Centre warns of a worsening situation, calls to vaccinate all people over 45 years in 2 weeks period

India is clearly witnessing a rather disastrous second wave of Covid-19 with the huge daily surge. With many states bearing the major brunt of case surge, the Centre on Tuesday warned that the situation is rapidly going from “bad to worse”. The states in the current scenario are advised to speed up the vaccination drive and vaccinate all people over 45 years of age in surge districts within the next 2 weeks. 

In a letter sent to all States and Union Territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, “All districts with high caseload and fast growth of cases must ensure 100 per cent saturation vaccination of the priority age group of 45 years and above in the coming two weeks. Any complacency at this stage, at any level, will have heavy costs.” 

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Starting from April 1, the Government of India is beginning third phase of its vaccination drive that will vaccinate all people over age of 45. The 46 districts that report over 70% of cases had a meeting with Central Government on Saturday. During the meeting, Centre shared the concern that at least 90% of deaths are being observed in over 45 years age group due to Covid-19.

The six states that are reporting 78.56% of Coronavirus cases during latest surge are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka. 

Head of India’s Covid Task Force, Dr V K Paul said, “The situation is becoming bad to worse. There is a serious cause for concern. In some states, in particular, there is a huge cause of worry. But no state can be complacent. What the trends show is that the virus is still very active and can penetrate our defences. And when we think we have found ways to control the virus, it strikes back. The active cases, which were above a lakh, is now at 5.4 lakh. Two-thirds are in one particular state. But the fact is that it is a five-time rise.”

Paul further said that failing to set up effective contact tracing, quarantine, physical distancing and containment zones in cluster cases area will only lead to active transmission of cases.