Fewer fresh cases and rising recovery rate show the right path to tackle COVID-19
There is some good news after a long time. According to the data released by the Health Ministry, the daily count of fresh Coronavirus cases has come down to 36,571 in the last 24 hours. The recovery rate has also risen to 97.53 per cent. Most of the cases are from Kerala, reporting around 21,000 cases every day, taking the daily tally to 36,000+. Over 36,000 recoveries took place on August 19. As per the Ministry, the total active COVID-19 cases have now declined to 3,63,605, the lowest in 150 days. Indeed, it is some relief but not a reason to lower the guard. Let us not forget that the stipulated date of the third wave is approaching soon and that could change the scenario. Nevertheless, there is all likelihood that the third wave would not be as catastrophic as the second one and there are reasons for this. As per the WHO figures, around 3.23 crore people were infected by Coronavirus so far. Most of them recovered and developed antibodies. Now, as the theory goes, these people become a barrier to the spread of the virus; that is herd immunity for you which is now at play.
Apart from this, 57 crore people — almost half our population — have been vaccinated so far, which again provides a barrier to the spread of the disease. Moreover, the facilities at hospitals and oxygen arrangements have improved significantly. We have suffered enough due to COVID-19 and now is the time to redeem our lives. After all, for how long can life be put on pause, or for that matter how long can the country remain paralysed with the lockdown? Education, sports, businesses, entertainment and the travel and hospitality industries have suffered immensely. The economic and psychological loss due to the pandemic is huge. We have to learn to live with it by finding ways to deal with it. Prolonging the lockdown cannot be a lasting solution. We must think afresh and reclaim our lives. A Corona passport for travel would be a good idea. Opening schools in two or three shifts could ensure children’s safety. We are so proud of our athletes at the Olympics but if the sports facilities are not opened, many careers would end even before they begin. Likewise, the entertainment industry needs to be opened to ease the tensions of the industry and us all!