The head of the National Group of Experts on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 emphasized the appropriate behavior of COVID-19 during the festival season and winter months.
The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths has declined in the past three weeks as the spread of the pandemic has leveled off in most states, VK Paul, a member of Niti Aayog, said Sunday, but did not rule out the possibility. of a second wave of infections. in the winter season.
Dr. Paul, who is also the head of a panel of experts that coordinates efforts to address the pandemic in the country, in an interview with PTI He said that once the COVID-19 vaccine is available, there will be enough resources to deliver and make it accessible to citizens.
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“In India, new coronavirus cases and the number of deaths have decreased in the last three weeks and the pandemic has stabilized in most states.
“However, there are five states (Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal) and 3-4 Union Territories (UT) where there is still an upward trend,” said Dr. Paul.
He leads the National Group of Experts on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC).
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According to him, India is in a somewhat better position now, but the country still has a long way to go because 90 percent of people are still susceptible to coronavirus infections.
On whether India could see a second wave of coronavirus infections in the winter, Paul said that with the onset of winter, countries in Europe are seeing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.
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“We cannot rule out (a second wave of coronavirus this winter in India). Things can happen and we are still learning about the virus, ”said Dr. Paul.
He emphasized appropriate COVID-19 behavior during the festival season and winter months.
“Due to the winter season, some increase in pollution in North India, as well as the festival season, we have to be very careful… the next few months are challenging. You’d be worried that we might lose the achievements we’ve made, ”Paul said.
He also warned against any complacency over the decline in the number of new cases and called for continued efforts to contain the pandemic.
“If we don’t take precautions, if we aren’t careful, because we are susceptible, there may be an escalation. God forbid, but we can avoid it.
“This is in our hand, whether India has another wave or not, it is in our own hand,” said Niti Aayog member.
In a query on the storage and distribution of the vaccine once it is available, he said that India has sufficient cold storage facilities to some extent and this can easily be increased as needed.
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“Once the vaccine is available, there will be enough resources to deliver vaccines and make them accessible to citizens and there will be no concern about resources in those circumstances,” said Dr. Paul.
The death toll from coronavirus rose to 1,14,031, data from the Ministry of Health updated at 8 a.m. showed. The number of active cases of coronavirus infection remained below eight lakhs for the second day in a row.
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