Rising Covid numbers in the country are worrisome, Cachar DC urges higher participation in Vaccination

Memories of March 2020 has again started to haunt Indians. It was March last year when the Covid numbers started rising. To combat the situation, Prime Minister of the country announced a nationwide lockdown which the economists later defined as the strictest measures taken by any country in the world.

March 2021, the numbers are rising again. Yesterday, the country saw 40,953 positive cases, biggest single-day spike in four months. Maharastra alone had 25,681 cases. Many state governments have started imposing lockdowns and restrictions. People in each state are worried that the number might skyrocket again.

However, world’s largest vaccination drive is also going on in the country. According to the data available on Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, so far, 4,20,63,392 jabs have been administered to more than four crore beneficiaries. But that is just around 3% of the total population.

The concern has started to grow in Cachar district too. With the general election to Assembly knocking at the door, there is gathering at every nook and corner of the district. Moreover, flouting guidelines issues by the MoHFW the supporters of candidates remain unmasked most of the times.

Responding to Barak Bulletin’s query on the current Covid scenario, Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, Keerthi Jalli informed, “There are 7 Covid positive cases as of today in Cachar.”

She added, “The rising numbers are worrisome as public has gotten lax. Usage of masks, sanitisers and vaccination should help in building herd immunity. Would request for more participation on our vaccination drive. Public still needs to be on guard. We are awaiting for further instructions from the government.”

With the rise in Covid cases, the probability of another lockdown is also rising. “The onus is on the general public,” says a professor who teaches Economics. Adding, “The country’s economy is slowly crawling back towards normalcy. At this juncture, another lockdown in major cities will have a horrible impact. But the bureaucracy won’t have an option if the numbers start to grow again. The best way of handling the situation is by following the guidelines like wearing mask, maintaining physical distancing and living a clean and hygienic life.”

India’s overall workforce has failed to grow. It was 42 crore in 2016, and has dropped to 40 crore by Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy count. More women have lost their jobs and most of them are yet to get one. The participation of women in the workforce has also declined. Two crore employees have been driven out of employment during the pandemic which is a huge burden for the country’s economy.

Lockdowns across the country is a real possibility once again. It will be devastating for sure, but it is avoidable. The rest depends on how the general public behave collectively and how the government carries out the vaccination drive.