Signs of Covid uptick as states lower guard 18 MN TO CHANGE OCCUPATIONS BY 2030 IN INDIA

NEW DELHI: Three states and one Union Territory have seen their seven-day averages of daily Covid-19 cases rise by between 20% and 69% of lows seen after the end of the first wave of the pandemic, an analysis by HT shows. This highlights the potential risk of a surge in cases amid fears of mutant strains gaining ground, and laxity in adhering to protocols due to Covid fatigue being reported across the country.

In addition to the regions mentioned above — Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir — the first wave continues unabated in the southern state of Kerala.

To be sure, all this comes even as India has vaccinated 10 million people, although an outbreak now could divert the attention of the public health system from vaccination to managing infections.

The increase in cases is being reported from these areas as restrictions on several economic and social activities have eased, and people and governments appear to be getting complacent, with almost no mask discipline in many parts of rural India, and even some cities. At the same time, testing is over 50% of its peak across India; in Delhi, too, it is 30% lower than peak capacity levels.

While Maharashtra, the state worst-hit by the disease, is again seeing a strong resurgence of infections with cases rising rap

MUMBAI: Covid-19 will have a lasting impact on labour markets, and as much as 18 million Indian workers will be forced to switch to a newer occupation by 2030 because of the pandemic, a report said on Friday.

The impact will be “disproportionately” felt on low-wage workers in retail, food services, hospitality, and office administration, the report by think-tank Mckinsey Global Institute said.

Three broad changes in consumer behaviour and business models will include the rise of remote work and more rapid deployment of automation and artificial intelligence, it said.→p11