COVID-19 | Vaccine a game-changer but not the end-all of the pandemic: Health Ministry

Situation in Delhi is a matter of concern, says Secretary

November 17, 2020 06:44 pm | Updated November 18, 2020 06:54 pm IST - New Delhi:

A medical worker collects a swab sample from a woman for a RT-PCR test for the COVID-19 at a street in New Delhi on November 17.

A medical worker collects a swab sample from a woman for a RT-PCR test for the COVID-19 at a street in New Delhi on November 17.

Stating that there are five COVID-19 vaccine candidates at different stages of trials in India, two in the third phase, NITI Aayog member (health) Dr. V.K. Paul said on Tuesday India wants to reiterate what the World Health Organisation has said about the vaccine “being a game-changer but not being the end-all of the pandemic”.

He said the vaccine, when it is available, will complement the other tools that already exist to tackle the pandemic.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said recovered cases in India have now crossed 82.9 lakh.

“The country has a recovery rate of more than 93%. An average 46,701 cases recovered daily in the last week while an average 40,365 new cases were reported daily in the last week. More than 12.65 crore tests were conducted and India is reporting a cumulative positivity rate of 7.01% with daily positivity rate in the last week, of 4.1%,’’ he said.

Coronavirus India lockdown day 236 live updates

 

Stating that the situation in Delhi is a matter of concern, the Health Secretary said the testing rate during September (after the cases stabilised) had plateaued and that SOPs weren’t implemented as effectively.

“This will change now as per a detailed plan that has been set in motion for the Capital. As part of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, people must ensure that if they are having any symptoms then they must get tested. Don’t hesitate to get tested,’’ he said.

Also speaking at the conference, Dr. Paul said house-to-house surveys will be done in the containment zones in Delhi. “This will also be done in other vulnerable zones.’’

The Health Ministry said 75.14% of the new cases have been reported from 10 States/UTs with Delhi seeing a surge in new cases over the last few days. The Capital has reported 3,797 cases in the past 24 hours, followed by West Bengal (3,012 cases). Kerala recorded 2,710 cases. 78.40% of the 449 new deaths are concentrated in 10 States/UTs and more than a fifth, 22.76% of new fatalities reported are from Delhi (99). Maharashtra reported 60 fatalities followed by West Bengal (53).

 

It said India has been recording around 30,000 daily new cases for the last two consecutive days. “29,163 cases were reported in the last 24 hours. The country has also seen less than 50,000 daily new cases being registered continuously for the past 10 days. The trend of new daily recoveries exceeding the daily new cases continues with 40,791 cases recovering in the last 24 hours against just 29,163 newly detected cases,’’ it said. The Ministry said total tests stand at 12,65,42,907.

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