Terming third wave ‘inevitable’ and ‘imminent,’ the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday ‘noted painfully’ that the government was complacent and engaged in mass gatherings without following Covid-19 protocols.
“Tourist bonanza, pilgrimage travel, religious fervour, all are needed but can wait for a few months. Opening up these rituals and enabling people without vaccination to go scot-free in these gatherings are potential super spreaders for the third wave,” the IMA said in a statement.
The strong-worded advisory came days after videos of tourists thronging hill stations and religious places went viral on social and mainstream media. The Union Health Ministry had already stated that restrictions would be back if such a situation persists, while the Home Ministry had directed states/UTs to strictly implement Covid-appropriate behaviour.
Recalling the disastrous second wave which overwhelmed the nation’s health infrastructure, the doctors’ apex body said that consequences of treating Covid patients in hospitals and its impact on the economy will be far greater than the economic loss we suffer now by avoiding such mass gathering activities.
“It is the duty and responsibility of every one at this moment to strictly enforce the Covid-appropriate behaviours for a minimum three months and ensure every one nearer to our house are getting vaccinated,” the IMA stated tersely.
Meanwhile, India reported 37,154 daily new cases on Monday. It has been fifteen continuous days since less than 50,000 daily new cases have been surfacing, as per the data shared by the Health Ministry.
The statement further read that India’s active caseload now stands at 450,899 and active cases are now only 1.46% of the country›s total positive cases.
On Vaccination front, the numbers still remained below expectations. Although India’s cumulative Covid vaccination coverage surpassed 38 crore (38,11,04,836), as per the 7 pm provisional report on Monday, around 37.03 lakh (37,03,423) vaccine doses were administered on Monday.
Medical experts have been saying that India needs to accelerate the pace of vaccination drive and must take it to 90 lakh to 1 crore if the government wants to inoculate its eligible population this year.