COVID-19 pandemic in India

Do's & Don'ts of COVID-19 released by Government of India

A testing facility at the National Centre for Disease Control in Delhi

A sample collection kiosk for COVID-19 testing in Kerala

The Union Health Ministry's war room and policy making team in New Delhi consists of the ministry's Emergency Medical Response Unit, the Central Surveillance Unit (IDSP), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and experts from three government hospitals.[31] They are part of policy decisions to decide how coronavirus should be tackled in the country.[31] A cluster-containment strategy is mainly being adopted, similar to how India contained previous epidemics, as well as "breaking the chain of transmission".[31][32][33] 15 labs across India led by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, are testing for the virus, with more labs being trained, as of early March.[34] On 13 March, 52 labs were named capable of virus testing.[35]

On 14 March, scientists at the National Institute of Virology isolated a strain of the novel coronavirus. By doing so, India became the fifth country to successfully obtain a pure sample of the virus after China, Japan, Thailand and the US.[36] The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that isolation of the virus will help towards expediting the development of drugs, vaccines and rapid diagnostic kits in the country.[37] NIV has shared two SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences with GISAID.[38] On 16 April, China sent 650,000 testing kits to India[39] but their use was discontinued in view of a very low accuracy (of just 5.4%).[40] In May, National Institute of Virology introduced another antibody test kit ELISA for rapid testing, capable of processing 90 samples in a single run of 2.5 hours.[41]

Initially, the labs tested samples only from those with a travel history to 12 countries designated as high-risk, or those who had come in contact with anyone testing positive for the coronavirus, or showing symptoms as per the government guidelines.[42][43] On 20 March, the government decided to also include all pneumonia cases, regardless of travel or contact history after the country saw a sharp increase in the number of cases.[44] The first and second confirmatory tests for the virus has been made free by the government.[45] On 9 April, ICMR further revised the testing strategy and allowed testing of the people showing symptoms for a week in the hotspot areas of the country, regardless of travel history or local contact to a patient.[46]

The Ministry of Health said that only 10 per cent of test capacity had been used per day till 15 March,[45] claiming that the number of tests was enough. However experts thought they were not, saying that community transmission may go undetected without adequate testing.[47] They also wanted to add more testing centres by including private laboratories.[47][43] In mid-March the government authorised accredited private labs to test for the virus.[48]

On 17 March, the Union Ministry of Health had decided to allow private pathology labs to test for COVID-19. The ministry official claimed that by allowing private labs, the work of testing can be doubled. The ministry said that National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited laboratories may soon be allowed.[49] Once set up, a person can get COVID-19 test done at a private lab after a qualified physician in a government facility recommends it.[50] The ICMR has appealed to the private labs to offer the tests for free as the government labs do.[49]

On 18 March, A top health ministry official said that a Swiss private company named Roche Diagnostics has been given the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency approval to conduct tests for coronavirus. The Indian regulator has given them a licence to conduct diagnostic tests of the virus on 17 March.[51] The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) was assessing giving another firm licence while two Indian diagnostic companies have also sought approval for the coronavirus testing kits developed by them.[52] The government has also issued guidelines to cap the cost of sample testing by private labs at ₹4,500.[53]

On 19 March, Ramanan Laxminarayan, director of the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy stated that India could be facing a "tsunami of cases within a few weeks" as testing increases and the reason for the low number of confirmed cases currently is due to under-testing. He also said that according to mathematical models applied in the US or UK at least 20%–60% of the population will be affected. Applying the same models in India means that at the lower end of the estimate there could be 300 million cases of which 4–8 million could be severe.[54]

111 additional labs for testing became functional on 21 March.[55] On 24 March, Pune-based molecular diagnostic company Mylab Discovery Solutions became the first Indian company to have received validation for its RT-PCR tests from National Institute of Virology and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The test takes 2.5 hours and the company is looking to price it at around ₹1,200 (US$17), or Rs 80,000 for a 100 test kit.[56][57]

In April, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology of Delhi had developed low cost paper-strip test that could detect COVID-19 within an hour. Each test would cost ₹500 (US$7.00) and method could fulfill India's rapid need of testing.[58]

On 13 April, ICMR advised pool testing in the low infection areas with a positivity rate less than 2% to increase the capacity of the testing and save resources. In this process maximum five samples are tested at once and samples are tested individually only if a pool tests positive.[59] Andaman and Nicobar Islands[60] and Uttar Pradesh[61] have started doing pool testing.

On 14 April, ICMR and DGCI approved 18 new suppliers of test kits that included three Indian firms, bringing the total suppliers to 51.[62]

On 16 April, 650,000 rapid antibody test and RNA extraction kits were dispatched from China, and over 2 million kits were to be sent in next 15 days.[40] On 21 April, Health department of West Bengal alleged that large number of testing kits supplied by ICMR-NICED (National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases) were giving inconclusive results. ICMR-NICED admitted that there was problem in the kits and said that they are addressing the issue.[63] While Rajasthan stopped using rapid testing kits as they were giving low accuracy of 5.4% in compared to expected 90% accuracy.[64] Later, ICMR advised all states to stop using rapid testing kits for next two days until their on-ground teams validates these kits.[65] Rapid antibody test kits were put on hold till further notice. The Chinese manufactures of the rapid testing kits said that the testing kits were approved by ICMR and the problem is not with the kits but with the way they were being used. However, Chinese manufacturers promised to cooperate with Indian authorities to resolve the issue.[66][67] Amid this, ICMR asked states to return the faulty kits which will be sent back to the Chinese suppliers and cancelled the order of all remaining kits.[68][69]

Testing for community transmission began on 15 March. 65 laboratories of the Department of Health Research and the Indian Council of Medical Research (DHR-ICMR) have started testing random samples of people who exhibit flu-like symptoms and samples from patients without any travel history or contact with infected persons.[70][71] As of 18 March, no evidence of community transmission was found after results of 500 random samples tested negative.[72] Between 15 February and 2 April, 5,911 SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses) patients were tested throughout the country of which, 104 tested positive (1.8%) in 20 states and union territories. About 40% of the identified patients did not have travel history or any history of contact with a positive patient.[73] The ICMR advised to prioritise containment in the 36 districts of 15 states which had reported positive cases among SARI patients.[74] Till third quarter of the year, India had attained highest number daily tests in world.[75]

The Member (Health), NITI Aayog Dr. Vinod K. Paul along with the Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Shri Rajesh Bhushan and other officials are addressing a press conference on COVID-19, in New Delhi on October 13, 2020.

A poster showing the COVID-19 combat mission of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

In Rajasthan, a combination of anti-malaria, anti-swine flu and anti-HIV drugs resulted in the recovery of three patients in March.[76] In the same month, the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Cipla launched a joint venture to develop anti-COVID-19 drugs.[77] Another Indian firm, Stempeutics, announced plans to introduce a stem cell-based agent for treating critical COVID-19 patients.[78] Following randomised clinical trials, another Indian firm Biocon got its novel biologic therapy by use of a newly formulated intravenous drug for treatment of patients.[79]

In March, a startup incubated in Pune's SciTech Park introduced 'Airon', a negative ion generator capable of reducing a room's viral load by 99.7%.[80] In April, funds for a number of preventive agents were released to initiate research.[81][82]

On 23 March, the National Task Force for COVID-19 constituted by the ICMR recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of high-risk cases.[83]

According to estimates, India has around 40,000 ventilators, of which 8,432 are with the public sector.[84] Various Indian PSUs, firms and startups, including DRDO and ISRO, have since repurposed their production lines to manufacture general PPEs, full body suits and ventilators. They are also designing low-cost or mobile medical equipment.[85][86][87][88] The focus was to increase the production of low-cost, compact and portable ventilators that could cater to multiple patients at a time. This led to the creation of some of the world's smallest and cheapest ventilators.[89] The government aims to double the current capacity of ventilators by June 2020 with the assistance from PSUs. The government has also requested major private automakers to explore the possibility of manufacturing ventilators at their plants.[90] Maruti Suzuki, in collaboration with AgVa Healthcare, will supply 10,000 ventilators till end of the May.[91] From nil in near past, India was producing around 200,000 PPE kits and 250,000 N95 masks per day in May 2020.[92] By second half of month, India had emerged as world's second largest producer of PPE body coveralls.[93]

The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology has been working on genome sequencing of COVID-19.[94] In May, CCMB also started a partnership with a private company Eyestem Research to grow novel coronavirus strain in human lung epithelial cells for research and trials of anti-viral drugs.[95]

On 12 April, the ICMR invited health institutions and hospitals to participate in trials of convalescent plasma therapy and plasma exchange therapy. Later, the ICMR submitted a list of such institutes to the DCGI to start trials,[96] which the DCGI approved.[97] Several states were allowed by ICMR to start clinical trials of the plasma therapy.[98][99] In Delhi, a 49-year-old man who was on ventilator support became the first patient in the country, who recovered through plasma therapy in April.[100] Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that the initial results of the plasma therapy treatment on four patients gave positive and encouraging results, adding that they had decided to conduct it on three more patients.[101] However, the ICMR later stated that there is no robust evidence to support convalescent plasma therapy as a routine therapy, describing it is as an emerging and experimental therapy. It has some risks, which include life-threatening allergies and lung injuries. The ICMR have since started multi-centre clinical trials to ensure the treatment's safety and efficacy in treating COVID-19 patients across the country.[102]

In late July, Cipla and Indian Institute of Chemical Technology launched jointly developed anti-viral drug favipiravir at cost of 10% of existing alternative in the market, followed by Jenburkt pharmaceuticals and Lupin Limited launching same at even lower cost.[103][104]

Various laboratories in India had been trying to develop a vaccine against COVID-19. In September, India's federal science minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, announced that the first vaccine for use will be available by first quarter of 2021.[105] 30 million health workers directly dealing with COVID patients, especially doctors and other medical personnel were supposed to be first to receive the vaccine.[106]

Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan visiting the GTB Hospital, Shahdara to review the preparedness of Dry Run of COVID-19 vaccine, in Delhi on 2 January 2021.

On 1 January 2021, the Drug Controller General of India, approved the emergency or conditional use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine AZD1222 (marketed as Covishield).[107] Covishield is developed by the University of Oxford and its spin-out company, Vaccitech.[108] It is a viral vector vaccine based on replication-deficient Adenovirus that causes cold in Chimpanzees. It can be stored, transported and handled at normal refrigerated conditions (two-eight degrees Celsius/ 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit). It has a shelf-life of at least six months.

On 2 January 2021, BBV152 (marketed as Covaxin), developed by Bharat Biotech in association with the Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Virology received approval from the Drug Controller General of India for emergency or conditional usage.[109] However, this approval was met with some concern as the vaccine had not then completed phase-3 trials.[110]

The national vaccination drive began on 16 January 2021 across 3,006 vaccination centres.[14]

On 19 March, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the closure of all restaurants in the capital by 31 March in view of the ever increasing case of coronavirus. He said that there will be a ban on eating in restaurants but food delivery will continue. He also said that 20 or more people will not be allowed to unite anywhere in the state.[111] On 20 March, in Lucknow all restaurants, hotels, sweet shops have been closed till 31 March.[112]

On 20 March, Delhi government announced that all malls in Delhi will close with only vegetable, grocery and medicine shops remaining open.[113][114] Shops in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur will remain closed till 31 March.[115][116] During this period, the essential services will continue. Medical services will be available.[117]

On 22 March, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has said that in view of coronavirus, the state has ordered lockdown till 31 March. All essential government services will continue and shops for essential goods such as food, medicines etc. will remain open.[118][119] The chief minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot said public vehicle will be banned till 31 March, along with all the malls and shops will remain closed.[120][121]

On 16 March, the union government declared a countrywide lock-down of schools and colleges.[122] On 18 March, CBSE released revised guidelines for examination centres.[123] This includes maintaining a distance of at least 1 metre between the students taking the exam with a class not having more than 24 students. If the rooms of the examination centres are small, divide the students and make them sit in different rooms. On 19 March, CBSE and JEE main examinations were postponed till 31 March.[124][125]

On 20 March, Maharashtra government cancelled examinations for class 1 to 8 and promoted the students to the next classes, whereas examinations for class 9 and 11 were postponed till 15 April.[126] Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education postponed board exams for class 10 and 12 and asked school principals to promote or detain students of class 5 to 8 based on their performance in previous terms.[127] Board exams of class 10 and 12 were postponed in Kerala.[128] Assam government cancelled all exams till 31 March.[129] The Union Public Service Commission also postponed the interview for the Civil Services Examination 2019 to be held from 23 March to 3 April.[130] The SSC exams in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry were postponed to 15 April.[131]

On 2 March, the BSE SENSEX witnessed a flash crash on the back of Union Health Ministry's announcement of two new confirmed cases.[132] A UN report estimated a trade impact of US$348 million on India due to the outbreak, making India one of the 15 worst affected economies across the world.[133] Asian Development Bank estimated that the outbreak could cause losses of up to US$29.9 billion to India's economy.[134] On 9 March, The BSE SENSEX closed 1,942 points lower at 35,635 while the NSE NIFTY 50 was down by 538 points to 10,451.[135]

Indices: S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) 500 (1 January 2015 to 1 September 2020)

On 12 March, Indian stock markets suffered their worst crash since June 2017 after WHO's declaration of the outbreak as a pandemic. The BSE SENSEX dropped 8.18 per cent or 2,919 points which was its lowest in 23 months while the NIFTY dropped 9 per cent or 950 points.[136]

The Indian Space Research Organisation's GISAT-1 mission onboard GSLV which was scheduled for its launch in April was postponed due to the lockdown.[137]

On 1 April, the coal mining operations of Singareni Collieries Company in Telangana were halted due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.[138]

The International Indian Film Academy Awards, planned to take place on 27 March, was cancelled.[139] Cinema halls were shut down by most state governments. Film bodies decided to stop the production of films, TV shows and web series till 31 March.[140] On 25 March, all video streaming services, jointly decided to offer only SD quality content on cellular networks. They also decided to lower the resolution to 480p to lower the stress on telecom networks throughout the 21-day lockdown during which there would be an unprecedented surge in mobile internet consumption since people were confined to their homes.[141] The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) said that four major broadcasting networks in the country have decided to waive all fees for four channels for two months. The IBF is an organisation promoting the Indian television industry. In a statement, the foundation said that Sony Pal, run by Sony, Star Utsav, run by Star India, Viacom18's Colors Rishtey run by colours and Zee Anmol run by Zee TV will be available for two months free to all viewers in the country. This offer is for all DTH and cable networks.[142]

Since 7 March, the BSF has decided to conduct Wagah-Attari border ceremony without any spectators.[143] Padma Awards ceremony, scheduled for 3 April, stands postponed.[144]

On 17 March, it was announced that all the historic buildings in the country would remain closed till 31 March. According to Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel, the Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Qutub Minar and all the National Monuments and Museums under the Archaeological Department of India were to remain closed till 31 March.[145] The Statue of Unity was to be closed to visitors till 25 March.[146][147] However, the monuments were opened to the public only on 6 July.[148]

During the lockdown, many religious institutions started live-streaming to help devotees worship from home.[149]

However, many revered temples and shrines, which attracted lakhs of devotees, started imposing entry restrictions as the infection rates increased. Many Christian churches suspended in-person mass and offered worship for their congregants through livestreaming, radio and television.[150]

The Government announced the opening of religious places beginning 8 June under "Unlock 1" and also released detailed guidelines for subsequent operations on 4 June.[151]

The 2020 ISSF World Cup, which was to commence on 15 March in New Delhi, was postponed.[152] The Indian Open badminton tournament which was scheduled to be held in New Delhi from 24 to 29 March was suspended until 12 April.[153]

India's FIFA World Cup qualification match on 26 March against Qatar in Bhubaneswar was postponed.[154] The All India Football Federation suspended all matches of I-League and I-League 2nd Division from 15 March.[155] On 14 March, the 2020 Indian Super League Final was played behind closed doors.[156][157]

On 13 March, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced that the opening of 2020 Indian Premier League was postponed from 29 March to 15 April. On 16 April, BCCI suspended the tournament indefinitely due to the pandemic.[158][159]

On 13 March, BCCI cancelled the ODI matches between India and South Africa on 15 and 18 March, which were originally announced to be played without spectators.[160]

TCS World 10 Bengaluru, the IAAF Gold Label Road Race scheduled to be held on 17 May was postponed to 13 September.[161]

IndiGo cancelled its Delhi-Istanbul and Chennai – Kuala Lumpur flights starting 18 March to prevent international travel from Turkey and Malaysia.[162] This ban will continue till 31 March.[163] On 17 March 2020, Go Air suspended its international flights till further notice.[164] On 19 March, the Government of India announced that no international flights will be allowed to land in India from 22 March.[165] On 23 March, the union government announced the suspension of all domestic flights in the country starting 25 March.[166]

On 7 August, Air India Express Flight 1344, a repatriation flight, crashed while landing at Calicut International Airport in Kozikhode, killing 18 of the 190 people on board.[167] Two of the survivors tested positive for COVID-19.[168][169]

Railways

On 14 March, Western and Central Railways removed curtains and blankets from AC coaches.[170] On 17 March, Western Railways hiked platform ticket charges from Rs. 10 to Rs. 50 across 250 stations.[171] Central Railways cancelled 23 trains.[172] On 19 March, Tejas Express running between Lucknow Junction to New Delhi and Varanasi to Indore will remain cancelled till 31 March.[173] On 20 March, Delhi Metro was scheduled to remain closed on 22 March due to Janata Curfew.[174] On 22 March, metro services across India were suspended till 31 March.[175] On 21 March, in view of Janata curfew, Indian Railways announced the cancellation of 3,700 trains across the country.[176][177] On 22 March, the union government cancelled all train services in the country baring goods trains, that is around 12,500 trains, and all non-essential passenger transport including interstate transport buses.[178] IRCTC suspended the bookings for 3 private trains till 30 April.[179] After the Prime Minister Modi extended the nationwide lockdown till 3 May. the Indian Railways not only extended the suspension of all its passenger trains during the period but also suspended all ticket bookings till further notice.[180]

On 8 May, the Aurangabad railway accident occurred due to confusion related to the pandemic.

Road

On 19 March, bus services between the cities of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have been postponed from 21 to 31 March 2020.[181][182] Punjab government imposed a ban on public transport including buses, auto rickshaws and tempos from 21 March.[183] Public transport including buses, mini buses, maxi cabs and auto services were banned in Srinagar.[184]

With factories and workplaces shut down, many migrant workers were left with no livelihood.[185] They thus decided to walk hundreds of kilometres to go back to their native villages, accompanied by their families in many cases.[186][187][188] The central government then announced that it had asked state governments to set up immediate relief camps for the migrant workers returning to their native states,[189] and later issued orders protecting the rights of the migrants.[190][191] In its report to the Supreme Court of India on 30 March, the central government stated that the migrant workers, apprehensive about their survival, moved in the panic created by fake news that the lockdown would last for more than three months.[192][193] In early May, the central government finally permitted the Indian Railways to launch "Shramik Special" trains for the migrant workers and others stranded,[194] but this move had a few complications.[195][196][197] On 26 May, the Supreme Court admitted that the problems of the migrants had still not been solved and ordered the Centre and States to provide free food, shelter and transport to stranded migrant workers.[198]

Migrant workers stand in a queue for food at Delhi Govt school during COVID-19 Lockdown at Delhi

The COVID-19 lockdown in India has left tens of millions of migrant workers unemployed.[199][200]

The lockdown disrupted food supplies and threatened to trigger a food crisis.[201][202] By the first week of April, essential industries such as growing, harvesting and food deliveries were allowed to operate.[203]

On 19 March, Kerala chief minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan announced a stimulus package of ₹20,000 crore (US$2.8 billion) to help the state overcome both the COVID-19 epidemic and economic hardship caused by it.[204] On 21 March, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath announced ₹1,000 (US$14) to all daily wage labourers.[205] On 22 March, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh announced ₹3,000 (US$42) to all registered construction workers.[206] Telangana CM K. Chandrashekar Rao announced that white ration card holders will be provided ₹1,500 (US$21) per family through ration shops.[207] On 26 March, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an economic relief package of ₹1.7 lakh crore (US$24 billion), which would be a mix of food security and direct cash transfer, primarily for migrant labourers and daily wage labourers.[208] Prime Minister's National Relief Fund received several donations – ₹3,381 crore (US$470 million) from the Central Reserve Police Force,[209][210] and a month's salary from Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and NCP's MPs.[211][212] NCP President Sharad Pawar announced that his party's MLAs would donate their one month's salary to Maharashtra CM's Reief Fund.[212] RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das permitted all banks to provide a moratorium on all loans for three months without having to worry about NPAs and keeping their books healthy. He also laid down various measures for injecting ₹3.74 lakh crore (US$52 billion) liquidity into the system.[213] Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi donated ₹51 crore (US$7.2 million) to Maharashtra CM's relief fund.[214] The Union Government released ₹4,431 crore (US$620 million) pay off the pending wages of daily wage labourers who come under MGNREGA scheme.[215][216] In Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal announced that if a doctor, nurse or hygiene worker dies during treatment, their family will be provided ₹10 million (US$140,000).[217] Karnataka chief minister B. S. Yeddyurappa announced ₹16.1 billion (US$230 million) relief for unorganised sectors including flower growers, washermen and women, barbers, construction workers, auto and cab drivers, MSMEs, and weavers.[218]

On 28 March, the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) was set up to provide relief to the affected people.[219] Several large business groups[220][221][222][223] and PSUs contributed to the relief fund.[224][225] A sum of ₹3,100 crore was announced as the first allocation from the fund on 13 May.[226][227]

On 26 March, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced free gas cylinders for three months to beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.[228]

On 21 March, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal increased free ration from 5 kilograms to 7.5 kilograms for the 7.2 million people who are dependent on the ration scheme.[229] On 22 March, Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa announced two months of free ration for all the people.[230] Andhra Pradesh CM Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy announced free ration for the poor.[231] Telangana CM announced that white ration card holders will be provided with 12 kilograms of free rice per person (against a monthly supply of 6 kilograms per card person) through ration shops. On 23 March, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar announced one month of free ration for all ration card holders.

On 25 March, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar announced that 80 crore people would be given wheat at the rate of Rs 2 per kg, and rice at Rs 3 per kg. He also said that three months ration advance would be given.[232]

On 21 April, Arvind Kejriwal announced that 1 crore people would be given free rations in Delhi.[233]

On 25 March 2020, Vivo said that they would be donating 100,000 surgical and 5,000 N95 masks to Maharashtra government.[234] On 26 March, former Indian cricketers, Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan, made a donation of 4,000 masks.[235]

On 28 March 2020, Hyundai India announced an order placement for 25,000 COVID-19 Advanced Diagnostic Testing Kits from South Korea.[236]

As of 3 April 2020, Indian Railways had produced total of 2 lakh (200,000) masks and 25,000 sanitisers.[237]

Premier universities in India such as National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli,[238] National Institute of Technology Karnataka,[239] National Institute of Technology Warangal,[240] Indian Institute of Technology Delhi,[241] Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur[242] and Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad[243] had prepared hand sanitisers and in their laboratories and started distributing to people.

On 8 August 2020, Indian Medical Association announced that 198 doctors have died due to COVID.[244]

The Nizamuddin faction of the Tablighi Jamaat held a religious congregational program (Ijtema) in Nizamuddin West, Delhi in March.[245][246][247] The Delhi Government's order against organising seminars, conferences or any big event (beyond 200 people) was apparently ignored by the organisation, and the Delhi Police also failed to enforce it.[248][249] The gathering emerged as one of India's major coronavirus hotspots.[250] The entire Nizamuddin West area was cordoned off by the police as of 30 March, and medical camps were set up.[251] On 18 April, the Central Government stated that 4,291 cases (or 29.8% of the total 14,378 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in India) were linked to the Tablighi Jamaat, and these cases were spread across 23 states and Union Territories.[252] As of 4 April, about 22,000 people who came in contact with the Tablighi Jamaat missionaries had to be quarantined.[253]

There have been several incidents of panic buying in India related to the pandemic.[254][255] Retailers and consumer goods firms saw their average daily sales more than double on 19 March as consumers rushed to buy essentials ahead of PM Narendra Modi's address to the nation.[256] Modi assured the citizens that there was enough food and ration supplies and advised them against panic buying.[257]

Several cases are reported across the country, where people who are suspected to have come in contact with the virus, escaped from the quarantines and hospitals.[258][259]

In Gujarat, 93 people have broken self-isolation rules in 10 days. FIRs have been filed against 10.[260]