Coronavirus cases cross 200 mark, next two weeks crucial for India

New Delhi, Mar 20: In spite of various curative and preventive measures taken by the government, the number of coronavirus affected people in India has crossed 200 on Friday with four deaths reported from various states.

Globally, the death toll has crossed 10,000 with Italy topping with a tally of 3400 followed by China with 3132 fatalities. The number of COVID-19 positive cases worldwide is 244,500.

The Centre has tightened measures banning landing of the international commercial passenger flights from all directions till March 22.

The Prime Minister has appealed to the people to observe the ‘Janata Curfew’ on Sunday and thank and pray for those serving the coronavirus patients risking their own health. Several states and Union Territories have imposed restrictions on public transport and gatherings.

The next two weeks are the most crucial for India. The country has done well so far to contain the spread of the coronavirus. But as stage 3 begins there is an added danger of the virus spreading to newer areas through social contacts and gatherings.

Italy failed to contain the spread of the virus in between the last week of February and the second week of March, a blunder for which it is paying the highest price today. The number of positive cases rose from 300 to 10,000 and the death toll remains at the highest in the world.

If India fails to manage this stage for the next 3 to 4 weeks then it could have COVID-19 positive cases running in lakhs. That is why next month is most crucial for India and the Prime Minister only did the right thing by advising people to stay at home as much as possible and save themselves from the attack of coronavirus. That is why most events & public gatherings have been closed till 15th April.

Maharashtra reported 57 cases, highest in the country. The government has canceled the school examinations from standard 1 to 8 and those students will be promoted to the next class on the basis of the evaluation of their performance in that academic year.

The state government has also shut the four cities of Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad to avoid any contact with the coronavirus. Several states and Union Territories have imposed restrictions on public transport and gatherings.

Maharashtra has reported the maximum number of cases, followed by Kerala, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. West Bengal confirmed its second case while 16 Kashmiri pilgrims are stranded in Iran have also tested positive for the disease.