10 states considering corona cases: Central govt

(PTI) New Delhi, Dt

With the number of corona cases on the rise in several states in the country, the central government has asked 10 states to consider imposing lockdowns or restrictions. Meanwhile, 3,000 cases of corona were reported in the country in three hours on Saturday, while four more died. With this, the total number of cases of corona crossed 2.15 crore and the death toll reached close to 4.5 lakh. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been trying to woo the Center over the Koro epidemic, took the first dose of the anti-Koro vaccine while RJD president Tejaswi Yadav took the second dose in Bihar.

In view of the growing number of corona cases in the country, the central government has asked 10 states to consider imposing lockdowns or restrictions before the situation escalates. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Saturday held a high-level meeting with representatives from Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Manipur.

He said state governments should consider imposing stricter sanctions in all districts with a positivity rate of more than 10 per cent in the last few weeks. The positivity rate in the total 9 districts of these states is more than 10%. The health ministry has warned the states not to be complacent on the issue.

Dr. Director General of ICMR. Balram Bhargava said there was no need to compromise with 20,000 cases daily. Corona's positivity rate is more than 10 per cent in eight districts in India while eight districts are moving towards this risk.

In its directives to the states, the Center has said that restrictions and monitoring need to be imposed in the districts where corona cases are on the rise. In addition, cases of corona should be mapped and information of people who came in contact with corona should be obtained. Increase health service infrastructure in rural areas and pay special attention to childcare. The Centre's fourth directive is to monitor and calculate coronary deaths.

The health ministry said there were 21.5 cases of corona reported in the country on Saturday and another six deaths. For the fourth day in a row, the number of active cases in the country has increased to more than 2.08 lakh. In the last three hours, the number of active cases has increased by 4.5. So far, more than 2.09 crore corona patients have been cured in the country. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is reported to have taken the first dose of anti-corona vaccine three days ago. Sources said that Rahul Gandhi was not present in the Lok Sabha session on Thursday and Friday after taking the corona vaccine. He took covexin that CoveShield could not make it clear.

In June, the Congress said party president Sonia Gandhi had taken both doses of the Covishield vaccine and her daughter and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had taken the first dose. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewal said Rahul Gandhi would take the vaccine after consulting doctors when he recovered from Corona's illness.

Leader of Opposition in Bihar Tejaswi Yadav on Saturday took a second dose of anti-corona vaccine. He administered the Russian vaccine Sputnik-V at the Jayaprabha Medanta Hospital in Kankadbagh, Patna. He appealed to the country and the people of Bihar that the only way to defeat Corona was to get vaccinated. Lalu Yadav, Rabdi Devi, Tej Pratap and I have taken both doses of the vaccine ourselves.