PM's Lockdown prevented 14–29 lakh cases and 37–78 thousand deaths due to Covid: Health Minister

Harsh Vardhan, Health Minister's statement in Lok Sabha on opening day of Monsoon session of Parliament on Covid19 situations 



The Government of India undertook the COVID-19 challenge with the highest level of political commitment. The nationwide lockdown, a bold decision, undertaken by Government duly involving community, initiated as self-imposed Junta Curfew as per the call given by Hon’ble Prime Minister is testimony to the fact that India has collectively stood up to manage COVId-19 and successfully blunted the aggressive progression of COVID.

It has been estimated that this decision prevented approximately 14–29 lakh cases and 37–78 thousand deaths. 

Further, these four months were utilized to create additional health infrastructure, enhance human resource and produce within India critical elements such as PPEs, N-95 masks and ventilators. A case in point is increase in dedicated isolation beds 36.3 times and dedicated ICU beds above 24.6 times to what existed in March 2020. Whereas there was no indigenous manufacturing of PPE, with the requisite standards, at that point in time, we are now self-sufficient and, in a position, to even export the same. On behalf of our countrymen, I take this opportunity to congratulate our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, who personally continues to monitor the situation and provided his leadership.





To ensure accessibility of quality treatment for both Covid and non-Covid
health issues, to far flung areas, use of telemedicine has been promoted in a big
way. 'eSanjeevani', a web-based comprehensive telemedicine solution is being
utilized (in 23 states) to extend the reach of specialized healthcare services to
masses in both rural areas and isolated communities.

ICMR is establishing a National Clinical Registry on COVID that will
provide insights into clinical course of COVID-19 disease, its spectrum and
outcome of patients.

Thirteen clinical trials of repurposed drugs and harnessing of traditional
knowledge using the modern medicine approach are building a portfolio of
therapeutic options for Covid-19 patients. Phase 2 clinical trial of
immunomodulator Sepsivac has been completed successfully,

An effective vaccine would be the sure shot tool in armamentarium against
this disease. On this front, globally, there are around 145 candidate vaccines in
preclinical evaluation and currently 35 vaccines in clinical trial. In India, a major
focus has been on facilitating the development of COVID19 vaccine. 

More than 30 vaccine candidates have been supported which are in different stages of
development, 3 candidates are in advanced stage of Phase I/II/III trials and more
than 4 are in advanced pre-clinical development stage.

COVID19 Biorepositories have been setup, which have collected more
than 40,000 samples which have been made available to researchers and
industry for developing diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.

To coordinate procurement and distribution of Covid vaccine, Governmentof India has constituted a National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration forCOVID-19 on 7th August, 2020, under the Chairmanship of Member (Health),NITI Aayog.

Early lockdown prevented 14 to 29 lakh Covid cases and up to 78,000 deaths in India, health minister Harsh Vardhan said in both Houses of Parliament on Monday.

Let us avoid all other issues, and discuss Economy and joblessness, says Supriya Sule

"I think, the biggest challenge right now in the country is the state of the economy and the unemployment. The State that I come from is probably fighting the toughest battle of the pandemic. We are having many many challenges on the economic front and our State has been immensely following up with the Central Government to get more help in reviving the economy of our State and
getting some projects going. So, I urge the hon. Finance Minister to look into this
matter.

This is a global scenario. I do understand that we are not the only country going through it. I think that should be the priority of the Government and I do not see this Government at the Centre talking extensively either about the economy or unemployment challenges. I would like to highlight and request that we should put it on priority. Let us leave all other issues aside". 
(on Sept 14)