Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections have crossed the 100,000 mark as fresh cases continue to pour in.
At the time of writing, the world has reported 100,242 COVID-19 infections with the death toll currently standing at 3,408. There are 40,848 active cases, of which 34,568 (85 percent) are of individuals considered to be in mild condition. The remaining 6,280 active cases (fifteen percent) are of individuals considered to be in serious or critical condition. Of the 59,394 closed cases, the 3,408 deaths account for six percent. The remaining 55,986 closed cases account for 94 percent.
China, where the virus outbreak originated in the Hubei province’s capital city of Wuhan, continues to account for the overwhelming majority of COVID-19 infections and deaths. There are 8o,559 confirmed infections till date and 3,042 deaths. The country is home to 23,558 active COVID-19 cases, with 53,929 having recovered.
Countries with in excess of 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections include South Korea, with 6,593; Iran, with 4,747; and Italy, with 3,858. Respectively, these countries have witnessed 42, 124 and 148 deaths, as well as 135, 913, and 414 recoveries. This leaves the number of active cases at 6,416 in South Korea; 3,710 in Iran; and 3,296 in Italy.
India has been affected by the virus, whose impact has been felt more acutely in the past week. The country reported three cases in the earlier stages of the outbreak in the state of Kerala; the patients in question have all recovered. However, earlier this week, fresh cases were reported in the country and the total number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in India (including the three closed Kerala cases) now stands at 31.
A Delhi man, with a travel history to Malaysia and Thailand, has tested positive for COVID-19 and became the latest confirmed case. 23 individuals whose tests indicated the presence of COVID-19 are awaiting the final results. In addition, the state of Goa has quarantined a British national who is suspected to have COVID-19.
Of the 31 COVID-19 infections, as Health Issues India reported in our previous update, they are dispersed among the National Capital Region and the states of Kerala, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. All cases bar the three reported in Kerala are active.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is urging individuals to contact a 24-hour helpline (011-23978046) or to email ncov2019@gmail.com for any health-related queries and has issued advisories concerning travel and personal hygiene. The decision has been made to suspend visas and e-visas for Chinese, Iranian, Italian, Japanese and South Korean nationals as well as requiring all passengers travelling from these countries as well as Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam to undergo medical screening at their port of entry. Other notices can be accessed here.
35 laboratories are being established by the Union Government to test samples of suspected COVID-19 infections. This figure will be expanded to 100. Quarantine facilities are to be established by the Indian Army for personnel, with an expected cumulative capacity of 1,500. Events such as Holi celebrations at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the International Indian Film Awards have been cancelled owing to concerns over COVID-19.
“The central government is constantly in touch with the states and is seriously monitoring the situation,” Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said via Twitter. He stated that he has “assured all the States and Union Territories that…the central government will provide all possible help to meet the challenges…be sure to follow the guidelines issued.”
