On the Covid-19 front, the grim realization is that the worst is not yet over. Maharashtra again presents the worst scenario with some 40,000 new infections reported in a day, and the state government is virtually blinking on the pandemic front. The heavy caseload in Maharashtra, some 60 per cent of the total active cases in the country, is proof that the right steps were not taken there despite a year-long alert across the nation against the pandemic’s spread.
Stunningly, the worrisome scenario in Maharashtra, or Mumbai should be seen against the fact that some 60 lakh people in the state have already been vaccinated. Yet, the daily Covid-linked deaths in the state are of the order of nearly 230, the highest figure since October last, followed by Punjab with over 50 cases a day. Pune is running out of ventilators, Covid wards are full in Bengaluru, and similar worries can arise in Mumbai too.
Across the nation too, the vigil against the Covid spread has been heightened. The daily infection count at national level is now of the order of over 70,000 as per Union health ministry figures. Next to Maharashtra, two major concerns are Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, where daily counts are in the range of 4,000 plus. With Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh included, these eight states carry with them over 85 per cent of the nation’s total case load. In a way, a matter of relief is that the rest of India is keeping things under some control despite the second wave of the pandemic having been around.
As the scenario is turning critical in some states, the neighbourhoods are also vulnerable to the onslaught and borders could as well be closed. Capital Delhi is worried too in view of the spurt there and the problem being posed from Punjab in particular. Travel restrictions are likely. The Education sector that was trying for recovery is again put to trouble and online classes have been resumed following the fresh school closures in several states. Lockdown is contemplated again by the worst-hit states, which will have another adverse bearing on the national economy.
The Kumbh Mela in Haridwar faces odds in view of the fresh hike in Covid spread. The festival of Holi was already a washout for the second year in succession this time. With vaccination reaching the 45-plus segment from Thursday, things should improve rather than worsen. Maharashtra holds the key towards reining in the pandemic. Other states should also be on high alert and testing at borders between states is imperative.