While the number of “red zones” have fallen, so too have the number of “green zones”, or districts reporting no new COVID-19 case in the past 21 days
New Delhi, May 1:
The number of coronavirus hotspots, or “red zones”, across India have fallen by around 23 per cent in 15 days, the government said on Thursday, from 170 on April 15 to 130 on April 30. However, in the same period the number of “green zones”, or districts reporting no new COVID-19 case in the past 21 days (this figure was previously 28 days), have decreased from 356 to 319, indicating the virus is spreading, albeit with reduced intensity, to previously unaffected areas of the country.
In addition, the number of “orange zones” have increased – from 207 to 284, as per a letter from the Union Health Ministry to the chief secretaries of all states and union territories, following a video conference yesterday.
“It is critical to ensure necessary action for containment (in order) to break chain of transmission of virus in both red and orange zone districts reporting confirmed cases,” the letter read.
The letter also outlines necessary action to be taken to control containment zones, including “establishing clear entry and exit points (and) no movement except for medical emergencies and essential goods and services”.
