Covid-19: Niti Aayog member says mortality rate in India not 'severe'; early steps worked

NitiAayogMember V K Paul on Monday said the mortality rate in the Covid-19 pandemic in India is not "severe" and the impact of the disease is "very very limited" keeping in view the size of the country.

He was speaking at a session, held virtually, on a theme 'Covid-19: India Fights Back - Strategy and Way Forward'. Adviser (health) at the Niti Aayog Alok Kumar was also part of the interactive discussion.

On the Centre's move to impose various curbs to contain the coronavirus spread, Paul -- who is also heading a panel to coordinate efforts to tackle the virus outbreak -- added the 21-daylockdownwas the "decision of the century" and the purpose has been achieved to a large extent.

"We are very very certain that it (COVID-19) is not an outbreak that is causing severe mortality in any part of the country.We also have not heard anecdotesthat intensive care units (ICUs) are filled up in government or private hospitals like what had happened in Europe where allICUswere full," he said.

Stating thatthe coronavirusoutbreak has spread faster than any other previous pandemic, Paul said India should be prepared to handle 1,50,000 new cases per day, similar to what Italy experienced at its peak.

"Our disease is very much limited compared to the size of our nation because we resorted to early and effective steps. However, this doesn't mean the situation will remain same if we are not vigilant," he said.

On the lockdown decision, theNitiAayogmember said, "Once you create extremedecision likethatthen as a society we have moved to a new normal, we have adjusted to a new reality."