XE variant: Centre writes to Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Mizoram
By: Pallab Ghosh
Radiance News Service
The new XE variant that has been spreading across cities has created concern for the health fraternity. The Centre wrote to the state governments in Delhi, Haryana, Mizoram, and Uttar Pardesh and warned about the increasing number of COVID cases across these states.
On Tuesday, Delhi reported over 632 fresh COVID cases showing a rise from Monday's 501 cases. The infection tally has increased to 18,69,683 while the death toll stood at 26,160. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will review the situation on April 20.
Maharashtra showed a serious outbreak earlier has once again raised an alarm. On Tuesday, the state reported over 137 COVID cases and three deaths taking place - two in Pune, and one in Parbhani taking the state's tally to 78,76,041 and the toll to 1,47,830.
The situation is serious in the neighbouring Gautam Budh Nagar (Noida), Uttar Pradesh. Over 107 fresh cases were reported, out of which 33 are children.
However, the Kerala government refuted the allegations that the state did not submit daily COVID reports to the Centre and termed an ongoing campaign at the national level in this connection as “condemnable”.
There is West Bengal government had officially revoked the order to follow COVID protocols. The state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said how long can people follow the protocols as it's a cumbersome process besides there are no COVID cases being reported in the state. Though the medical fraternity in the state had requested the government not to revoke COVID protocols as a mask and social distancing is extremely important.
If you thought that you are safe and protected from COVID by taking the two dosages of vaccines, then you are wrong these vaccines might decrease the chances of fatality but cannot protect you from the news variants. In the present situation, though at an initial level, the health department has stressed wearing masks, and maintaining social distancing. It's too early to predict whether lockdowns and night curfews will return.