India records a rise in COVID cases: Should we be worried?

The COVID-19 pandemic has not yet ended.

Though the pandemic has almost faded from our minds, fresh outbreaks in certain states of India have put renewed attention on the infection.

There are fears of a comeback since several north Indian states are experiencing an unusual surge in coronavirus cases.

Let’s take a closer look.

Which states are seeing a COVID-19 spike?

In the last 24 hours, Delhi has seen 63 new COVID cases, which is the highest daily total since May last year, according to data from the Union Health Ministry.

The National Capital has reported 459 cases in total over the last 15 days, up from 191 in the preceding two weeks and 73 in the 15 days before that.

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There is also a surge in cases in other northern states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.

According to health ministry data, Rajasthan, whose Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has tested positive, has also seen a spike in cases, with 226 registered in the last 15 days compared to 96 and 27 in the preceding two fortnights.

From 20 January to 4 February, only 12 cases were reported from Uttar Pradesh. This number grew to 36 in the next two weeks (4 to 19 February), and to 164 in the most recent week (19 February to 5 March).

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Bihar experienced an increase in cases as well, going from 14 in the preceding two weeks to 103 in the most recent one.

What’s the situation in other states?

According to the Economic Times, Karnataka is currently seeing a decrease in cases, despite having experienced a spike in cases previously. In the most recent 15-day period, the state reported 268 new cases, which is down from 959 two weeks prior.

The number of cases in Maharashtra has not fluctuated much in the last three weeks. In the most recent time, the state reported 496 cases, up from 466 and 555 in the preceding two fortnights.

When was the last time India witnessed a spike?

India witnessed a COVID-19 upsurge in March last year that peaked in mid-April when more than 12,500 cases were reported on 19 April, according to Times Now.

The last time Delhi recorded more than 50 COVID-19 cases daily was during the waning period of the nationwide outbreak in May 2023.

Although there was an increase in cases earlier in the winter, especially in December and January, the total was still much lower.

The highest number of cases reported in a single day within that time frame was 841 on 30 December. They were mostly from Kerala and other southern Indian states.

Why are COVID-19 cases rising?

According to The Times of India, experts believe that although the numbers are not too high, the true count could be greater due to low testing rates.

As the virus spreads and becomes endemic, experts say there will inevitably be periodic spikes in the number of COVID cases.

Since details regarding the virus strains present in the northern states are currently unknown, experts advise taking necessary precautions.

What precautions can you take?

Wear masks and use sanitiser while going out.

Boost your immune system by opting for a well-rounded diet year-round and incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses.

Make sure you are properly hydrated. One may also drink coconut water, lemon juice and buttermilk to stay hydrated.

Indulge in physical activities like daily walks, running, jogging, yoga, pilates, and more to fight various infections like COVID-19. Being physically active is also beneficial to reduce the risk of developing heart issues, obesity, and hypertension.

Sanitise your home regularly.

With inputs from agencies