These states still have over 10,000 active Covid cases, details here

New Delhi, Jul 24: Nine states still have over 10,000 active coronavirus cases, the government said, noting that it is critical to strictly follow Covid-appropriate behaviour as the second wave is still not over.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in partnership with UNICEF, on Friday, hosted an orientation-cum-interaction session for officers and field reporters.

Addressing the event, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry, said COVID-19 is a long-drawn battle and there is no scope of complacency. He underscored that all those who engage with media and media persons are major influencers of the society as they can encourage people to vaccinate through positive reporting.

Agarwal acknowledged that the media plays a constructive role in overcoming vaccine hesitancy by busting myths and fake news that is shared on ubiquitous social media platforms. Through a detailed and comprehensive presentation, he gave a snapshot of the Covid situation in the country. He said that focus on containment and clinical management aided in higher recovery and lower total active number of cases.

He highlighted nine states that still have more than 10,000 active cases.

During his address, he underlined the need to remind citizens through evidence-based reporting that it is critical to strictly follow Covid-appropriate behaviour as the second wave is still not over and that the virus can strike back as soon as society ignores adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour.

He also emphasised on the issue of mental health during Covid and requested media persons to address it through their messaging by engaging with subject experts from state and at national-level. Agarwal urged to highlight community-led positive initiatives and role models so that positive messages linked to vaccines and vaccination can reach a larger population and contribute to addressing issues of vaccine hesitancy.