NEW DELHI: Highlighting repeated complaints from states that people are becoming lax in taking precautions against Covid-19, the Center said Tuesday that following public health measures such as social distancing and wearing masks remains key to curbing the pandemic.
At a press conference, NITI Aayog member VK Paul, who also leads the national Covid-19 task force, highlighted the importance of testing to contain the pandemic.
“People shouldn’t be afraid to get tested. They should come forward to get tested for Covid-19 if they have symptoms,” he said.
At a time when coronavirus cases are on the rise, Paul said there have been repeated complaints from states about people’s lack of flexibility in taking safety precautions.
“We are getting repeated complaints from states that people have become lax (in taking precautions),” he said.
The official said that following social distancing, wearing masks, maintaining hand hygiene and avoiding large concentrations are still vital to prevent the spread of the infection.
The union’s health secretary, Rajesh Bhushan, said the number of Covid-19 cases per million people in India is 3,102, which is among the lowest in the world.
“Covid-19 deaths per million people in India is 53 compared to the global average of 115 deaths per million. It is also among the lowest in the world,” he said.
Giving a breakdown of the cases, Bhushan said that five states that account for about 70 percent of total Covid-19 deaths in the country are Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. The remaining 31.37% of the deaths are from other states and UT.
“A total of 28 states and UT have a fatality rate from Covid-19 lower than the national average of 1.70 percent,” the official said.
It added that Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu account for 62 percent of the total active Covid-19 cases in the country.
“While 14 states and UT have fewer than 5,000 active Covid-19 cases, Lakshadweep has no active cases,” Bhushan said.
At a press conference, NITI Aayog member VK Paul, who also leads the national Covid-19 task force, highlighted the importance of testing to contain the pandemic.
“People shouldn’t be afraid to get tested. They should come forward to get tested for Covid-19 if they have symptoms,” he said.
At a time when coronavirus cases are on the rise, Paul said there have been repeated complaints from states about people’s lack of flexibility in taking safety precautions.
“We are getting repeated complaints from states that people have become lax (in taking precautions),” he said.
The official said that following social distancing, wearing masks, maintaining hand hygiene and avoiding large concentrations are still vital to prevent the spread of the infection.
The union’s health secretary, Rajesh Bhushan, said the number of Covid-19 cases per million people in India is 3,102, which is among the lowest in the world.
“Covid-19 deaths per million people in India is 53 compared to the global average of 115 deaths per million. It is also among the lowest in the world,” he said.
Giving a breakdown of the cases, Bhushan said that five states that account for about 70 percent of total Covid-19 deaths in the country are Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. The remaining 31.37% of the deaths are from other states and UT.
“A total of 28 states and UT have a fatality rate from Covid-19 lower than the national average of 1.70 percent,” the official said.
It added that Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu account for 62 percent of the total active Covid-19 cases in the country.
“While 14 states and UT have fewer than 5,000 active Covid-19 cases, Lakshadweep has no active cases,” Bhushan said.
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