Second wave is not yet over, we should not let our guard down: Health Ministry

Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla discussed the Covid-19 situation of northeastern states with top officials of the state governments. The surge in cases in Northeastern states has become a cause of concern for the central government.

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Thursday cautioned that the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is not yet over and people should not let their guards down.

Senior officials in the health ministry were reviewing the Covid-19 situation in the Northeastern states during a workshop with state government officials and health correspondents. The programme was organised in association with UNICEF.

Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry reiterated that 80 percent of new cases in India are reported from 90 districts and pit of which 14 districts are from Northeastern states.

Highlighting specific challenges linked to northeastern states, Agarwal said that the central government has supported Northeastern states by flowing a proactive, pre-emptive, graded approach for fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We are always ready to support the Northeastern states. This fight against the Covid-19 pandemic of course need a united approach," said Agarwal.

In fact, the surge in cases in Northeastern states has become a cause of concern for the central government.

On Wednesday, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla discussed the Covid-19 situation of northeastern states with top officials of the state governments.

Bhalla during his discussion also suggested the state administration to impose restrictions if there is a spike in Covid cases.

A senior official in the health ministry said that all the state governments in the northeast have been asked to submit a weekly report of the Covid situation in their states.