COVID-19 is now closer to rural areas; Are we heading towards second peak of coronavirus?

The top official said that the earlier COVID-19 pandemic had hit the cities, but now it seems to be more so in Tier II, Tier III cities and closer to rural areas.

By: Satata Karmakar | | Updated: March 18, 2021 9:44 am

COVID-19 updates: Is India heading towards second wave of coronavirus?

Amid a sudden spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, top health officials warned that India could witness a third COVID wave. Speaking to the media, a senior Central Government official on Wednesday said that the pandemic seems to shift to Tier II, Tier III cities and closer to rural areas. Also Read - COVID-19 Second Wave: Experts Suggest Strict Lockdown In India To Break Coronavirus Chain

“A significant situation is emerging as plummeting pandemic is going up. The Prime Minister said that pandemic seems to be more so in Tier II, Tier III cities and closer to rural areas. The earlier phase was in big metro cities,” said Dr VK Paul, member (health) of NITI Aayog. Also Read - Kumbh Mela Haridwar: Over 1000 Tests Positive For COVID-19 In 48 Hrs After Taking Holy Dip

Five states, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, continue to report a high number of daily COVID-19 cases, and account for 71.10 per cent of the 28,903 new infections reported on Wednesday. The sixth state with the highest number of infections is Kerala, which has been reporting a consistently declining trend over the last month. India’s total active caseload has reached 2.34 lakh (2,34,406) comprising 2.05 per cent of the total infections. Also Read - Out of the tri-doshas, which are responsible for COVID-19 infection?

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India needs to take quick and decisive steps to stop the emerging second peak of Covid-19 immediately. He handed out a five-point plan to fight what is being called the second wave of the Covid-19 infection during a virtual meet with Chief Ministers.

Dr. V K Paul made the remarks while addressing the press. Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, who was also part of weekly press conference, said that 70 districts in 16 states have witnessed an increase of cases by more than 150 per cent from March 1 to March 15.

These states include Maharashtra, Punjab, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Haryana. “There has been nearly 43 per cent increase in new cases week-on-week and 37 per cent increase in new deaths,” Bhushan added.

The situation is grim in Maharashtra, where over 60 per cent of active cases and 45 per cent of new deaths are concentrated. Bhushan said that enough tests are not being done and the positivity rate, percentage of people who test positive of those tested, is concerning.

On Wednesday, India logged 28,903 cases of Covid-19 and 188 fatalities in the last 24 hours. Fifteen states and UTs have not reported any COVID-19 deaths in a span of 24 hours. These are Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Lakshadweep, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Daman and Diu & Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Nagaland, Tripura, Ladakh, Manipur, Mizoram, Andman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh.

Published : March 17, 2021 8:39 pm | Updated:March 18, 2021 9:44 am

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