New Delhi, May 12 (DN&V): Prime Minister Narendra Modi had indicated that steps to open the economy would continue to be pursued in line with relaxations announced so far even as efforts to reduce incidence of Covid-19 continue apace and social distancing norms are followed. He hinted that a more graded relaxation of the lockdown could be on its way during a lengthy interaction with chief ministers on Monday. “I am of the firm view that the measures needed in the first phase of lockdown were not needed during the second phase and, similarly, the measures needed in the third phase are not needed in the fourth,” an official release quoted the PM as saying. “We have a twofold challenge — to reduce the transmission rate of the disease and to increase public activity gradually, while adhering to all the guidelines,” he said.
Also, India’s Covid-19 count went past 70,000 on Monday, just two days after crossing the 60,000 milestone. And Maharashtra continued to report above 1,000 new cases for the sixth day running while the pandemic spread alarmingly in Tamil Nadu, which added its highest single-day number of cases at 798. However, the overall count of new cases across the country was down from Sunday’s record high (of 4,308) to 3,607. India case count is now 70,793 with Maharashtra accounting for nearly a third. Just four states — Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Delhi — have 66% of India’s Covid caseload.
In what would be a relief for health authorities though, Monday’s death toll from the virus came down to 82 after remaining at 113 for two consecutive days. Maharashtra recorded the highest 36 deaths, taking its total toll to 868, with Mumbai alone accounting for 528.
In order to keep a closer watch on the prevalence and spread of Covid-19 in the country, the health ministry has initiated a facility-based surveillance in all districts and a more-focussed population-based “sero-survey” of high- and low-risk groups in select districts. The surveillance will be in addition to routine testing as per current guidelines, the ministry said. And it will not only help the government and its agencies monitor Covid-19 trends but also check for community transmission in any part of the country. A sero-survey involves testing of blood serum of a group of individuals and this will be used to monitor trends in prevalence of the novel coronavirus infection at the district level
