Large population of country still at risk of getting infected with coronavirus: Ministry of Health

New Delhi: A large population of the country may still fall under the corona virus as per SERO survey report. During a joint press conference on Tuesday, the Union Health Ministry, ICMR and NITI Aayog on the coronavirus, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan referred to the SERO survey to addresse what lies ahead.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that more than 51 lakh people have been cured of Corona virus in India. So far more than 7 crore 30 lakh tests have been conducted in the country. Last week, 77.8 tests were done. There are 4453 coronavirus cases in India per 10 lakh population. In case of new cases, there are 425 cases per 10 lakh population in India. Coronavirus has caused 10 deaths per 10 lakh population. There have been 2 crore 97 lakh tests in the month of September, in August the figure was 29 million 39 lakhs.

ICMR director Balaram Bhargava said that according to the second SERO report of the ICMR, by August 2020, every 15th person over the age of 10 has been hit by the coronavirus.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that only 15.4% of the total coronavirus cases in the country are active, while recovery cases are 83% of the total cases.

Dr. Bhargava further adds, that the first SERO survey was conducted between May 11 and June 4. This was done in 70 districts in 21 states. At that time the infection rate was found to be 0.73%. The second SERO survey took place between 17 August and 22 September. The survey was conducted in 70 districts in 21 states.

In the second SERO survey, the prevalence of coronavirus among people above 10 years of age found to be 6.6%. In urban slums, the prevalence was found to be 15.6% , in non-slum areas 8.2%. While the prevalence of 4.4% was found in rural slum areas. This survey shows that large population of the country is still at risk of getting infected by coronavirus. There is a need to adopt a 5T (Test, Track, Trace, Treat and Technology) policy. It needs to implement the Containment Strategy by the States in view of upcoming festivals, winters and mass crowds.

Dr. Bhargava said that in the earlier SERO survey, 73% of the population of the country was estimated to have coronavirus infection, now it is 7.1% The second phase of SERO survey in Delhi found a prevalence of 29.1% corona, compared to 23.5% in the first survey. The Ministry of Labor, together with the Ministry of Health, issued guidelines for industries.

NITI Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul said that all of us need to ensure that in the coming months, we have to stop the spread of corona virus. On the budget of Rs 80,000 crore for the coronavirus vaccine with the government, the Health Ministry said that ‘the need of Rs 80000 crore will be required is not clear yet.

The Government of India has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Paul regarding the vaccine. During meeting, the priority to distribute vaccine to people was discussed. The budget has also been estimated. We have enough money. There are 6 companies in the country manufacturing vaccine.