NewGate Press Network

In ten days time when the Lockdown 2.0 will come to end, a cautious verdict from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) gave more than one indications that curve of Coivd cases is indeed flattening.

And the caution is, “It is very difficult to tell that peak will arrive by May 3rd or when it will come, said the Director General of ICMR, Dr Balram Bhargava.

He added that “it is (the curve) very stable. Positivity rate has been 4.5% throughout; one can say we have been able to flatten the curve. However, difficult to predict it (peak).”

On Thursday, 23 April 2020, India’s top three experts dealing with Coronavirus  were present at the National Media Centre during PIB’s daily press briefing on the pandemic crisis.

Union Environment Secretary CK Mishra, Director of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Dr Randeep Guleria, and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) director general Dr Balram Bhargava, all three gave a short presentation of journey thus far during the month long lockdown.

C K Mishra is heading the Empowered Group-2, a Central Government committee coordinating availability of hospitals and related facilities dealing with the pandemic situation.

India has now completed a month long lockdown in a desperate attempt to break the virus chain by social distancing and containment.

“During the 30 days of lockdown, we have been able to cut transmission, minimise spread and increase the doubling days of COVID-19. We have been able to consistently ramp up our testing and utilise our time preparing for the future in case the virus spreads further,” said Environment Secretary C K Mishra.

Dr Guleria, said the Covid-19 patients are facing a lot of challenges and stigma. “Recovered patients are symbols of victory, but we have stigmatized them, causing a huge problem.”

“Due to the stigma we have attached, patients are not coming forward, they are coming very late when they have severe breathlessness issues, thereby increasing morbidity and mortality,” he said.

Going by figures released by the Union Health Ministry: As on 23 April 2020, there are 12 districts that did not have a fresh case in the last 28 days or more.

Since 21st April, 2020 eight new districts are added to the list.

These are: Chitradurga (Karnataka), Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), Imphal West (Manipur), Aizawl West (Mizoram), Bhadradari Kothagudem (Telangana), Pilibhit (UP), SBS Nagar (Punjab) & South Goa (Goa).

Also, 78 districts from 23 States/UTs have not reported any fresh cases during the last 14 days.

As of now i.e. till Thursday evening,  4,257 people have been cured with a recovery rate of 19.89%.

Since yesterday, 1409 new positive cases were reported. The total figure is now 21,393 and still counting.