CORONA: HOPES STILL ALIVE

CHANDAN SHARMA

As the global data, related to Coronavirus (COVID-19), is going to more scary on each passing day and number of deaths is competing with its own data everyday, Modi government has started to take tougher steps to contain the spread of pandemic in India. On the other hand, center took a tough stand on migrant labourers. Despite the apology, sought by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself on Sunday, the administrative authorities and department of home affairs issued a clear instructions to states and local adminstration to not allow them to move to other places and asked authorities to arrange shelter and food for all migrants. It is notable that the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in India has crossed over 1100, as per the data made available by the IMCR  and other sources. However, ICMR still reluctant to accept that there is any evidence of community transmission.

It is another fact that over 175 people in South Delhi have been taken to the hospital suspecting infected by the coronavirus. Over 250 bed’s Trauma Centre of the country’s most prestigious hospital, AIIMS, has been converted into COVID hospital to deal with any kind of emergency related to the COVID-19. The hospital has 70 functional ventilators at the moment. The capacity is being augmented, considering the gravity of the situation. On the other hand, some more hospitals and other places are being made ready to handle any kind of emergency.

Meanwhile, ICMR, the highest authority of the country for the medical research says that it has going to start testing of random sampling so that the gravity of situation could be assessed appropriately. It is notable that the ICMR has tested over 28,000 samples for coronavirus till date. But less than 1000 samples have been found positive among these samples.

Global data turns scary:

The global data received from WHO and other nations, paints a horrible picture and poses the toughest challenge before the mankind. Over 3400 deaths have been reported in last 24 hours due to Corona virus and 63159 new cases registered in a single day. This number is huge as everyday WHO recieves almost 10% rise in the new cases and almost 5-6% deaths everyday out of the total number of cases registered around the globe.

US President Donald Trump too has admitted that the situation would be worse in the coming weeks as the number of deaths due to corona virus has crossed over 2245 and number of cases have crossed over 1.2 lakh. Even the authorities had to admit that New York is now the new epicentre of the COVID-19. However, US President did not opt for lockdown but ordered for tougher rule for social distancing. US experts too have given an estimate of over two lakh deaths due to coronavirus, according to the reports.

As far as EU is concerned, Italy is now the most affected country as number of deaths due to coronavirus has crossed over 10,000. Spain is another EU nation that has been badlly affected by the virus and number of deaths crossed over 7500 marks.

Ray of Hope   

Although no vaccine has been made available for public as yet but two developments may give some ray of hope for the people-1. Keeping people in isolation or lockdown and 2. Anti-Malaria drugs.

Despite the fact that several governments have ignored it initially but lockdown or keeping people in isolation and following the rule of social distancing are certainly working. At least, it is slowing the pace of the spread of the disease. This is a good news for the country like India. PM Modi too has repeated it during his all recent addresses, related to the coronavirus. Several other countries too have contained the spread of virus by using this technique.

Anti-Malaria drugs are a boon at this moment for the doctors. Despite the fact that these drugs have some side effects, it is working. Even US President Donald Trump has said that it’s results are ‘encouraging’. Epidemologist and public health experts too have admitted that some of the anti-malaria drugs can be used as preventive drugs during this crisis.
Moreover, it must be remembered that over 90% people infected by the disease are getting cured after treatment. So, the treatment and identification of the infected people at right time or at the beginning of the infection is the key of the success in the battle against the invisible enemy against the humankind, as suggested by the WHO too. Probably, it is the key of success against the biggest documented battle against the humankind too.  

(Yuvavani.com is an independent pvt. Initiative; it does not belongs to any outlet/outfit/ppp or AIR) (author is founder& editor of yuvavani.com)