India has never been prepared for a public health emergency of the scale of Covid-19. No country has. But the government’s dislocated priorities have left the nation particularly vulnerable. It is now running short of basic infrastructure including oxygen tanks, ventilators, antiviral medication and hospital beds, with hundreds of thousands of new infections being recorded every day. On Thursday, the country added 314,835 cases, the highest daily tally in the world since the pandemic began. Public health spending was dismally low to begin with, at just close to 1% of India’s gross domestic product. The country ranks 179th out 189 when it comes to prioritization of healthcare in the government budget. It spends as much as donor-dependent nations like Sierra Leone on a per capita basis. The country’s medical facilities are so inadequate that overall hospitalization rates for the sick are among the lowest in the world: 3% to 4%, compared to an average 8% to 9% in middle income
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New Delhi [India], April 20 (ANI): Amid the prevailing six-day lockdown in the national capital, imposed after a spike in COVID-19 cases, DCP South East, Delhi Police, Rajendra Prasad Meena stated that they have witnessed a discipline amongst the public and less number of people are heading towards Sarai Kale Khan ISBT today morning. Underlining the current status of people s movement in Delhi, he told ANI, Till now, we have witnessed a discipline amongst the public. No major violation of COVID norms has been reported since morning. Even at places like mandi or bus stop, there is a little rush but there is discipline amongst the citizens. Less number of people are heading to Sarai Kale Khan ISBT today morning, the DCP added.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said around 25,500 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Delhi and the positivity rate has increased to nearly 30 per cent in the last 24 hours. He also said that the Delhi government has sought the Centre s help in ensuring adequate beds and supply of oxygen for COVID-19 patients. Less than 100 ICU beds are vacant in Delhi hospitals, and the situation is worsening every moment, Kejriwal said, adding that he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah this morning and stressed on the need for making more beds available. We are constantly in touch with the Centre and getting help from it, he said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was tested positive for Covid is improving in home isolation. According to official sources, the Chief Minister s condition is being closely monitored by doctors and he does not have a fever now. His oxygen levels are also normal. The Chief Minister is observing Navratri fast for nine days and is holding virtual meetings with officials to monitor the Covid situation in the state.
Yogi Adityanath had announced that he was isolating himself on Tuesday after a number of officials in his secretariat tested positive for Covid. The Chief Minister also tested positive for Covid on Wednesday but was mainly asymptomatic.