Vax keeping mortality low, get jabbed to stay safe: CM

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said vaccination is proving very helpful in keeping Covid-19 mortality low in the ongoing third wave and urged people to get jabbed on time when their dose is due.
Speaking after reviewing Covid-19 vaccination progress and preparedness in Aligarh on Saturday, the CM said: “Vaccination has helped in protecting against severe illness and deaths due to Covid-19 and hence the third wave is appearing to be less severe than the second.But prevention is still needed, and people need to stay alert and safe.”
In UP too, nearly 98% of Covid patients are in home isolation. Also, three fourth of those in hospital diagnosed with Covid-19 may be called incidental as the infection in them has been detected during regular screening.
Experts said the nature of the omicron virus is also responsible for lesser suffering in third wave. “The virus is largely affecting the upper respiratory track unlike the delta strain which damaged the lower respiratory track. As a result, the damage to lungs is not seen. The number of cases is high because the omicron is more contagious,” said Dr Vikasendu Agarwal, state surveillance officer, UP, adding that over 90% of the Covid patients are infected with the omicron variant.
Assuring that the state government is making all efforts to save lives and livelihood, the CM told patients at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Joint Hospital, Aligarh, “Uttar Pradesh, the country’s largest state by population, has played a leading role in successful and effective corona management. Our management model has been appreciated all around the world. The Prime Minister guided and supported us at every step.”
Appreciating the work done by surveillance committees, the CM said, “Through these committees, the work of providing medicine kits to people with symptoms, getting them tested, home isolation or hospitalization as per need is going on continuously.”
UP is the front runner in Covid-19 vaccination as well, he added.