IT Correspondent
New Delhi, Oct 29:
The Union Heath Ministry has pointed out that there has been considerable rise in COVID -19 cases in five states –Kerala, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi and has cautioned people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour during festivals.
In a recent press conference Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated that 49.4% of the fresh coronavirus cases were reported from Kerala (4,287), West Bengal (4,121), Maharashtra (3,645), Karnataka (3,130) and Delhi (2,832). Over all 78 per cent of the total active Covid-19 cases in the country are in ten states and Union Territories (UTs). Besides 58 per cent of the new deaths were reported in five states and UTs – Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.
“The worrying factor is the 8.06% daily cumulative positivity rate and the seven per cent weekly cumulative positivity rate the city is reporting and “these two things have to be seen in tandem”.
In Delhi, for three successive days, the number of daily coronavirus cases was over 4,000, then it came down and subsequently just 2,800 cases were reported, Bhushan said, adding that the worrying factor is the 8.06% daily cumulative positivity rate and the seven per cent weekly cumulative positivity rate the city is reporting and “these two things have to be seen in tandem”.
“We are in touch with these states and have sent our teams to these states. Some of the teams are returning while others are still there in the states. After they submit their reports, we will again speak to the states and tell them what changes, if any, should be brought in the strategy to tackle COVID-19.
Responding to a question, he said at the end of the day, “we should not just look at the cumulative figures, but should also look at how these number are changing, as it gives us indications of fine-tuning the strategy required to tackle the pandemic. It is important to wear a mask, wash hands regularly and maintain physical distancing. It is even more important to follow these principles,” he said.