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BIG STORY APRIL 02, 2021 | The Indian Eye 5

>> Continued from previous page... ues at 200 and at 100 in case of
UTs that have been reporting closed spaces. It also said that
“very high rise” in daily cas- only 50 persons will be allowed
es and daily mortality because at funerals till April 30.
of COVID-19 in the last two But Kejriwal on Friday
weeks. urged the central government
“These states and UTs were to remove the clause of vac-
advised to take up immediate cinating only those above the
and high effective measures to age of 45 and start the vacci-
ensure containment of active nation drive at a mass scale for
cases and daily deaths through all age groups. “I appreciate
adherence to the standard Centre’s decision to operation-
clinical management protocol alise both public and private
shared earlier with all states sector COVID vaccination
and UTs,” it added. Centres (CVCs) on all days of
NITI Aayog Member the month of April. However,
(Health) Dr VK Paul empha- I urge the government to re-
sised on the need for states to move the clause of vaccinating
follow a protocol for sharing A medic inoculates the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine only those people aged above
clinical and epidemiological to a woman during the third phase of the countrywide inoculation drive, 45 years. I request the Centre
data for a more detailed study in Patna on Friday (ANI) to start the vaccination drive
of a mutant strain of the virus at a mass-scale,” said Kejriwal
for genome sequencing. The (June 2020). The country also if protocols were not followed. while addressing the press con-
Union Home Secretary point- reported 5.5 per cent growth He warned that the cases could ference here. He also appealed
ed out that the 11 states and rate in daily COVID deaths in spread even more rapidly if to the government to allow the
UTs that are showing a surge this period. steps like wearing masks and vaccination drive to be conduct-
in daily COVID cases have not contact-tracing were not fol- ed in schools and community
shown commensurate increase another worrisome as- lowed. centres so that a larger number
in enforcement of containment “People feel that the pan- of people can be reached out.
activities. He urged the Chief pect pointed out was that demic is over because vaccines Taking cognisance of the
Secretaries and DGs (Police) Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are here, so they fail to wear surge in COVID-19 cases in
of the states/UTs for taking ap- masks,” Guleria said. “We see the national capital, Kejriw-
propriate strict action in this along with peri-urban ar- large crowds gathering again al announced that Delhi has
regard. eas have recorded the re- without masks. Many of these officially entered the fourth
The states were specifically crowded events have become wave of coronavirus. However,
asked to increase testing con- cent high ruses in covid super spreading events.” he said, the situation is not as
tinuously to ensure that positiv- cases; the spread of in- The AIIMS chief also alarming as before.
ity comes down to 5 pc or less flagged failure to abide by Meanwhile, amid a sharp
than 5 pc; Focus on ensuring fection from these areas the basic principle of “test- rise in COVID-19 cases in Ma-
RT-PCR tests comprise 70 pc to the rural areas with ing, tracking and isolation”, as harashtra, the Pune adminis-
of total tests; Reduce waiting compared to the situation six tration on Friday announced
time of test results with regular weak health infrastruc- months ago, adding that some that bars, hotels, restaurants
review with testing labs; Use ture would overwhelm of the variants of the virus were will remain closed for the next
Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) as more infectious. Guleria said seven days in the district. “Bars,
screening test in densely pop- the local administration that the number of cases and hotels, restaurants to remain
ulated areas and where fresh was also highlighted. mortality could both rise in the closed for 7 days, only home
clusters are emerging; All second wave. delivery will be allowed. No
symptomatic RAT negatives But Delhi Chief Minister public function, except funerals
to be mandatorily subjected to A big warning has come Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday and weddings, will be allowed,
RT-PCR tests. Ensure effective from one of the top doctors in that there is no need for lock- while a maximum of 20 people
and prompt isolation of those the country. down in the national capital in funerals and 50 at weddings.
infected in institutional facili- A lax approach by people on as the COVID-19 situation is Order to come into effect from
ties (Covid Care Centres). maintaining Covid-related pre- less serious as compared to the tomorrow,” said Pune Divi-
Taking note of the present cautions, and mutant strains of previous waves. On COVID-19 sional Commissioner Saurabh
situation due to the continuous the virus have been behind the vaccination, he said that the Rao. Rao said a 12-hour night
deterioration of the COVID second wave of infections, All government is focusing on the curfew from 6 pm to 6 am will
scenario over the fortnight, the India Institute of Medical Sci- vaccination and “71,000 vacci- be imposed in Pune from Sat-
Cabinet Secretary pointed out ences chief Randeep Guleria nations were done in Delhi yes- urday.
that the current COVID case said this week. In an interview terday”. Maharashtra reported
growth rate of 6.8 per cent in to a news channel, Guleria said Delhi government had ear- 43,183 new COVID-19 cas-
March 2021 has surpassed the that the second wave could be lier this week capped the guests es and 249 deaths on Thurs-
previous record of 5.5 per cent as severe as the previous one allowed at open wedding ven- Continued on next page... >>

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