The number of patients infected by a highly contagious coronavirus (COVID-19) has reached 110 in India, with maximum cases recorded in Maharashtra (32).
New Delhi| On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi suggested the creation of an emergency fund with “voluntary contributions” to counter the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in SAARC nations — India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
India can start with an “initial offer” of $10 million, he said during a telephonic conversation with SAARC leaders to evolve a joint strategy to fight the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which has killed more than 5,000 people worldwide.
“Yesterday I had asked the government to consider stronger and more determined measures to combat COVID 19. We got a video conference that left us no wiser,” Chidambaram said, mocking the video conference among SAARC leaders. The south Asian countries yesterday welcomed PM Modi for the initiative and appreciated India for helping them during the coronavirus crisis.
Chidambaram tweeted, “While the SAARC meeting was welcome, the government must pay heed to the warnings of WHO and ICMR, and now Dr Devi Shetty. The government must consider partial to total lockdown of many towns and cities.”
“Government must pay attention to the rate of increase in the number of infections. The rate is quite worrying.”
Also Read: HW Exclusive: The Death Hole
Chidambaram added that if the central government is slow to act, state governments must show bolder leadership and announce firmer steps appropriate to the state concerned.
According to the World Health Organization, 143 countries are affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
With over 500 deaths, Italy, Spain and France collectively record the highest number of deaths in a single day due to the coronavirus pandemic. So far 6000 deaths have been recorded across the world
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
