India Is Witnessing The Tail Of Third COVID Wave, Will Gradually Move Towards Endemic: AIIMS Director

New Delhi: As COVID-19 cases continue to be reported below the 20,000 mark, Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Randeep Guleria on Friday (February 25) said the country is currently witnessing the ‘tail’ of the third wave, however, it will gradually reach the stage of endemic. Speaking exclusively to ANI, Guleria said, “India is reporting a decline in COVID-19 cases. We will gradually move into a stage where it may become endemic but right now I think we are still seeing the tail of the third wave.”

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A disease outbreak is endemic when it is consistently present but limited to a particular region. A pandemic is declared when the disease is spread across various countries, as per the World Health Organisation data.

Dr Guleria also urged the people to follow the COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

We must be cautious over the appropriate behaviour which is very important. People must follow the guidelines which are from the Government of India, he said.

He further explained the importance of the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive in the country.

For those who have not got themselves vaccinated, I would like to reassure them once more that please come get yourself vaccinated. Don’t be worried about what social media says about the side effects vaccines are safe. They will also protect you from severe disease, hospitalisation and death. If you have to take your second dose, do please come forward.

Dr Guleria’s remarks came while attending a mega blood donation camp organised by AIIMS this time.

India registered as many as 13,166 fresh COVID-19 infections with a positivity rate of 1.28 per cent and 302 fatalities in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed on Friday. The ministry informed that about 176.86 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive to fight against the virus.

On February 24, India reported 14,148 fresh COVID-19 cases. On February 23, India reported as many as 15,102 fresh COVID-19 infections.

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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.