India’s Covid Situation Shows a Slight Dip

India reported 1,569 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday (March 28), marking a slight decrease compared to the previous day, according to data from the Union Health Ministry. The total number of active cases now stands at 10,981, with a daily positivity rate of 3.19%. Over the last 24 hours, four deaths from Covid-19 were recorded, all in Kerala. Additionally, data indicates that 31 districts across 14 states have a weekly test positivity rate of 10% or more, indicating a significant caseload.

Vaccination and Case Distribution

The country has administered over 220 crore doses of Covid vaccine, with 11,339 individuals receiving vaccinations under the national vaccination drive. Delhi, Maharashtra, and Kerala continue to report high numbers of Covid cases.

Some states have witnessed a notable surge in Covid cases in recent weeks. Government data reveals a 3.5-fold rise in case tallies in four districts of Delhi, two each in Kerala and Maharashtra, and one in Gujarat, with the highest weekly test positivity rate (TPR). The number of districts with a weekly TPR of 10% or more has increased to 32 across 14 states and Union Territories. Additionally, active Covid cases in Uttar Pradesh have tripled in the past 10 days.

Public Health Preparedness Review

During a recent meeting, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan emphasized the importance of ramping up Covid-19 testing using RT-PCR and conducting whole genome sequencing of positive samples. He also stressed the significance of adhering to Covid-19-appropriate behavior and administering precautionary doses, particularly to vulnerable populations.

Bhushan urged states to conduct mock drills on April 10 and 11 to ensure hospitals are equipped with adequate infrastructure, including oxygen cylinders, ventilators, logistics, and human resources. The ‘test-track-treat-vaccinate’ approach, coupled with adherence to Covid-19-appropriate behavior, remains the cornerstone of effective pandemic management, regardless of new Covid variants.

States were also advised to ensure the availability of designated beds and healthcare workers, enhance community awareness about the disease and vaccination, and regularly update Covid-19 data on the Covid India portal.