Second covid wave not over yet: Centre

Addressing a Health Ministry press briefing on Friday, NITI Aayog's Member, Health, VK Paul, noted that the second wave of coronavirus is not over yet. He further stressed that people must continue to follow Covid appropriate behaviour.

"We cannot lower our guard. Need to continue following Covid appropriate behaviour as it is not the end of the pandemic. Visuals of crowds not maintaining social distancing at tourist places are a serious cause of concern," he said.

"It is necessary to keep following Covid protocols in order to close the second wave fully," said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health.

Showing a video of a large crowd flouting covid norms from Kempty falls in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, Agarwal asked, "Is it not an open invitation to the virus to infect us?"

"In other countries, we are observing a surge in overall cases. In the United Kingdom, during Euro 2020 matches, a sudden surge in cases was observed. Russia is seeing a third peak in cases. Bangladesh witnessed more cases in the third peak than the second peak," he added.

Noting the general decline in the number of fresh cases across the country, he said, "More than half of the total cases in the country are primarily reported from two states - Maharashtra and Kerala and spread of infection concentrated in limited geography." In the first week of July, 80% of fresh cases were reported from 90 districts and about 66 districts had a positivity rate of over 10 per cent. These districts need focussed attention, Agarwal noted.