India COVID Cases February 19
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India has reported a slight decrease in COVID cases since yesterday. As of February 19, 2022 (8:00 IST), there has been a total of 22,135 new cases reported across India.
Kerala has reported 7,780 at this time. Maharashtra registered 2,068 cases, and Karnataka stands at 1,333 cases at this time. Today’s number is slightly lower than yesterday’s and below the 200,000 mark that was previously reported.
This is the twelfth day that the cases have fallen below 100,000. Despite the decrease in cases, public precaution is still advised. Social Distancing, vaccination, and wearing masks is still recommended.
WHO Warning
Due to the decline in cases, many countries are beginning to relax their COVID-19 measures. The World Health Organization warns that if there is a new variant that appeared, it will be hard to control.
Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic in Wuhan, the virus has mutated several times. The deadliest was the Delta variant. Then came Omicron, however scientists who studied the variant said it was not life-threatening. This has led to many countries beginning to relax on their measures. Relaxation includes opening borders, removing lockdowns and curfews.
WHO advises not to take the decision in haste. “We do recognize this desire to open up, this desire to go back to normal. But if that desire to go back to completely normal, in that sense, is going to sustain this pandemic going forward than much longer it needs to be, then we really need to think about that,” Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Program Mike Ryan said at a briefing on Thursday.
He warned that if there is a new variant, then it will be hard to put these measures back in place. Also, he suggests a slow and steady approach to reopening. He did acknowledge uncertainty on the mutation of the virus, however, he said it’s better to be cautious.
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