10 States have almost 77 per cent of active COVID caseload in country: Centre to Supreme Court

Centre on Friday told Supreme Court that ten States have almost 77 per cent of active COVID-19 caselo of country with Maharashtra and Kerala contributing almost 33 per cent of overall actives cases.

It said that most of countries across world are observing resurgence of COVID cases and given size and density of population in India, country has done remarkably well in restricting spre.  

Centre pointed out that as on vember 24, India stands at 9.2 million COVID cases, with over 0.44 million active cases, which make up only 4.75 per cent of current cumulative cases.

“Our recovery rate has gone up to 93.76 per cent, with almost 8.6 million recoveries me. aver cases per day have reduced by 50 per cent since past 8 weeks. Currently, only 2 two states have more than 50,000 cases and y contribute to almost 33 per cent of overall active cases,” Ministry of Home Affairs said in its affidavit.

It said that Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of India remains low at 1.46 per cent, when compared to global aver of 2.36 per cent and stands at a total death count of 0.13 million. Centre said that government will continue making efforts to bring CFR down to less than one per cent and accelerate efforts in reducing positivity rate, which currently stands at 6.9 per cent.

“ 10 States contribute almost 77% of active case lo for country. se are: Maharashtra (18.9%), Kerala (14.7%), Delhi (8.5%), West Bengal (5.7%), Karnataka (5.6%), Uttar Presh (5.4%), Rajasthan (5.5%), Chhattisgarh (5.0%), Haryana (4.7%) and Andhra Presh (3.1%),” Centre said.

It said that India is w testing on an aver, almost 1.1 million samples daily and this has been a remarkable increase from 6 thousand tests daily at start of April.  

“We are furr trying to reduce spre with use of digital invations such as Arogya Setu/ITIHAS to predict emerging hotspots and y are also aiding contact tracing efforts. Our efforts are also directed towards managing COVID, n-COVID health facilities should also be effectively mand - se include: immunization, maternal and child health services, cancer, dialysis, etc,” it ded.

Centre's 170-p affidavit filed before top court ded that given ferocity with which disease h spre, countries have been compelled to take drastic measures which have affected almost every facet of life and India was exception to same.  

“However, India looked at challenges imposed by pandemic as a unique opportunity to demonstrate its self-reliance in areas like manufacturing of critical medical equipment, use of information techlogy etc. In order to become self-sufficient or “Atma-nirbhar” in all our capacities and enhance our healthcare preparedness, India also worked to boost domestic production and expand our healthcare workforce,” it said.

Giving statistics of various steps taken, government said that as on vember 23, 2020, a total of 24, 17, 085 passengers and crew members have been screened at airports.

It said that laboratory network is continuously being strengned and as of vember 23, 2020, total operational (initiated independent testing) government laboratories reporting to ICMR is 1166 and in dition, 968 private laboratories have been approved for COVID-19 testing.

It ded that equate laboratory rents are available with ICMR and a total of 133.8 million (13.38 Crore) samples have been tested as on vember 23, 2020.

“It is submitted that as on vember 24, 2020, a total of 15,454 dedicated COVID treatment facilities with 1,54,6983 dedicated isolation beds (including 2, 67, 886 oxygen supported beds) have been identified. Also, a total of 79,005 ICU beds (including 40,183 ventilator beds) have been earmarked in se facilities”, it said.

Regarding development of drugs and vaccines, government said that principal scientific visor to Government of India has constituted a core group on COVID-19 and “thirteen clinical trials of repurposed drugs have been undertaken to build a portfolio of rapeutic options for Covid-19 patients”.

“It is submitted that nearly 30 vaccine candidates encompassing a diverse group of vaccines based on multiple techlogies / platforms are under development in India, by both acemia and industry,” it said.

government submitted that five candidates are in clinical trial st, of which two vaccines are in Phase III trials and three are in phase II trials.  

“A National Expert Group on Vaccine ministration for COVID-19 has been constituted on August 7, 2020, under Member (Health), NITI Ayog, which is working round clock to ensure that vaccines are developed and introduced for public ministration at earliest and at affordable price,” it said.

Dealing with logistics, Centre informed top court that total orders for 1.92 Crore Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) have been placed by it so far and States/UTs and Central Government institutions are being supported in terms of supply of logistics.  

“So far 1.62 Crore of PPE Kits, 3.89 crores N-95 masks, 11.16 crore tablets of Hydroxychloroquine, 34,279 ventilators and 1,02,400 oxygen cylinders have been supplied to States/UTs/ Central Government hospitals so far. In dition, oxygen concentrators are also being supplied to States,” it said.

(Photo Credit: AP)