A large number of people in India are daily being tested positive for COVID-19. India is the country with the third highest coronavirus cases in the world after United States and Brazil. Till date almost 33 lakh people have been affected by coronavirus out of which about 25 lakh people have recovered. There are more than 7 lakh active cases in the country. The high recovery rate in the country is seen as a positive sign for the upcoming days. The recovery rate in India as a whole has crossed 76%. Such increase in recovery rate is cited as some sorts of positive indicator. At the start of the pandemic, the recovery rate in the country was very low. Due to this considerable amount of recovery rate, the government has finally issued guidelines for unlocking of the various institutions. Offices and factories which were shut for the last few months have reopened. This would finally contribute in getting the country’s economy back on track.Those government policies which were at a halt due to the lockdown have now finally started to regain pace. A large number of people had lost their jobs due to the strict lockdown. They are again gaining jobs and works.
Delhi has now become the first state in the country to cross the 90% recovery rate of coronavirus patients. More than 1.46 lakh people out of the 1.62 lakh infected people in the capital so far have been declared to be recovered from the disease. In the last few days, number of new cases in Delhi has also increased. Several factors like mental fatigue of wearing masks, opening of markets, etc. can be reason for the resurgence of the cases that Delhi has seen in the last few weeks. As per data, nearly 175,000 people have been fined by Delhi police for not wearing masks till 23rd August. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 26th Aug said that ‘it is good that the people of Delhi have become confident but it should not lead to complacency. People should always wear masks.’ Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) director general Balaram Bhargava blamed people who do not wear masks for driving the pandemic in India. He said “I would say irresponsible, less cautious people who are not wearing masks and not maintain social distance are driving the pandemic in India.” He also said that coronavirus is still a relatively new virus which is only about 7-8 months old and we are still trying to understand the time period of immunity that the infection provides. The rise in cases in the capital has coincided with the gradual reopening of the city. So, the gathering is another reason for the increase in the cases. Three other states namely Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Haryana have the recovery rate more than 80% while other 13 states have recovery rate more than 70%. The Supreme Court of India on 27th Aug refused permission for carrying out Muharram procession across the country amid the pandemic. On 27th Aug, India has reported more than 75,000 COVID-19 cases throughout the country. It is the worst ever single day spike in the cases.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
More awareness campaigns are needed to emphasize on the importance of wearing masks and maintaining social distances at present time. Enforcement of mask regulations including proper use must be strengthened. Both the centre and the state governments should ensure that the opening of the lockdown is safe and careful and social distance is being maintained at shops, markets, public transport, etc. Government must maintain a very steady rate of high testing for a prolonged period of time. RT-PCR tests should be increased. COVID-19 statistical data may vary from time to time as it depends on several factors like incubation period, delay in test result, etc. So close monitoring of the data is required to make further plans. Also, if the cases in any particular state are increasing at a high rate then government should not hesitate in shutting down the state again.
Rajeev Ranjan @ Samacharline