COVID-19 has spiralled in Maharashtra once again, with the positivity rate hovering around 10%. As of June 19, active cases stood at 23,746, a 15-fold spike from May 16, when the count was just 1,526. Cases have also been jumping in most metros.A number of previously infected people are again contracting Covid-19. Is there any evidence that antibodies from previous infections are waning?It is well-known that viruses always try to mutate and produce new lineages or sub-lineages to escape acquired immunity. There is no precise data available about the sub-lineages of Omicron, but the immunity conferred by Omicron is lower than that provided other variants like Delta. Therefore, reinfection has become common. It is a well-established fact that antibodies do not mean that a person will not get infected, but they will experience milder symptoms. So, it is quite evident that having a higher number of antibodies does not necessarily mean one can quickly overcome any new infection.People who have taken two vaccines doses too are getting infected. Is the efficiency of vaccine reducing?Vaccines will confer sterilising immunity on everyone. They provide us immunity against severe diseases and mortality. These are generation one vaccines made from the ancestral strain. Besides, it has never been claimed that vaccinated people will never get infected. Also, if one gets infected, the chances are that they will be asymptomatic or have minor symptoms.Newsletter | Click to get the day’s best explainers in your inboxSome patients are complaining of high fever, touching almost 105°F. Are there any symptomatic differences between the new bout and earlier ones?I don’t think many patients have reported 105° fever, and it might have been a rare aberration. We haven’t observed such a high fever in patients although some of them had high-grade fever of 101-102°F with some throat pain. Most patients get better within four to five days and do not require hospitalisation.Some other symptoms that patients are currently experiencing include tiredness, body ache, runny nose and mild cough. Apart from that, some gastro-intestinal symptoms are also being observed, like diarrhoea and a tender stomach.Why are some patients are experiencing gastro-intestinal issues after recovery?Most patients in their post-recovery phase are experiencing significant symptoms like fatigue, sleep disturbance and inability to concentrate. They also have specific body aches and pain, especially joint pains. Some of them even have resting tachycardia, or Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST).While gastro-intestinal (GI) symptoms are not a part of the post-viral condition itself, they could be part of viral illness. This may be because the virus can cause GI disease that could last longer even after the person has recovered from other symptoms. Further, loss of appetite and change in bowel habits are some of the symptoms that have been associated with Covid-19.What are the reasons behind the surge in Maharashtra?The main reason behind the surge is that the virus follows a pattern of resurgence and retreat. Also, for the last several months, people are not following the necessary precautions to avoid transmission. It is due to this Covid-inappropriate behaviour that the virus is still in circulation. Hence, we are seeing a rise in the number of cases in a few districts and cities across Maharashtra.Are we heading towards a fourth wave? If yes, will this be more infectious?The fact is that the cases are rising rapidly and there is no evidence to suggest that the situation is different in terms of infectivity and severity as compared to the third wave. However, there is a similar pattern that has been observed currently.Should the Maharashtra government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation focus more on testing?Testing has been one of the main strategies to control the disease, and we need to evolve and develop an intelligent strategy. Smart testing means that we should study more symptomatic patients and all their high-risk contacts. We ought to increase the capacity of testing so that we can isolate the infected and avoid any further spread of the infection.Maharashtra is behind other states in vaccine coverage. What steps should the state take?Maharashtra is one of the largest states in India with a population of over 12 crore. Also, the population density is very high. When the number of cases goes down, many people stop following Covid-19 protocols. So, they are equally lax about not taking their booster shots. That’s why we need to go back to information, education and communication and get the message across that vaccines can save lives. There is enough data to prove that vaccines are one of the most important strategies to prevent severe illness and mortality. We need to understand their importance and convince people to take their precautionary doses so that the virus can be controlled.Are we heading towards an endemic situation?Eventually, we will head towards an endemic situation. Whether we have reached that stage or not right now, it is too early to say as Covid-19 is here to stay with us for some time. That is why we must learn to live with the virus and not let it disrupt our daily lives. We need to work towards keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe by following Covid-appropriate behaviour. Masking up should become a regular healthy habit that we must practise every day.—Dr Pandit spoke to Rinku Ghosh
LUCKNOW: Even as fresh and active cases have doubled in Uttar Pradesh in the past week, experts at IIT Kanpur monitoring the Covid-19 situation through their mathematical models stated that there was no reason to panic unless new variants come into play. The number of cases and deaths have also gone up nationally over the past two weeks. “The rise in cases is primarily because of decline in the natural immunity against the pandemic. There may be re-infections but there is no need to worry. Prevention, however, is advised for all,” said IIT-K's Prof Manindra Agarwal, who has been predicting the pandemic behaviour through his SUTRA (Susceptible, Undetected, Tested (positive), and Removed Approach) mathematical model. He said that the present surge should not even be called a wave. “It is better to call the recent rise as a ripple rather than a wave. Also, eventually, coronavirus will become a common flu,” he said. Talking about the surge of cases in Maharashtra and Kerala, Prof Agarwal said: “The two states may peak in the third week of July but the surge will not be alarming as the rate of hospitalisation remains extremely low.” Rajeh Ranjan, the IIT-K assistant professor who devised the SIR (Susceptible-Infected-Recovered) model to decode the coronavirus activity, said that Omicron and its subtypes were causing the disease these days. Predicting that the present wave will be smaller than the third wave, he said: “There was no reason to panic unless a new variant surfaces.” Stressing the need for prevention despite the general immunity against the coronavirus created by vaccination and exposure, Ranjan suggested that health authorities should intensify genome sequencing in a random fashion and in new cities. “The virus is nasty and may change its form the moment it gets a favourable environment. Strong vigilance through randomised genome sequencing in new pockets can give better insight into the virus activity,” he said.
PUNE: The increase in Covid cases and anxiety over a possible fourth wave have pushed daily vaccinations in the state over the one-lakh mark. In May, Maharashtra was recording an average of 60,855 vaccinations every day. That average rose to nearly 80,200 during June 1-5 and, over the last two days, more than one lakh people have been turning up at vaccination sites. State immunisation officer Dr Sachin Desai said turnouts for second doses and boosters have particularly increased. He said, "Many districts have recorded an increase in daily vaccinations, not just those seeing a rise in cases. Citizens are now understanding the benefit of vaccines. For example, with the reopening of schools, many parents are getting their children vaccinated." Dr Desai said a key reason for the increase in follow-up jabs could be the end of the annual vacation period. "Those who're back from holidays are now taking second doses or boosters, whichever is due," he said. Another official said the rise in Covid cases definitely played a role. During the week May 26-June 1, the average number of jabs administered per day in Mumbai was over 7,700, which went up to approximately 12,500 during June 2-8. The state capital has seen a substantial increase in cases. In Pune city, Dr Madhav Chavan, the MD of Phoenix Hospital, said, "With schools set to reopen soon, parents are now rushing to get their children vaccinated. They are worried about a fourth wave. We have also seen an uptick in demand for boosters. Overall, in the last one week, daily vaccination has gone up 10-20% at our hospitals." Dr Sidram K Raut, director of Noble Hospitals, said, "With domestic and international travel opening up, and the ongoing surge in Covid cases, demand for jabs has gone up again. At our hospital, daily count is up by 5-10%. Much of this trend is because of fear; vaccination is known to protect one from severe Covid-19." Civic officials have pinned a lot of hope on the reopening of schools. Covid vaccinations among children had dipped substantially after the third wave. The summer holidays worsened the situation. "We were unable to hold special camps in schools as they were shut. We're hoping numbers pick up once all schools reopen next week," a senior civic official said. Low coverage had also increased Corbevax wastage (for the 12-14 group) in Maharashtra. Average vaccine wastage in the state was below 5%, but some districts started to report Corbevax wastage as high as 20%.
Bhopal: Less than 5% of the people in India who have been fully vaccinated so far, have taken precaution doses. As against 83 crore fully vaccinated people, only 3.66 crore precaution doses have been administered and this also has a share of only 7% of ‘paid precaution doses’ administered to 18 to 59 age group.Only 26.77 lakh people aged between 18 and 59 years have taken precaution doses.Precaution doses are chargeable for people aged between 18 and 59 and are free for people aged above 60 years and also to frontline and health workers.In at least 3 Union Territories including Daman & Diu, Lakshwadweep, Pudducherry not even a single precaution dose in 18-59 age group, i.e., paid age group has been administered, in Arunanchal Pradesh only 2 have received the paid precaution dose and 12 people in each of Meghalaya and Manipur have been administered with precaution dose in this age group, says the data of ministry of health and family welfare.In at least 18 states of the country less than 10,000 precaution doses have been administered to the beneficiaries who fall in the paid category.In Madhya Pradesh where nearly 97% of beneficiaries falling in 18-59 age group are fully vaccinated only 25,747 have taken precaution doses. State is on 14th position among other states in this category. It is only 7 states which includes Bihar (6,32,641), Delhi (4,46,742), Maharashtra (3,21,798), Haryana (2,45,220), West Bengal (1,99,122), Karnataka (1,81,663) and Uttar Pradesh (1,27,159) where more than 1 lakh beneficiaries falling in 18 to 59 age group have taken precaution doses.
MUMBAI: A surge in Covid-19 cases and a door-todoor campaign to cover those who have defaulted on their second and precautionary doses have marginally pushed up daily average vaccinations across the state. From an average of 55,000, daily immunisation numbers have reached 67,000 in recent days. On Saturday, more than one lakh people in Maharashtra took Covid-19 vaccine shots, the highest seen in nearly a month. In Mumbai, nearly 20,000 got vaccinated on Saturday, again one of the highest volumes seen in recent weeks. The average number of senior citizens coming out to ta ke booster shots has almost doubled to 15,000 compared to 8,000-9,500 seen in previous weeks in the state. In certain districts, there has been a slight rise in people taking second doses too, which is good news given that the state has almost 1. 7 crore people who never showed up for their second shot. Dr Sachin Desai, state immunisation officer, said that with the 'Har ghar dastak' campaign starting in most districts, vaccination numbers have seen an increase. The numbers are expected to go up more as schools and colleges reopen shortly. Many senior citizens are comi ng out for precautionary doses, which is much needed since Maharashtra is a long way from covering all senior citizens with the third shot. As per state data, 77. 5% (17 lakh) of senior citizens have taken booster shots out of 21. 4 lakh who became eligible having completed nine months since their second shot. However, if the state’s overall senior citizen population is considered, which is approximately 1. 2 crore, then not even 15% have taken the precautionary dose. Dr Shashank Joshi, a member of the state Covid task force, said that there is a silent wave going on in some districts of Maharashtra from which the vulnerable can protect themselves by masking and taking their vaccine shots. With cases seeing a surge, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has directed districts to increase vaccination coverage across age groups. A letter from the Centre addressed to the state’s health secretary on Friday mentioned vaccination as the fourth key intervention in addition to Covid-19's primary ‘test-tracktreat’ strategy.
HYDERABAD: While Telangana is among the five states that received an alert from the Centre on Friday to maintain strict watch and take pre-emptive action to control the spread of Covid-19, officials say that there is callousness among people regarding receiving the booster dose and getting tested for Covid-19 if there are symptoms. However, experts warned that acting at the eleventh hour will not help, but caution and care will keep the numbers low. The Centre noted that Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka were reporting a surge in number of daily cases, and that genome sequence testing was increasing. Except for Karnataka, the remaining states reported the BA4 sub-variety of Omicron cases. The Centre had asked the states to be vigilant and keep an eye out for emerging clusters. However, officials claimed that the rise in cases is due to people's negligence as many are yet to get vaccinated while there others who do not bother to get tested in case of symptoms. “Some are reluctant and some question the relevance of vaccines and tests now, but this is incorrect. We are trying to convince them,” an official said. Meanwhile, Telangana’s current booster dose coverage is still low, even five months after the drive began. So far, only 8.1 lakh people have taken the jab out of 2.7 crore population eligible for the precautionary dose. Dr NK Arora, head of the Covid-19 working group at the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), previously told TOI that breakthrough infections from BA.4 and BA.5 have been detected in Telangana as well. “These infections can occur even after two doses or after a precaution dose, but taking the shot will help the patients have fewer complications and avoid hospitalisation.” Telangana has reported over 50 cases per day in the last few days. Even after Telangana launched the Har Dasthak Vaccine programme to increase the precaution dose coverage, there has been no rise in coverage.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wished the Bollywood actor a fast 'recovery'.New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. Katrina Kaif too tested positive recently, claimed several resports, and had to skip IIFA 2022 ceremony, where her husband, actor Vicky Kaushal, was declared the best actor.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wished the Bollywood superstar a fast 'recovery'."Just came to know that our Brand Ambassador Shahrukh Khan has been detected covid positive. Pray for the fastest recovery for the superstar. Get well Shahrukh! Spring back asap!" Mamata Banerjee tweeted on Sunday.Just came to know that our Brand Ambassador Shahrukh Khan has been detected covid positive. Pray fastest recovery for the superstar. Get well Shahrukh! Spring back asap!— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 5, 2022Several Bollywood actors have tested positive for the virus in recent times, even as Maharashtra is witnessing a sharp rise in infections. On Saturday, Bollywood actors Kartik Aaryan and Akshay Kumar tested positive for Covid-19.Mumbai on Sunday reported over 1,400 Covid-19 cases and Mumbai (961 new cases) accounted for almost 60 per cent of the state's total cases.Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray asked people to wear masks and panic amid the spiralling cases. "There is no need to panic; fatalities are not increasing. I appeal to the public to wear a face mask and receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine," he said.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comShah Rukh Khan recently announced the teaser of his much-anticipated action-entertainer film 'Jawan'. He also unveiled a poster of the upcoming project on social media.
MUMBAI: Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis has tested positive for Covid-19. In a tweet, Fadnavis said that he was under home isolation and advised those who came in his contact to get themselves tested for the virus. I have tested #COVID19 positive and in home isolation.Taking medication & treatment as per the doctor’s advice.Th… https://t.co/IadQz0pYHv— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) 1654411812000This is the second time Fadnavis has contracted the virus. Fadnavis had earlier contracted the viral infection in October 2020. He had then undergone treatment at a government hospital.
Mumbai, Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said he has tested positive for coronavirus and is in home isolation. Fadnavis, who is the leader of opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, had earlier also contracted the viral infection in October 2020. On Sunday, the former state chief minister in a tweet said, "I have tested #COVID19 positive and in home isolation. Taking medication & treatment as per the doctor's advice. Those who have come in contact with me are advised to get Covid tests done. Take care everyone!" Earlier, when Fadnavis contracted the infection in 2020, he had undergone treatment in a government hospital. I have tested #COVID19 positive and in home isolation.Taking medication & treatment as per the doctor’s advice.Th… https://t.co/IadQz0pYHv— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) 1654411812000
Pune: The hospitalisation rate of Covid-19 patients is still very low in the state despite a slight uptick in cases, especially in Mumbai and Pune.The public health department in its report submitted to the state government on Thursday stated that less than 1% of Covid patients were admitted in hospitals across Maharashtra out of over 2,000. State surveillance expert Dr Pradip Awate said, “As our report states, a total of 19 serious patients are in hospitals across the state but only one of them is on a ventilator. The remaining 18 need oxygen support only. So, there is not much burden on the hospital infrastructure as of now.”Health officials from Mumbai on Friday confirmed that a total of 68 Covid patients were undergoing treatment in hospitals. As on Friday night, two persons were in hospital in Pune. Awate said the asymptomatic pattern of Covid infection continued to be dominant in the state till now.Awate said for any disease slowly progressing towards endemicity, this pattern of rise and fall in cases could be seen. He also said the epidemiological pattern would vary area-wise.“It is but natural that there could be a likely spike as vaccine immunity and natural immunity wane a bit. What is important is that there is no new variant and currently what is being seen are sub-lineages and not a new variant,” Awate said, adding senior citizens should take due care and follow masking.Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, the co-chairman of the Indian Medical Association’s national task force, said the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-lineages of Omicron might not immediately cause a major wave as the country had been through the third wave just around three months ago.He said breakthrough infections were being reported now as immunity declines over time. The latest studies from the US show that not all breakthrough infections had good outcomes. “So, we need to keep a watch for clusters, increase testing and contact tracing. As of now without any new variant, the situation is unlikely to burden the health infrastructure,” he said.
PUNE: The hospitalisation rate of Covid-19 patients is still very low in the state despite a slight uptick in cases, especially in Mumbai and Pune. The public health department in its report submitted to the state government on Thursday stated that less than 1% of Covid patients were admitted in hospitals across Maharashtra out of over 2,000. State surveillance expert Dr Pradip Awate said, "As our report states, a total of 19 serious patients are in hospitals across the state but only one of them is on a ventilator. The remaining 18 need oxygen support only. So, there is not much burden on the hospital infrastructure as of now." Health officials from Mumbai on Friday confirmed that a total of 68 Covid patients were undergoing treatment in hospitals. As on Friday night, two persons were in hospital in Pune. Awate said the asymptomatic pattern of Covid infection continued to be dominant in the state till now. Awate said for any disease slowly progressing towards endemicity, this pattern of rise and fall in cases could be seen. He also said the epidemiological pattern would vary area-wise. "It is but natural that there could be a likely spike as vaccine immunity and natural immunity wane a bit. What is important is that there is no new variant and currently what is being seen are sub-lineages and not a new variant," Awate said, adding senior citizens should take due care and follow masking. Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, the co-chairman of the Indian Medical Association's national task force, said the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-lineages of Omicron might not immediately cause a major wave as the country had been through the third wave just around three months ago. He said breakthrough infections were being reported now as immunity declines over time. The latest studies from the US show that not all breakthrough infections had good outcomes. "So, we need to keep a watch for clusters, increase testing and contact tracing. As of now without any new variant, the situation is unlikely to burden the health infrastructure," he said.
MUMBAI: The Mumbai city is now the only district in Maharashtra where fewer than 30% of the young teenagers have taken at least one shot of the Covid-19 vaccine. Mumbai is behind the state average in vaccination of children between the ages of 12 and 14 years by a considerable margin, lagging even tribal and rural districts such as Gadchiroli and Nandurbar. According to the recent data, barely 27% of the young teens have taken at least one shot in Mumbai against the state average of 57%. In terms of full vaccination, fewer than 10% of children from Mumbai have taken both shots compared to 24% in Maharashtra. In the 12-14 age bracket, Nashik is the state's best performer with 85% of children vaccinated with at least one shot followed by Sangli (84%). Mumbai's response to young teen vaccination has been slow since the first day although it is the only district in Maharashtra to cover 100% adults with both doses. Dr Pramod Jog, a member of the paediatric task force, said that exams, vacations and complacency on the part of parents have jointly contributed to a meek performance in the vaccination of young teenagers and adolescents. "It is a matter of concern. We have spoken to paediatricians and taken workshops with parents and teachers to drive home the importance of vaccination even among young people," he said, adding that while children may not suffer from severe Covid-19, they can be carriers of the virus which could put the high-risk adults in the household at risk. Dr Bakul Parekh, another member of the paediatric task force, said that children who are at high risk themselves because of obesity, childhood diabetics, uncontrolled asthma, and even those who are physically disabled, will certainly benefit from vaccination. A civic official said they have not encountered any severe side effects in more than a lakh kids who have taken Corbevax, and hence parents shouldn't harbour doubts about safety. Maharashtra and Mumbai have been lagging in the vaccination of the 15-18 age bracket, too. Barely 57% of adolescents in the city have taken the first shot and 44% both shots.
MUMBAI: Maharashtra fares just above Bihar, Jharkhand and North-East states (minus Assam) and is almost at the bottom of the national Covid-19 vaccination coverage chart, as per recent union heath ministry data. The Centre will soon initiate one-on-one discussions with states that are lagging in the coverage of primary as well as precautionary doses, Dr N K Arora, National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) chief, told TOI on Tuesday. According to the latest union health ministry figures, 96.2% of Indians aged over 15 have received at least one shot while 85.2% have got both. Several states, including Maharashtra, though, are much behind the country average. Maharashtra has managed to deliver first doses to 91% of its population above 15 years and both to just 74%. Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, has also outperformed Maharashtra by giving both doses to almost 87% of its 15-plus population and at least one dose to 100%. West Bengal has gone ahead by achieving 81% double-dose coverage. Madhya Pradesh too has covered 97% of its population with at least one dose and 94% both. Among the most populous states, Bihar is the only one behind Maharashtra, having given 70.9% second doses and 83% single. Dr Arora said a total of 1-1. 5 million doses are administered daily in the country and there is scope for improvement. "We will start discussions individually with states to improve the coverage of primary schedule, precautionary dose and for paediatric age groups," said the NTAGI chief. Dr Arora said the government may come out with some special social mobilisation campaigns after discussing it with states. In Maharashtra, where daily immunisations have dropped to barely a lakh, the administration has asked districts to start door-to-door campaigns to deliver second and precautionary shots. More than 1.5 crore people have not taken the second shot. The precautionary dose coverage of seniors is above 70%. Dr Sachin Desai, state immunisation officer, said the less enthusiastic response in the 15-17 age band has pulled down the overall state average to an extent; 65% have taken at least one dose and 45% both. In this age group, even well-performing districts such as Mumbai have seen a meek response-57% first dose and 44% both doses. "After instructions from the Centre, we have asked districts to track those who have skipped their doses and vaccinate them by visiting homes," he said. Districts officials said people are reluctant. "Migration for jobs, dip in viral activity and drop in Covid deaths have brought down the demand for vaccines," said Beed civil surgeon Dr Suresh Sable.
