Just two days after warning for the third wave of COVID in India, the Principle Scientific Advisor to Government, K VijayRaghavan on Friday stepped back, saying that it may not take place and measures are taken.
Addressing the Union Health Ministry press briefing, he said: “If we take strong steps and measures, the third wave may not happen in all the places or indeed anywhere at all.
“It all depends on how much the guidelines are effectively implemented at local level.”
“Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) is detected mostly in diabetic patients. We want to reassure you that there is no major outbreak and we are doing proper surveillance of the situation,” NITI Aayog’s Member, Health, Prof V.K. Paul said.
The director pointed out that there are 3 factors triggering this fungal infection: uncontrolled diabetes, immunosuppression because of steroids or any other disease and exposure to a wet surface.
Meanwhile, Additional Secretary, Health, Arti Ahuja said: “States and UTs, including Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, are showing early signs of plateauing or decrease in daily new Covid cases.”
About vaccine coverage, she said: “So far, a total 16.50 crore doses have been administered across all eligible categories. Over 12.66 crore people above 45 years have administered vaccines. 1,59 health care workers, 2.13 crore frontline workers and 11.81 lakh people aged between 18 to 44 years have been administered vaccines.”