COVID-19 Contingency Activities 2020 @ Prayatna-SOE
#coronavirus India has taken early action to limit the spread of COVID-19, ordering a 39-day nationwide lockdown for its population of 1.3 billion people starting March 25. The novel coronavirus has spread widely in India relatively recently compared to other countries, and the number of reported infections is low so far, with 5,274 cases and 149 deaths as of April 8. However, as COVID-19 cases are increasing fast, there is great concern about the disease’s potential spread and impact. India has to be ready for a possible surge. Testing should be expanded significantly. The government views the pattern of the spread of COVID-19 as similar to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, meaning the spread is unlikely to be uniform. After the 39-day period expires, it is planning to maintain the full lockdown in “hotspot” areas and relax it in other places. These measures may help in limiting the health crisis, but—as in other countries—the complete shutdown of all economic activities...