Despite huge and multiple challenges, India has been demonstrating unwavering commitment in its fight against the pandemic – WHO

The World Health Organization on Tuesday lauded “India’s tough and timely actions” against the coronavirus spread as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of current lockdown till May 3.

“It may be early to talk about results in numbers, but a six-week nationwide lockdown to facilitate effective physical distancing, coupled with the expansion of core public health measures such as detection, isolation and tracing contact of coronavirus positive people, would go a long way in arresting the virus spread,” said WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Director, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh.

“Despite huge and multiple challenges, India has been demonstrating unwavering commitment in its fight against the pandemic,” she said.

“In these testing times, the action lies as much with the communities as with the authorities and the health workforce,” she added.

“It is indeed time for each and every one to contribute their best and together to beat the virus,” Dr Singh said.

The experts are asking everyone to follow recommendations to prevent the transmission of the #COVID19 and protect the health of all of us. They also thank everyone for trusting the scientific community. https://t.co/n6jpqhMTbA

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 13, 2020

Modi on Tuesday said the implementation of the lockdown will be strictly ensured in coming days to ensure that the virus does not spread to new areas

The prime minister said a detailed guideline on the implementation of the new lockdown will be announced on Wednesday.

According the Union Health Ministry figures, a total of 339 people have died of COVIOD-19 till date in the country, while the number of infected cases has soared to 10,363 on Tuesday.

A PTI tally of figures reported by various states as on Monday evening, however, showed at least 346 deaths.

There has been a lag in the Union Health Ministry figures, compared to the number of deaths announced by different states, which officials attribute to procedural delays in assigning the cases to individual states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that the lockdown across the country will be extended till May 3 to fight the coronavirus pandemic, saying the measure has produced a significant outcome in containing the infection.

Prime Minister’s Address to Nation : Lockdown extended till 3rd May
Prime Minister Modi said implementation of the lockdown will be strictly ensured in its second phase and detailed guidelines will be brought out on Wednesday to ensure that outbreak does not spread to new areas. Some relaxations may be allowed after April 20 in places where there are no hotspots, he said. “Follow the rules of lockdown with full devotion till May 3, stay where you are, stay safe,” the prime minister told citizens.
PM Modi said India has managed to contain the pandemic well compared to many developed countries due to its holistic approach in dealing with the crisis and sacrifices made by people of the country in the fight produced tangible results. The prime minister sought the support of the people in seven areas, including taking care of elderly people, maintaining social distancing and helping the poor and downtrodden.

“If India would not have adopted a holistic approach, if an integrated approach was not initiated, India’s situation would have been different (compared to many developed countries). It is clear from the experiences of the past few days that the path we have chosen is right,” the prime minister said.

India, he said, received huge benefits from the 21-day lockdown in checking the pandemic, adding that the country has dealt with the situation better with “limited resources”. The prime minister said some relaxation may be allowed in some areas and the scope of coronavirus testing will be expanded significantly.

“Till April 20, every town, every police station, every district, every state will be tested on how much they are adhering to the lockdown; how much the areas have protected themselves from coronavirus. It will be observed. Some necessary activities may be allowed in areas that will pass this litmus test; areas which will not be among the hotspots and are less likely to turn into hotspots,” he said.

The prime minister said India may have paid a big economic price, but there can be no alternative to saving human lives. “India’s fight against coronavirus is going on very strongly,” Modi said, adding that there is adequate stock of medicines and rations in the country.
The fight against COVID-19 will be made more stringent in next one week, he said, asserting that new hotspots will create new crises.

Late last month, the government announced a Rs 1.7 lakh crore package aimed at providing relief to those hit hard by the lockdown as well as an insurance cover for healthcare professionals handling virus infected people. Prime Minister Modi said India has done well in containing the pandemic compared to many other countries.

“You are fulfilling your duties like a disciplined soldier,” PM Modi said, hailing the people for their support in stemming the spread of the virus.