On Sunday, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) has said that Kerala and Maharashtra are accounting for 40% of India’s active Covid-19 cases.
As per the MOHFW data, 33 states and Union Territories have less than 20,000 active cases. “33 States and UTs have less than 20,000 active cases. Kerala and Maharashtra together account for 40% of total COVID-19 active cases,” the tweet said.
Following Maharashtra and Kerala with more 10,000 active Covid-19 cases are: West Bengal (19,065 cases), Uttar Pradesh (17,955), Chhattisgarh (17,488), Karnataka (15,399), Rajasthan (13,058), Gujarat (12,360), Madhya Pradesh (11,876) and Delhi (11,419). Nearly 25 states and UTs are having less than 10,000 active Covid-19 cases.
Though India’s active Covid caseload has fallen by 3.09%, yet Maharashtra and Kerala are showing no reprieve. In Kerala’s case, from December 1 to 19, the state has recorded 97,176 cases, 98,101 recoveries and 515 deaths. According to Health Minister KK Shailaja, the active cases are likely to increase as the state just concluded with the local body elections and with festivals like Christmas and New Year around the corner. On the other hand, Maharashtra is recording fewer cases than Kerala, but, Maharashtra has a larger population size in comparison with Kerala.
On Saturday, India crossed 1-crore Covid cases. According to MOHFW, on Saturday, the country recorded more Covid related recoveries than new daily cases. The MOHFW said that India has a recovery rate of over 95%. The government has said that the active cases are declining which is ensuring that India’s active cases per million are the lowest in the world. Reportedly, India has recorded 1.45 lakhs deaths so far.
With Christmas and New Year coming soon, India could see a spike in cases if the public doesn’t adhere to the Covid guidelines. However, some governments will be considering to curb New Year’s Eve parties this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to news reports, Karnataka has already placed a ban on celebrations on Bengaluru streets, pubs, restaurants. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) commissioner Manjunatha Prasad told news agencies that all celebrations and large public gatherings on New Year’s Eve are prohibited. The state has issued guidelines for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The state has asked churches to avoid mass gathering adhere and adhere to social distancing during Christmas. For New Year’s celebration, the state government has banned all planned parties from December 30, to January 2, but have allowed dining at public places with a limited number of guests.
