'29K cold chain points, 45K refrigerators for COVID vaccine drive'

COVID19 cases and deaths are declining in India which is very reassuring the Centre said on Tuesday but cautioned against any laxity saying an overwhelming proportion of the countrys population is still very very susceptible to the virus and the situation may escalate unexpectedlyGuidelines for management of cold chain at last cold chain points and session sites have been issuedAt least 29000 cold chain points 240 walkin coolers 70 walkin freezers 45000 icelined refrigerators 41000 deep freezers and 300 solar refrigerators will be used for the COVID19 vaccination driveStates have been asked to identify at least one adverse event following immunisation AEFI management centre in each blockWhile there is a continuous increasing trend in COVID19 cases and deaths globally particularly in America and Europe and the situation in the world is becoming worrisome in contrast the scene in India is satisfying as the cases and deaths are declining Dr V K Paul member health at NITI Aayog told a press conference hereMortality is declining and it is well below 400 per day Cases have come down to almost 22000 This is the kind of number we all experienced in July So that is very reassuring As a nation we seem to be now doing very wellWe are saving lives But remember this cannot be taken for granted An overwhelming proportion of our population is still very very susceptible to the virus And the situation can escalate unexpectedly Paul said while cautioning against any laxityHe further said the reassuring thing is that people are saying the R0 has come below one which means the pandemic is shrinkingSo we should be happy about that but cautiously happy he saidNoting Delhi has made progress he said We congratulate the government of Delhi as also all the other governments who have done so well in contributing towards such a significant control in cases in recent timesPaul however expressed concern over the COVID19 situation in some states like Uttarakhand Nagaland and Himachal Pradesh and stated all efforts to control the spread are being made in collaboration with these governmentsUnion Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that more than 1555 crore tests have been conducted so far for detection of coronavirus infection in the country and the cumulative positivity rate has come down to 637 while the average daily positivity rate during last week was 300 per centIndias Case Fatality Rate CFR is also among the lowest in the world At present Indias CFR is 145 per cent whereas globally it is 226 per cent Bhushan saidSpeaking about the preparation for the COVID19 vaccination drive Bhushan said guidelines for estimation of electrical and nonelectrical cold chain equipment and their strengthening have been issued to statesAdverse events following immunisation is a critical aspect Even during universal immunisation programmes which have been going on for decades some adverse effects are seen in children and pregnant women after vaccinationSo we cant deny the possibility of an adverse event when the COVID19 vaccination begins The countries where inocolution has already started especially in the UK adverse events took place on the very first day So it is essential that states and union territories prepare for this too Bhushan saidDetailed instructions on infection prevention and control practices during vaccination and management of minor severe serious adverse events following immunisation AEFI have been issued to statesKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever