New Delhi, Apr 11: The Union Health Ministry on Saturday said the ongoing nationwide lockdown, along with social distancing, has played a vital role in containing the Novel Coronavirus pandemic, so far.
Addressing a press briefing here, Health Ministry Spokesperson Lav Agrawal said that if these measures would not have been taken in time, the number of infected people would have been over eight lakh by April 15.
The statistical analysis of the total positive cases of COVID-19 before March 15 and after the date suggests that had the containment measures would not been enforced effectively, the actual numbers of the infected patients would have been close to 8.02 lakh by April 15.
He further clarified that this is not a study done by the Indian Council of Medial Research (ICMR), but just a statistical analysis made on the numbers of positive cases, before and after the lockdown announcement.
Describing the exemplary role played by the frontline health workers, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, Aanganwadi and Aasha workers at the ground level, Mr Agrawal said their contribution have been praiseworthy and they have been working day and night, even risking their lives, for the citizens of this country.
Citing the example of containment of COVID-19 in the first cluster at Agra, he further said that all major stakeholders had worked in a coordinated manner, which fetched the desired result.
Mr Agrawal also said that there is sufficient stock of Hydroxychloroquine and whenever it will be required for treatment, it will be made available in sufficient quantity.
He also said that this medicine should not be taken without consultation of the doctors, as this has, like other medicines, side-effects.
