Deaths in Punjab, Chhattisgarh cause of extreme concern: Health Ministry

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Tuesday said that the coronavirus-related deaths reported in Punjab and Chhattisgarh are a cause of “extreme concern”, reported ANI.

Addressing a press conference, he added, “Of all the active cases in the country, 58% of active cases are in Maharashtra. 34% of the total deaths have been reported in Maharashtra.”

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Bhushan said that 50 high-level multidisciplinary public health teams have been deployed in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Punjab to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“The public health teams will be going to 30 districts of Maharashtra, 11 districts of Chhattisgarh and 9 districts of Punjab,” he said.

Bhushan also addressed the age criteria of COVID-19 vaccination and said that the two aims of India’s inoculation drive are- to prevent deaths and protect the healthcare system. “The aim is not to administer the vaccine to those who want it but to those who need it,” Bhushan said.

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The Centre on Tuesday ordered all its employees aged 45 years and above to get vaccinated amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

In the press briefing, Niti Aayog’s VK Paul said that the intensity of the COVID-19 pandemic has increased in the country. “People’s participation vital to control 2nd wave of pandemic, next four weeks very critical for us,” he said.

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He said that India made a record on Monday by administering 43 lakh doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in 24 hours.

“We have administered 43 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine in 24 hours yesterday, which is a record. As a result of today morning, we administered 8.31 crores doses of the vaccine,” Bhushan added.