Covid Third Wave: India lifting restrictions after decline in cases
According to the Health Ministry data this morning, India has reported 30,757 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours. Covid cases in India are continuously declining in the country after a peak in January. India is the second worst-hit country after the US during the pandemic.
Here are the latest updates on Covid-19:
1. INDIA’S COVID NUMBERS
India has reported a total of 30,757 fresh Covid cases over the last 24 hours.
The country’s daily positivity rate is 2.61%. Whereas, the weekly positivity rate remains at 3.04%.
67,538 people have recovered from the virus yesterday. The recovery rate in the country stands at 98.03%.
11,79,705 Covid tests were conducted all over the country on February 16.
Also, 541 people died due to Covid in India yesterday.
#Unite2FightCorona#LargestVaccineDrive#OmicronVariant ????? ?????https://t.co/VUpH7UDmHR pic.twitter.com/pYEcU0fI2G
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) February 17, 2022
2. CASELOAD IN DIFFERENT STATES
The top 5 states which have reported maximum Covid cases over the past 24 hours are:
Kerala: 12,223 cases
Maharashtra: 2,748 cases
Karnataka: 1,894 cases
Rajasthan: 1,702 cases
Mizoram: 1,571 cases
3. NO COVID RESTRICTIONS IN HARYANA
After Assam, Bihar and Sikkim, Haryana is also lifting all Covid restrictions from the state.
The Haryana State Disaster Management Authority has ordered to lift all Covid restrictions in the state. The government has advised people to follow Covid norms including social distancing and wearing masks in public places.
4. GILOY IS SAFE, SAYS AYUSH MINISTRY
The Ministry of Ayush has dismissed reports claiming that the herb giloy can damage the liver. Ayush Ministry has highlighted that giloy has been used in the management of Covid-19 and does not produce any toxic effect.
“It is a popularly known herb for its immense therapeutic applications in traditional systems of medicine and has been used in the management of Covid-19. Considering the overall health benefits, the herb cannot be claimed to be toxic,” the Ayush Ministry wrote.
In #Ayurveda, Giloy is known as the best rejuvenating herb. Its therapeutic applications in traditional systems of medicine & management of #COVID19, have been significant. Guduchi has also been instrumental in treating various metabolic disorders. pic.twitter.com/kjBqcT990y
— Ministry of Ayush (@moayush) February 16, 2022
5. LIFT COVID CURBS: CENTRE ASKS STATES
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged all states and Union Territories to end Covid-19 restrictions as cases have been declining in the country for a week now.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to all states and UTs, “Presently, as the case trajectory across the nation is showing a sustained downward trend, it will be useful if states/UTs review and amend/do away with the additional restrictions so imposed after considering the trend of new cases, active cases and positivity within the state and UT. I'm sure that under your continued leadership the state and UT will continue to address the challenge of COVID-19 while minimising its impact on lives and livelihood of the people.”
He has also asked states and UTs to follow the five-fold strategy of test, track, treat, vaccination and adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan writes to all States/UTs, asks them to review and amend or end additional COVID19 restrictions as the pandemic in the country shows a sustained declining trend pic.twitter.com/7iTlZ8tF4q
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2022
6. COVID VACCINE FOR CHILDREN IN THE UK
The British government has announced that children from 5 to 11 years of age will be given a low-dose Covid-19 vaccine shot. The vaccine will be given on a non-urgent basis from April in England.
“Parents can, if they want, take up the offer to increase protection against potential future waves of Covid-19 as we learn to live with this virus,” UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said.