COVID-19: 693 new cases, 30 deaths in last 24 hours; 63% mortality rate in 60+ age group

India has reported 693 new cases of vel Coronavirus since Sunday taking total number to 4067, Union Health Ministry said on Monday. death toll has touched 109, as 30 people succumbed to COVID-19 since Sunday. So far, 291 patients have recovered. 

"693 new #COVID19 cases have been reported in last 24 hours, taking total number to 4067 in India out of which 1445 cases are related to Tablighi Jamaat. 76% of cases have been reported in males and 24% in females," Joint Secretay for Health, Lav Aggarwal said. 

Mortality rate breakdown

mortality rate for COVID-19 is high among people d over 60 years, official informed. In a breakdown of deaths reported, official said that 63% of deaths have been reported among people over 60 years , 30% in bracket of 40 to 60 years and 7% of victims were below 40 years of . He furr informed that young people with co-morbidities are also at risk.

Co-morbidity is presence of one or more additional diseases or disorders occurring concomitantly with a primary disease or disorder.

Hydroxychloroquine only for HCW

Lav Aggarwal also said t Ministry has allowed use of anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine for healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19 patients or high risk contacts of patients though re is limited evidence of its efficacy. He held that re is t sufficient evidence to use it at community level to treat virus. 

25,000 Tablighi Jamaat workers quarantined

Punya Salila Srivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed that government has so far quarantined over 25,000 Tablighi Jamaat workers and ir contacts. Five Haryana vills where y visited have also been sealed. Delhi's Nizamuddin Markaz emerged as a coronavirus hotspot following a massive religious congregation attended by Indian and foreign nationals, many of whom contracted virus.

5 lakh testing kits ordered

"An order has been placed for 5 lakh testing kits for COVID19; 2.5 lakhs kits to be delivered on April 8-9," R Gangakhedkar, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said.