India has seen a significant rise in Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, with 3,016 new cases reported, marking a 40% increase since the previous day. This is the highest single-day increase in almost six months, and the daily positivity rate has been recorded at 2.7%, with a weekly positivity rate of 1.71%, according to the Union health ministry data. The death count has also increased, with 14 deaths reported in a span of 24 hours, taking the total to 5,30,862.
The active cases in the country have increased to 13,509, and several states have planned emergency meetings to address the alarming rise in cases. Delhi, where the infection count had dropped to 0 on January 16, recorded 300 cases in the last 24 hours. The Aam Aadmi Party government has urged citizens not to panic and advised those with flu-like symptoms to wear masks when visiting hospitals.
Similarly, several districts in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and Sangli, have reported a sharp rise in Covid cases. Officials in Maharashtra claim that despite all their efforts, many people are not taking the Covid vaccine booster dose, and not even 1 crore people have taken the booster dose in the state yet.
UP Government on ‘alert mode’
In response to the situation, the Yogi Adityanath government has put all frontline workers, government and private hospitals on “alert mode” and instructed officials to take necessary action immediately in districts where confirmed cases are found. The government has also ordered intensive sampling of Covid-19 at places where cases of the disease are reported, with samples being sent for genome sequencing to KGMU Lucknow.
The government has also issued instructions to make necessary arrangements for Covid-19 management and directed officials to inform immediately about the increase in cases of respiratory tract infection, Influenza Like Illness (ILI), and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) in all the districts. The government has asked officials to take special care and precautions for elderly patients and ensure the availability of logistics, medicines, PPE kits, gloves, masks and equipment, oxygen plant and concentrator in hospitals.
Delhi preparing for Covid-19 wave 2023
“We reviewed the situation. We have asked hospitals to advise coronavirus tests for those who are symptomatic. People visiting hospitals should wear masks,” Saurabh Bharadwaj said, Health Minister of Delhi.
“The chief minister will be briefed about the Covid-19 situation in other states and how they are tackling the rise in cases,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government is closely monitoring the Covid-19 situation, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal scheduling a review meeting on Friday. The situation in Delhi is still concerning, with the city’s Covid-19 cases climbing to 300 for the first time since August 31, 2022, while the positivity rate rose to 13.89%. Two Covid-related deaths were also reported on Wednesday, taking the death count to 26,526.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal assured the public that the Delhi government is ready to tackle the surge in Covid-19 cases in the national capital. The Chief Minister urged patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) and Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) to wear masks, and stated that the Delhi government is conducting genome sequencing of all Covid cases. 7,986 beds have been allocated for Covid patients, including oxygen, ICU, and ventilator beds. In another state, the Tamil Nadu government has mandated the wearing of face masks at all government hospitals from Saturday due to a rise in Covid cases.
The situation is concerning, and officials have urged people to follow all Covid-19 protocols and get vaccinated as soon as possible. The government has taken measures to address the situation and is closely monitoring the situation in all districts.
