146 districts are cause for concern, positivity of over 15%: Government

[Rohan Tiwadi]

A total of 2,95,041 new cases and 2,023 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. The number of active cases has now crossed the 21-lakh mark, while the death toll has touched 1,82,553.



The Centre said on Wednesday that 146 districts have reported a positivity rate of over 15 per cent and are a “cause of concern”, while 274 districts have reported 5-15 per cent case positivity.

It also released data which showed that post-vaccination, only “2-4 persons per 10,000” had tested positive.

A total of 2,95,041 new cases and 2,023 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. The number of active cases has now crossed the 21-lakh mark, while the death toll has touched 1,82,553.

“These 146 districts are a cause of concern. We have held detailed discussions with the 146 districts on efforts that have to be undertaken to control the spread of infection. These are the districts where the maximum number of cases are coming and the health system is facing the strain of new cases,” Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said.

Bhushan said for the next phase of vaccination, which begins May 1, the Centre will inform the states 15 days in advance about the doses it will receive. He said the vaccine prices charged by private hospitals will be monitored.

“The Centre will inform the states in advance that for the next 15 days they will receive a specific number of doses… They will have a bigger picture as well as granular picture of availability as on date and future availability for the fortnight,” Bhushan said.

“Those above the age of 18 years will be administered vaccine doses that are procured by the states and private hospitals from the open market channel,” he said.

“The two vaccines prevent severe disease and death. These vaccines reduce infection. We know that after vaccination if we get the infection, it is known as breakthrough infection. The data shows that this is a very small number — 2-4 per 10,000… This is because of healthcare workers and frontline workers who were the first to be vaccinated, and they are prone to more occupational exposure,” said DG, ICMR, Dr Balram Bhargava.