Punjab CM urges Modi to allow vaccination for younger people as UK Covid variant detected in 81% samples

CHANDIGARH: With a sharp rise in the Covid-19 positive cases, Punjab has detected the UK variant of the virus in 81 per cent of Covid samples in the state. Following which Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urgently allow vaccination for younger people as the new variant affects the younger people.

Reportedly, the UK variant- B117 virus is more infectious and the authorities in UK has confirmed that the new strain is 70% more virulent that the SARS-CoV-2 strain.

According to reports, genome sequencing was conducted on 401 samples from Punjab and the results showed 81 per cent samples were of the B117 virus, which started spreading in the UK since November.

Punjab CM Singh appealed the people to get themselves vaccinated, albeit he urged PM Modi to widen the vaccination ambit to cover those below 60.

The CM further requested people to strictly adhere to all Covid safety protocols, including wearing of masks and maintaining social distancing. The state government, which has already announced fresh restrictions, would be forced to impose more curbs if the people do not follow the Covid appropriate behaviour, he warned.

The Union Health Ministry said that Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu accounted for 80.90% of new cases reported in last 24 hours.

India reported 40,715 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, taking the overall case tally to 1,16,86,796 according to data from the Health Ministry.

There are as many as 3,45,377 active cases in the country at present while 1,11,81,253 people have recovered from the disease.

The Centre on Monday increased the interval between two doses of Covishield to 6-8 weeks following recommendations by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization and the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19. Informing about the updated norm, the Centre wrote to States and Union Territories that it has been found that protection is enhanced if the second dose of Covishield is administered between 6-8 weeks.

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