Punjab CM Captain Amarinder on Friday made some big revelations and extended lockdown of Punjab till May 1. Citing an alleged PGIMER Chandigarh research he said that the COVID-19 pandemic would peak in India by mid-September and may likely affect 58 percent of the country's population.
Later, Punjab CM extended the lockdown of Punjab till May 1. Quoting another figure from the PGI projection, he said the virus can infect up to 87 percent of the population of Punjab and other states.
However, soon after this, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh clarified in its press release that the institute is “Not aware that any expert/faculty member from the Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health of the Institute has carried out any study/estimate that the COVID-19 may peak by mid-September and can infect 58% of country population. This fact has also been confirmed by the Head, Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health of the Institute."
Dr. Shanker Prinja from the Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGI refused to speak anything unless approved by his institute.