Next 125 Days Critical In Fight Against Covid: Centre Issues Warning Amid 3rd Wave Scare

Niti Aayog Member (Health) Dr V.K. Paul stressed on adopting Covid-appropriate behaviour and said there is a need to stop the infection from transmitting now.

People crowd at Janpath market during Covid-19 lockdown relaxation in New Delhi. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Amid concerns across the country with regard to the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Central government on Friday said the possibilities of new outbreaks of the viral infection cannot be ruled out and added the next 125 days would be very critical in order to contain the disease.

Niti Aayog Member (Health) Dr V.K. Paul stressed on adopting Covid-appropriate behaviour and said there is a need to stop the infection from transmitting now.

Stating India has “not yet reached herd immunity against Covid-19”, Dr Paul said: “We can see new outbreaks of the viral infection but we need to stop it now. This is possible if we follow Covid-appropriate behaviour to stay in the safe zone.”

Cautioning with regard to the Covid third wave, Dr Paul said Prime Minister Narendra Modi too has spoken about third wave in other countries.

 “We need to use this window to upgrade our health infrastructure. The World Health Organisation has issued a global warning and we must learn from it,” he told a media briefing.

Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal, who was also present during the media briefing, echoed similar sentiments and said the Covid-19 cases have started increasing yet again in several nations.

“Our neighbours like Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh too are seeing a spurt in cases. The third waves in Malaysia and Bangladesh are higher than the second wave peaks,” he added.

Agarwal also warned against the drastic decline in the use of facemasks.

“Analysis shows a projected decline in the use of face masks as we resume activities. We should incorporate the use of facemasks in our lives as a new normal,” he said.