Seven States and UTs have reported no new Covid-19 deaths in the last three weeks. However, Maharashtra and Kerala continue to buck the declining trend, accounting for 71 per cent of the fresh caseload of the week with the latter making up almost half of the total.
“The seven States and UTs — Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Mizoram, Nagaland and Lakshadweep — have reported no new Covid-19 deaths in last three weeks,” Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said.
Similarly, 33 States/UTs have less than 5,000 active Covid-19 cases, he added.
While Dr Randeep Guleria, AIIMS director, said to a news agency that the Centre may look into the angle whether mutant variant is the cause of rise in cases in Maharashtra and Kerala, Dr VK Paul, member Niti Ayog has ruled out the presence of the South Africa variant as of now.
South Africa variant of Covid-19 is under the watch. It has come forward that this variant spreads faster, said Paul. However, as of yesterday, this particular variant is not in the country, he added.
About the effectiveness of the Covishield vaccine on the South Africa strain, Paul said it is hinted through a study, which has its limitations that Covishield gives minimal protection against mild infection but it still continues to be effective against severe disease and in reducing mortality.
“We have no concern at this moment as we have a system in place for detecting this variant. As of yesterday, this particular variant is not in the country but we are keeping a watch,” he said, adding surveillance will be intensified.