Cabinet secy holds meeting with worst-hit 8 states, UTs

In the last two weeks, Kerala has shown the maximum decline in the number of active cases

Cabinet secy holds meeting with worst-hit 8 states, UTs

A medic collects swab sample for the COVID-19 test amid concern over a surge in infections. PIC/PTI

The cabinet secretary chaired a high-level review meeting on Saturday with eight states and union territories exhibiting a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Health Ministry said.

The states showing a steady surge are Telangana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal. The ministry said 85.75 per cent of 16,488 new cases registered in a span of 24 hours are from six states and UTs. “Eight states are displaying an upward trajectory in daily new cases,” the ministry said.

“In the last two weeks, Kerala has shown the maximum decline in the number of active cases, from 63,847 on February 14 to 51,679 on February 27, while Maharashtra has shown the highest rise in active cases in the same period, from 34,449 on February 14 to 68,810 currently,” the ministry added.

India records spike
India registered a single-day spike of over 16,000 COVID-19 cases for the third day in a row on Saturday, pushing the infection tally to 1,10,79,979, while the recoveries surged to 1,07,63,451.

A total of 16,488 cases were reported in a day, while the death toll rose to 1,56,938 with 113 new fatalities. The number of recoveries reached 1,07,63,451, which translates to a national COVID-19 recovery rate of 97.14 per cent and the case fatality rate stands at 1.42 per cent.

NITI Aayog’s vax price
The NITI Aayog has promulgated a price range of R300-500 for two COVID-19 vaccines that would be available for the priority group at private facilities in the third phase of vaccination set to begin from March 1, sources privy to the development said, adding that the Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin would cost a bit higher. However, the Union Health Ministry would take a final call on the proposition.

Night curfew in Gujarat
In view of the recent spike in cases, the Gujarat government has decided to extend the night curfew in four major cities of the state, including Ahmedabad, by another 15 days.

The ongoing night curfew in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot, was to end on February 28. An official statement issued on Friday night said, the government decided to extend the night curfew by another 15 days in view of the recent rise in Coronavirus cases in four municipal corporations.

This is the fifth extension of the night curfew, which first came into force in November last year after a spurt in COVID-19 cases in these cities post-Diwali.

The ongoing night curfew starts at midnight and ends at 6 am. Although the statement about the extended night curfew does not mention the time, the existing schedule is likely to continue.

Mizoram colleges to reopen
The Mizoram government has decided to reopen colleges, universities and other higher educational institutions from March 1. A meeting on Friday instructed all college authorities to undertake mandatory thermal screening at the entrance and to follow SOP.

1,10,79,979
Total number of cases in the country as of Saturday

1,56,938
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India

1,07,63,451
Patients recovered and discharged in india as of Saturday

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