PM Modi dials South African President; assures supply of essential medical supplies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday assured India's support to South Africa in maintaining essential medical supplies to fight vel coronavirus pandemic. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi apprised about his discussion with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and South Africa is ably coordinating African Union effort against pandemic.

PM Modi added that as a long-standing friend of Africa, India stands ready to support this effort in every way.

READ: COVID-19 doubling rate improves to 6.2 days; growth rate declines by 40%: Health Ministry

Prime Minister also discussed global health crisis with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

"Discussed on phone with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi @AlsisiOfficial about COVID-19 situation in India and Egypt. India will extend all possible support to Egypt's efforts to control spread of virus and its impact," Modi said in ar tweet. 

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South Africa has been on lockdown except for essential services to combat coronavirus pandemic. If results so far appear promising, crime at its lowest level in years, a downtown Johannesburg seemingly free of air pollution, re is a toll. Small businesses like se cant operate.

biggest collateral dam in South Africa’s lockdown, which has been extended until beginning of April, may very well be felt by 2.5 million workers and business owners in informal sector, which accounts for 36% of country’s n-agricultural employment.

For many people living in overcrowded townships like Soweto and informal settlements, coronavirus is a rich white man’s disease. ir main concern is putting food on table.

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Meanwhile, In ar piece of good news, Ministry of Health on Friday said aver growth rate of COVID-19 cases has declined by 40% from mid-March to w while doubling rate of disease has gone up to 6.2 days according to data of last seven days. Ministry informed that doubling rate is lower than national level in 19 States and Union Territories. recovery rate of COVID-19 patients has also improved to 13.06%.

" aver growth factor of cases has been 1.2 from April 1, while during March 15-31, aver growth factor was 2.1. This decline of 40% has occurred due to an increase in testing, including testing of SARI and ILI cases," Joint Secretary of Health Lav Agarwal said.

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