Centre Says Virus Situation Turning ‘From Bad To Worse'

We are facing an increasingly severe intensive situation, more so in some districts but the whole country is potentially at risk: Ministry; Mumbai gears for second wave as it crosses 400,000 tally

The COVID-19 situation in India has been becoming “bad to worse over the last few weeks,” the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

“Trends show the virus is still very active and enter our defences, just when we think we can control it, it sparks back,” VK Paul, the Chairman of National Expert Committee on Vaccine Administration said at the ministry briefing.

Paul, however, denied that the mutated strains have a role to play in this surge. States, he said, are being told to enforce Covid-appropriate behaviour, including the use of masks.

“Use the law, use fine as an option.... people need to wear a mask,” he said.

Paul said: “As you have noticed in the last few weeks, the situation is becoming bad to worse. It is a serious cause of concern. In some states in particular, there is a huge cause of worry. No part of the country should be complacent.”

Against the backdrop of increasing cases in the previous three weeks, Paul said that the trends show is that “coronavirus is still very active, can penetrate our defences and strike back when we think that we have found ways to control it.”