As the summer has arrived, the COVID19 infections have yet again witnessed a rise in the country. On Tuesday, the country witnessed the highest over 24000 cases; the highest in the year and after the vaccine was rolling out by Prime minster Narendra Modi.
During the last one week, the cases of COVID 19 continued to rise and remaining over 20000. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 22,82,80,763 samples have been tested up to March 15, with 8,73,350 samples tested on Monday. On the other hand, the recovery rate has further dropped to 96.65 per cent.
Owing to this alarming spike in the COVID19 infections with few states widely affected, the speculations are running for yet another spell of nationwide lockdown. The Prime Minister is holding a virtual meeting with the state Chief ministers with regard to initiatives taken to stop the spread of virus.
PM was regularly holding the video conferences with the chief ministers till January this year. However, this time the meeting will hold a significant importance given to an unprecedented rise in the cases. This is also the first video conference by Prime Minister with CMs after the vaccine was rolled out.
The centre had already announced that it will bear the expenses of vaccinating nearly three crore healthcare and frontline workers in the first round and suggested that public representatives, a reference to politicians, should not be part of this initial exercise.
In the second round now people over 60 years of age, and those aged above 45 years and having comorbidities. As of now on Tuesday the country’s infection tally stands to 1,13,85,339, according to Union health ministry data. It is to be believed that the fresh strategy will be chalked out following the meeting of PM with Chief Ministers to find the solution to the growing problem.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory administration also braces up itself to fight the spread of COVID19. Come summer, the UT and Kashmir especially might find itself in the troubled zone in case the measures are not taken on ground.
During the summers, the Kashmir is witnessing an unprecedented footfalls of the people from other states and from abroad for various reasons. In case the preparations are not undertaken at this point of time, it is unlikely the situation may come under control later.
The administration, however, must ensure the economic activities may not suffer. Kashmir has already suffered a lot on economic front and two successive lockdowns of 2019 and 2020 have wracked havoc to its economy with lakhs of people rendered jobless. Any lockdown in future may prove economically catastrophic.
