Herd immunity indirect protection from Covid-19, not an option in India: Centre

A Health Ministry official said at a press conference, "Herd immunity is an indirect protection from a disease. This saves a population from a disease. But it develops when a vaccine is developed or when a population has already suffered and recovered from it.

"Herd immunity in India is not an option. It can only happen after a vaccine has been developed."

Stressing on the increase in percentage of recovery rate, the ministry said 16 Indian states or union territories have a recovery rate better than the national average which is 64.44%.

India, which comprises 36 states and union territories, reported 52,123 Covid-19 cases while 775 people succumbed to the disease in 24 hours between Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

With the fresh cases, the overall Covid-19 tally touched 15,83,792.

So far in the country comprising 36 states and union territories, 34,968 people have died of Covid.

32,553 people have recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours while there are 5,28,242 active Novel Coronavirus cases.

India to enter into Unlock 3

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday issued new guidelines for opening up of more activities in areas outside the containment zones and removing the 'night curfew' which restricted the movements of individuals during the night.

The new set of guidelines for lifting up restrictions of anti-coronavirus lockdown in the third phase would be effective in the country from Aug 1.

As a part of Unlock 3, the MHA has allowed yoga institutes and gymnasiums to reopen from Aug 5.

However, it has been decided that schools, colleges and coaching institutions will remain closed till Aug 31.

Large gatherings are still prohibited and hence, metro rail services, cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places will remain closed.