Strong steps may prevent the occurrence of third Covid wave in India: Scientific Advisor

Two days afterwarning that the third wave of Covid is inevitable, Principal ScientificAdviser to the Government, K. VijayRaghavan on Friday stepped back, saying thatit may not happen if strong steps and measures are taken.

Addressing the Union Health Ministry press briefing, hesaid: "If we take strong steps and measures, the third wave may not happenin all the places or indeed anywhere at all.

"It all depends on how much the guidelines areeffectively implemented at local level."

Asked about reports of mucormycosis among Covid-19patients, NITI Aayog's Member, Health, Prof V.K. Paul said: "Mucormycosis(Black Fungus) is detected mostly in diabetic patients. We want to reassurethat there is no major outbreak and we are doing proper surveillance of thesituation."

He pointed out that there are three factors triggeringthis fungal infection: uncontrolled diabetes, immunosuppression because ofsteroids or any other disease and exposure to a wet surface.

"Mucormycosis is absolutely preventable and if one'sdiabetes is under control, there is no reason to worry," Paul said.

Meanwhile, Additional Secretary, Health, Arti Ahuja said:"States and UTs, including Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra,Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, are showing early signs of plateauing or decreasein daily new Covid cases."

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About vaccine coverage, she said: "So far, a total16.50 crore doses have been administered across all eligible categories. Over12.66 crore people above 45 years have administered vaccines. 1,59 health careworkers, 2.13 crore frontline workers, and 11.81 lakh people aged between 18 to44 years have been administered vaccines."

As per government data, there are 24 states where thepositivity rate is more than 15 percent, nine states have a positivity ratebetween five to 15 percent and three states have a positivity rate less thanfive percent. The country is reporting daily new cases growth rate of one percent in the last seven days.

Twelve states/UTs have more than one lakh active cases,seven states and UTs have 50,000 to one lakh active cases, and 17 have lessthan 50,000 active cases.