Public support must to contain virus menace
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: July 01, 2021 -

THE sudden spike in the number of daily infection cases on Tuesday rings out the message that checking further spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in the state will depend on the public strictly adhering to the basic safety protocols and the government authority diligently enforcing the containment measures along with accelerating the vaccination campaign.

After a semblance of plateauing of the daily infection rate for nearly a fortnight, Tuesday recording the June's second highest daily positivity rate of 15.44 per cent coupled with multiple cases in specific localities indicates rapid spread of the virus.

While death of over 750 patients this year alone out of the state's total toll exceeding 1100 testifies severity of the second wave of Covid-19, the upsurge in positive cases compared to ordinary testing rates in the past 10 days leaves nothing to doubt about gravity of the crisis situation.

Moreover, as over 400 patients lodged in different Covid care facilities are either on oxygen or ventilator support, there is strong possibility of the fatality count rising unless spread of the virus could not be contained.

Even more disturbing trend ofthe second wave is that the contagion is no more concentrated in the densely populated twin capital districts.

Regardless of Imphal East and Imphal West districts continuing to see maximum number of daily positive cases, official report confirming 120 Thoubal district denizens contracting the disease and Churachand-pur accounting for 150 of the state's total of 780 cases on Tuesday illustrate both gravity of the pandemic situation and clear indication about the citizens not following Covid appropriate behaviour.

Thus, the rapid transmission of the virus should make the health authorities realise that control ofthe pandemic will not be entirely dependent on public maturity and adoption of the basic health practices.

Rather, the evolving situation merits coordinated efforts between the government machinery and the frontline workers.

While public awareness on Covid-19 and strict adherence to the safety guidelines would definitely help in at-least keeping the situation under control, it is high time that the government make public the findings, if any, of the expert committee formed to ascertain reasons for the deaths of Covid patients in hospital set-up rather than the political figures repeatedly citing belated admission and treatment procedures for the fatalities.

The committee constituted specifically by the government to carry out extensive awareness campaigns should also demonstrate its activities considering the contention by the government that public nonchalance to the basics of preventive measures is the main factor for deepening of the crisis situation.

Moreover, the government authorities should strive to vaccinate as many ofthe eligible population as possible for administering vaccines remains the surest means to lessen infection and severity from the disease.

As announcements or assurances by some MLAs to provide cash reward and free rice to those coming for vaccination underscore substantial number of people not interested in taking the vaccine doses, the committee entrusted to create public awareness on Covid-19 SOPs may also double up as the messengers on safety and effectiveness of the vaccine against the contagion.

Unlike the recent past when test, track and treatment were perceived to be effective in curbing the pandemic, the prevailing grave situation wouldn't recede unless the vaccination programme is intensified and the public forced to uphold Covid-appropriate behaviour as there is no reason to be lenient on the rogue elements in the society, who disrespect safety concerns of others.