NAGPUR: With lowest ever new cases in the last 15 months, fewest deaths due to Covid-19 in 16 months, and only 281 patients under treatment in entire region — August has proved to be the best month for Vidarbha in terms of Covid-19 control.
In the last 31 days, all 11 districts of Vidarbha combined have reported 932 new cases. Less than these (294) cases in a month were reported only in April 2020. Since then, no month has reported less than 1,000 cases till July 2021. This means, August was better than April 2020, when even the first wave was not fully set in.
“Statistically, August has many good indicators for Vidarbha. If we get one more month like this, we can certainly claim the pandemic is going to become an endemic now,” said epidemiologist Anand Thatte.
According to him, not only the numbers but many other factors are important in August. “Vaccination has played its role and the effects are visible now. The month has reported only 17 deaths due to Covid-19. This means, we have successfully curbed the mortality,” Thatte added.
Health officials have also observed that it’s almost eight weeks since the rural schools have started functioning, but no notable spike in any school or village was noticed. A senior official from divisional health department told TOI that they are monitoring the situation very closely.
Authorities are still taking careful steps as the threat of third wave is still there. “Next six to eight weeks will be crucial. We are expecting a little surge in new cases. If the festive season passes off without spikes in cases and deaths, it is going to be a milestone for us,” said an official.
Doctors told TOI that the time is favourable, but we must not to become irresponsible. “Till the time the virus is not coming with renewed variant which is more lethal or infective, we are not going to see major surge or the situation like second wave,” said infectious disease specialist Dr Nitin Shinde. He also said that the Delta+ variant is not a major threat as it is not more lethal or fatal than Delta, which initiated the second wave in Vidarbha during February this year.
Members of the state Covid task force said people should continue wearing mask, follow Covid distancing and avoid unnecessary crowding. “Being overprotected is sometimes better than being under-protected,” said Dr Ravindra Sarnaik.
