COVID-19 confirmed cases incraese to 73 in India

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The number of cases confirmed for COVID-19 increased to 73 on March 12, 2020, an increase of 13 since March 11 evening. It was Three of these cases from Kerala have recovered and been discharged. Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is now officially a global pandemic. With over 1,18,000 coronavirus cases sweeping across 114 countries of the world, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

PM Narendra Modi is constantly monitoring and reviewing the situation with the top officials of the Ministries/Departments and States/UTs concerned since the first case was declared on December 31, 2019, in the city of Wuhan in China. India’s response was initiated on January 8,2020,  much before WHO declared COVID-19 as a public health emergency on 30th January 30, 2020. States were directed for health sector preparedness on Jan,uary 17, 2020. The same day, point of entry surveillance was also initiated.

Screening at airports was started on January 17, at 3 airports (Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata) which was extended to 4 more airports (Chennai, Cochin, Bengaluru, Hyderabad) on  January 21, 2020, and subsequently extended to 30 airports. All incoming passengers are being universally screened at the 30 airports. Similarly, screening was initiated for vessels arriving at 12 major ports and 65 non-major ports.

India has always prioritized the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad and mounted timely evacuation of its citizens starting  February 1, 2020, from COVID-19 affected countries. So far, the Government of India has evacuated 900 Indian citizens along with 48 belonging to other nationalities like Maldives, Myanmar, Bangladesh, China, US, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru.

In addition, 83 evacuees from Italy who arrived on March 11, 2020, have been housed at Manesar facility for quarantine. All patients in the hospitals are being treated and reported to be stable.

On the directions of the Prime Minister, a high-level Group of Ministers was constituted to continuously monitor the situation and evaluate preparedness and formulate measures regarding management of COVID-19 in the country. The GoM has met 6 times so far, guiding, reviewing and monitoring the situation. In view of the rapidly evolving situation, two meetings of the GoM were held March 11.

Based on the recommendations of the Committee of Secretaries chaired by Union Cabinet Secretary, the GoM took some important decisions on March 11 evening which include suspension of all existing visas (except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas) till April 15, 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 13, 2020, at the port of departure.Visas of all foreigners already in India remain valid and they may contact the nearest FRRO/FRO through e-FRRO module for extension/conversion etc. of their visa or grant of any consular service, if they choose to do so. International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated check-posts with robust screening facilities, according to a PIB release.