Contrary to the perception that the elderly are more at risk from Covid-19, in India as many as 41.88% of corona positive cases are between 21 to 40 years of age. Also, 32.82% positive cases are between 41 to 60 years, followed by 16.69% cases above the age of 60 years and 8.61% coronavirus positive cases are between 0-20 years, according to official figures.

The ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) on Saturday advised strictly following government guidelines for high-risk people as old age and co-morbidity due to health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiac problems are major risk factors  for corona virus related  deaths.

By late Saturday, India had 2,902 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 68 people had died, even as 183 persons have been cured/ discharged from hospital after recovery. As many as 1,023 positive cases have been linked to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi in mid-March, and they are spread across 17 states/UTs – Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Telangana, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Around 22,000 workers and their contacts related with the Tablighi Jamaat meeting have been quarantined so far as the result of a massive effort said the MoHFW.

“With 30% of cases reported in India so far linked to one place universal compliance with government’s guidelines is a must,” said Luv Aggarwal, joint secretary, MoHFW. He added that as compared to WHO global figures of a total of 9.72 lakh cases till date with more than 75,800 cases having been reported in a single day, the doubling rate of cases in India has been relatively low. The central government’s approach has been proactive, preemptive and graded and we need to be continually alert and active, he said.

The health ministry said that an action plan has been prepared to deal with the scenario of a large outbreak, and on the strategy to contain it. An advisory on use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth has been issued.

“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. It is very important that we follow government guidelines regarding lockdown, social distancing and hygiene in every way, in every place. We need to be informed, alert and should not panic unnecessarily,” stated the joint secretary.

He added that medical equipment and supplies are being purchased, and are being supplied to states as and when they are procured. “We are also requesting states to use them in an optimal manner, considering gradual augmentation of their availability. Thirty training modules on topics such as ventilator support, clinical management, quarantine management, infection prevention and control have been prepared and provided to states. As many as 1.6 lakh people have utilized this and 1.4 lakh people have been trained using this,” he further said.

The ministry also said that more than 31,000 retired doctors have volunteered to provide their services in the fight against COVID-19 and the government is also planning to involve resident doctors and post-graduate medical students in hospital management.

MbPT sets up COVID-19 hospital
A new 50-bed hospital has been started by the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) for treatment of COVID-19 patients. The hospital has two separate isolation wards: A COVID-19 (suspect) isolation ward with its own ICU and another isolation ward for COVID-19 (positive) with a separate ICU.
 
Both wards have their own independent separate entrance, reception, casualty, ICU etc., with screenings at the new gate. Each hospital has its own entrance, and compulsory PPE suits. Both hospitals will follow special SOPs defined for separation of patients.
 
MbPT has also started quarantine wards at three locations – Dhanvantari Building within the MbPT Hospital, Nadkarni Park Welfare Centre, Wadala, and CMC Building inside Indira Docks – for keeping suspected persons. The MbPT has also tied up with Sailors’ Home, Wadi Bunder with 500 beds for additional quarantine facility. MbPT has also tied up with Mumbai Municipal Corporation and a cruise vessel having accommodation for 2,000 persons on board to serve as floating quarantine facility. Additionally, vacant flats in the residential quarters in the vicinity of the Port Trust Hospital are being readied for accommodating the isolation cases/staff on emergency duty.
 
Earlier, the BMC, for treatment of symptomatic positive patients and referred patients besides Kasturba and St Georges hospitals, added Seven Hills Hospital, Nanavati Hopital and Saifee Hospital.

For asymptomatic patients and patients below 60 years of age, it earmarked Maternity Home, STD Clinic building, Nagpada, maternity home behind Lilawati Hospital, PWD guesthouse, Andheri W, Diagnostic Centre, Punjabi Galli, MCMCR, Powai, Urban Health Centre, Shivaji Nagar and Mahatma Gandhi Hall, opposite Bandra Talao, SV Road.    
 
With 145 new cases, the total number of corona virus cases in Maharashtra went up to 635. In Mumbai the number of suspected cases rose to a total of 2,523. Four deaths were reported on Saturday taking the total number of deaths to 22. Fourteen positive patients recovered and were discharged.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday warned people against circulating inflammatory content about the pandemic and said that there is a similar virus emerging which is threatening social harmony – the virus of fake news and communal hatred. Thackeray said that unlike Delhi, Maharashtra had “assessed the risk of infection” and denied permission for the Tablighi Jamaat congregation. He added that his government has located people in the state who attended the Jamaat event.