The COVID-19 pandemic has now risen to a global health crisis across the globe. This novel virus outbreak has challenged India’s economic, medical and public health infrastructure. The central and state governments are formulating several wartime protocols to achieve this goal. The Ministry of AYUSH has also provided guidelines to use conventional preventive and treatment strategies to enhance immunity.
THE VACCINATION
The vaccination process is on and so many people are vaccinated and others are in waiting. As per the sources due to increased cases of Covid government have done the process faster . Everyone above the age of 45 is now eligible for the jab. Some states are also targeting specific groups like bank workers and lawyers.
Nearly 80 million doses have been given so far,mostly to frontline workers and people above the age of 60.The world’s biggest inoculation drive aims to cover 250 million people by July. But experts say the pace needs to pick up further to meet the target.
Second Wave of COVID-19
India became the second country after the US to report 100,000 new cases in a single day. More than half of those were confirmed in Maharashtra, which has India’s largest city Mumbai as its capital. As per the experts this is because of people being less cautious – and mixed messaging by the government.
Since the pandemic India have confirmed more than 12 million cases and over 165,000 deaths. And it is the third highest number of covid cases in the world after USA AND BRAZIL.
THIRD PHASE OF VACCINATION DRIVE
The third phase of vaccination drive is for everyone above the age of 45. This jab was launched on 1 April. On 1 March the eligibility criteria was expected and taken upto age group of 45 to 59. But have other illness.
Experts believe India should ramp up vaccination in areas of high transmission. In states where elections are being held to prevent the virus from spreading.
For decades now, India has been running one of the world’s largest immunisation programmes. That vaccinates tens of millions, including newborns and pregnant women, against various diseases.
The government is spending around $5bn for free doses at state-run clinics, public health centres and hospitals.
Steps taken by State Governments
The Union Health Ministry have said that : 8 states witnessed a steep rise in daily new COVID-19 cases and accounted for 81.42 per cent of the infections reported in the last 24 Hours.
The 8 states are : Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.
Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, Thane, Nashik, Bengaluru Urban, Aurangabad, Delhi, Ahmednagar and Nanded . These districts holds Account for 50 per cent of the total active caseload of the country.
According to sources, the Delhi government is also considering a proposal to impose night curfew after the recent surge in coronavirus infections. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind kejriwal has urged Prime Minister Narendra modi to remove the age limit for Covid-19 vaccination. In order to expedite the inoculation drive in the country, to cover more people. Some health experts have also demanded the removal of the age criteria for taking Covid jabs.
Delhi government has imposed a night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am till April 30 in the wake of rising cases.
Buses, metro, autos, taxis and other modes of public transport will be allowed to ferry only those people who are exempt from night curfew. Depts providing essential services to remain exempt. Rules applicable to the movement of people & not essential goods & services: Delhi Govt (ANI)
Maharashtra government even imposed night curfew yesterday and announced weekend lockdowns to break the chain.
Steps taken by Maharashtra and other states
States like Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, etc have announced several restrictions, including night curfews and restrictions on the movement of people, in order to limit the spread of the second wave of Coronavirus infection.
The country’s cumulative count climbed up to 1,26,86,049, while the death toll stands at 1,65,547. Over 43 lakh people were also inoculated on Monday, pushing the vaccination count up to 8,31,10,926.
Central and state Government both have to take some hard precautions. And with them people must be more aware and take all the precautions. So we can tackle this situation.