Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease characterised by acute respiratory disorder. The disease was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan in China. It has since spread globally as a pandemic by World Health Organisation in March 11, 2020. The worst affected countries have been USA, Italy, Spain, UK and Iran. The virus is mainly spread between people during close contact, often via small droplets produced during coughing, sneezing, or talking.
The first case of COVID-19 in India was reported on 30 January 2020. As of 14 April 2020, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have confirmed a total of 10,363 cases, 1,036 recoveries (including 1 migration) and 339 deaths in the country.[ Experts suggest the number of infections could be much higher as India’s testing rates are among the lowest in the world.
To fight the disease in many states of India, provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 have been invoked, and educational institutions and many commercial establishments have been shut down. India has suspended all tourist visas, as a majority of the confirmed cases were linked to other countries. Being the second most populous country, India have enormous impact on the world’s ability to deal with the virus. India has been fairly proactive in containing the spread of the virus. Some of the steps that have been taken are:
- On 22 March 2020, India observed a 14-hour voluntary public curfew at the instance of the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi.
- Further, on 24 March, the Prime Minister ordered a nationwide lockdown for 21 days.
- On April 14, the lockdown was extended to May 3, 2020. In some areas however, restrictions will be slightly eased from April 20.
- The lockdown has however has had a negative impact on the economy. To be sure, it has huge effects on informal workers, micro and small enterprises, farmers and the self-employed, who are left with no livelihood in the absence of transportation and access to markets.
Haryana had a total of 162 COVID positive cases till April 10, 2020 with maximum cases in the Nuh district.
Gurugram had 30 cases as on April 10, 2020.
- Gurugram district administration, NGOs, RWAs, citizens and civil society have been working with solidarity to ensure containment of the virus in the city.
- Municipal Corporation, Gurugram has conducted sanitation drives in several localities and slums.
- The administration has issued a number of advisories in public interest.
- Medical and zonal officers have been appointed in all the four zones of Gurugram.
- Tele-medicine facility helpline has been launched.
- Nine containment areas have been identified. These include Raipur village in Sohna, Sector-9, Nirvana Country in Sector-54, Palam Vihar, Emar Palm Gardens in Sector-83, Laburnum society in Sushant Lok-1, Sector-39, village Fazilpur, Jharsa and Ward no.11 Pataudi. These areas will have restricted movement, sanitation drives and door-to door monitoring survey conducted by ASHA and anganwadi workers.
- Drive in testing facilities have been set up in Sector 29 parking area, near Leisure Valley, Gurugram and at Tau Devi Lal Stadium. Two private labs – SRL and Healthian – have been given permission to test for Covid.
- Wearing of masks has been made compulsory for anyone stepping outside of their house.
- A number of private individuals, NGOs, RWAs and CSR initiatives are helping in distribution of cooked food and rations, as well as distribution of masks to affected population.
- Gurugram Helpline No: 1950
