Cases drop, but surge in critical cases continues

Despite a drop in the number of daily cases, the situation continues to be critical as the country reported 13 deaths in the last 72 hours.

In the last 24 hours, 110 patients were also admitted to hospitals, taking the total number of inpatients to 421, including 87 in the Intensive Care Units (ICU).

The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Sunday reported 4,701 new cases (Thursday-2,064, Friday-1,295, Saturday-1,342). The recovery rate is 93.3 per cent.

While the country has been showing signs of steady and impressive economic recovery, there are concerns over vaccine hesitancy among certain sections of society.

According to the statistics released by MoH last week, of the 6,676,224 doses of Covid vaccines administered, five per cent of the target groups were yet to get the first dose, 11 per cent the second dose, and 83 per the booster dose.

Accordingly, 3,191,912 people have received one dose, 2,976,872 have received two doses 507, 440 people have got the third dose or the booster.

As per that data, 363, 242 residents have taken the third dose compared to 144,198 citizens, which has been also pointed out by the Supreme Committee in its statement issued last week.

Booster doses can also be administered to all citizens above 12 years of age.

At the same time, 1,665, 562 citizens took two doses of vaccines compared to 1,311,310 residents.

A total of 1, 770,962 citizens took the first dose compared to 1,420,950 residents.

The WHO has also reiterated that vaccines remain one of the best tools to save lives. “While vaccines remain a critical tool, our success requires a comprehensive approach with governments and communities at the heart of the response.”

Meanwhile, several countries have announced plans to reopen or relax border restrictions, including places that have maintained some of the strictest border control.

According to the World in Data, over 54 per cent of the world’s population is now vaccinated, and statistics also show that vaccines helped to reduce the possibility of hospitalizations and deaths due to Covid.

@vinot_nair