Dharamshala: Amidst the appearance of the delta variant of the COVID-19, even as the mass inoculation drive is in progress, which has led to the resultant declining cases in India, the task force committee appealed to the public to observe sustained preventive measures at the 68th Covid-19 briefing.
Amchi Tsamchoe updated the weekly COVID-19 data, which is as follows: 148 exile Tibetans reported positive this week, of which 82 were male and 66 female, the eldest is 96 and the youngest of which is a 6-month-old, with no deaths reported this week.
Thus far, the reported Covid-19 cases of the exile Tibetan community is 5,356, with 4897 recoveries, 132 deceased, and 327 active cases. A higher number of those concentrated in the settlements of Bylakuppe, she shared.
Globally, the COVID-19 tally has crossed the 187 million mark, with the US leading ahead with 33 million, even as the new delta variant is rapidly advancing reaching 104 countries already. Similarly, 44,806 cases were recorded in India in the past 24 hours, with 4,32,000 active cases.
The weekly quarantine status of exile Tibetans is thus: 495 Tibetans are at home quarantine and 537 at institutional quarantine, bringing it to 1032 cases.
Sorig immune boosters have benefitted 38,125 Tibetans funded by the Health department and partially by Men-Tsee-Khang over one and a half years. Identified as the most vulnerable in the looming 3rd wave of the pandemic, children between the ages of 4-17 continue to receive the Sorig immune booster distribution in progress for the past month, covering 5567 positive patients.
The mental health committee has provided tele-counselling to 34 patients.
Mass testing has covered 603 Tibetans this week.
The ongoing vaccination drive has so far covered 86% of Tibetans eligible for vaccine.19,771 are fully vaccinated amounting to 36.25% population; 27,166 Tibetans received the 1st jab bringing it to 44.81%. Across Nepal, 403 received both doses, and 1,045 received the 1st dose totaling 1448, constituting 17. 73% Tibetans as per the latest data of the Health Department.
She noted that public gathering, primarily due to the reopening of interstate travel and festivities, has seen cases spike amongst Tibetan society and cautioned against infectious diseases, particularly malaria and dengue, in the monsoon season.
Dr Namdol informed that while Covid-19 cases are declining across India in the past week to an average of around 40,000 cases leading to the opening of restrictions by the Indian government. She said the infection risk remains a threat, stressing vaccination and precautionary measures and reiterated that a gap of 84 days is required between the first and second jabs.
