New Delhi (TIP): Three in five Indian adults have been covered with at least one Covid vaccine dose and 20 per cent have received both the doses.

New government data show Chandigarh entering the coveted league of states and UTs to have protected their adult population with the first Covid dose.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan today said 62 per cent people aged 18 and above had received the Covid shots, and 20 per cent have received both the doses as the pace of vaccination increases.

As of September 16, 57.86 crore first doses of Covid 19 vaccine have been administered while 18.70 crore people have received both doses.

“Chandigarh is the new addition to the states and UTs where all adults have received at least one dose,” Bhushan said.

Commenting on the scale of inoculation the government said that in the first 11 days of September over 11 crore doses have been administered which is double of the doses given through the entire month of May.

The government also said of the 3,651 Pressure Swing Absorption Plants for medical oxygen generation which have been sanctioned, 1,595 have been commissioned so far.

This comes to 43.6 pc — less than half the sanctioned plants.

The government said of the total 3,651 PSA plants sanctioned with 4,751 MT capacity generation when commissioned, 1,491 plants with 2,281 MT have been commissioned with central support and 2,140 with 2,289 MT capacity with the states and other sources (states, urban local bodies, MPLAD, CSR etc) support.

“Of the 1,595 PSA plants commissioned so far with 2,088 MT medical oxygen generation, 731 (with 1024 MT) PSA plants commissioned are with central resources and 862 plants (1,065 MT capacity) with state and other resources.

The government today asked states to prepare ahead for any potential COVID surge noting that right now the situation is stable with cases reducing even in Kerala but the months of October and November would be critical given the festive season.

“The next quarter will be critical. We advise states and municipal corporations to prepare ahead to ensure best models of home care and also to prepare infrastructure,” Member Health NITI Aayog VK Paul said.

ICMR chief Balram Bhargava suggested four measures to control Covid — rapid vaccination, Covid appropriate behaviour, responsible travel if necessary and responsible festivities.

India saw 30,570 new cases in the last 24 hours, 68 pc of them from Kerala.

As of today 34 districts have over 10 pc positivity and 32 have a positivity rate between 5 to 10 pc.

Overall national positivity rate has been below 3 pc for eleven weeks but 64 districts of concern remain an issue.

Source: TNS