Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths in India have touched five, with an Italian tourist in the Rajasthan state capital Jaipur becoming the fifth confirmed fatality due to the virus.
At the time of writing, confirmed COVID-19 cases number at 255,290 worldwide. COVID-19 deaths have crossed the 10,000 mark, numbering now at 10,456 worldwide. COVID-19 cases affect 183 countries and territories worldwide.
Globally, there are 154,916 active cases of COVID-19. 95 percent of the currently infected individuals (translating to 147,449 people) are in mild condition. The remaining five percent of active patients are in serious or critical condition, translating to 7,467 individuals.
India reports 223 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 195 are active. In addition to the five deaths, 23 people have recovered. At the global level, 89,918 COVID-19 patients have recovered. They account for ninety percent of ‘closed cases’, with the 10,456 fatalities accounting for the remaining ten percent. Reports indicate India has confirmed fresh COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
The first of the COVID-19 deaths in India was reported in the state of Karnataka. Subsequently, further COVID-19 deaths in India were reported as a 68-year-old woman passed away at the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in Delhi due to COVID-19, followed by a 63-year-old in Mumbai. A fourth fatality was reported in Punjab before the announcement of the Italian tourist’s passing due to COVID-19 in Rajasthan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi last night spoke to the nation. “My dear fellow citizens,” his speech began, “the whole world is currently passing through a period of very serious crisis. Normally, when a natural crisis strikes, it is limited to a few countries or states. However, this time the calamity is such that it has put all of mankind in crisis. World Wars I and II did not impact as many countries, as have been affected by corona today.”
The Prime Minister stated that “the 130 crore citizens of India have ably dealt with the global corona pandemic and have exercised due caution.” However, he went on to say that “complacency in respect of a global pandemic like corona is not appropriate. Therefore, it is essential that each and every Indian remains alert and cautious…till now, science has not been able to find a definite solution to save us from the corona pandemic, neither has a vaccine been developed. In such a situation, it is very natural to get worried.
Study of the countries most affected by coronavirus has revealed another aspect. In these countries, the spread of the disease has witnessed almost an explosion after the initial few days. The number of people infected by corona has grown at a rapid pace. Government of India is constantly keeping a close watch on this situation, and this track record of the spread of corona.”
The Prime Minister went on to acknowledge that “this burgeoning crisis of corona, is not an ordinary occurrence for a nation like India with a population of 130 crore, striving for development. Therefore, as we witness the wide-spread impact of the corona pandemic even in major, developed countries today, it is wrong to assume that India will not be impacted by it.
“Hence, it is imperative to keep two key factors in mind in order to combat this global pandemic – Determination and Patience. Today, all 130 crore fellow citizens of Indians will have to further strengthen our resolve to overcome this global crisis, fulfilling all our duties as citizens, and abiding by the directions given by the Central and State governments. Today, we must all resolve to not get infected ourselves, and prevent others as well from getting infected.”
He urged citizens to practice social distancing “by staying away from crowds and gatherings, avoiding leaving your homes. This is…critical in these times of the global corona pandemic.”