COVID-19 pandemic in South Asia
Countries and territories in South Asia have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first South Asian country to report a confirmed case was Nepal, which documented its first case on 23 January 2020, in a man who had returned from China on 5 January. As of 2 July, at least one case of COVID-19 has been reported in every country in South Asia. Afghanistan has reported 32,022 cases with 807 deaths, Bangladesh has confirmed 153,277 cases with 1,926 deaths, Bhutan has reported 77 confirmed cases, India has confirmed 627,168 cases and 18,225 deaths, Maldives has reported 2,400 cases and 10 deaths, Nepal has confirmed 14,519 cases and 31 deaths, Pakistan has reported at least 221,896 confirmed cases with 4,551 deaths and Sri Lanka has confirmed 2,078 cases with 11 deaths. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Maldives have implemented lockdowns, Sri Lanka has responded with quarantine curfews while India and Nepal have declared a country-wide lockdown. Countries have also instituted various levels of restrictions on international travel, some countries have completely sealed off their land borders and grounded most international flights.
India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were three South Asian countries that overtook China in terms of the number of coronavirus cases. In the middle of May, India was the first South Asian country to overtake China in terms of the number of coronavirus cases. On 4 June, Pakistan was the second South Asian country. And on 13 June, Bangladesh was the third South Asian country.
In India, the number of recoveries exceeded the number of active cases on 10 June. In Pakistan, the number of recoveries exceeded the number of active cases on 3 July. And in Bangladesh, the number of recoveries exceeded the number of active cases on 12 July.
Governments are attempting to coordinate a response to the pandemic through the regional organization, SAARC, the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a joint emergency fund to tackle the pandemic, and pledged to seed US$10 Million. As of 11 April, Sri Lanka had contributed US$5 million to the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Pakistan $3 million, Bangladesh $1.5 million, Afghanistan and Nepal had given $1 million each, Maldives had given $200,000 while Bhutan $100,000.
Background
The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019 and recognised as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020., more than 708,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in over 190 countries and territories, resulting in approximately 33,500 deaths. More than 150,000 people have since recovered.The virus primarily spreads between people in a way similar to influenza, via respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
The time between exposure and symptom onset is typically five days, but may range from two to fourteen days. Symptoms are most often fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Complications may include pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, but research is ongoing. Efforts are aimed at managing symptoms and supportive therapy. Recommended preventive measures include handwashing, covering the mouth when coughing, maintaining distance from other people, and monitoring and self-isolation for fourteen days for people who suspect they are infected.
South Asia is one of the most populous and least developed world regions, and is considered highly vulnerable to any large scale outbreak of an infectious disease.
Pandemic by country
Afghanistan
On 24 February, Afghanistan confirmed its first COVID-19 case, in a 35-year-old man from Herat province. On 7 March, three new cases were confirmed in Herat. On 10 March, the first case outside of Herat province, was reported in Samangan province, bringing the total to five. By 22 March, the day Afghanistan confirmed its first official death, the total number of cases had risen to 40. As of 29 March, a total of 120 cases had been confirmed, resulting in four deaths and three recoveries.Afghanistan temporarily closed its border with Iran on 23 February when first suspected cases emerged in Herat province bordering Iran. In March,
it restricted most international flights. By the end of March, strict restrictions on the movement of people and public gatherings were in place in several provinces; lockdowns had also been implemented, including in Kabul and Kandahar.
Bangladesh
The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have spread to Bangladesh on March 2020. The first three known cases were reported by the country's Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research on 7 March 2020. As of 29 March 2020, the Government of Bangladesh has confirmed testing 1095 samples among which there is a total of 48 confirmed cases, 15 recoveries, and 5 deaths in the country.On 22 March, Bangladesh declared a 10-day shut down effective from March 26 to 4 April.
Bhutan
On 6 March, Bhutan confirmed its first COVID-19 case, a 76-year-old US male who travelled to the country via India. Around 90 people who came directly in contact with him, along with his 59-year-old partner, driver, and guide were quarantined. Bhutan immediately restricted entry of foreign tourists for two weeks. On 20 March, the 59-year old partner of the American tourist tested positive for COVID-19. Although the driver and guide tested negative, both were held in extended quarantine even though their quarantine period had ended.On 22 March, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the king of Bhutan, announced in a national address that the country's land borders would be sealed off. On 24 March, the government closed all its borders with India. On 25 March, a student who had returned from the United Kingdom was found to be positive for COVID-19, the third case in the country. On 29 March, According to the Ministry of Health, a returning student in the quarantine facility tested positive. The patient was moved to the isolation ward in Thimphu.
India
Maldives
The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have spread to the Maldives on 7 March 2020 from an Italian tourist who had returned to Italy after spending holidays in Kuredu Resort & Spa. The Health Protection Agency of the Maldives confirmed two cases in the Maldives, both employees of the resort. Following this, the hotel was locked down with several tourists stranded on the island. As of 11 March, the islands resorts of Kuredu, Vilamendhoo, Batalaa and Kuramathi island have also been placed under temporary quarantine.The Maldives declared a public health emergency over COVID-19 on 12 March. On 27 March, the government announced the first confirmed case of a Maldivian citizen with COVID-19, a passenger who had returned from the United Kingdom. This brought the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 16; the other 15 were foreign citizens.
Nepal
A Nepali student who had returned to Kathmandu from Wuhan became the first case of the country and South Asia on 24 January 2020. The second was confirmed on 23 March. The first case of local transmission was confirmed on 4 April in Kailali District. As of 14 May, Nepal has confirmed 249 cases, having conducted 62,000 Rapid diagnostic tests and 22,000 PCR tests; 35 patients have been confirmed recovered.Land borders with India as well as China have been sealed off, and all international flights suspended. All academic examinations were cancelled, and schools and colleges were closed. A countrywide lockdown came into effect on 24 March and is scheduled to end on 18 May.
Nepal cancelled its international promotional activities related to Visit Nepal Year 2020. Its economy is expected to be severely affected by the pandemic due its impact on foreign employment, tourism, manufacturing, construction and trade.
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
As of 6 July 2020, 2,076 confirmed cases have been reported in the country with 10 deaths. A ban on foreign arrivals has been instituted at least until 1 of August.As of 7 July 2020 Sri Lankan authorities have tested 114,765 people and had ordered self quarantine for such people.
As the spread of covid19 government has banned all public events and all schools will be closed until further notice by the education ministry as a measure of preventing the spread of the virus
When compare with other South Asian countries, Sri Lanka has the best position. It has had the corona outbreak for the longest duration but has managed to limit the case count the most. Sri Lanka also managed to keep death rate close to 0.5%.
Sri Lanka was ranked the 9th best country in the world for its successful response in tackling the virus but Sri Lanka is ranked the 16th most vulnerable country to COVID 19.
Statistics
Regional response
15 March conference call
On 13 March, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a joint regional response to the pandemic through the regional organisation, SAARC; the proposal was met with positive response. A conference call was attended by heads of governments of all member states, except Pakistan which sent the special adviser to the Prime Minister, on 15 March. Modi's proposal to setup an emergency fund was agreed upon. Modi also proposed creating a common research platform to coordinate research within the South Asia region, while Afghan President Ashraf Ghani proposed creating a common framework for telemedicine.SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund
On 15 March 2020, coinciding with the International Consumer Rights Day the emergency fund was proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a video conference of SAARC heads of government from New Delhi as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of this fund is to tackle and mitigate the risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic in the South Asian region. Other member nations welcomed the decision of Modi for the proposal of coronavirus emergency fund.India announced US$10 million as its initial contribution to support the initiative and Modi stated that the contributions for the fund from member countries would be voluntary. As of 11 April 2020, the Emergency fund had accumulated sum of US$21.8 million with the pool of contributions from seven member countries.
Bangladesh announced it would contribute US$1.5 million, Nepal and Afghanistan each announced that they would voluntarily contribute US$1 million. On 23 March, Sri Lanka announced it would contribute US$5 million which was the second most highest contribution from a member country besides India. Maldives announced it would contribute US$200, 000 while Bhutan announced it would contribute US$100, 000. On April 10, Pakistan also announced a contribution of $3 million.
Medical response coordination
The SAARC Disaster Management Centre later launched a website for information related to the pandemic in member countries, as proposed by Modi in the conference call.A video conference was held among health professional of all countries at the Director General of Health Services level on 26 March, to discuss a framework for cooperation as agreed in the 15 March conference. A shared electronic platform for sharing of information, knowledge and expertise was proposed.