The government said on Thursday that India’s R naught value is 1.22, which is a warning that cases are increasing, not shrinking. It further said by highlighting that Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Karnataka and Gujarat were emerging as states and UTs of concern on the basis of weekly infections and positivity rate.
The R naught value indicates the spread of Covid-19.
Addressing a press conference, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr V K Paul said there has been a rise in coronavirus cases since the last few days and some states are showing a trend which is going up.
The daily rise in Covid-19 cases crossed the 13,000 mark after around 49 days, taking the total tally to 3, 48,22,040, while the active cases increased to 82,402, according to the data updated at 8 am.
“We believe on the scientific basis R0 is 1.22 as per the available data… so the cases are now increasing, not shrinking. As the scenario emerges, we believe what we are witnessing could be part of the global rise in cases pushed by the Omicron variant… we are already aware that this variant is highly transmissible and that perhaps explains the speed with which it is rising in the world. As we have explained, the severity issues are answered and we quote WHO statement — severity (is) hopefully mild but cannot be taken for granted. This is work in progress,” he said.
Urging people not to panic, he said, “Because as a nation we are prepared. As a nation we have experience and the massive shield of very high coverage of the vaccine. I repeat, no need to panic. But there is a need to be prepared, to be responsible and disciplined.”
Paul said that several state governments have taken appropriate measures and since all variants enter through the same route, that can be blocked by wearing a mask.
Stating that India reported more than 10,000 daily new Covid-19 cases after 33 days, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health Lav Agarwal stressed on the need for heightened vigil given the sharp increase in the infections being observed.
Agarwal said eight districts in India are reporting more than 10 per cent Covid-19 weekly positivity, while 14 districts are reporting a weekly positivity between 5 per cent to 10 per cent.
