A total of 28,380 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country so far. Out of the total cases, 6,361 patients have recovered and discharged from the hospitals while 886 patients have died.
Briefing media in New Delhi yesterday, Health Ministry official said that recovery rate of patients is improving and now it stood at 22.17 per cent. He said, 16 Districts in the country which earlier had cases, have not reported any fresh cases in the last 28 days. He informed, three new districts which were added to this list are Gondia in Maharashtra, Devangere in Karnataka and Lakhisarai in Bihar. He further said, a total of 85 districts from 25 States and Union Territories have not reported any new case since the last 14 days.
The Health Ministry official said, due to stigma and fear, many times patients try to hide and avoid seeking timely treatment and this situation does not only bring harm to the patient but also harm to their family and to the whole society. He said, the battle is with disease and not with a person suffering from COVID-19.
He said, we have to understand that there is no risk of transmission from recovered patients and in fact, they can be a potential source of healing for antibodies using plasma therapy.
On the issue of Rapid Testing Kits, the Health Ministry official clarified that ICMR has followed due process to finalize tenders for purchase of Rapid Testing Kits, based on sensitivity and specificity. He said, when complaints from the field arose, ICMR reacted promptly and cancelled the orders and No payment was made to the vendors.
The official added that, ICMR has sufficient number of testing kits for conducting RT-PCR COVID19 tests as per our testing strategy.
Home Ministry official said that till 26th of this month, over 80 per cent wheat crop has been harvested and 80 per cent Mandis in the country have started operations.
She added that MNREGA operations and construction are ongoing throughout the country providing employment to agricultural and migrant labour during this period. She said, more than two core people have got employment under MGNREGA.
During the briefing the Chairman of the Empowered Group -5 on Supply chain gave a presentation on the progress in supply chain and logistics of essential items. He pointed out that the prices of potato, onion and tomato are largely stable during lockdown period.
