The Coronavirus in India: A Comprehensive Guide
The Coronavirus pandemic is a global crisis that has affected more than 200 countries, with India being the latest nation to be afflicted with the virus. India is currently the nation with the second-highest number of confirmed cases, following only behind the United States. The number of cases and deaths continues to surge and the virus is spreading to other parts of the world. This article provides an in-depth look at the spread of Coronavirus in India and covers the country’s current status and efforts to address the pandemic.
Background
The Coronavirus (officially named Covid-19) was first reported in China in December 2019 and quickly spread to other parts of the world. By March 2020, it had become a global pandemic, affecting an unprecedented number of people across the world. India was one of the countries to be seriously affected, with the first case reported in Delhi in early March. Since then, the infection rate has accelerated exponentially.
Current Status
As of December 2020, India has over 10 million confirmed cases of Covid-19, with the death toll surpassing 140,000 people. The cases have been reported from all across the country and the government’s efforts to contain the spread of the virus have had only limited success.
Lockdown Measures
The Indian government imposed a nationwide lockdown on March 24, 2020, with all non-essential services, including work and activities in the public and private sectors, suspended for more than two months. This resulted in an unprecedented economic impact and immense hardships for the people. In order to minimize the damage to the economy, the government gradually began to reopen the country from June, but with strict guidelines in place. Social distancing, wearing masks, and other precautionary measures against the virus continue to be enforced.
Health Care System
The health care system in India is facing a huge challenge with the surge of Covid-19 cases. The insufficient infrastructure and shortage of medical personnel are being tested to their limits, with the government having to step up the existing systems in order to meet the demands. The government has also implemented measures such as training more medical professionals and purchasing medical equipment to strengthen the health care system.
Testing Procedures
The government of India has implemented strict testing procedures to detect the Coronavirus and ascertain its spread. These include contact tracing, molecular tests, antigen tests, and antibody tests. The use of mobile apps to register and track contacts has also been implemented.
Vaccines
Currently, India is in the process of rolling out two vaccines, with several more in the pipeline. The Covaxin and Covishield vaccines are being used in India, with the government having secured 350 million doses of approved vaccines from abroad. The distribution of the Covaxin and Covishield vaccines commenced on the 16th of January 2021 and has been administered to the general public in various locations across the country.
The situation in India is critical, with the Coronavirus pandemic continuing to spread. In spite of this, the government has taken various measures to try and contain the spread of the virus and protect the citizens from its deadly effects. The country is also a pioneer in the race to vaccine its population and has made great strides in tackling the crisis. The magnitude of its success will only be determined by the stamina of its people and the effort of the government – we can only hope that the long-term outlook is brighter than it is today.
