New Delhi (NVI): The Union Health Ministry today said that the COVID-19 situation in Maharashtra is very serious and COVID-appropriate behaviour need to be followed across the state, as strict lockdown returns to Nagpur district due to sudden rise in coronavirus cases.
Addressing a Health Ministry media briefing here, Dr VK Paul, Member, Niti Aayog said, “We are very worried about Maharashtra across several districts. This is a serious matter.”
“This has two lessons- don’t take the virus for granted and if we have to remain COVID free, then, we need to follow COVID appropriate behaviour,” he added.
Further, health secretary Rajesh Bhushan also showed concern over the surging cases in the Maharashtra.
In addition, Bhushan said that active COVID-19 cases have almost halved in Kerala and have more than doubled in Maharashtra.
“Today, Maharashtra has more than one lakh active cases. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Haryana are at the tipping point. We have had three meetings with these States where they have been told to pull up their socks,” he added.
The health ministry, in its briefing also said the rise in active COVID-19 cases is taking place, after touching its lowest mark in mid-February.
“In the last one month, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal has shown a decline, while Maharashtra, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Haryana has shown a rise in the number of active cases,” it said.
ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava also said, “Maharashtra has shown a worrisome trend,” adding that the mutant strain has not been found incriminating in this surge in cases. It is just related to reduced testing, tracking and tracing and COVID inappropriate behaviour and large congregations.
Apart from that, the health ministry also informed about the coronavirus vaccine situation in the country and clarifying that there is no vaccine shortage in any state across the country.
-RJV
