The Health Ministry on Friday warned that second wave is not over yet, adding that more than half of the country’s total Covid-19 cases are from two states alone—Maharashtra and Kerala. The Health Ministry officials said that 14 districts in Kerala and 15 in Maharashtra are of concern.
Amidst apprehensions over potential third wave hitting country in September-October months, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal, during a press conference on the Covid-19 situation in the country, said that 80 percent of fresh Covid 19 cases are being reported from 90 districts alone, indicating that these areas need special attention to contain the virus. He also noted that 66 districts in the country reported more than 10 per cent positivity for the week ending 8 July.
“In the first wave, a peak of 97,894 cases was observed on September 17. In the second wave, a peak of 4,14,188 cases was recorded on May 7. From May 1-7, 389,803 cases were reported on an average, it has been dropping since then and now from July 3-9, 42,100 were reported on an average,” he said.
“In the country, 53 per cent of cases are coming from Maharashtra and Kerala. Maharashtra (21 per cent) and Kerala (32 per cent). There are 86 districts with less than 100 daily cases. Eighty per cent of new cases are coming from 90 districts, indicating the need for focused attention in these areas. Sixty-six districts in India reported more than 10 per cent positivity for the week ending July 8,” Agarwal added.
On tourists thronging Hill stations and social distancing going for toss, the Health Ministry has said that relaxations would be taken back if such situation persists as Covid-appropriate behaviour is only way forward.
Agarwal cited examples of several European countries like the UK where new Covid variants are wreaking havoc to drive point home about appropriate Covid behaviour.
“In other countries, we are observing a surge in overall cases. In the United Kingdom, during Euro 2020 matches, a sudden surge in cases was observed. During the second wave peak, 59,000 cases were recorded in the UK. Now the surge has been observed there. The UK is reporting 20,000 cases daily on an average,” he said.
“Russia is seeing a third peak in cases. During the second wave peak, around 28,000 were observed on an average daily and now 23,000 cases are being observed daily. Bangladesh witnessed more cases in the third peak than the second peak. It reported 7,000 cases average during the second wave and now 9,000 are being recorded every day,” he added.
As per the data shared by the Health Ministry, India reported 43,393 new cases in last 24 hours, taking the active caseload to 458,727. The data stated that recovery rate increased to 97.19%, while the weekly positivity rate remained below 5%, currently at 2.36%.
Registering decline in vaccination numbers, the data informed that around 27.86 lakh vaccine doses were administered till 7 pm on Friday, taking India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage to 37 crore landmark.