Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo
India has come a long way since March 2020, when the first Lockdown was announced due to COVID- 19 global pendamic. The statistics show a great and remarkable achievement in the month of October 2020, seven months after the initial lockdown.
As per the latest official statistics released a few days ago, India’s COVID-19 caseload rose to 73,70,468 with 63,371 new infections being reported in a day, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease crossed 64 lakh pushing the recovery rate to 88 per cent, according to the Health Ministry data update. The coronavirus death toll climbed to 1,12,161 with the virus claiming 895 lives in a span of 24 hours, the data updated showed (latest figures).
For eight days in a row, the active cases of COVID-19 remained below 9 lakh. There are 8,04,528 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprise 10 per cent of the total caseload, while the recoveries have surged to 64,53,779, the data stated. The COVID-19 case fatality rate due COVID-19 was recorded at 1.52 per cent.
India continues to have one of the lowest COVID-19 deaths per million population globally, currently pegged at 83 which was also confirmed by the PM, Narendra Modi in his latest broadcast to the nation on 20th Oct. 2019. India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5. It went past 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28 and crossed 70 lakh on October 11.
According to the ICMR, a cumulative total of 9,22,54,927 samples have been tested up to October 15, with 10,28,622 samples being tested on Thursday. While the total infections including all kinds of patients throughout India touched the figure of 74 lakhs, the recovery rate is beyond imagination, 65 lakhs approx, which is almost 88% of the total patients so far. The mortality rate is a static 1.5% and the rest, the active patients as on date constitute around 10% of the total patient population (which is well below 10 lakhs).
These figures are indeed encouraging. The Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Government of India and the Governments of States and UTs also deserve kudos for bringing the situation under control. Barring three to four states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala, the overall situation has been brought to the managerial levels. Thanks also to the CoronaWarriors who extended all sort of help to the health workers, doctors and the medical mechanism to fight the dreaded pendemic.
Though the situation seems to have been brought under control yet the guidelines regarding washing of hands, use of sanitizers & facemasks and physical distancing need to be adhered to strictly without any fail.
There are opportunities and probabilities to have a couple of Indian vaccines ready by the first quarter of the next year. The foreign options particularly pertaining to Russia, UK, Italy and America are also in the run. However, the worrying factor remains the changing mutation of the virus and the winter season ahead.
Therefore, the issue of building and strengthening body immune system remains relevant in addition to using hot and warm water during the winter season. The Ayush Ministry-GoI guidelines for leading a healthy life are very helpful indeed. It includes use of lemon, tulsi, turmeric, ginger and amla on a routine basis besides doing the regular exercise, walk and yoga.
There is undoubtedly a worry or a concern about the future in the minds of the people and also about the consequences of a complete Unlock in due course. The reality is that the world is learning the new ways and means to move ahead in this situation of extreme uncertainty, so is India. There is but a positive sign that has played it’s part regarding India, viz the high level of immunity among the large population of India.
The unlock process is an important obligation of the Government to move towards an economic surge leading to “back to the business” national agenda. With some more necessary precautions in mind, the schools and colleges are also being thought of regularised. The travel and tour may gain momentum in a couple of months provided there is no further surge in infections beyond managerial levels.
The good news is that the Ayushman Bharat and the JK Health Scheme besides guaranteeing the health insurance to an individual and family will also pump in a lot of money in the health sector at an all India level. The insurance sector will also get a great investment and encouragement to be a part of the universal health scheme in which the premium will be paid solely by the Government. Coverage of COVID-19 in the scheme is the most pragmatic measure that should receive appreciation.
Age, Blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, kidney problems and heart issues are the major concerns while fighting the dreaded pendamic. The fraternity of doctors and medical professionals has been the other worrying factor which has become the easiest target of the disease. Their gallant fight and service will not go down in the history of medical science unsung. They deserve the well-deserved appreciation and recognition.
The teaching faculty has also done remarkably well keeping in mind the career and future of students. It is astonishing to note that the whole nation is feeling at home as on date regarding the virtual class-rooms and providing facilities of examinations online. This all was achieved without any such particular education and training. This speaks highly positive about the teaching faculty and the administration of education, indeed.
There are other great issues that need mention so far as the struggle and achievements during the tumultuous period of the last seven months are concerned. It was a novel experience to live a life of trials and turbulence that has literally no end.
The mankind has definitely withstood the test of time, though the catastrophe was human built. India, as a nation in general, and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir in particular did what they could with limited health resources. An immediate need that beckons the Governments to rise to the occasion is the upliftment of the health infrastructure to the level of the world health standards and meaning for the common citizens. That is the litmus test of a truly welfare and benevolent state.
(Feedback: ashwanikc2012@gmail.com)
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