At the outset of the corona virus spreading rapidly all over the globe, India has been witnessing a rising cases day by day. The pandemic, as declared by the World Health Organization now surpasses 200,000 cases worldwide as on March 11, 2020. Originating from the city of Wuhan in China, the cases in Europe have exceeded than those in China. The widespread has lead to mass flight cancellations, changes in the work lifestyles and tremors in the financial markets.
Visualization
The number of cases are expected to rise exponentially in India in the coming weeks, impacting lives from all different professions.
The visualization shows the spread of the disease in India with state-wise breakdown.
Response and Impact
While the doctors are working hard to spread the cure and warnings to the nations witnessing an emerging number of cases of the disease, India is preparing to face this pandemic. India has restricted foreign flights from 22 March 2020 to 29 March 2020 as a temporary measure to prevent the spread. In a nationwide address, PM Narendra Modi called for a ‘Janta Curfew’, asking the citizens to stay indoors and maintain ‘social distancing’ as a similar trend of explosion in cases is expected to be witnessed in India like in Italy and China.
While the spread has tested industries for a disaster preparedness, it is bound to leave an ever lasting impact on the work lifestyle with Work From Home for lot of companies. There are thousands who have been laid off or placed on unpaid leave. The airline and the hospitality industry has seen seen a significant dip in the number of travelers. The financial markets have crashed globally with concerns of the next recession round the corner if the pandemic does not halt.
Shortages of face mask, hand sanitizer and medical supplies spread as people in India prepare for the worst, while the worst times for China may have come to a halt. The poorest in the country are expected to be hit the worst. While researchers continue to develop a solution for the virus, the effect of this pandemic will be lasting for years.
The spread has also resulted in the inversion of the biological creatures’ habitat with more fauna on the streets and humans inside their habitat. Dolphins near the shores in Italy, fishes in the canals of Venice and deer in Japan were spotted enjoying the environment. The pollution levels dripped to lows in lots of countries as they were locked down however, India seems to be away from achieving such results.
The traffic levels were record low in the most densely and ever-congested areas in all the metro cities of the country throughout the day.
All Images Courtesy: Google Maps
The snapshots above reflect the traffic levels in different cities, with the public transport system coming to a shutdown. The trains departing this month have also been put on hold as a precaution to spread the diseases. With the economy in a standstill state, economists are predicting a recession ahead. The COVID-19 outbreak has served as a wake-up call to health organizations and governments not only in India but around the world.
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