Ramdas Athawale compares Coronavirus crisis to plague outbreak, hails Centre's efforts

Speaking to media after filing his Rajya Sabha mination on Thursday, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale drew a comparison between  current outbreak of vel coronavirus (COVID-19) to plague. He opined that COVID-19 was coming to India 100 years after plague epidemic in country which had claimed thousands of lives.

Asserting that Centre was taking all possible steps to tackle threat posed by vel coronavirus, he stressed need to work toger for preventing loss of lives. Recently at a prayer meeting in Mumbai, he along with Tang Guocai- Chinese Counsel General and Buddhist monks chanted slogan- ‘Go Corona. Corona go’.  

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Ramdas Athawale remarked, “100 years ago, a disease called plague had afflicted India in which thousands and lakhs of people lost ir lives. After 100 years, Corona is coming to India via China. impact in India is t much. But this disease can prove to be fatal. Indian government is taking maximum steps. Maharashtra has also seen confirmed cases of Coronavirus. y are being accorded best treatment. It is necessary to stop him. Because many people can get affected. We have to work toger to save lives of each or. That’s why I said- ‘ dark night of Corona has come to India, so don’t play Holi’.” 

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COVID-19 outbreak declared as 'pandemic'

First detected in Wuhan in December 2019, COVID-19- vel coronavirus has affected nearly 118 countries in world. Presently, re are over 1,24,518 confirmed cases of COVID-19 which has led to death of 4,607 people. As re is vaccine or specific antiviral medicine to deal to treat COVID-19, countries have been grappling with all possible mechanisms to contain its scope. So far, China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran have witnessed  most number of confirmed cases of vel coronavirus. 

On Wednesday, World Health Organization declared COVID-19 outbreak as 'pandemic'. Meanwhile, India that has 73 confirmed cases of COVID-19 suspended all visas, barring for a few categories such as diplomatic and employment apart from keeping in abeyance visa-free travel facility to OCI cardholders till April 15. Moreover, Centre has “strongly advised” Indians to avoid all n-essential travel abroad.  

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