Pandemic Isn’t Over Yet, Haven’t Let Guard Down: Mansukh Mandaviya
Mumbai: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday said that the government has not let the guard down and it is continuing tracing, surveillance and genome mapping to see if there’s any new COVID-19 variant.
He also urged people to take precautions as the pandemic is not over yet. “We cannot predict tomorrow,” he said detailing the Narendra Modi government’s fight against the pandemic and vaccination programs at a press conference organized as part of the BJP’s ongoing ‘Social Justice Pakhwada’.
He said that 97 per cent of the eligible population in the country has been given the first dose of the vaccine and 85 per cent have got both jabs.
He said India had 380 deaths per million population, as against the global average of 788 deaths. The minister said India was able to limit the spread of the infection, registering 31,383 cases per million as against 63,458 globally.
Mandaviya said that the ministry will organize health fairs from April 16-23 during which one lakh wellness centres will provide teleconsultation services.
Mandaviya said experts will decide the timing of vaccination of children under 12, adding that very few countries have gone to the extent of forcibly giving children in this age group.
Meanwhile, Mandaviya also held a review meeting on the XE version of COVID-19 with the members of the COVID-19 Task Force. He directed the officers to continuously review the availability of essential medicines and medicines required for COVID treatment.
“He further emphasized that the ongoing vaccination campaign should be carried out in full swing and all eligible people should be vaccinated,” the health ministry said.
Mandaviya also chaired a meeting through video conference with the state health ministers to review the operationalisation status of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) and teleconsultation services.
Follow us on Twitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook for the latest updates and interesting stories.
