Ranchi: With the mass vaccination drive likely to show its impact in the weeks to come, Jharkhand took a giant step towards defeating the Covid-19 pandemic on Friday night as the number of active cases fell below the 1,000-mark for the first time since early July. Over the last couple of months, there has been a gradual decrease in the number of active cases as daily fresh cases have consistently been outnumbered by recoveries.
On Friday, the number of active cases statewide fell to 978, more than six months after the figure breached the 1,000-mark milestone on July 9. Along with fall in the numbers, a natural safety wall has now been created by the patients who have recovered from the infection. On July 8, the number of cure persons stood at 2,170 while the figure on Friday was 1,16,116.
These recovered people are likely to act as natural barriers against any further spread of the virus, the wall which the ongoing vaccination drive aims to strengthen. However, public health affairs still pin their hopes on inoculation as the effectiveness and longevity of naturally developed antibodies is unknown.
“Undoubtedly, persons recovering from Covid-19 infection have antibodies against the virus, but their concentration over a period of time varies and little can be said with certainty,” said Dr Devesh Kumar, head of preventive social medicine at Rims, underlining the need for vaccination.
Kumar’s concerns gains ground from the fact that certain cases of reinfection were reported in the state, the most high profile case being that of Ajsu Party chief and former deputy CM Sudesh Mahto, who tested positive twice within a matter of a couple of months. Such cases indicate that naturally created antibodies have not been completely effective.
IMA State president Dr AK Singh also believes that the chain of infection can be effectively broken only by vaccination. “We are on path of fast recovery, but the need for vaccination still cannot be ruled out,” he said.
Though the vaccination drive is gradually picking pace in the state, we can expect the first batch of 3,200 vaccine-guarded people only after February 27. The first vaccine dose was given to 3200 health workers on January 16 and they would be given the second dose on February 13. According to experts the vaccine becomes active two weeks after the second dose indicating that the first batch of people would have efficient antibodies against the virus on and after February 27.
“Since vaccination is going to be effective two weeks after the second dose, we are asking people to maintain social distance and wear masks and practice all good sanitation habits for the time being,” said state IDSP head Dr Praveen Kumar Karn.