BHUBANESWAR: The capital city, where daily Covid count is still hovering around 300, is hoping that it could be spared a possible third wave given that it has administered at least one dose of vaccine to the entire eligible population of 8.50 lakh. Besides, more than 50% of its targeted population have received the second dose.
In fact, more than the targeted beneficiaries have been inoculated with the first dose because of the floating population. “People from outside the city are also coming and taking the vaccine here. So far, we have administered the first dose to 9.50 lakh people, while more than 5 lakh have received both the doses,” said Antaryami Mishra, additional district urban public health officer.
Experts are of the opinion that if the capital achieves 100% inoculation (both does) by the middle of August, then there is very little chance that a third wave, if any, will have an impact. “Unless we have a virus in more mutant form and people become too careless, the capital may be spared from the impact of the third wave, if at all it hits. The wise thing will be to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour even when life gets back to normal,” said Dr Manoj Sahu, senior gastroenterologist and Covid in-charge at Sum Hospital.
As Covid cases went up in the second wave, city authorities hit upon novel ideas to expedite the vaccination drive. In order to ensure a hassle-free exercise, it introduced walk-in sessions without prior registration as well as drive-in vaccination. Besides, unlike other districts, the capital was never short of vaccine.
The city on Saturday reported 211 new infections against 272 recoveries, bringing the active cases down to 1241.
