India's coronavirus peak in June-July can be avoided: Govt reacts on AIIMS Director's warning

India could keep itself from reaching a coronavirus peak in terms of infections in the months of June and July if the required dos and donts are followed strictly, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday, as it reacted to a warning by the Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Dr Randeep Guleria on infections in the country peaking in the coming months.

"It is not necessary that we would reach a peak in June and July. If the guidelines are followed and there is community support, we may not reach the peak stage," said Luv Agarwal, the joint secretary at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. He was addressing the government's daily press conference on the coronavirus situation in the country.

Agarwal explained that the concept of peak analysis was based on different



variables and projections, which were different for every second organisation. "It is slightly difficult to predict for sure if we would reach a peak stage, but we can follow the health guidelines," he said.

"We can strengthen our containment efforts. There can be a collective resolve. In the management of infectious diseases, one failure impacts the overall effort," said Agarwal.

The comments by the official came a day after Dr Guleria warned that India could reach its coronavirus peak in June and July, basing his estimate on modelling data. "According to modelling data and the way our cases are increasing, it is likely that peak can come in June and July. But there are many variables and with time only we will know how much they are effective and the effect of extending the lockdown,” Dr Guleria had said.