Covid: Positivity rate on the decline, but no end yet to second wave, says govt | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Covid: Positivity rate on the decline, but no end yet to second wave, says govt

By | Written by Sohini Goswami, New Delhi
Sep 02, 2021 04:46 PM IST

From 279 districts that were reporting 100 cases on a daily basis in June this year, the number has come down to 42 districts, as on August 30, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said.

The government said on Thursday there was an overall declining trend in weekly positivity of the coronavirus disease across India since the week ending May 10, but the second wave of the pandemic was yet to come to an end.

Murals urging commuters to wear masks in Pune. (Kalpesh Nukte/HT PHOTO)
Murals urging commuters to wear masks in Pune. (Kalpesh Nukte/HT PHOTO)

Speaking at a press briefing on the prevailing Covid-19 situation, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said 39 districts reported over 10 per cent weekly positivity in the week ending August 31, while it was 5-10 per cent in 38 districts around the same time.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The the senior official said mass gatherings should be discouraged but if attending it was essential, full vaccination should be a prerequisite. He further urged people to get the jabs against the virus and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, especially during the festive season.

Urging caution, experts have warned of another surge in cases in the coming days and the likely arrival of the third wave around October and November.

The country registered 47,092 new cases in the last 24 hours, which was 12 per cent higher than Wednesday's tally at 41,965.

Bhushan said from 279 districts that were reporting 100 cases on a daily basis in June this year, the number has come down to 42 districts, as on August 30.

“Kerala is one state that has more than 1 lakh active cases. Four states have 10,000 to 1 lakh active cases -- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Rest of the states/Union territories have less than 10,000 active cases,” Bhushan was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Also read | Is Mu variant of coronavirus vaccine resistant? WHO says it could be possible

The health secretary said about 300 cases of Delta plus variant of SARS-CoV-2 had so far been detected in India.

He said 16 per cent of the total adult population of India has been fully vaccinated, while 54 per cent of the adult population has received at least one dose against the vaccine.

Also read | Karnataka, Maharashtra tighten rules at airports over new Covid-19 variants

Besides Himachal, Sikkim and Dadra & Nagar Haveli have administered the first dose of the vaccine against the virus to cent per cent of the eligible adults.

“We administered 18.38 crore doses in August alone. The average dose per day administered during the month is 59.29 lakh. In the last week of the month, we administered more than 80 lakh doses per day,” the senior government official said.

(With agency inputs)

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On