Covid is back with a bang in India. How worried should you be? We asked a doctor
The increase in COVID-19 cases is mainly due to the omicron subvariant called XBB.1.16. Photo: dailyO
Over the past few days, India has experienced a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases.
According to the latest data from the Home Ministry on April 14, India recorded a total of 49,622 active cases, with an additional 11,109 cases reported.
The daily positivity rate was 5.01%, and the weekly positivity rate was 4.29%. Despite the surge in cases, the country's recovery rate remains high, at 98.70%.
States have begun conducting mock drills in both public and private hospitals under the guidance of health ministers, keeping in mind the increasing Covid cases.
COVID-19 | India reports 11,109 new cases in last 24 hours; the active caseload stands at 49,622
— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2023
(Representative Image) pic.twitter.com/JBAYX6MaXF
As people begin to panic over the surge in Covid-19 cases, experts offer a different perspective. According to sources close to the government who spoke to PTI, the number of new Covid-19 cases is expected to continue rising for the next 10-12 days before cases subside.
They added that in India, Covid is moving towards the 'endemic stage'.
But what is the endemic stage?
Dr Shyam Sharma, a physician from Assam, explains what the endemic stage is.
- According to Dr Sharma, the current situation differs from a pandemic because the virus is somewhat contained and not spreading out of control, which means that healthcare infrastructure is not being overwhelmed.
- As a result, it is more manageable, and prevention and treatment are easier.
- Additionally, experts have noted that although the number of Covid cases is rising, the rate of hospitalisation has remained low, so there is no need to panic.
- Dr Sharma advises people to take basic precautions such as practicing good hygiene and wearing masks to avoid catching Covid.
Which Covid variant is causing the spike in cases?
The recent surge in Covid cases in India is primarily attributed to the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, which is currently being monitored by WHO due to its widespread prevalence in the country. However, experts have stated that this subvariant is not known to cause severe illness or fatalities.
The variant, also known as Arcturus, has been reported in the US, including California, Washington, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Texas, according to a tracker maintained by Dr Rajendram Ranarayanan of the New York Institute of Technology.
On Twitter, he estimated that this lineage constitutes 2.9% of current Covid cases in the US.