"Still Witnessing 2nd Covid Wave": Centre Warns Of Festive Season Spike

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan scheduled to speak to officials of Kerala and Maharashtra today to take stock of Covid situation.

Parts of India are still in the midst of the second Covid wave that began earlier this year, the Union Health Ministry said today. It warned of a possible spike in the weeks ahead as a result of the approaching festive season. "The second surge has not yet concluded. It is not over and, therefore, we have to maintain all necessary precautions, particularly in light of our experience that after every festival we see a spike," Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said today at a press briefing in New Delhi. "The coming months of September and October are crucial for us because we would be celebrating a few festivals. Thus, festivals have to be celebrated with Covid-appropriate behaviour." Mr Bhushan's comments came a day after Kerala reported a huge surge of over 30,000 new cases, which was dubbed "Onam Spike" by the state government. The state celebrated its annual harvest festival last Saturday.