Govt says situation stabilising, but flags cases of black fungus
NEW DELHI: The overall Covid-19 situation in the country appears to be stabilising, the Union government said on Saturday, but experts also warned that secondary infections such as mucormycosis or “black fungus” were adding to the mortality rate.
Niti Aayog member Dr VK Paul said that to control the spread of the rare fungal infection, people must control their blood sugar levels, maintain hygiene, and doctors must prescribe steroids with caution. “Some states are reporting 400 to 500 cases; we do not know the burden of the disease yet. This is an emerging problem and ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) has started collecting data. We have also asked states to keep an eye on it,” he said.
India’s Covid-19 positivity rate – proportion of samples that return positive – dipped from 21.9% last week to 19.8%, said Union health ministry’s joint secretary Lav Agarwal during the health ministry briefing on Saturday. A dropping positivity rate is indicative of slowing of the spread of infection, but experts urged caution.
Currently, 11 states have over 100,000 active cases and eight states have 50,000 to 100,000 active cases, according to data shared by the official.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Saturday that both the government and the people misread the situation after the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, which resulted in complacency leading to the present situation. The country now needs to face the problem with a positive frame of mind and people should help in whatever capacity they can, he said.
Urging people not to give up, Bhagwat said just as Britain did not lose courage during World War II and withstood adverse conditions to emerge victorious, India should not lose hope and must view the pandemic as a challenge to be overcome.
To underscore the need to face the challenge with a positive frame of mind, he referred to an inscription on former British premier Winston Churchill’s seat that read: “Please understand there is no depression in this house and we are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. They do not exist.”
Delivering a lecture online, Bhagwat said, “Some people have died… they should not have died this way, untimely. But those who have passed away are in a way free and they don’t have to face it anymore… but we have to. We have to keep ourselves and our people safe and therefore we don’t need negationism. We can’t say nothing has happened, everything is alright. We are not saying that. Situation is hard and saddening, but while
accepting that we are not going to allow ourselves to feel negative,” he said.
The lecture is part of a “positivity unlimited” series that the RSS has initiated with an aim to help people overcome difficulties during the second wave of the pandemic. There has been severe criticism of the government for failing to prepare for the second wave and for deficiencies in meeting the demand for health care. Both the RSS and its political arm, the Bharatiya Janata Party, are pushing to shift the popular narrative towards “positivity and a proactive approach”.
“If we get tired and give up, then we will be like the rat who gives up in front of a snake. We cannot let this happen...”
Bhagwat added that now that scientists have cautioned about a third wave, arrangements should be made so that the country is well prepared. “We have to worry about those who depend on daily wages, we should ensure that they do not go hungry...,” he said, adding that the country will also need to start making arrangements to tackle the economic problems.