India utilised lockdown period to ramp up its healthcare infrastructure, says Health Minister

New Delhi: Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has said that India utilised the lockdown period to ramp up its health-care infrastructure. He said the lockdown also helped to keep its COVID-19 mortality rate relatively low.

Dr Harsh Vardhan said, central and state governments have put in place 3,027 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals and COVID health centres besides 7,013 COVID care centres. He said, all dedicated health facilities together have 2.81 lakh isolation beds, 31,250 intensive care unit (ICU) beds, and 11,387 beds with oxygen support for patients. He said, India has managed to put up a better fight against COVID-19 as compared to many other developed and developing countries.