3rd wave imminent; pilgrimage, tourism can wait, warns IMA

Physical distancing goes for a toss as devotees perform rituals during Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra by priests amid Covid restrictions, in Puri, Odisha, and in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday. Pic/PTI/AFP

The IMA expressed concern on Monday over governments and people being complacent and engaging in mass gatherings without following Covid-19 protocols, saying these events are potential super spreaders for a third wave of the pandemic.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), in a statement, said global evidence and the history of any pandemic suggest that "the third wave is inevitable and imminent". "However, it is painful to note that in this crucial time, when everyone needs to work for the mitigation of the third wave, in many parts of the country, both governments and the public are complacent and engaged in mass gatherings without following Covid-19 protocols. Tourist bonanza, pilgrimage travel, religious fervour, all are needed, but can wait for a few more months," it said. The IMA's statement comes on a day when the annual rath yatra began in Puri and amid talks of allowing the Kanwar Yatra in UP and Uttarakhand. The IMA appealed to all the states to control mass gatherings. India recorded 37,154 new Coronavirus infections and 724 fresh fatalities in a span of 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday morning.

Daily vaccination has dropped: govt

Average daily vaccination has declined since June 21, when free vaccination for all adults began at public centres, government data on the CoWIN platform has showed. An average of 61.14 lakh doses were administered daily across India from June 21-27, which dropped to 41.92 lakh doses from June 28-July 4. It almost halved to 34.32 lakh doses in the week from July 5 to July 11.

Also Read: Mumbai: Over 8,000 Dharavi residents get the shot at mega camp

Abbott launches home test kits

Healthcare major Abbott on Monday said it has launched the home test kit in India for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, which cases Covid-19, in adults and children with or without symptoms. The Panbio Covid-19 rapid antigen test kit will cost R325, it added. Abbott will offer self-tests for use at home, assisted professional testing at the point of care and laboratories, as well as at workplace. "By the end of July, we plan to deliver 7 million test kits and have the capacity to bring millions more," Abbott said in a statement.

Also Read: Mumbai: Commuters hand railways a ‘right to travel' roadmap

3,08,74,376
Total no. of Coronavirus cases in india so far

4,08,764
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far

4,50,899
Total no. of active cases in India

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