Covid: Maharashtra, Karnataka, UP, 3 others are states of concern, says govt

NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry on Thursday identified six states including Maharashtra, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh as "states of concern".

Addressing a press briefing, the health ministry said 11 states/UTs have more than 50,000 active Covid-19 cases; 515 districts reporting weekly case positivity of over 5%.

Here are the key points made by the Centre during the press briefing:

-Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Delhi & Rajasthan are among the top 10 states in terms of active cases.

- Asia is showing a sharp surge in global contribution from 7.9% to approximately 18.4% in 4 weeks. A sharp surge is also seen in Covid-19 cases in India.

- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are among the 'states of concern'. We have sent Central health teams to these States and are continuously reviewing the situation.

- Vaccines have remained beneficial in India. Deaths have considerably reduced due to vaccinations. In this third surge of Covid-19, we are currently not witnessing severe illness and deaths due to high vaccination uptake.

- On 20 January 2022, there are 3,17,532 new cases, 380 deaths and 19,24,051 active cases. Proportion of fully vaccinated people is 72%. In the last surge of Covid-19, on 30 April 2021, there were 3,86,452 new cases, 3,059 deaths and over 31 lakh active cases.

- Till now, 52% children in 15-18 age group in the country are vaccinated.

- Covid deaths are significantly less in the third wave of coronavirus in comparison to the second wave.

- SEC of CDSCO has recommended to the DCGI that two vaccines be provided market approval. A final decision of the national regulator is yet to be taken.

-Around 99% adult Covid patients in Delhi have common symptoms of fever, cough, irritation in throat. In Delhi, upper respiratory tract infection common symptom among those in 11-18 years.

-94% of India's adults have been administered 1st dose of Covid vaccine; 72% are fully vaccinated.