New Delhi: Citing the rise in the weekly positivity rate, the Centre on Saturday has raised an alert. The Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written to the state health ministers recording an increased weekly positivity rate including southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana, New Delhi, Orissa and Maharashtra. The concern stemmed from the weekly positivity rate of the states that exceeded 10 per cent.
“Should aim to increase the pace of vaccination for eligible population and follow five-fold strategy and adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour,” Bhushan said. He further directed the states to closely monitor districts reporting higher cases, positivity rates and clusters to prevent further spread.
He added that the upcoming months are likely to witness a surge in cases with the festive season on its heels. “Renewed attention needs to be paid to COVID-appropriate behaviour in crowded places like markets, interstate bus stands, educational institutions and transport”, said Bhushan.
In the letter dated 5th August, the sharp rise in the national capital was stressed. New Delhi, as per reports by the Health Ministry has contributed 8.2 per cent of India’s weekly new cases in the week ending on August 5th and has also recorded 1.86 times rise in daily average between July last week to August 5th.