773 new cases, 32 deaths reported since Tuesday, says health ministry

INDIA India has reported 773 new COVID19 cases in the last 24 hours with the total number of coronavirus positive patients in the country climbing to 5,274. Till date, 402 people have been discharged and 32 people died tuesday, the health ministry said on yesterday. “With the number of COVID19 cases rising in the country, the Centre’s response and preparedness is intensifying accordingly. 773 cases of infection and 32 deaths due to COVID19 have been reported since Tuesday,” Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Health

Ministry said at the daily news briefing. Across the country, as many as 149 people have died after testing positive for the deadly pathogen. In hospitals across states, the focus is on the prevention of infection and stringent control measures are being followed so that doctors, nurses and other health workers are not infected by the highly contagious disease, Aggarwal said. Responding to queries about medical aid, the health ministry official said, “We are ensuring that not only today even in future there will not be any lack of HCQ (Hydroxychloroquine) as and when needed.” There is sufficient stock of hydroxychloroquine available in the country, according to health ministry data. An Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) official said at the briefing that 1, 21,271 tests for COVID19 have been done in the country so far. “Till date, we have done 1,21,271 tests to ascertain whether patients are COVID19 positive,” R Gangakhedkar, a scientist with ICMR said.

(Hindustan Times)