Preparing for 4-5 lakh daily Covid-19 cases: Centre on predicted third wave

Amid a prediction of the third wave of Covid-19, the Centre on Thursday said that it is preparing for a surge of 4.5-5 lakh cases per day.

There are 28 districts, including a few in Arunachal Pradesh & Assam, which have a case positivity rate between 5% to 10% that is a high infection rate. There are 34 districts which are reporting a weekly positivity rate of over 10%," said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry.

Also watch: Navratri 2021: Maharashtra govt bans garba, dandiya events due to Covid

Dr VK Paul, who is a member of the Niti Ayog said: "We don’t have a straightforward formula to calculate what extent the peak could reach this time after reaching 71% vaccination with the 1st dose. The government is preparing for a surge of 4.5 to 5 lakh cases per day."

Ahead of the festival season, the health ministry issued a warning asking people to be cautious from October to December and celebrate festivals in a way that we do not spread Covid-19.

"Lakshadweep, Chandigarh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar and Sikkim have vaccinated 100% of its population with the first dose of vaccine," he added.