On 11 March 2020, WHO declared Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic and reiterated the call for countries to take immediate actions and scale up response to treat, detect and reduce transmission to save people’s lives.
Situation update
As of 23 March 2020 (9:00 AM), a total of 390 COVID-19 cases (349 Indians and 41 foreign nationals) have been reported in 23 states/union territories. These include 23 who have been cured/discharged, 1 who has migrated and 7 reported deaths. Hospital isolation of all confirmed cases, tracing and home quarantine of the contacts is ongoing.
As of 23 March 2020 (9:00 AM), a total of 390 COVID-19 cases (349 Indians and 41 foreign nationals) have been reported in 23 states/union territories. These include 23 who have been cured/discharged, 1 who has migrated and 7 reported deaths. Hospital isolation of all confirmed cases, tracing and home quarantine of the contacts is ongoing.
Government response
The Prime Minister's Office, Group of Ministers, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Cabinet Secretary are closely monitoring the situation. Addressing the nation on 19 March 2020, the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi urged for resolve and restraint, and adopting social distancing, including ‘Janta curfew’ (voluntary self-isolation) on Sunday, 22 March 2020 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The government has invoked powers under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 to enhance preparedness and response efforts. With COVID-19 being declared a notified disaster, the State Disaster Response Fund, constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, is now available with state governments for response measures.
The Prime Minister's Office, Group of Ministers, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Cabinet Secretary are closely monitoring the situation. Addressing the nation on 19 March 2020, the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi urged for resolve and restraint, and adopting social distancing, including ‘Janta curfew’ (voluntary self-isolation) on Sunday, 22 March 2020 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The government has invoked powers under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 to enhance preparedness and response efforts. With COVID-19 being declared a notified disaster, the State Disaster Response Fund, constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, is now available with state governments for response measures.
Central ministries along with states/UTs have taken urgent steps to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing and isolation, laboratory capacity, quarantine facilities, and ensure availability of adequate personal protective equipment, trained manpower and rapid response teams for management of COVID-19.
In the latest travel advisory, the government has banned all international commercials flights into India from 22 March 2020 for a week. The earlier visa restrictions also remain in force. These are temporary measures and shall remain in force till 31 March 2020. Universal health screening continues at all points of entry
In another update, all non-essential passenger transport, including all train services and suburban rail services, all metro rails services and inter-state transport buses, has been suspended till 31 March 2020.
WHO Country Office for India support
WHO Country Office for India has been working closely with MoHFW, on preparedness and response measures for COVID-19, including disease surveillance, laboratory and research protocols, risk communications, training on infection prevention and control and cluster containment plan, surveillance and tracking of travellers.
"We welcome Prime Minister's call for adopting social distancing strategy. Effective implementation of the strategy will go a long way in controlling the spread of the virus along with hand-hygiene, and coughing and sneezing in one's sleeves. Even as we maintain social distancing, it is equally vital to stand together in solidarity to overcome this challenge," says Dr Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative to India.WHO Country Office for India has been working closely with MoHFW, on preparedness and response measures for COVID-19, including disease surveillance, laboratory and research protocols, risk communications, training on infection prevention and control and cluster containment plan, surveillance and tracking of travellers.