PM Modi readies Rs 15,000 cr warchest to battle COVID-19; PPE, ventilators to be acquired

Prime Minister Narendra Modi anunced Rs. 15,000 crore pack to fight coronavirus pandemic that has claimed ten lives and infected nearly 520 people in India. In a televised dress to nation on Tuesday evening, PM Modi said amount has been mobilised to treat COVID-19 patients and acquire essential supplies like isolation beds and ventilators to fight outbreak. He also anunced that India will enter into a 21-day period "complete lockdown" starting midnight on Tuesday to contain disease.

" Centre is preparing healthcare system to fight against Coronavirus pandemic. To treat Coronavirus patients and strengn health infrastructure of country, Central government has provisioned Rs 15,000 crore. With this, we will increase availability of Coronavirus testing facilities, personal protection equipment (PPE), isolation beds, ICU beds, ventilators and all or necessary equipment. Along with this, medical and paramedical training will also be given," PM Modi said in his near 30-minute dress.

He also requested State governments to prioritise  healthcare sector above everything.

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How this fund will help?

government is aiming to acquire more Coronavirus testing kits to test suspected positive cases and begin treatments as soon as possible. According to government officials, those who are infected are ones who travelled from abro, especially from Europe. threat of community transmission looms high and only way to combat it is to test people and quickly separate m from rest.

re has been rising demands from health officials to increase availability of PPEs so as to protect mselves from contracting COVID-19 while treating patients. allocation of more funds to get isolation and ICU (Intensive Care Unit) beds will also help hospitals that face an uphill task to accommodate more people as number of positive cases spike by day.

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21-day lockdown

Amid rising Coronavirus cases in India, PM Modi, on Tuesday, anunced a 21-day lockdown throughout India starting at midnight on Tuesday. He said that 21 days were necessary for breaking transmission cycle of pandemic. 21-day curfew is applicable to all states, districts, and vills — irrespective of wher y are currently under curfew or t.

"From midnight, across country, re will be countrywide lockdown in India. re will be a complete restriction on leaving one's residence. All districts, vill will be locked down. This is curfew only — a stricter curfew than Janta curfew. We have to bear ecomic consequences because of this. But to save every Indian's life is my and government's responsibility," said PM Modi. 

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