New Delhi (NVI): India’s positive coronavirus case would have reached 8.2 lakh by April 15, if the government had not imposed 21-day nationwide lockdown, the Union Health Ministry said today.
The figure would be 1.2 lakh by April 15 if only containment had been implemented, without the lockdown, Lav Agrawal, Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry, told a press briefing here.
He gave the statistics on a day when the total number of positive coronavirus cases surged to 7,447 across the country, with the death toll rising to 239.
Around 642 people have recovered so far, the Health Ministry said in a statement. In last 24 hours, around 1,035 new coronavirus cases have been recorded with 40 deaths, it added.
“If the government had implemented containment measures without lockdown, then the country would have recorded 1.2 lakh cases by April 15,” the Joint Secy said citing statistical analysis.
”If India had not implemented either containment or nationwide lockdown, there would be spike in coronavirus cases by 41% — 8.2 lakh cases till April 15,” he added.
”So far, 586 dedicated coronavirus hospitals have been set up, with capacity of more than 1 lakh isolation beds and around 11,500 isolation beds. This figure is being augmented every day, based on the evolving situation, ” a Health Ministry official said.
”In coordination with the states, the Centre is ensuring supply of PPE, N95 masks, testing kits and ventilators. The dedicated coronavirus hospitals are also being set up, in order to provide proper treatment & stop spread of infection, ” he added.
