The Centre on Thursday observed that the overall Covid-19 situation in the country is optimistic, but warned against lowering the guard. The Union health ministry said a decline in new cases and positivity rate has been noted across all states.
"Overall Covid-19 situation is very optimistic. However, some states including Kerala, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh are still reporting a large number of cases. We cannot lower our guard,” Dr V.K. Paul, member (health), Niti Aayog, said addressing a press briefing.
He said the world should remain united to fight this virus and continue to use the tools that are at our disposal.
Dr Paul said the Covid appropriate behaviour has to be taken as the new normal though there are decline in cases. “This isn't the end of the virus, it will try to emerge fitter. Vigilance must go on,” he said.
Luv Aggarwal, joint secretary at the health ministry, informed that four states—Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka—have more than 50,000 active Covid cases. Eleven states have active cases between 10,000 and 50,000.
As per the ministry, presently 141 districts have a positivity rate over 10 per cent while 160 districts have positivity rate between 5-10 per cent. Nearly 40 districts are still reporting increase in weekly cases and positivity rate.
"On January 24, the daily positivity rate was recorded at 20.75 per cent, which has now decreased to 4.44 per cent. It indicates that now the rate of infection spread has come down significantly,” Aggarwal said.
He further said 96 per cent of India’s adult population have received their first dose of Covid vaccine while 78 per cent received both doses of vaccine.
While 69 per cent of children aged between 15-18 have received the first dose of vaccine, around 1.61 crore precaution doses have been administered to health care workers and those above 60 with comorbidities.
