January Crucial For India, 2 Crore COVID Vaccine Doses Offered To Central Govt Free Of Cost

NEW DELHI: On Wednesday, official sources cautioned that the next 40 days is likely to be crucial as a COVID surge may be seen in India in January.

With a spike in COVID-19 cases witnessed in some countries like China and South Korea, an alert has been sounded by the government and states and Union territories have been asked to prepare for any kind of scenario.

The Health Ministry said that the month of January will be critical for India. Trends of COVID-19 spread suggest that it emerges from East Asia and takes around 30 to 35 days to reach India. With China and Korea facing a surge now, it is estimated that it would hit the country at the end of next month, if it comes at all.

Meanwhile, two crore doses of Covishield vaccine have been offered by The Serum Institute of India (SII) free of cost to the central government amid some countries registering a rise in COVID-19 cases, official sources informed on Wednesday.

Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at the Serum Institute, Prakash Kumar Singh, has reportedly written to the Health Ministry with the offer to supply the doses worth Rs 410 crore free of cost.

According to an official source, more than 170 crore doses of Covishield have so far been provided by SII to the government for the national immunisation programme.

India is also gearing up to face a surge in COVID cases, if a wave hits.

Surveillance and genome sequencing of COVID positive samples have also been stepped up by India to cope with any eventuality.

There are reports that only 27 per cent of the eligible adult population has taken the precaution dose and government officials are now appealing to those who are due for it, to take it as soon as possible.

However, deaths and hospitalisation will apparently be very low even if there is a wave, the Health Ministry sources said. The sources said the severity of the COVID infection is less than previously thought.

Random coronavirus testing has been made mandatory by the government for two per cent of passenger arrivals in each international flight, from Saturday.

Meetings to assess the preparedness of the country to deal with a fresh surge in cases were held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

On Tuesday, mock drills to check operational readiness to deal with any sharp rise in COVID-19 infection were held at health facilities across the country.

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