added up over 600k cases. A news of relief on the other hand is that India has ranked 2nd on the terms of Daily Covid-19 testing rates. India on Thursday tested over 333k Covid-19 suspects of which over 34k were found covid positive.

 

History of Covid-19 and the Corona outbreak:-

Corona virus (Covid-19) or SARS-CoV-2 is a severe acute respiratory disease which affects several parts of human body, predominantly our respiratory system. Covid-19 is a highly contagious virus which spreads through contact with an infected person. Covid-19 virus was originated in Wuhan and is predicted to come in human through bats or pangolins. The first case of Covid-19 in India was reported on January 30th 2020. At that time, people of India weren't careful and aware about the norms and procedures which are followed in order to contain the spread of virus. With the passage of time the cases grew gradually.

The first spurt in Covid-19 cases was recorded after tracing of Tablighi Jamaat and the return of corona positive singer Kanika Kapoor. After the news of several members of
Nizamuddin Markaz congregation tested positive disseminated, hatred against Muslims evoke. This feeling of hatred between the religious communities was further fuelled by some news channels and print media. Spurt in cases cost some major states of India wreaking havoc in some major states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, MP and UP.

Maharashtra, Delhi and Gujarat were the most affected and are still amongst the worst hit states by corona pandemic.

Among these three Gujarat was the most affected as its health infrastructure has been ignored since decades. Maharashtra was on the top in the Covid-19 tally because of dense population and low awareness amongst slums.

Delhi was doing well but was still badly affected by the lethal disease.

 

Centers response to ascending covid cases:-

Lockdown 1.0

After observing the current situation of Corona cases, PM Modi announced a 'Janata Curfew' on 22nd March. Further on 24th March, during a PM's address to nation, PM Modi announced nationwide lockdown from 25th March onwards, till 14th April. PM announced a complete lockdown with a hope that the graph of Covid-19 cases will flatten but unfortunately that didn't happen. Due to the stringent lockdown, Indian economy suffered. Unemployment was on the peak and small scale workers were economically torn apart. Private industries were on the edge of collapsing.

 

Lockdown 2.0

PM Modi after monitoring the situation of Covid-19 in India announced a consecutive lockdown from 15th April to 3rd May.

This time the lockdown was named "Lockdown 2.0". Lockdown 2.0 was roughly the same as the Lockdown 1.0 while there were some differences. Differences include identification and tracking of hotspot, distribution of areas into red, green and orange zone on the basis of Covid-19 cases in the area, rapid testing, and reinforcing health infrastructure.

 

A couple of more successive lockdowns followed due to current rise in Covid-19 cases despite of stringent lockdowns.

 

Unlock 1.0/Lockdown 5.0

After prolonged stringent lockdowns MHA on 1st June announced unlock 1.0 aimed on lifting up of the rigorous restrictions which claimed life's of many citizens of economically backward classes. Unlock 1.0 was followed in steps and till 8 June almost every sector felt normal lives once again.

Unlock 1.0 buoyed India's suffering economy. As a result sensex saw an increase and nifty also gained equally.

 

Centre-state relationship amid Pandemic:-

Centre and the states worked in co-ordination in order to fight the pandemic. Centre and state's combined fight against Covid-19 helped India in achieving the lowest fatality rate worldwide and a recovery rate of over 55%.

 

India's contribution in Covid-19 vaccine:-

Whilst fighting against Covid-19, India also managed to compete in the race of preparing Covid-19 vaccine. India's first Covid-19 vaccine "Covaxin" was brought up by Bharat-Biotech. It claimed to be a successful cure of Corona virus in animals. Covaxin is currently going through phase-I and phase-II of human trials.

Though we have managed to contain Covid-19

to certain limits, we have to understand that the fight against Covid-19 isn't over. We have to follow the procedures to delete corona from our lives. Do wear mask and follow social distancing at crowded places. Sanitize your hands at least 5 times a day. Step out of your home only when it’s necessary.

 

Stay home stay safe.