COVID-19 resurgence brings restrictions owing to the R-factor inching to 1.2 in Tamil Nadu
Coimbatore: Even as states relaxed lockdown restrictions when fresh cases of Covid-19 were on the decline, the State's bid to return to normalcy has been halted in its track with the R-factor posing a huge problem to the Government that has been working hard to bring down the spread.
The Health Ministry stated on Tuesday that the reproductive number or the R- factor which is the method of rating the Coronavirus' ability to spread is more than 1 in eight states, including Tamil Nadu. R is the number of people that one infected person can spread the virus to, and if the R-factor is at 1 and above, it means that one person can easily pass on the Covid virus to more than one individual.
The R-factor was 0.78 in June in Tamil Nadu, according to Chennai’s Indian Institute of Mathematical Sciences. While it is said that the R-factor should be below 0.6, it is 1.2 in Tamil Nadu. This, however, indicates that the spread of the virus is increasing in the state. The recent spike in cases in the state bears proof to it. Ever since assuming office, the Government of Tamil Nadu led by M K Stalin has been taking intensive measures to bring down the rate of Covid infections. But since the R-factor is at 1.2 in the state, more drastic steps are required to stop the spread.
Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra has been reporting a decrease in cases even though it has an R-factor of 1. However, Tamil Nadu reported a spike in cases in the last few days. With less stock of vaccines, the Government seems to be shouldering a huge burden in trying to curb the spread. Health Department officials and public health experts say vaccination is another way to bring down the reproduction (R) number, but vaccine supply into Tamil Nadu is less.
On an average, a Covid-positive person infects three persons, but if a vaccine could protect two of them from infection, then the reproduction number would fall from three to one. But the State has been reeling under shortage of vaccine supply from the Centre. The total number of doses administered in the State stands at 2,39,17,262. Nearly 5.76 percent of the population in Tamil Nadu are completely vaccinated while 25.84 percent received at least a single dose. Doses per 100 people in the state stands at 31.6. In addition, even if the state procures more vaccine doses in future, it will again become a problem and will fall short of vaccinating the 12-17 age group as and when it begins.
The Government of India is planning to inoculate children in the 12-18 years age group in September ahead of the predicted inevitable third wave of Corona, which is said to have severe impact on children. The Government had approved Zydus Cadila vaccine for the children to administer while they await phase 3 trials of Covaxin.
With less supply of vaccines in hand, the Government of Tamil Nadu has brought imposition of restrictions to curb the spread since thereseems to be no other choice available. Experts say that though the Government has imposes restrictions and maybe even complete lockdown in the future, the supply in vaccinations need to rise to bring down the spread due to the R-factor. Experts also opine that the Centre must supply more doses to Tamil Nadu since the state is now at the risk of Covid-19 resurgence.
The Health Ministry stated on Tuesday that the reproductive number or the R- factor which is the method of rating the Coronavirus' ability to spread is more than 1 in eight states, including Tamil Nadu. R is the number of people that one infected person can spread the virus to, and if the R-factor is at 1 and above, it means that one person can easily pass on the Covid virus to more than one individual.
The R-factor was 0.78 in June in Tamil Nadu, according to Chennai’s Indian Institute of Mathematical Sciences. While it is said that the R-factor should be below 0.6, it is 1.2 in Tamil Nadu. This, however, indicates that the spread of the virus is increasing in the state. The recent spike in cases in the state bears proof to it. Ever since assuming office, the Government of Tamil Nadu led by M K Stalin has been taking intensive measures to bring down the rate of Covid infections. But since the R-factor is at 1.2 in the state, more drastic steps are required to stop the spread.
Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra has been reporting a decrease in cases even though it has an R-factor of 1. However, Tamil Nadu reported a spike in cases in the last few days. With less stock of vaccines, the Government seems to be shouldering a huge burden in trying to curb the spread. Health Department officials and public health experts say vaccination is another way to bring down the reproduction (R) number, but vaccine supply into Tamil Nadu is less.
On an average, a Covid-positive person infects three persons, but if a vaccine could protect two of them from infection, then the reproduction number would fall from three to one. But the State has been reeling under shortage of vaccine supply from the Centre. The total number of doses administered in the State stands at 2,39,17,262. Nearly 5.76 percent of the population in Tamil Nadu are completely vaccinated while 25.84 percent received at least a single dose. Doses per 100 people in the state stands at 31.6. In addition, even if the state procures more vaccine doses in future, it will again become a problem and will fall short of vaccinating the 12-17 age group as and when it begins.
The Government of India is planning to inoculate children in the 12-18 years age group in September ahead of the predicted inevitable third wave of Corona, which is said to have severe impact on children. The Government had approved Zydus Cadila vaccine for the children to administer while they await phase 3 trials of Covaxin.
With less supply of vaccines in hand, the Government of Tamil Nadu has brought imposition of restrictions to curb the spread since thereseems to be no other choice available. Experts say that though the Government has imposes restrictions and maybe even complete lockdown in the future, the supply in vaccinations need to rise to bring down the spread due to the R-factor. Experts also opine that the Centre must supply more doses to Tamil Nadu since the state is now at the risk of Covid-19 resurgence.