'Covid apt behaviour should be new normal': Govt's caution as cases dip

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Nearly 40 districts still reporting an increase in weekly cases and COVID-19 positivity rate, the government official added.

Highlights

Despite a decline in fresh cases, Covid-19 appropriate behavior has to be taken as new normal: Govt.
Presently, 141 districts have a COVID-19 positivity rate over 10%: Union Health Ministry official.
Meanwhile, India recorded 67,084 new cases of the novel coronavirus, and 1,241 deaths.

The Union Health Ministry on Thursday, while briefing the press about the Covid-19 situation in India, said that despite a decline in fresh coronavirus cases, Covid-19 appropriate behavior has to be taken as new normal. Dr. VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog, cautioned that vigilance is key to fighting the pandemic.

Here are the top 10 points from the briefing:

Early decline in COVID-19 cases noted globally; consistent decrease in cases reported in India too, said Luv Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry.
Presently, 141 districts have a COVID-19 positivity rate over 10%; 160 districts have a positivity rate between 5-10% in India, he added.
The decline in COVID-19 infections, positivity across all states noted; Kerala, Maha, TN, Karnataka have over 50,000 active cases, the Health Ministry top official noted.
69% of adolescents aged 15-18 yrs have been administered 1st dose of the COVID-19 vaccine; 14% have been given both doses.
Overall COVID-19 pandemic scenario is optimistic, its contraction is consistent and we are moving towards improvement, said VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog.
Nearly 40 districts still reporting an increase in weekly cases and COVID-19 positivity rate, the government official added.
Covid daily positivity in Kerala still enormously high at 29.57%; Mizoram, HP, Arunanchal, Sikkim's positivity is also of concern, they said.
We're happy that significant progress continues to be made with regard to vaccination coverage. Unthinkable levels of the first dose coverage (96%)! It is a dream for any govt. The momentum in vaccination continues to be strong, said VK Paul.
India’s first homegrown Messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals is currently under final clinical trials & we hope that we'll be able to use it someday.
Meanwhile, India recorded 67,084 new cases of the novel coronavirus, along with 1,241 deaths due to the infection in the past 24 hours.