508 new corona cases, 13 deaths in past 24 hours

ICMR study shows 1 person could infect 406 people in 30 days if lockdown flouted

On Tuesday, India reported 4,789 positive cases of novel coronavirus, of which 4,312 are active, 353 cured, and 124 deaths. In the past 24 hours, 508 new cases and 13 deaths were reported. However, PTI said the total number of cases is 4,998, with 143 deaths and 414 cured. Maharashtra (868), Tamil Nadu (621) and Delhi (576) reported a high count of cases in the last few days.

With Covid-19 cases fast multiplying, the health ministry on Tuesday asked states to keep ready three types of Covid facilities for suspect and confirmed cases. The available data suggests nearly 70 per cent of Covid-19 cases either exhibit mild or very mild symptoms. Such cases may not require admission to dedicated hospitals.

States were asked to prepare COVID Care Centres (CCC), Dedicated Covid Health Centres (DCHC) and Dedicated COVID Hospitals (DCH). The DCH will be hospitals offering comprehensive care primarily for those clinically assigned as severe. These hospitals will have fully equipped ICUs, ventilators and beds with oxygen support. Similarly, DCHCs are hospitals used for cases showing moderate symptoms while CCCs should be used for mild, very mild or suspect cases. Health experts claimed the incubation period of Covid-19 ranges from two to 14 days.

Health ministry officials said studies have indicated lockdown and social distancing are the most effective ways to contain infection. They quoted a “R-naught” study by ICMR — which indicated one Covid-19 patient can infect 406 people in 30 days if he/she does not follow the lockdown. However, if social exposure is reduced by 75 per cent, the same infected person can spread it to just 2.5 people.

The data analysis shows even though mortality is high among senior citizens, it’s younger males who are the most infected.

Officials said the cluster containment strategy is showing positive results, particularly in Noida, Agra, Pathanamthitta, Bhilwara and East Delhi.