Increasing trend in COVID cases reported, it's a cause of concern, says Centre

Dr VK Paul, chairman of the National Expert Committee on Vaccination Administration, also addressed and said, "The pandemic is far from over... globally. We have to be careful... We may be tired, but not the virus, this is an alert for us." 

The Centre on Tuesday underlined the need to step up vaccination ahead of the coming festive season and said vaccines save lives in 98 per cent even if there is any breakthrough infection.

While addressing a press briefing here, Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said, "There are 22 districts -- 7 from Kerala, 5 from Manipur, 3 in Meghalaya among others, where an increasing trend in cases has been reported, in the last 4 weeks. It is a cause of concern." It also said that over 54 districts in the country have reported more than 10 per cent COVID-19 positivity.

Agarwal further said that the pandemic is far from over as there is a noticeable increase in the number of cases across the world, which remains the area of concern. 

Dr VK Paul, chairman of the National Expert Committee on Vaccination Administration, also addressed and said, "The pandemic is far from over... globally. We have to be careful... We may be tired, but not the virus, this is an alert for us." He further said that though no vaccine has a 100 per cent guarantee, all vaccines even our own shows that the chance of serious disease is nearly eliminated. 

About the re-opening of schools, he said states are deciding in this regard as it is not easy to expose teachers, children to the virus.

India reported 29,689 fresh COVID cases and 416 deaths in the last 24 hours, informed the Union Health Ministry earlier in the day. The country today has reported less than 30,000 daily cases after 132 days.