Covid-19 has not gone, is changing forms and resurfacing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the coronavirus has not gone away and keeps resurfacing, and cautioned people not to let their guard down in the battle against the pandemic.

The PM’s statement comes days after the Centre had warned five states to not let their guard down. According to the Centre, Kerala, Mizoram, Maha­rashtra, Delhi, and Haryana are reporting a higher contribution to India’s daily new Covid cases. With 1,054 fresh cases, India’s Covid tally has climbed to 4,30,35,271, while the death toll due to the viral disease has gone up to 5,21,685 with 29 more fatalities, the health ministry said on Sunday.

Nobody knows when the bahurupiya (one that changes form) Covid-19 will resurface, Modi said, adding that administering nearly 1.85 billion doses of vaccines to control its spread was made possible due to public support.

He was addressing via video conferencing the Mahapatotsav programme of Maa Umiya Dham at Vanthali in Gujarat’s Junagadh district.

“Covid-19 pandemic was a big crisis, and we are not saying that the crisis is over. It may have taken a pause, but we never know when it will resurface. It is a ‘bahurupiya’ disease. To stop this, nearly 1.85 billion doses (of vaccines) were administered, which surprised the world. This has been made possible due to your support,” he said.

The prime minister also said the awareness against female foeticide has resulted in the country’s daughters showing their might in the Olympics. “Who will not take pride in our daughters?” he added. PTI