BMJ British Medical Journal
The scandals of covid-19
BMJ 2020; 369 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m1434 (Published 09 April 2020)
Cite this as: BMJ 2020;369:m1434
Rapid Response
Re: The scandals of covid-19
Dear Editor
COVID-19 Pandemic And India
As of today, 10.4.2020, the coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic is affecting 210 countries and territories around the world and 2 international conveyances.
The total number of cases in 48 European countries are 792 028 with 67 054 deaths and maximum deaths in Italy.
In 39 North American countries the confirmed cases are 500 902 and 17 694 deaths. In this region the USA top the table in both the number of cases confirmed and in the death list.
In Asia total positive cases reported are 267 773 and deaths in 10 096 in 48 countries.
In 14 South American countries there are 39 662 confirmed cases and about 1620 deaths.
In 55 African countries there are about 13 112 positive cases and 653 deaths.
In Oceania about 7573 total cases with the least number of 55 deaths in 6 countries in this region. In the world there are 1 621 771 confirmed COVID-19 cases. In this 366 281 (79%) cases were recovered and deaths were reported in 97185 (21%) cases.
In India maintaining social distance is showing good results in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in its 2020 Pandemic.
In India there are about 6,725 confirmed cases and 229 deaths as of today
According to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), if the lockdown had not been announced in the country, the country would face an Italy-like situation. By April 15, the total number of cases in India would have been 8 lakh 20 thousand. While currently the number of infected cases is six thousand plus due to lockdown, more than 80 percent of the total cases are confined to only 78 districts.
The ICMR estimate is based on the principle of R0–2.5. According to this theory, if a lockdown is not done, a person affected by coronavirus can infect 406 people. Whereas due to the lockdown, its capacity remains only to infect 2.5 people.
The country 's lockdown ends on 14.4.2020. But a few states in India have extended the lockdown till May 1st. Some more states like Tamilnadu may also extend the lockdown for 2 weeks like in other states in India till May 1st.
On 4 April, export of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was banned through a notification, without exemptions on humanitarian or other grounds. India has also tightened control over the exports of 13 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), including paracetamol, certain vitamins and antibiotics, and formulations as the covid-19 pandemic in China was seen to be affecting their supply.
On 7.4.2020, India 's announcement, however, opens the doors for exports of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and other drugs to India’s close neighbours, and strategic partners such as the US.
Following the spread of covid-19, around 36 countries have requested India for HCQ.
Our Prime Minister of India, Mr.Narendra Modi, has told Israel and Brazil that India is ready to do whatever is possible to help its friends in the fight against the novel coronavirus, after the leaders of the respective countries thanked him for the HCQ supply.
COVID-19 afflicts the richest princes and the poorest migrant workers with no discrimination — at least, until the moment they begin to seek testing or treatment. So prevention is better than cure. So keep social distance, have self hygiene, practise respiratory hygiene and stay at home till the war against coronavirus is over in every country.
Competing interests: No competing interests
10 April 2020
M.A. Aleem
Emeritus Professor of Neurology * Visiting Specialist in Neurology ** Consultant Neurologist ***
A.M.Hakkim
The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University * Dhanalakshami Srinivasan Medical College ** ABC Hospital ***
Chennai 600032* Perambalure 621212** Trichy 620018*** Tamilnadu India
@drmaaleem
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