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A health scare has gripped Gujarat after six children tragically succumbed to a suspected viral infection since July 10. While the cause is yet to be confirmed, State Health Minister <keyword id="20006003" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rushikesh-Patel" source="keywords">Rushikesh Patel</keyword> has stated that <keyword id="22416433" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chandipura-virus" source="keywords">Chandipura virus</keyword> is a strong possibility. Twelve cases have been identified across the state, with four reported in Sabarkantha district, three in Aravalli, and one each in Mahisagar and Kheda districts. Notably, two patients from Rajasthan and one from Madhya Pradesh also received treatment in Gujarat. Samples from all 12 patients have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for definitive diagnosis, said Minister Patel. Five of the six deaths occurred at the civil hospital in Himatnagar, Sabarkantha district. It was there that paediatricians first suspected <keyword id="22427587" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="chandipura" source="keywords">Chandipura</keyword> and sent samples from four deceased children for testing. Sadly, four more children at the hospital subsequently developed similar symptoms. However, as the Health Minister emphasised, confirmation of the Chandipura virus can only come after test results are received. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="102646924" title="8 Effective home remedies to stay safe during ongoing flu/viral outbreak in India" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>But what is this Chandipura virus?</h2>Chandipura vesiculovirus or CHPV is a member of the <keyword id="22427586" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rhabdoviridae" source="keywords">Rhabdoviridae</keyword> family that is associated with an encephalitic illness — which manifests as inflammation of the brain — in humans. The Chandipura virus, transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies, causes fever and symptoms similar to the flu. Interestingly, the virus is not considered contagious from person to person and has never been detected in any humans outside India. This mysterious virus was first detected in the blood of two patients from Maharashtra’s Chandipura village back in 1965. Since then, the virus has been linked to various unexplained outbreaks of encephalitis in the country. Recent ones include one in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in 2003, where 329 children were affected and 183 of them died. Similar cases were observed in children in Gujarat in the following year, in 2004. Given previous trends, the Chandipura virus seems to have a high mortality rate of over 50%. Accordingly, authorities are taking swift action to contain the situation. Intensive surveillance has been undertaken in the affected areas, Minister Patel stated. Over 18,600 people across 4,400 households have been screened for the virus and the Health Department is working tirelessly to prevent further spread of the disease. The state awaits confirmation from the NIV to guide further action. This incident highlights the importance of preventive measures against <keyword id="22242503" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mosquito-borne-illnesses" source="keywords">mosquito-borne illnesses</keyword>, especially during the monsoon season. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111250832" title="Bengaluru on dengue alert: City reports over 1,000 cases in 20 days; BBPM Chief falls prey to disease" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

What is the Chandipura virus that has already claimed the lives of 6 children in Gujarat?

The Palghar administration on Tuesday asked authorities to remain alert against a possible spread of the <keyword id="532110" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="congo-fever">Congo fever</keyword> in the Maharashtra district. <keyword id="10020800" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-crimean-congo-hemorrhagic-fever">The Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever</keyword> (CCHF), commonly known as the Congo fever, spreads in humans through ticks. The district administration said in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19, this is a matter of concern for cattle- breeders, meat-sellers and animal husbandry officials, and it is necessary to take timely precautions as there is no specific and useful treatment for the CCHF. Palghar animal husbandry department's deputy commissioner Dr Prashant D Kamble in a circular said the CCHF has been found in some districts of Gujarat, and is likely to spread to border districts of Maharashtra. Palghar is close to Gujarat's <keyword id="76173" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Valsad-district">Valsad district</keyword>. The department has instructed authorities to take all necessary precautions and implement preventive measures. "This <keyword id="43564" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Viral-disease">viral disease</keyword> is transmitted from one animal to another by a specific type of tick...the disease is transmitted to humans through contact with the blood of infected animals and by eating the meat of infected animals," the circular said. "If the disease is not diagnosed and treated in time, 30 per cent of patients die," it said. The CCHF is a widespread disease caused by a tick- borne virus (Nairovirus) of the <keyword id="10020801" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="bunyaviridae">Bunyaviridae</keyword> family. The virus causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks, with a case fatality rate of 10 to 40 per cent, as per <keyword id="2555741" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-World-Health-Organisation">the World Health Organisation</keyword> (WHO). There is no vaccine available for either people or animals against the disease, it said. Human-to-human transmission can occur resulting from close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons. Hospital-acquired infections can also occur due to improper sterilisation of medical equipment, reuse of needles and contamination of medical supplies, according to the WHO. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/these-are-the-top-ten-richest-women-in-india-according-to-hurun-rich-list/slidelist/78385372.cms">These are the top ten richest women in India, according to Hurun Rich List</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/mazagon-dock-shipbuilders-ipo-fully-subscribed-on-day-one-led-by-robust-retail-demand/articleshow/78384125.cms">Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders IPO fully subscribed on day one — led by robust retail demand</a>

Palghar on alert against a possible spread of the Congo fever

Is it just us or does it feel like we are all starring in Stranger Things and living in ‘the Upside Down’? We sure are living in stranger times and dealing with unpredictable plot twists almost every other day. <div type="image" title="Stranger Things" msid="93786051" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Stranger Things&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> On August 24, 2022, India reported 10,649 <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/india-logs-in-8586-new-covid-infections-active-cases-decline/articleshow/93723223.cms">new </a>cases of the novel <keyword id="1754604" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus" source="Orion">coronavirus</keyword>. <div type="image" title="COVID-19 new case additions and deaths" msid="93786058" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;COVID-19 new case additions and deaths&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> While the once-novel disease keeps coming back in waves, it isn’t the only one that the country is battling today. New <keyword id="25927" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="diseases" source="Orion">diseases</keyword> such as <keyword id="7616951" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="monkeypox" source="Orion">monkeypox</keyword> and <keyword id="13885432" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tomato-Flu" source="Orion">tomato flu</keyword> are also plaguing the whole world. Tomato flu: Symptoms and precaution <div type="image" title="Over 82 children below the age of five years have been reportedly infected with Tomato flu" msid="93786076" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Over 82 children below the age of five years have been reportedly infected with Tomato flu&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> A new infection named Tomato flu has been reported from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Odisha. It is now determined to be a clinical variant of the hand-foot-mouth disease, caused by a group of enteroviruses or viruses transmitted through the intestine. Over 82 children below the age of five years have been reportedly infected with the disease. As per Lancet Respiratory Medicine, tomato flu could also ‘be a new variant of the viral hand, foot, and mouth disease, a common infectious disease targeting mostly children aged 1–5 years and immunocompromised adults.’ The infection results in tomato-shaped blisters on the body and causes skin irritation, dehydration, joint pain, diarrhoea, nausea, discolouration of hands, knees and buttocks, vomiting, and fatigue. While it is yet to be ascertained if it affects only children, the Union Health Ministry has issued a set of guidelines on how to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/tomato-flu-outbreak-in-keralatamilnadu-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-infection/articleshow/91496289.cms">protect </a>children from the infection and its treatment course. In children with these symptoms, the advisory said, ‘molecular and serological tests are done for diagnosis of dengue, chikungunya, zika virus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes; once these viral infections are ruled out, a diagnosis of tomato flu is considered’. If you develop some of these symptoms, the first and foremost thing to do is consult a doctor immediately. The guidelines also state that if children develop symptoms, they should be isolated. Their belongings such as utensils, clothing and bedding must be regularly sanitised. Children should also stay hydrated, and the blisters caused by the infection must be cleaned with warm water. The infected person must avoid scratching the rashes or blisters. With the schools reopening, one must proceed with caution and not panic because the situation is not alarming yet. Monkeypox: Origin and symptoms <div type="image" title="Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease" msid="93786087" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> First discovered in 1958 in the colonies of monkeys kept for research, monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease. The first human case of monkeypox was reported from Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1970. Monkeypox virus primarily occurs in Central and West Africa. In 2003, the first monkeypox outbreak outside of Africa was reported in the United States of America which was linked to contact with infected pet prairie dogs. These pets had been housed with Gambian pouched rats and dormice that had been imported into the country from Ghana. Monkeypox starts with an unexplained acute rash. Other symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, body aches and profound weakness. As of August 24, there were 9 active cases of monkeypox in India, with 4 in Delhi and 5 in Kerala. If infected, patients are advised to isolate to prevent further transmission, while the authorities have been advised to provide optimal clinical care, identify and manage contacts, protect frontline health workers, take effective control and preventive measures based on the identified routes of transmission. Swine flu <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-monkeypox-tomato-fever-zika-virus-india-has-its-hands-full-with-these-outbreaks-and-more/slidelist/93296406.cms#slideid=93296723">Swine flu is not a new</a> outbreak, it had first appeared in 2015 and Rajasthan and Gujarat were among the worst-hit states. Around 218 people had <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-monkeypox-tomato-fever-zika-virus-india-has-its-hands-full-with-these-outbreaks-and-more/slidelist/93296406.cms#slideid=93296723">succumbed </a>to the flu back in 2015. With the current weather, cases of swine flu or H1N1 flu and monsoon-related diseases are on the rise again in Maharashtra. In July, a total of 6 deaths were reported from Mumbai – 2 deaths// each// were caused by dengue and swine flu and 1 death each due to malaria and leptospirosis. During the same period, Mumbai reported 35 swine flu cases. Zika virus <div type="image" title="Zika virus" msid="93786113" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Zika virus &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> In July, cases of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-monkeypox-tomato-fever-zika-virus-india-has-its-hands-full-with-these-outbreaks-and-more/slidelist/93296406.cms#slideid=93296702">Zika virus were silently</a> spreading across Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Punjab and Delhi. Zika virus spreads mostly through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes and causes fever, headache, joint pain, red eyes, muscle pain and rash. Experts recommend that the only way to curb the spread is to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-monkeypox-tomato-fever-zika-virus-india-has-its-hands-full-with-these-outbreaks-and-more/slidelist/93296406.cms#slideid=93296702">control breeding of mosquitoes</a>, which commonly happens in stagnant water. As the world grapples with new variants of Covid-19, tomato flu and monkeypox, There are 200 more active viruses, and bacteria in the air, thanks to climate change, said a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/there-are-200-more-active-viruses-bacteria-in-the-air-thanks-to-climate-change/articleshow/93445722.cms">report </a>by Nature Climate Change. It could only worsen in years to come. <div type="image" title="Stay safe, mask up!" msid="93786150" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Stay safe, mask up!&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The research <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/there-are-200-more-active-viruses-bacteria-in-the-air-thanks-to-climate-change/articleshow/93445722.cms">revealed </a>that warming, precipitation, floods, drought, storm, land cover change, ocean climate change, fires, heatwaves and sea level changes were all found to influence diseases triggered by viruses, bacteria, animals, fungi, protozoans, plants and chromists. Pathogenic diseases were primarily transmitted by vectors. So, to stay safe, mask up people! Disclaimer: This content, including the advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Please contact a medical professional for more information.

SIMPLY PUT: All you need to know to keep yourself safe from the newly emerging diseases

<ul><li>At the current rate (0.67 million per day), it will take at least 5.6 years to vaccinate the entire population with a single dose.</li><li>India needs to ban the export of <keyword id="79555" type="TECHNOLOGY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vaccines">vaccines</keyword> manufactured in India to ramp-up vaccine distribution.</li><li>A massive effort is needed to vaccinate at least 10 million people per day that may have some dent in the virus’s ongoing intense transmission.</li></ul> The fact that the second wave of <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19">Covid-19</keyword> pandemic has arrived in India can neither be denied nor overlooked. And the new wave seems to be more severe both in terms of infectivity and lethality if one goes by the initial data gathered from the states severely affected by this recent surge. More than 55,000 cases and 250 deaths have been<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-reports-59118-new-covid-19-cases-in-last-24-hours-highest-single-spike-since-october-last-year/articleshow/81701772.cms"> reported</a> as of March 26 — the highest so far this year. Why the second surge? Opinions may be divided on the exact reason behind this resurgence. Still, as more and more data are emanating, it seems the advent of the new and more infectious variants, mainly the UK variant having N501Y substitution and 69/70 deletion, may be the main reason behind these outbreaks in a few states. The limited gene sequencing data have already pointed toward the presence of two distinct variants, the UK and South African in Maharashtra and Punjab, the two most severely affected states. The other reason could be laxity by both the Government and public in adhering to the non-pharmacological mitigation measures like masking, social distancing, avoiding gathering, etc. Another important reason could be the secular changes in the epidemiology of the SARS-CoV-2 virus since the first 3-4 months of the year favours the dissemination of respiratory viruses in some Indian states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, etc. One should remember that globally also, many waves of Covid-19 outbreaks have been observed. What impact did <keyword id="8764262" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid">Covid</keyword> vaccines have? Now, it brings us to the critical question. What role did the Covid vaccines have in India’s ongoing fight with the virus? India gave emergency use authorisation to two Covid vaccines — <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword> and <keyword id="9485939" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="covaxin">Covaxin</keyword> — in the first week of January 2021 and started the first inoculation phase from 16th January. So far,<a href="https://news.google.com/covid19/map?hl=en-GB&amp;mid=%2Fm%2F03rk0&amp;state=7&amp;gl=GB&amp;ceid=GB%3Aen"> around</a> 50 million doses have been administered, and 8 million people have received both doses. At the current rate (0.67 million per day), it will take at least 5.6 years to vaccinate the entire population with a single dose. Even if we add the already infected (i.e., 12 million) to the tally, 4.4 years would be needed to vaccinate everyone. We all know that the current threshold to achieve herd immunity is 70%, provided vaccines offer 100% protection and prevent asymptomatic transmission. Also, this estimate is based on the old circulation variant (D614G). Even this target (70%) would be reached in four years even with a single dose, and more than 20 years with the current pace. This means the impact of vaccination would be minimal until we cover a sizable proportion of our population. And by that time, the pandemic would have run its course. So, in all probability, the role of mass-scale vaccination would become redundant. Globally also barring one country,<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/25/half-of-israelis-fully-vaccinated-palestinians-lag"> Israel</a>, that has vaccinated more than 51% of its population with two doses, no other country has shown significant Covid vaccination. In the UK, where the new variant has caused a massive second wave in the last quarter of 2020, it was a strict lockdown that had maximum impact on the pace of the pandemic, though vaccination had some effect on the older population. Similarly, in the US, the virus’s natural epidemiological variation led to the waning of the third wave of their epidemic. However, one can ascribe the minimal impact of mass vaccination in large countries like the UK and US with a partial vaccination of the susceptible population. The most glaring example of the failure of large-scale vaccination is offered by<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/chile-critical-grip-second-covid-wave-one-best-vaccination-rates-rcna505"> Chile</a>, where despite vaccinating one-third of its people with a single dose and lying in the top three countries as far as vaccination per capita is concerned, it suffered another massive surge. <div type="image" title="Representative image." msid="81720961" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Representative image.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> How to make vaccines relevant to our fight against the Covid pandemic? So, will Covid vaccines fail to curb the ongoing pandemic? No, it depends on how judiciously we employ them. There is an intense competition between the pace of vaccination and the steady speed of virus spread. So far, the virus seems to be having the upper hand, and it is propelled by the assistance offered by its ongoing evolutions into more efficient forms. As far as India, the second-most-populous country in the world, is concerned, it seems handicapped by its inability to vaccinate quickly. Following measures may help to make vaccinations count as an effective intervention against the ongoing pandemic rather than as a redundant exercise: 1. Ramping up considerably the pace of vaccination: As described above, the current vaccination rate is sluggish. A massive effort is needed to vaccinate at least 10 million people per day that may have some dent in the virus’s ongoing intense transmission. At this rate, we can vaccinate a sizeable chunk of our population within 3-4 months that may halt the ongoing transmission. India can do this -- during the polio supplementary immunisation activities, India had vaccinated around<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-25708715"> 170 million children</a> during a round of vaccination. The vaccination at the current pace will lead to significant immunity gaps that may facilitate viral mutations. 2. Ban on export of vaccines manufactured in India: A critical hindrance to the rapid ramp-up of vaccine distribution would be the limited supply of vaccines. India may need at least 1.5 billion doses for its domestic use. On March 25th, India put a temporary <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56513371">hold </a>on all major exports of two indigenously produced vaccines. This is a step in the right direction considering ongoing intense viral transmission. However, another important vaccine, Covovax, originally developed by <keyword id="323030" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Novavax">Novavax</keyword> and produced here by the <keyword id="95879" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword>, is also needed to be prioritised for domestic use, and export should be deferred. This candidate has proved to have excellent efficacy and ease of production with tremendous scalability. Owing to these essential virtues, this candidate is the key to vaccinating the entire globe, not the mRNA or vector-based vaccines. 3. Need to fast-track the regulatory approval of Covid vaccines: Currently, Indian regulators have made it mandatory to conduct bridging studies in India for emergency use authorisation of even a proven product. Though this may add a certain value, this may prove to delay the vaccines’ roll-out amid an intense outbreak. Those vaccines that have already proven their efficacy amongst different populations need to provide a waiver. For example, few key vaccines like Novavax’s protein sub-unit, Sputnik-V and Janssen’s Ad26 vector vaccines, are being produced here by some Indian companies. All these vaccines have proven their efficacy globally, and two of them are in use in many countries. They should be made available for domestic use. 4. Rescheduling the administration schedule: Recently, the government of India announced a prolonged time interval between the first and second<a href="https://qz.com/india/1987681/india-increases-covishield-dose-gap-amid-delayed-shipments-to-uk/"> dose</a> of the Covishield vaccine from 4 weeks to 6-8 weeks. However, the<a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/covishield-is-813-efficacious-if-two-doses-administered-12-weeks-apart-lancet-study/article34025087.ece"> recent trial</a> of the Covishield demonstrates that a 12 weeks interval provides a higher efficacy (up to 81%) than at 6-8 weeks (60-64%). Furthermore, even single-dose protection may last up to 12 weeks with a reasonably good efficacy (76%). Similarly, the dosing schedule of inactivated vaccine, Covaxin, can be prolonged to 8 weeks since immunologically, a higher interval between two doses provides better immunity. Hence, it would be more fruitful to delay the second dose administration to enable a massive inoculation drive in the shortest possible time. 5. Abolish prioritisation for vaccination: The current government strategy, which is based on the WHO directive, is providing hindrance to rapid vaccination of the entire susceptible population. Covid immunisation should be made accessible for all on a war footing level. 6. Spread vaccine delivery points: Though the existing government distribution system can vaccinate 10 million individuals per day, nevertheless expanding the vaccine delivery booths at certain entry points like at airports, bus, railway stations, etc., may expedite this drive. Even mobile vaccine booths can be developed across the country. 7. Speeding up the genetic sequencing: Currently, only a few thousand samples have been sequenced genetically. Only a few hundred samples are taken up for genetic sequencing in a few large states like UP. Following the confirmation of a few variants in the country, there is an urgent need to ramp up the sequencing and study the vaccine efficacy against these emerging variants. The above-listed measures may help deliver Covid vaccines to a significant proportion of the population in the shortest possible time. To vaccinate the entire country over a few years may not serve any purpose. We need to utilise vaccines' availability to serve the purpose for which they were produced in a record time to end this pandemic. Dr. Vipin M. Vashishtha is the former convener at the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Committee on Immunisation, and a Pediatrician at Mangla Hospital and Research Centre in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/barbeque-nation-ipo-gets-subscribed-almost-6-times-and-allotment-will-announced-on-1st-april/articleshow/81707826.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Indian dining chain Barbeque Nation’s IPO gets subscribed almost 6 times</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ever-given-the-ship-blocking-the-suez-canal-is-costing-billions-of-dollars-for-people-around-the-world/articleshow/81708146.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Ever Given, the ship blocking the Suez Canal, is costing billions of dollars for people around the world</a>

Making vaccines available to Indians may not be enough, it depends on how judiciously we employ them

(Eds: Combining related stories) New Delhi, May 5 () The nationwide tally of COVID-19 cases rose by a record 3,900 on Tuesday and the death toll topped the 1,500-mark with nearly 200 more fatalities, even as the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said "fighting coronavirus is no rocket science" and the people may remember this pandemic as a "blessing in disguise" if they imbibe good hygiene practices. Vardhan told that India has been able to stave off community transmission of COVID-19 and hoped that "behavioural changes" brought about by the infection could become the "new normal" for a healthy society after the pandemic abates. In its 5 PM official update on the spread of the deadly virus infection, the Union Health Ministry said the death toll due to COVID-19 has risen to 1,583 with 194 fatalities reported since Monday evening, while the number of cases saw a big jump of 3,875 to reach 46,711 cases. However, a tally of numbers reported by different states and union territories till 6.30 PM showed more than 47,000 people testing positive for the deadly virus so far, while it put the death toll at over 1,500. It also showed nearly 13,000 COVID-19 patients having recovered. Tamil Nadu reported more than 500 new cases on Tuesday, which took its tall past 4,000, while Gujarat also tested 441 more people positive for the virus, taking its total to more than 6,200. Several other states also reported rising numbers. Experts, however, said the peak of this deadly virus outbreak was yet to come and may be witnessed in India over the next 4-6 weeks, while another spurt might be seen later during the winter season. The numbers suggested that more than one-third of the confirmed cases across the country has been detected in the past one week, with only a few urban centres in a handful of states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi accounting for a bulk of it. Fears also emerged that India's tally may increase further with the government announcing plans to bring back a large number of Indians from various countries, beginning Wednesday, in what is being called the world's biggest ever evacuation programme. Sources said over 3 lakh people have registered for the evacuation from the Gulf region itself. While the absolute number of cases and the death toll in India is lower than many others, with more than 2.5 lakh people having lost their lives and over 35 lakh having been infected worldwide ever since the emergence of this virus in China last December, the lockdown restrictions have been lifted in several countries and many of them are now reporting few or zero cases. China and South Korea together reported only four cases on Tuesday, while Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand were among the countries having reported no cases for two consecutive days. Also, focus seems to have shifted globally towards developing a vaccine with several world leaders committing more than USD 8 billion since Monday for this purpose. The government officials, however, maintained that India has managed to stave off a community transmission risk and the country remains in a "comfortable" position in terms of managing the COVID-19 crisis, though they cautioned against any laxity at the field level. The Health Ministry said the country recorded a record single-day increase of 195 deaths and 3,900 cases between Monday 8 AM and Tuesday 8 AM. These included fatalities reported from West Bengal, Maharahstra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, among other places. At the same time, the recovery rate has improved to 28.17 per cent, joint secretary at the health ministry Lav Agarwal said during a press briefing on the COVID-19 situation. "We are very comfortable in terms of managing COVID-19 as of now, but any laxity at the field level or any lack of cooperation may have its consequences," he warned. Agarwal also said that the delay in reporting of COVID-19 cases by certain states has led to the sudden spurt in figures. The country's top medical institute AIIMS' Director Randeep Guleria also said the COVID-19 curve has remained relatively flat so far, but he cautioned that the continued rise in the number of cases at a steady rate is a cause of concern. Different modelling experts have predicted that a peak in number of cases of novel coronavirus infection may occur in the next four to six weeks, that is by the end of May or the middle of June, Guleria said, while stressing on the need to be extra vigilant and to make efforts to reduce the number of cases in the hotspots. He also said that the country may see a rise in COVID-19 cases during the winter again. At the same time, Guleria said the curve has remained relatively flat so far because of the lockdown and other containment measures and this has given the authorities time to prepare the health infrastructure and ramp up testing facilities in the country. Several state and central government officials also said that the numbers have been going up in recent days due to increased number of tests being conducted. "However, the number of cases continue to rise at a steady rate and this is a cause of concern. Every citizen should understand his responsibility and sincerely follow the principles of lockdown and social distancing, especially if they are in hotspots or containment areas," Guleria, a pulmonologist, said. Separately, Health Minister Vardhan also underlined the importance of the nationwide lockdown, imposed since March 24 and scheduled to remain in place till May 17, and said health should be on the radar just as much as the economy. Several experts have already flagged the huge economic cost of the pandemic and the lockdown, while the economic activities are yet to gain any significant traction despite various relaxations given to the industrial and agriculture units from the lockdown curbs. Several states are also looking to shore up their depleting revenues with Delhi announcing a 70 per cent 'corona fee' on liquor sales, allowed since Monday, and by increasing the local taxes on petrol and diesel. Andhra Pradesh also announced a hike in liquor prices. But several industry organisations have expressed their inability to resume their operations due to the labour shortage and other operational issues. Lakhs of migrant labour are returning to their native places including in special trains organised by the central and the state governments after most of them were rendered jobless and homeless. The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) said in a report that India's unemployment rate has soared to 27.11% amid the COVID-19 crisis, from below 7 per cent in mid-March. The Mumbai-based think tank said the rate of unemployment was the highest in the urban areas, which constitute the most number of the red zones due to the COVID-19 cases, at 29.22 per cent, as against 26.69 per cent for the rural areas. "The government has to do a balancing act," Vardhan said on the need to focus on the health of people as well as on the economy. He also said the nation in a post-coronavirus future could well look back on the pandemic period as a "blessing in disguise" if Indians imbibe hand, respiratory and environmental hygiene and practise it in their everyday lives. "By now we know that fighting coronavirus is no rocket science. If behavioural changes such as hand, environmental and respiratory hygiene, which are being practiced more rigorously during this period, get imbibed in society it will become the new normal," Vardhan said. Other than smallpox and polio, no other viral infection has been completely eradicated from this country. Other diseases keep recurring, the minister said, indicating that COVID-19 might be here for the long haul. In the meantime, new cases that were detected on Tuesday included the serving and retired armed forces personnel in the Army's Research and Referral hospital in the national capital. Authorities also sealed a floor of Shastri Bhavan, which houses several important ministries, after a senior official of the Law Ministry tested positive for the coronavirus. This was the second incident of a government building being partially cordoned off in the Lutyen's Delhi within a week, after the NITI Aayog building in the high-security zone was sealed on April 28 for 48 hours after a director-level officer tested positive for the virus. Before that, Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, which houses the Civil Aviation Ministry, was sealed for sanitisation. In other such incidents, the CRPF headquarters and a portion of the BSF headquarters were also sealed recently. These buildings are in CGO Complex in the national capital. PLB ASK NES DSP ALM MPB DP NAB AA BJBJ

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