Covid-19: 50% Decline In Active Cases Since Peak On May 10, No Shortage Of Vaccine, Says Govt

Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal, who briefed the media in the national capital about the latest Covid-19 situation in the country, described it to be a positive trend.

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New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said the Covid-19 active cases are down by 50 percent, adding the cases have been consistently declining for one week in at least 30 states and Union Territories.

Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal, who briefed the media in the national capital about the latest Covid-19 situation in the country, described it to be a positive trend.

“Active cases are down by 50%, 1.3 lakh decrease in active cases in a day. In 30 states/UT, cases have been consistently declining for one week, it's a positive trend,” he said.

Agarwal informed that 1,27,000 Covid-19 cases have been reported in the last 24 hours.

“Since May 28, the country is reporting less than 2 lakh cases. There is a decline of infection in the country,” he added.

Stating the “recovered cases are more than the daily cases now with the recoveries increasing to 92% now, the Joint Secretary further said “20 lakh tests on an average in one week”.

The Union Health Ministry informed that a total of 21.60 crore vaccine doses have so far been administered in the country, including 1.67 crore doses to the health workers, 2.42 crore doses to the front line workers, 15.48 crore doses to the people in 45+ age group while 2.03 doses have been administered to those in the 18 to 44 age group.

The Union Health Ministry also informed there is absolutely no change in the schedule of Covishield doses and said it will be two doses only.

“After the first Covishield dose is administered, second dose will be given after 12 weeks. The same schedule is applicable to Covaxin,” the ministry added.

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Dr Balram Bhargava said there is no shortage of vaccine.

“By mid-July or August, we will have enough doses to vaccinate 1 crore people per day. We are confident of vaccinating the whole population by December,” he added.

The Union Health Ministry also threw light on the insurance scheme for health workers fighting Covid-19 under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package’.

“A new system of processing of insurance claims introduced. The claims to be certified by the District Collector. The insurance company to settle the claims in 48 hours,” the ministry added.

Dr V.K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, on his part said the “focus on childhood Covid disease is gaining attention”.

“The pediatric population is generally asymptomatic. They often get infections but their symptoms are minimal or nil. The infection has not taken serious shape in children,” he added.

Dr Paul, however, warned the virus may change its behaviour in the pediatric population.

“The impact of Covid-19 may increase in children. The data has shown that a low number of children are being admitted to hospitals. We are pushing preparedness,” he added.

Stating there is international research underway on the mixing of vaccines as the possibility of a positive effect is also plausible but a harmful reaction cannot be ruled out either, the Union Health Ministry further said “it is an unresolved scientific question, science will settle it”.

“Mixing of vaccine is not the protocol yet, same vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) to be administered for both doses. Stick to the SOP,” said Dr Paul.