Dr. David Nabarro, the special COVID-19 envoy of the World Health Organisation, spoke to NDTV recently and said that India, as a country, has acted quickly on the novel coronavirus outbreak. However, he also added that the pandemic is likely to reach its peak in the month of July.
The first case in India was reported on the 30th of January in the state of Kerala. Kerala further went onto report the first three cases in the country. The first wave was flattened by the state. Later in the month of February, cases began to soar in India but by then India had begun screening people at the airports who were coming from the severely hit countries. The big wave in India happened with the Tablighi Jamaat outbreak.
July is when the peak hits, says Nabarro
Dr. David Nabarro spoke to NDTV about the response of the country to the coronavirus pandemic. He was sure in the broadcast that India will see the peak only in the coming months after the lockdown will be lifted. India has already granted relaxations in the restrictions during the third phase of the lockdown except for red zones. According to him, because of India’s quick action and timely lockdown, the virus was contained in few urban areas which otherwise could have potentially spread to denser parts of the country. He further said,
“When the lockdown lifts, there will be more cases. But people should not be scared. In the coming months, there will be an increase in the number of cases. But there will be stability in India. There will be sporadic outbreaks overtime immediately after the lockdown. Thereon, the outbreaks will be contained. I agree with the timing. Around July-end, there will be a flat peak but it will get better.”
Speaking about the biggest lockdown the world has ever seen that witnessed over 1 billion people locking themselves down, he said,
“The lockdown has managed to keep the virus reasonably well located in some specific places. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi and Tamil Nadu. But it is very much located in some of the urban areas.”
India has seen over 63,000 positive cases with 2,000 and more people who died fighting against the disease. Close to 20,000 people have successfully recovered from the disease.
Source: India.com
