Despite vaccine shortages, New Delhi still opens dangerous plans

In Delhi and Mumbai, India’s most populous cities, the second mass-destructive spread of the virus appears to be finally easing.

However, the lack of vaccine supply has made Delhi’s 20 million people (of which 15 million are adults) worry about another shock.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (Arvind Kejriwal) said that in the 24 hours until Sunday night, the number of newly recorded cases had dropped from 8,500 in mid-May to around 1,600, and it was close to 30,000 in mid-April. .

While extending the ongoing embargo period in Delhi for another week, Mr. Kejriwal said that if the trajectory of cases and the positive rate continue to decline, it will be relaxed in stages starting from June.

Despite the promise of increased immunization, the capital has just passed a weekend and the vaccination center was closed due to insufficient supplies.

When the coronavirus raged across the country, the death toll exceeded 300,000, the infection rate reached 26.8 million, and only 3.8% of the 1.4 billion population received the vaccination.

The decision to lift coronavirus restrictions on most unprotected communities and possible large-scale unmasked gatherings starting next week is considered potentially catastrophic.

However, Kerri Rival said at the on-site press conference that the relaxation of the policy will be “implemented in stages.”

“We can’t open everything in one go. He said that there is a huge risk.

“However, if the curve continues to decline for a week like this, we will unlock it in phases starting on May 31.”

In fact, Delhi has experienced two pandemics instead of two. The most recent pandemic caused the health care system to collapse and exhausted oxygen and medical supplies.

The weekend curfew was completely blocked in Delhi on April 20, but the authorities said that activities vital to the city’s economy need to be resumed.

Experts say that if mass gatherings are still banned, masks must be worn and the vaccination plan expanded, it can continue.

Dr. Puneet Misra, a professor of community medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, said: “People must remember that they cannot relax their vigilance as they did before the second wave of pandemic hit India.”

“For the government, this is also the time to expand vaccination.”

Dr. Misra’s colleague, AIIMS community medicine professor Anand Krishnan said: “There will be risks.

“We need to continue to take all precautions, including double cover-ups, to avoid any form of crowds and gatherings, whether social, religious or political.

“The only answer is vaccination.”

Mr. Kejiriwal said that getting everyone vaccinated is his “first priority.”

“If everyone is vaccinated, maybe we will be spared the third wave.

“We are worried about the shortage of vaccines. But I believe that this will also be resolved soon.”

He did not outline what restrictions can be relaxed from the current situation. In this case, all businesses except food delivery, pharmacies and other necessities have been closed.

Across India, 222,315 new infections were registered on Monday, but this number may be underestimated, partly because of lack of testing, especially in rural areas.

Three weeks ago, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Narendra Modi) announced that all adults would be vaccinated, but the plan was stopped after the drug was used up in Delhi.

Mr. Kejiriwal said he plans to add up to 24 million doses of vaccines obtained directly from manufacturers in the next three months to vaccinate all adults in the city.

However, as global demand puts pressure on supply, states across India are vying for potions from companies like Moderna, which will only be sold to governments.

So far, about 26% of adults in Delhi have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and Kejiriwal has vowed to “purchase vaccines for our entire population, no matter how much it costs.”

He said: “High vaccine coverage can completely reduce the possibility of the third wave.”

candace.sutton@news.com.au