It has happened! After the consistent surge in the active Covid-19 cases, India on Saturday crossed the critical 4-lakh mark. While the number of new infections is still at moderate levels, it is the consistency that has sent the alarm bells ringing. Along with this, the crucial R-factor has also breached the existing mark. At 1.17, the R-factor value is much higher than what we saw almost three weeks back when the Centre and other health experts had warned about the impending third wave.

We should also keep in mind other vector-borne diseases and viral infections, and flu which are prevalent at this time of the year. The situation is worrisome in Uttar Pradesh. There is no clarity of the mystery fever, while many maintain that it is dengue.

The problem with this scenario is that in case a person is feeling feverish or complains of general flu-like symptoms, the immediate response is not about Covid but that of dengue or malaria. In some cases, this might be true also, but the consensus of being vigilant about the novel coronavirus has somewhat taken a backseat. India is almost in the total unlock stage barring few regional curbs. While we agree that lockdowns are not a permanent solution to this, but a societal change must come from within. In terms of daily caseloads, Kerala Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, and Mizoram are showing the continued surge. These are the same states that have an R-factor value of more than 1.

However, a positive ray of hope continues to be the vaccination drive across the country. India's cumulative number of administration of doses crossed 67.72 crore as of Saturday. The vaccination drive, on the other hand, has led to more states opening up their borders for tourism, allowing either tourists who have been vaccinated or those who get a negative RT-PCR test to enter their states. While the move is required to revive the economies of the states as well as the tourism industry, it can also pose problems in the prevention of a threatening third wave.

India reported 42,766 new Coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, taking its overall Covid-19 tally to 3,29,88,673, while active cases rose for a fifth consecutive day, the Union health ministry said on Sunday. With 308 new fatalities, The Covid-19 death toll has climbed to 4,40,533. The number of active Covid-19 cases in the country has increased to 4,10,048, and now comprises 1.24 per cent of the total infections, the health ministry said.

As India battles the invisible enemy, here are state-wise Covid updates from the country and around the world:

(With inputs from agencies)