New Delhi: Asserting that people should adopt Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said that 80 per cent of new cases in India are coming from 90 districts. The Health Ministry said that many districts in the Northeast have also become a cause of concern.
"We are in constant touch with the state governments. All states should implement strict restrictions if they found cases in some areas are increasing. The second wave of the pandemic is not yet over. We have to maintain proper Covid protocol," said Luv Agarwal, Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry.
He admitted that with the withdrawal of restrictions people have started moving even without masks in many places. "We can see 'revenge tourism' in many hill stations and tourists destinations. People might think that restrictions are over and we can move freely. But that's not true. We are still fighting with the second wave of the pandemic," cautioned Luv Agarwal.
Also Read: President Kovind appoints new Governors for 8 states
A Health Ministry survey has found gross violations in terms of the use of masks and physical distancing. "Our survey found that 24 per cent people reported no compliance as far as wearing masks is concerned, 45 per cent people have limited compliance and 29 per cent people have good compliance," said Agarwal.
The survey found that 63 per cent of people reported no compliance as far as social distancing norms are concerned, 24 per cent have limited compliance and 11 per cent have good compliance. "While travelling 25 per cent of people have no compliance at all, whereas 58 per cent have limited compliance and 15 per cent have good compliance," said Agarwal.
On a question regarding vaccination of the Member of Parliament (MPs), Agarwal said that all people need to maintain social distancing besides taking Covid jabs. He said that the increasing number of cases in the Northeast is also a matter of concern.
As many as 15 districts in Maharastra, 15 in Tamil Nadu, 14 in Kerala, 11 in Odisha, 10 in Andhra Pradesh, 9 in Assam and 8 in Karnataka are the top 7 states contributing the maximum number of cases. Agarwal further informed that 73 districts in India are still reporting more than 10 per cent positivity for the week between June 29 to July 5. "Districts in Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Manipur and all other Northeastern states are reporting more than 10 per cent positivity," said Agarwal.
Also Read: PM Modi among 37 other world leaders in 'Press Freedom Predators' list
He, however, said that the number of daily new cases are continuously declining. "From 414,188 cases on May 7, the number of daily new cases have come down to 34,703," said Agarwal.
He said that on the week ending June 4, 262 districts were reporting 100 daily new cases which have down come to 91 districts on July 4. "India's recovery rate has also touched 97.2 per cent. From 5.9 per cent of weekly positivity in between 2-8 June, it has come down to 2.7 per cent on July 6," said Agarwal.
He said that India has administered 35.75 crore Covid doses to date. "India is leading the list of countries with a maximum number of doses administered to its citizens followed by the USA with 33.06 crores and UK 7.89 crore," said Agarwal.
He informed that 87.5 per cent of health care workers got 1st dose and 79.7 per cent got 2nd dose. Similarly, 90.9 per cent of frontline workers got 1st dose and 89.4 per cent got 2nd dose. 46.2 per cent of people above 45 years of age got 1st dose and 56.8 per cent got 2nd dose whereas 17.2 per cent of people above 18 years of age got the 1st dose.
Dr Balram Bhargava, Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) highlighted that testing has played a major role in India's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Referring to the Covaxin booster dose, Dr Bhargava said that it is still in the research stage. "We will be able to give more information once the trials are over," added Dr Bhargava.
Also Read: UN rights panel calls for release of prisoners detained sans 'sufficient legal basis'
