COVID-19: With Lockdown, Rate Of Doubling IMPROVES To 6.2 Days From 3

NEW DELHI: Briefing media in New Delhi, Health Ministry official informed that India has been doing better than many other countries on ‘outcome ratio‘ – the ratio of the number of COVID-19 recoveries versus the number of deaths. He said that the government is taking efforts to further improve this ratio.

India’s doubling rate was about 3 days, before the lockdown. For the past 7 days, the doubling rate is 6.2 Days.

Furthermore, 19 states have shown a higher doubling rate better than the national average.

The official informed that five lakh rapid antibody testing kits are being distributed to states and districts where high case burden has been observed.

It was also informed that in a ‘Group of Ministers’ meeting held to chalk out further direction on Lockdown, efforts of science and technology institutes in the areas of diagnosis, vaccines, drugs, hospital equipment accessories and general wellness were reviewed.

CSIR, DBT, DST and DAE are working to increase testing capacity, with the focus on developing new, rapid and accurate diagnostic testing kits which can give result in 30 minutes.

“Government is also working on viral sequencing and vaccine development,” informed the official.

India is working with global partners so that effective vaccines can be developed. He said that the government is trying to speed up these processes related to the development of effective drugs as there is no proven drug now.

The official said, India’s traditional knowledge in boosting immunity is also being taken into account, as part of a multi-pronged effort.

He said that the CSIR labs are developing indigenous designs for PPEs, oxygen concentrators, ventilators and other ancillary support devices.

Some forecasting tools have been shared with the states, based on which states can assess the future requirement of COVID dedicated hospitals and care centres based on expected COVID-19 caseload.

He added that 1,919 dedicated COVID Hospitals and COVID Health Centres have been set up in the country, with a capacity of 1.73 lakh isolation beds and 21,800 ICU beds.

from League of India