India's Covid-19 hotspots: Are they ready?

India’s sprawling, populous and high-density cities offer fertile ground for the spread of the coronavirus, yet the country’s defences pale in comparison to China’s. As fears take hold, there are some states or regions that have seen a spike in Covid-19 infections.

So, how prepare is India really to tackle a virus that has already killed almost 9,000 people worldwide? Let's take a look...

Karnataka reported its first Covid-19 case on March 9. While most of the confirmed cases are those with a recent travel history, about four primary contacts too have been infected, and quarantined. The state has converted hospitals attached to government medical colleges in 17 of 30 districts as war-rooms with ICUs and ventilators, and designated one floor in each of these hospitals only for the coronavirus-infected patients. Infosys Foundation is funding conversion of a 200-bed government hospital in Bengaluru to exclusively treat Covid-19 patients.

Testing facilities: 5

Isolation beds: 2,626

Hospitals with isolation facilities: 501
(Govt: 181, Private: 320)

Ventilators: 923

Kerala was the first state to record a Covid-19 case and has seen a steady increase because of a large number of people from the state working outside India. It currently has 24 confirmed Covid-19 cases. Three patients have been cured of the disease after testing positive for the virus. In all, 18,011 persons have been quarantined in the state, of which 17,743 are at home, and the rest in hospitals.

Testing Facilities: 4

Isolation beds: 3,600 (all government hospitals)

Hospitals with Isolation ward facilities: 22

Uttar Pradesh saw its first spurt of cases when six people in Agra came in contact with the 45-year old man in Delhi who had returned from Italy and tested positive. Most cases reported in the state are those with a travel history to countries such as Iran, Indonesia and Canada, along with those who came in touch with them. On Wednesday, a 25-year-old junior doctor from King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, tested positive after handling samples of two people being treated at the hospital. The government has shut down schools and other educational institutions till April 2 while tourist destinations will remain closed till March 31. More than 12 lakh people have been screened at the Indo-Nepal border.

Testing facilities: 5

Isolation beds: 1,268 (448 in medical colleges, 820 in district hospitals)

Delhi reported its first Covid-19 case on March 2. The National Capital reported its only death on March 13, that of a 69-year-old woman whose son had travelled to Switzerland and Italy and tested positive. Even before this death, Delhi had put in severe curbs. All educational institutes and cinema halls have been closed. The Delhi government has barred gatherings (including weddings parties) of more than 50 people. It has even refused to allow IPL matches in the city.

Testing facilities: 2 (AIIMS and NCDC)

Isolation beds: 230 across 25 hospitals

Maharashtra reported its first case on March 9. The state government has already announced a shutdown of all gyms, schools, colleges, cinema halls and malls, asking people not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary. The Uddhav Thackeray government is also mulling a closure of Mumbai’s train and bus services if confirmed cases shoot up. The Pune district administration — the worst hit with 18 cases — has also begun withdrawing bus services.

Testing facilities: 3, seven more coming up

Isolation beds: 2,500

Ventilators: 450, getting 700 more