New Delhi, October 18
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, Niti Aayog member VK Paul said on Sunday, but did not rule out the possibility of a second wave of Infections in the winter season.
Paul, who is also the head of an expert panel coordinating efforts to tackle the pandemic in the country, said that once the COVID-19 vaccine is available, there will be enough resources to deliver and make it accessible to citizens.
“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 three to four Union Territories (UT) where there is still an upward trend, ”Paul told PTI in an interview.
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He leads the National Group of Experts on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC).
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 were seeing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.
“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 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 hands, whether India has another wave or not is in our own hands, ”said Niti Aayog member.
In a query on the storage and distribution of the vaccine once it is available, he said that India had sufficient cold storage facilities to some extent and this could easily be increased as needed.
“Once the vaccine is available, there will be enough resources to deliver vaccines and make it accessible to citizens and there will be no concern about resources in those circumstances,” Paul said.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister’s Office said that the National Group of Experts on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC), in consultation with state governments and all relevant stakeholders, had prepared a detailed plan for storage, distribution and administration of vaccines.
The group, in consultation with the states, is actively working on the prioritization and distribution of vaccines.
The death toll from coronavirus rose to 1,14,031, data from the Health Ministry updated at 8 a.m. Sunday showed. The number of active cases of coronavirus infection remained below eight lakhs for the second day in a row.
India is the second most affected country in terms of COVID-19 cases after the United States. PTI
