Amidst an increase in infections in the metropolis and several other northern states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, Delhi reported 63 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the capital’s highest daily total since May of last year.Delhi has recorded 459 cases of the virus in the last 15 days, compared to 191 in the preceding two weeks and 73 in the prior 15 days. According to data from the Union health ministry, 226 instances were registered in Rajasthan in the last 15 days, up from 96 and 27 in the preceding two fortnights, where chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has tested positive.
There aren’t many of them. However, the majority of specialists believe that the true count is probably far higher because testing is still low.The last time Delhi saw more than 50 Covid cases per day was in May 2023. That was in the last stages of a nationwide spike in cases that started in March and reached its zenith in mid-April, when over 12,500 cases were recorded in India on April 19.
Earlier in the winter (Dec-Jan), cases increased once more, albeit at a much slower rate. The highest day count during this surge was 841, which was recorded on December 30 in India. The majority of cases at the time were coming from Kerala, in southern India.
Over two months later, there appears to be a rise currently occurring in the north. Numbers are increasing in UP and Bihar in addition to Delhi and Rajasthan. In the fifteen days from January 20 to February 4, UP has only reported 12 instances. This increased to 36 over the next fortnight (February 4–19), and to 164 during the most recent fortnight (February 19–March 5).
In a similar vein, Bihar has seen an increase in cases—from 14 to 103 during the past two weeks.Infections seem to be abating in Karnataka, where instances had lately increased dramatically. In the most recent 15-day period, the state reported 268 new cases, which is a decrease from 959 two weeks prior.
However, for the past three fortnights, the number of cases in Maharashtra has been relatively stable. In the most recent period, the state reported 496 cases, compared to 466 and 555 in the two fortnights prior.
Experts argue that since Covid is becoming endemic, these sporadic spikes are typical and expected. The virus strain(s) that are now active in the northern states are unknown.
Over the past few weeks, there has been an increase in COVID instances in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar. Everything you need to know about symptoms and how to avoid them.
According to scientists, temperature changes and the advent of newer, more contagious strains of the virus have contributed to an increase in COVID cases during the past few weeks across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar. In the past 24 hours, Delhi has reported 63 new instances of Covid; other northern states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, are also seeing an increase. Delhi last released these figures in May of the previous year.
Delhi has recorded 459 cases of COVID-19 in the last 15 days, up from 191 in the preceding two weeks and 73 in the 15 days prior.Concerns have been raised by the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in northern India, which includes states like Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
A number of important factors, including low testing rates, the emergence of mutant variants, and the region’s variable weather, may be to blame for the upsurge.In an interview with HT Digital, Dr. H Guru Prasad, Associate Clinical Director and Head of Department of Internal Medicine at CARE Hospitals in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, discusses potential reasons for the rise in COVID-19 cases in North India.What’s behind North India’s Covid spike?
According to Dr. Prasad, there appears to be a regional trend of an increase in instances and that the new mutations may be more transmissible than the earlier ones.
Also watch:
South India is seeing a decrease in cases, whereas North India is now seeing “A number of variables, including the introduction of mutant forms, low testing rates, prior waves, geographical variations, and the impact of meteorological conditions, have contributed to the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in northern India. It’s still essential to exercise caution and adhere to vaccination and other preventative measures in order to slow the virus’s spread,” he says.• Emergence of mutant variants: Omicron XE and BA.2, two highly transmissible mutant variants that have been related to an increase in infections, have emerged and contributed considerably to the present spike1.
• Testing rates and real count: Low testing rates imply that reported numbers may not accurately reflect the true scope of illnesses, and that the actual number of cases is probably significantly higher.
• Previous waves and variants: Covid-19 cases have been reported in India in waves that have been caused by different varieties. The B.1.617 variety, also referred to as the “double mutant,” is thought to be more contagious than earlier strains.
• Regional variation: Some regions show varied patterns, whilst the northern states see a spike. As an illustration:
– Karnataka is currently seeing a drop in instances after experiencing a spike recently.
