Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the date on which COVID-19 virus was first noticed in India;
(b) if so, the details of preventive measures taken to contain the entry or delay the spread of the virus across the country; and
(c) the details of the budget provisions made and actual utilisation thereof to meet the expenses of preventive management and also mitigate adverse social impact of COVID-19?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a)India’s first case of COVID-19 was reported on 30th January 2020. The case was a student studying in Wuhan, China.
(b): A brief note on actions taken by Government of India to contain the entry and delay the spread of virus across the country is attached as Annexure.
(c) Under the ‘India COVID19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness package’ of Rs 15,000 crores has been approved by the Cabinet on 22nd April 2020 with an objective to prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19.
As up to 15th January 2021, Rs 11, 361.67 Crores have been utilized for the same.