With the second wave of COVID-19 wreaking havoc across India, the pandemic seems to have not failed to affect the people residing in hills and valleys of Arunachal Pradesh.
India, on Monday, logged 3,417 more COVID-19 deaths and 3,68,147 new positive cases – 13th straight day when the country recorded over 3 lakh COVID-19 cases.
On the other hand, as of May 3, Arunachal Pradesh’s total cases tally has risen to 18,738 with detection of 102 new cases on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 deaths tally in Arunachal Pradesh currently stands at 59 with no new case of death reported in the State.
The state’s recovery rate stands at 92.18%.
The current positivity rate of Arunachal Pradesh is 7.50%.
Also read: Arunachal Pradesh reports 102 new COVID-19 cases, 83 more recover
With cases rising every day, the state has also steered away from the third phase of vaccination drive.
Originally slated to be rolled out for all aged 18 and above from May 1, the vaccination has been postponed for an indefinite period.
The State held “technical issues” responsible for the inability to cater to the needs.
An official, confirming the same, said, “The Arunachal Pradesh Government has adjourned the roll-out of the COVID-19 inoculation drive for those in the 18-44 years age group from May 1, as the state is facing some technical issues.”
Arunachal Pradesh has not been able to start vaccination of its citizens in the age group of 18-45 years, “as the state is yet to receive COVID-19 vaccines from manufacturer”.
The Arunachal Pradesh Health Department is yet to receive an update from the vaccine manufacturer, it approached, on the delivery of the vaccine consignment.
Thus, citizens above the age of 45, as of now, will be vaccinated. There is no vaccination for the people in the 18-45 years age group in Arunachal Pradesh.
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Notably, Arunachal Pradesh is secluded from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan cities.
Amid trying times, this uninvited drawback, might actually help in keeping the numbers low when compared to other states.
Last year, after the first COVID-19 case was detected in Arunachal Pradesh, the State managed to maintain an average of only 4 cases per week during June 2020.
However, Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed a massive spike in the average per week cases detected during the second wave of pandemic with 156 cases per week recorded during April 2021.
Arunachal Pradesh has been strict protocols to ensure the necessary required safety.
The urgency and desperation on part of the administration make sense.
Because, should the overburdened Indian healthcare system collapse, it will trigger a crisis.