Delhi govt orders optimal utilisation of all COVID vaccination centres in wake of surge in cases

Authorities in Delhi have decided to “optimally utilise” all COVID-19 vaccination centres in public and private sectors to ensure rapid increase in the pace and coverage of vaccination in view of the surge in cases, according to an official order.

Delhi recorded 2,790 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, the highest daily count this year while nine more people died due to the infection, taking the toll to 11,036, according to the health department.

“In view of surge in COVID-19 cases in states and union territories, it has been decided to optimally utilise all COVID vaccination centres (CVCs) in public and private sector to ensure rapid increase in the pace and coverage of covid vaccination,” reads the order issued by the city health department.

As per the directive received from the Centre, vaccination would be operationalised on all days of the month (including Sundays and gazetted holidays) at all vaccination centres in public and private sectors during April, it said. The district magistrates and chief district medical officers must make arrangements and issue necessary instructions to ensure this, the order said.     The third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive which will span 65 lakh people aged above 45 in the national capital, began on Thursday. By 6 pm, at least 56,531 beneficiaries had received the shots, a senior official of the Delhi health department said. The final figures at 9 pm, however, wasnt immediately available.

Of these, 49,471 people got their first jab while the second dose was administered to 7,060 people.

Four cases of minor adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) were reported, the official said. The inoculation drive is taking place at a time when the coronavirus cases have again mounted in the city in the last few weeks.

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