Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : The number of novel Coronavirus confirmed cases climbed to 5,194 in India on April 8, 2020, evening. The number of patients cured/discharged has increased to 410 while the death toll due to the disease remains 149 in the country including 64 in Maharashtra followed by Gujarat and MP with 13 each, according to Union Health & Family Welfare Ministry.
The Government is focussing on ensuring uniform implementation of effective lockdown measures by the States/UTs and good adherence in practicing social distancing by citizens which will help in successfully battling COVID-19 contagion.
A series of measures have been taken by both Central and the State government to break the chain of transmission. Responses have been escalated in view of the increased cases noted across the country. States have been asked to ensure adequate COVID-19 Care Centres are in place across the country.
Several districts have taken measures which have emerged as best practices. Some of these are as follows: Pune district sealed the central region of Pune and Kondhwa area effectively and carried out door-to-door survey of homes located across 35 sq. km area. The team is also checking persons with co-morbidity like Diabetes and Hypertension apart from travel history and contact tracing; Pathanamthitta district in Sothern Kerala ensured surveillance, gathering travel history, contact tracing, ensuring quarantine facilities, and providing essential & psychological support.
The Government of India has launched a training module for management of COVID-19 named ‘Integrated Govt. Online training’ (iGOT) portal on DIKSHA platform for the capacity building of frontline workers to handle the pandemic efficiently. They include doctors, nurses, paramedics, technicians, ANMs, State Govt Officers, Civil Defence officials, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) and other volunteers. The portal website link is https://igot.gov.in/igot/.
AIIMS, New Delhi, has been conducting several Webinars to build the capacity of different categories of healthcare professionals for COVID-19 management. Online training of Physicians for Antenatal care and labour management of pregnant women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection has been scheduled by AIIMS during this week, according to a PIB release.