Govt says Covid-19 still in local transmission in India

The total number of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus has
gone upto 1,251 in the country which includes 49 foreign nationals. Out of the
total cases, 101 patients have been cured and discharged from the hospitals
while 32 died.

Briefing media in New Delhi, Joint Secretary in Health
Ministry Lav Aggarwal said that the cases reported in the last 12 days is much
less than the those reported in the developed country. He said, this happened
because of the cooperation of people of the country, our collective preemptive
action, social distancing and enforcement of lockdown.

He said as the country is battling against an infectious
disease and people are required to be and follow the guidelines issued in this
regard.

Mr Aggarwal informed that the government has also
constituted empowered groups focussing on issues including medical emergency
management and hospital management. He said, Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship has also decided to create isolation facility at its National
Institute of Training and Hostels.

He said, Centre is engaged with the States and focussing on
setting up dedicated COVID-19 hospitals and strengthening the health
infrastructure. He said, out the positive cases reported in the country, 99 per
cent patient have recovered. He said, there is no evidence of community
transmission in the country and it is at local transmission.

Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry, Punya Salila
Srivastava said that Home Ministry is regularly monitoring the enforcement of
lockdown with the State governments. She said, the guidelines of the lockdown
are being followed by the States and availability of the essential items and
services are satisfactory. She said, the situation of migrant workers is under
control.

Raman Gangakhedkar, Head Scientist at ICMR, said that so far
over 38 thousand COVID-19 test have been conducted. He said, 115 labs under
ICMR network are functional and approval has been given to 47 private labs.