No concrete evidence of community transmission of Corona virus in country: Govt

Union Government has said that there is no concrete evidence of community transmission of Corona virus in the country. It also said that the number of confirmed cases are increasing but the rate at which the numbers are increasing are stablizing now.

Briefing media in New Delhi, Joint Secretary in Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Lav Agarwal said, stablization in increasing number is only the initial trend and collective effort of people to practice social distancing measures will continue this trend and the country will come out from the problem of COVID-19. He said, social distancing is the only way that can break the chain of transmission. Mr Agarwal said, more than 64 thousand people are under surveillance and one or two cases does not prove that it has spread to the community level. 

The Joint Secretary said, Cabinet Secretary held a meeting yesterday with the Chief Secretaries of States to review the preparedness in terms of arrangements of hospitals to deal with the current situation. The Cabinet Secretary requested the Chief Secretaries to ensure the proper supply of essential items.

Mr. Agarwal said, 17 states have started work to build dedicated COVID hospitals and online training for the Doctors has been started with the help of AIIMS, Delhi to bring uniformity in the treatment. He also said, orientation



programme and training related to prevention and control measures, community survillence, public health services at the community level has been started for the field workers like ASHA and Aaganwadi workers.

Joint Secretary in Home Ministry Punya Salila Srivastava said that the government has asked the States and Union Territories to ensure proper supply, production and distribution of essential items. She said, Home Ministry is continously monitoring the situation and States and Union Territories have notified their helpline for the COVID-19. She said, special arrangements have been made by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to deliver the essential goods in the North-Eastern region. Ms. Srivastava said, States and Union Territories have been requested to provide the shelter and food to the migrant labourers.

Head Scientist of Indian Council of Medical Reasearch Raman Gangakhedkar said, approval has been given to the private laboratories for testing but as of now testing has not been started as private labs are procuring the kits.

Meanwhile, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 climbed to 649 including 47 foreign nationals. Health and Family Welfare Ministry has confirmed that 43 patients have been cured and discharged and 13 deaths have been reported in the country so far.