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- The downward trend in cases & a reduced positivity rate of 6.89% a hopeful sign
- Aim towards lowering up to 2%, further going down to 0
India
healthysoch
New Delhi: May 19, 2021 :
Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said on Wednesday that a downward trend in cases and the reduced positivity rate of 6.89% a hopeful sign, but, we must aim towards lowering up to 2%, and further going down to zero.
He informed that Delhi recorded 4482 cases yesterday, with which the positivity rate declined to 6.89%. He claimed that the Delhi government hasn’t received any information from the centre on supply of vaccines for the 18-44 age group. Shri Jain ascertained that the Delhi government is taking effective measures to curb the impending third wave, preparations on track.
He also informed that even though plasma therapy has been dropped from treatment protocol, it may still be used for treatment at the advice of doctors. Shri Jain stressed upon the fact that with a production capacity of 1 crore vaccines in a day, new manufactures must be roped in for production by the centre to protect the people of India at all costs. Jain declared that in the South-West district, which is home to a large number of villages, the Delhi govt had increased the testing capacity massively, with around 10-12,000 being done in a single day there, and a glaring downward trend in cases has been observed. He underscored that Black fungus cannot be treated at home, and can only be treated in hospitals under the supervision of doctors.
Jain said, “Delhi recorded 4482 cases yesterday, with which the positivity rate declined to 6.89%. Ever since the lockdown was announced in Delhi, and also since April 24, we could see a downward trend in the cases. We have dropped down from 28,000 cases to about 4500, hence, this is a hopeful sign.
However, we must strive towards having a positivity rate below 5%, and preferably around 2%. We cannot afford complacency and must follow covid-appropriate behavior by all means. In the previous waves, the caseload stood at a positivity rate of 2%, which increased to a drastic 36% in this wave. Even though the situation is slightly better currently, our target should be lowering the trend further to 2%, and certainly proceeding to 0%. Nonetheless, we cannot say anything concrete about when the lockdown will be lifted at this stage.”
Jain, while highlighting the position of vaccine stocks in Delhi, added that Covaxin’s stock is already over for the 18-44 age bracket, and Covishield’s stock is remaining for about 2 days only. He added that the centre hasn’t informed anything yet about the segment for those between 18-44 years.
Throwing light upon an impending third wave, Shri Jain stressed that the Delhi government is taking all the measures to curb and restrict the third wave from coming or wreaking havoc in a way that the current wave did. He added, “The recent wave was an unprecedented one, and it was at a very fast pace with which it became detrimental for us. And of course, if the third wave has been informed, we will certainly prepare for it through our efficient policymaking.”
Pointing towards plasma therapy and the fact that it has been dropped from the treatment protocol, Shri Jain underscored, “Plasma therapy has been dropped from the specific methodology of covid treatment, however, on the suggestion of doctors, it can still be initiated. It depends on a case-to-case basis, and will be done only after the recommendation of the doctor. Nevertheless, we must know that there is no sure-shot specific medicine meant only for treatment against COVID-19.”
Jain laid emphasis upon how a Union Minister agreed to the decentralisation of manufacturing of vaccines to other companies, akin to the suggestions made by Delhi government. He stated, “Now, we know that India has a production capacity of as many as 1 crore vaccines in a single day. When we have researched and produced our vaccines, then why can we not expand its production on a larger scale by allowing other prominent companies to prepare it? If we want, we can make vaccines in huge numbers for our people, and for the people of foreign countries too. We welcome their decision and this must be done at the earliest.”
Asserting the situation of COVID beds in Delhi so far, Shri Jain said that there are nearly 27,000 beds in Delhi as of now. Approximately 6,500 of these are ICU beds, of which 1200 are vacant. Furthermore, he highlighted that Black Fungus or mucormycosis can be treated through the standard protocol only, and not at home.
He added, “The medicines need to be available in the hospitals as black fungus cannot be treated at homes. It is meant to be treated in hospitals, under the supervision of doctors. All measures are being taken to maintain the supply of medicines in the hospitals. The supply was less and we have demanded 1 lakh units of the medicine for the treatment of black fungus.”
Indicating the impact of COVID in rural areas, Jain added that South West District is home to most of the villages, and testing in those areas has been strengthened extensively. He said, “We had increased the tests in South West District, wherein 10-12,000 tests were being done in a single day. However, in the last few days, the cases from that area have also been declining and the situation is slowly improving.”
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