TAIWAN’S CORONAVIRUS PROTOCOL SHOWS HOW IT IS DONE
Introduction Pandemics can spread rapidly around the world because of the ease of international transportation. Among the most salient examples are the Spanish flu of 1918, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003, and the H1N1 influenza of 2009. Taiwan’s strategy When information concerning a novel pneumonia outbreak was first confirmed on December […]
RECOVERY RATE RISES TO 25%, SAYS GOVERNMENT
Why in news? The Union Health Ministry said, on 30th April, that India is currently recording a total recovery rate of 25.19% up from 13% about two weeks ago. Details Giving details on the percentage of deaths in various age groups, the Ministry said India has a case fatality rate of 3.2% currently which is 65% […]
STRATEGIC SHIFT – RESERVING HEALTHCARE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST
Relaxation In a containment strategy tweak, those with a mild form of the disease, or are pre-symptomatic, would have the option of home quarantining. But their homes ought to have self-isolation facilities, a full-time caregiver, and daily health-status reports given to the district surveillance officer. Why is such a move done? The Health Ministry has […]
THE OUTLINE OF ANOTHER PANDEMIC COMBAT STRATEGY
Will India Extend or Lift the Lockdown? Considerations Experts say that without doubt there will be an increase in the number of cases once the lockdown is lifted. Graded approach to lift the restrictions can still help prevent a huge spike in cases and create a concomitant strain on the healthcare system. Any strategy adopted […]
LIFT THE LOCKDOWN & OPEN UP
Is the Curve Flattened? So far, India has done a phenomenal job of ‘flattening the curve’ as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reported a test positivity rate (TPR) of 4.4% (i.e., 1in 23 people tested were positive). Compared to India, the US had a TPR of 19.3%, Spain 18.2%, Italy 13.2% and Japan […]
A POLICY ROAD MAP TO TACKLE COVID-19
Policy Concerns Policies to address the worldwide crisis brought about by COVID-19 must satisfy three criteria: They must aim to minimise the loss of life directly resulting from the disease, while recognising that there remain deep uncertainties about its true nature. They must restore the elements of economic and social life as soon as possible, […]
GLOBAL HUNGER COULD DOUBLE DUE TO COVID-19
Why in news? The number of people facing acute food insecurity could nearly double this year to 265 million, due to the economic fallout of COVID-19, the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) said on 21st April 2020. The impact of lost tourism revenues, falling remittances and travel and other restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic […]
ENSURE WORKERS DOWNLOAD AAROGYA APP
Why in news? Central government organizations involved in construction, including various metro rail corporations, were instructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to ensure that “all labour personnel/staff” returning to work from 20th April 2020 have downloaded the government’s COVID-19 tracking app — Aarogya Setu. Why was this needed? While the country remains in a […]
INDIA REGISTERED A TOTAL OF 826 FATALITIES AND 26,917 CASES
Why in news? The death toll due to COVID-19 continued to rise on Sunday, with the country registering a total of 826 fatalities and 26,917 cases. 5,913 people have recovered, with a recovery rate of 21.9%. The doubling rate had been showing regular improvement and stood at 10.5 days when seen over a period of […]
LIFELINE UDAN FLIGHTS
Why in news? ‘Lifeline Udan’ flights are being operated by MoCA to transport essential medical cargo to remote parts of the country to support India’s war against COVID-19. Air India operated two flights between Mumbai- Frankfurt and Mumbai- London last week under the Krishi Udan program, carrying seasonal fruits and vegetables from Mumbai and returning […]