More Cases Have Been Reported: Health Ministry
In the 8th day of the 21-day lockdown, more cases of corona virus have come to the fore in the past 24-hours, said a senior health ministry official at the daily press briefing held in the capital on April 1. Speaking to reporters, the official said: "States like Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, etc. reported more cases in the last 24-hours. These new cases have been added due to transit-related history. Additional test samples are being tested." As per news reports, India saw 386 new cases of corona virus in the past 24-hours.
Post a religious gathering of Tablighi Jamaat, an Islamic outreach society in Delhi, over 1800 suspects have been detected who have now been admitted in 9 different hospitals or quarantine centres in Delhi, the official said.
Ministry also said that the recent rise in number of COVID-19 patients does not represent the national trends. Currently, State Government has set up 21,486 relief cases sheltering almost 7 lakh people in it.
As on April 1, there were 1466 active cases, 38 deaths and 132 cured, the health ministry website reported.
Railways & Isolation Beds
Indian Railways has already announced that it is preparing 3.2 lakh isolation and quarantine beds for COVID-19 cases by modifying 20,000 coaches that could accommodate up to 3.2 lakh possible beds for isolation needs. "Work on modification of 5000 coaches, which are to be converted initially into quarantine/ isolation coaches has already started. These 5000 coaches be having the capacity to accommodate up to 80,000 beds," said a railway official. It may be noted that work on conversion of first lot of 5000 coaches has already started in a phased manner
"One coach is expected to have 16 beds for isolation. Only Non-AC sleeper coaches are being planned to be utilized for conversion into Quarantine/ isolation coaches. One Indian style toilet is to be converted into a bathing room. It is to be equipped with a bucket, mug and soap dispenser, the official said. "Taps with lift type handle would be provided in washbasins. Similar tap to be provided at the proper height so that bucket can be filled," he said.
Udan & Cargo
In a recent video conference, Cabinet Secretary has asked chief secretaries of states to carry rapid movement of cargo and also focus on the health of migrant workers during the period of lockdown.
As part of India’s war against COVID-19, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India has launched “Lifeline Udan” flights for movement of medical and essential supplies across the country and beyond. Till date, 74 flights have been operated for transporting medical cargo across the country. A total of 37.63 tonnes of cargo has been transported of which more than 22 tonnes was transported on 31 March, the civil aviation ministry said.
