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Many parts of the country are witnessing a significant rise in COVID-19 cases over the last several days. The rising numbers indicate the need to gear up again. On April 13, a total of 10,158 new cases were reported in a 24-hour period, according to the Union Health Ministry’s data, the highest in over 200 days. There are close to 45,000 active cases in the country as on date. The daily positivity rate stands at 3 per cent and the weekly positivity rate is at nearly 4 per cent, the latter rising from 1.7 percent just four weeks back.

With the rising cases, several states have made masks mandatory again, while others have advised to observe caution.From 618 new daily cases reported from across the country on March 15, 2023, the number has grown steadily to 7830 new cases as on April 12. The fatality rate, however, has continued to stay low despite the surge in cases. 

According to the latest information, India’s active caseload stands at 40215. As the numbers climb, Haryana, Kerala and Puducherry have brought back mask mandates. Among the states, Kerala has reported the most active cases at 13,745, followed by Maharashtra (4,667), Delhi (2,338), Tamil Nadu (2,099), Gujarat (1932), Haryana (1928), Karnataka (1673), and Uttar Pradesh (1282), respectively. Other Indian states have recorded less than 1,000 active Covid-19 cases as of 11 April. The active cases now comprise 0.08 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.73 per cent,

The Union Health Ministry held a review meeting earlier this week and asked states to stay alert and review the preparedness of health facilities. The last COVID mutation was BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron. Medical experts say the new XBB.1.16 variant of the virus could be driving the surge in the country. Initial studies of the behaviour of XBB.1.16 show milder infections not requiring hospitalisation, indicating that it is not a very virulent strain. However, health systems need to be prepared, especially considering the experience of the recent past a raging pandemic.Experts maintain that there is no need to panic and people should follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and get booster shots of the vaccines.

Amid this recent surge, Indian Medical Association (IMA) has said that the reasons behind the recent surge in cases in India apart from the emergence of the new variant XBB.1.16, could be the relaxation of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and low testing rates. Many people have lowered their guard against the coronavirus. People with symptoms are refusing to get tested. This is likely allowing the virus to spread undetected and infect more people. The virus that causes Covid, keeps mutating and leading to the birth of new strains. The new variant is believed to be more transmissible as compared to the previous variants, but not so lethal.

Health Sector Response:

A nationwide mock drill to take stock of the hospitals’ preparedness to tackle the surge in COVID-19 cases was carried out on April 10 and 11. Both public and private hospitals participated in the drill, which aimed at testing COVID-19 preparedness including the availability of beds, oxygen, and other healthcare logistics required to deal with a surge in cases. Provisions to quickly set up isolation wards are being made in hospitals.         

The Haryana government has made wearing face masks mandatory in public places as a precautionary measure. Masks have been made mandatory in Haryana’s schools too. The state’s health department has urged the public to adopt Covid appropriate behaviour. The district administrations and panchayats have been instructed to ensure that it is implemented in all parts of the state. Kerala has also made masks mandatory for pregnant women, the elderly and those with lifestyle diseases. Covid-related deaths in the state are mostly reported in people above 60 years and those with lifestyle diseases such as diabetes.

The Puducherry administration has made mask wearing compulsory in public places with immediate effect. Staff working in hospitals, hotels, restaurants, liquor shops, hospitality and entertainment sectors, government offices and commercial establishments should compulsorily wear masks, a statement said. The Uttar Pradesh government has issued a ‘high-priority’ directive, instructing officials to ensure the screening of international passengers at all airports. All samples which test positive for Covid should be sent for genome sequencing, said the government order.

Hospitals, polyclinics and dispensaries in Delhi have been instructed by the health department to scale up testing. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has made use of mask mandatory for employees, patients and their visitors in all civic-run hospitals. The civic body also urged citizens above 60 years of age to wear face masks in crowded places as a precautionary measure.

The Serum Institute of India has announced that it has restarted manufacturing of the Covishield vaccine. The company already has six million booster doses of the Covovax vaccine available and all adults are advised to take the booster shot.

COVID Protocols return at workplace

As a spurt in Covid-19 cases sparks mock drills, mask mandates, and greater vigil across the country, companies are pulling up socks as well, directing pandemic-appropriate behaviour at workplaces and outside. Major corporates have asked their employees to wear masks and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. Some have also urged employees to do rapid antigen tests at home if they felt unwell.

What should people do?

People with symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body ache, loss of smell or taste, and breathlessness should get tested for COVID. Washing hands frequently is as important as always. Wearing a mask, especially in crowded places can stop the spread of the virus. Citizens must avoid crowded places and poorly ventilated settings whenever possible.

Conclusion:

The rising number of COVID-19 cases in India is a call to awaken health systems across the country and have them in a state of readiness to meet the challenge. The difference between March 2023 and March 2020 is that the world is no longer COVID-naive. The pandemic experience has given an indication of how to be prepared. At the meeting of the COVID-19 taskforce two weeks ago, the Union Government has rightly advised States to focus on the strategy that worked earlier of ‘test-track-treat-vaccinate’ and adhere to COVID-appropriate behaviour.

The Union Government has also called for enhancing lab surveillance, testing all severe acute respiratory illness cases, and for drills to be conducted regularly in hospitals, nationwide. Several state  have brought in compulsory masking at various levels, and conducted drills. But, it is also clear from prior experience that a lot depends on compliance at the personal level that is hand washing hygiene, masking, and reaching the hospital early particularly in the case of senior citizens and persons with co-morbidities. As governments prepare themselves, strengthening health systems, individuals should also be prudent to take adequate precautions.

References:

https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/mock-drill-underway-at-delhi-hospitals-to-check-covid-preparedness/99408591?utm_source=Mailer&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=ethealth_news_2023-04-12&dt=2023-04-12&em=c3R1dGkuc2h1a2xhQGFjY2Vzc2gub3Jn

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/indian-companies-direct-employees-to-follow-covid-19-protocols-at-work-and-outside-as-cases-surge-hybrid-work-continues-despite-pandemic-resurgence-11681153227991.html

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amid-covid-spike-masks-mandate-back-in-haryana-kerala-and-puducherry-3932411

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/how-to/why-covid-cases-are-rising-again-in-india-here-are-the-three-possible-reasons/articleshow/99400841.cms

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/covid-19-news-live-updates-corona-virus-mock-drill-8549719/

https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-asks-states-ramp-up-testing-covid-19-cases-climb-2023-04-07/

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/ready-or-not-the-hindu-editorial-on-rising-numbers-of-covid-19-cases-and-indias-state-of-preparedness/article66729220.ece

Photo Credits: Reuters

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