Union Health Ministry press briefing on Covid-19 situation in the country. Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Union Health Ministry: There has been a continuous decline in average daily new deaths for the last five weeks. Recovery rate is now at 90.62% in the country, it is constantly increasing which is a good sign. 78 per cent of active cases are present in 10 states and UTs.  58% of new deaths reported in five States & Union Territories (Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka), in the last 24 hours. During the festival season, cases have increased in Kerala, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi.  It took us 57 days to register a recovery of 10 lakhs from 1 lakh; however the latest 10 lakh recoveries have been achieved in 13 days which is a satisfactory sign. 

Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Union Health Ministry: Even countries of much greater economic capability, per capita income and good health system can succumb to a huge second peak is a lesson for all of us. We are very fortunate that our trend is in the opposite direction. Looking for a super-spreading event in the case of an individual positive case is an imp area of our work. Super-spreading events happen when we are together not only in very large numbers but also in medium numbers. So, super-spreading event must be avoided.

Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR: Kawasaki disease is an auto-immune disease that affects children who are less than 5 years of age. It is less common in India. I don't think we have had any experience of Kawasaki with Covid-19 in India so far, that's a very rare condition. Overall the figure in India is that below the age of 17 years, only 8% are Covid-19 positive, and below the age of 5 years, that figure would be much less.