Optimising the fall: On improving vaccination and treatment
The HinduThere is reason for optimism in India’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the latest numbers on Monday show a slight rise at 11,451, the key cause for optimism is that the country’s active case load stood at 1,46,950 cases which was a 262-day low, according to the Health Ministry. The numbers may be at February levels but it should not be forgotten that India was hit by a lethal second wave — led by a dominating Delta variant — that saw daily cases climb to as many as 4,00,000 a day and excess deaths in several States many multiples of what was being reported by the Government. The daily caseload has fallen by nearly a third since September but the virus continues to infect 50 million people every three months. It must continue to facilitate the upgrade of hospital infrastructure in every district; it should also shore up stocks of promising antivirals and ensure that vaccine companies increase supplies in line with their commitments.