Coronavirus Outbreak
India Reports Over 10,000 New COVID-19 Cases, Highest In Nearly Eight Months
According to leading epidemiologists and virologists, the new Covid variant — XBB.1.16 — could be the reason behind the increase in coronavirus cases
New Delhi: India on Thursday (April 13) reported a single-day rise of 10,158 Novel coronavirus cases, highest in nnearly eight months. Cases more than 10,000 were reported last on August 26, 2022 that is 230 days ago. Of late, India is witnessing a rise in COVID-19 cases, creating a worrisome situation. This has also led to states conducting mock drills and ramping up their Covid infrastructure for any unforeseen situation. India’s active caseload currently stands at 44,998.
In the last 24 hours, 19 deaths due to the SARS-CoV-2, taking the death toll to 5,31,035. The new recorded deaths included nine from Maharashtra, two from Gujarat and one each from Delhi, Kerala, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu and four reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am on Thursday morning stated.
According to leading epidemiologists and virologists, the new Covid variant — XBB.1.16 — could be the reason behind the increase in cases.
Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday (April 10) advised citizens not to panic amid rising Covid cases, saying that they should maintain proper hygiene. The statement said,
Don’t panic. We have controlled it before, We will do it now also with your support. Covid cases are rising, but don’t panic. Maintain hygiene.
The statement further read,
People in high-risk groups — pregnant ladies, those over the age of 60, those with chronic illnesses, and those with underlying health conditions, immunocompromised — face an increased risk of severe illness and death from Covid-19. We need to protect them.
Delhi
The national capital Delhi reported 1,149 new coronavirus cases, marking a sharp jump from Tuesday (April 11) when 980 cases were reported, according to a daily bulletin issued by the Delhi Health Department. As per the government data, one death was reported in the city but the primary cause of death was not Covid.
Gujarat
In the last 24 hours, Gujarat reported 397 new coronavirus positive cases and two deaths. Of the total 1,992 active cases at present, four are on ventilator support, while the condition of 1,988 others is stable, officials said.
Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel on Wednesday (April 12) said that in view of the spike in coronavirus cases, the state administration is fully prepared to tackle the situation efficiently with the availability of 95,687 beds and 476 oxygen plants.
Also Read: Amid Rise In COVID-19 Cases In India, Several States Conduct Mock Drill To Check Preparedness
As reported by news agency PTI, state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel told reporters,
The two-day mock drill conducted at all designated COVID-19 hospitals, health centres and healthcare facilities across the state on April 10 and 11 revealed that as many as 95,687 beds are currently available across the state to accommodate COVID-19 patients.
The minister added that 476 PSA oxygen plants are currently installed across Gujarat to supply medical-grade oxygen whenever needed. Besides that, more than 11,200 oxygen cylinders having a combined capacity of 4.25 lakh litres are also available across the state.
The Minister also informed,
During the exercise, we also ensured that ambulance, as well as telemedicine services, are also available at these designated facilities. The mock drill also revealed that more than 20,000 doctors and 37,700 nursing staff are currently deployed at various hospitals across the state to serve the patients.
Jharkhand
The number of active COVID-19 cases in the state crossed the 100-mark as 27 more people tested positive for the Coronavirus infection, a health bulletin stated. The state now has 124 active cases, while two persons have been cured of the disease.
Ranchi recorded the highest number of fresh cases at 10, taking the number of active cases in the district to 48. Five new cases were reported in East Singhbhum, four in Hazaribag, three in Deoghar, two in Bokaro and one each in Koderma, Latehar and Ramgarh.
Also Read: 15 COVID-Related Deaths In Last 12 Days In Delhi: Health Department
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh reported 52 new coronavirus positive cases on Wednesday, taking the active infection count in the state to 226, an official said. This is after a gap of several months that Madhya Pradesh’s single-day coronavirus case count crossed the 50-mark, which took the state’s overall COVID-19 count to 10,55,453.
The death toll due to coronavirus remained unchanged at 10,777 as nobody succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours, the official said.
Mumbai
The financial capital recorded 320 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily count since September 3, 2022, taking the overall tally to over 11 lakh (11,59,545), while two more patients succumbed to the infection in the metropolis, the local civic body said.
As per the bulletin by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), two new coronavirus-linked deaths pushed up the toll to 19,752. This was the first time after September 22, 2022, that Mumbai has recorded two deaths due to respiratory illness in a span of 24 hours.
Amid the recent spike in COVID-19 cases across the country, BMC has made face masks mandatory inside the premises of all municipal hospitals from April 10. The civic body also appealed to citizens above 60 years of age and BMC employees to wear masks as a precautionary measure though face covering is not mandatory.
Also Read: Puducherry Government Makes Wearing Masks Compulsory In Public Places
Puducherry
Puducherry registered 104 new Covid-19 cases out of 1,048 samples tested in the last 24 hours. Director of Health G Sriramulu, said an 85-year-old male patient, who had co-morbid conditions of diabetes and hypertension, succumbed to Covid-19 in Karaikal today. In all, 1,978 people have died of Covid in the Union Territory till now.
Last week, the Puducherry government made it mandatory for people to wear masks in public places. The Assembly secretariat has also announced that those visiting the premises should wear masks and strictly adhere to Covid protocols.
Rajasthan
Rajasthan recorded 355 fresh COVID-19 cases and a fatality on Wednesday, officials said. According to the medical and health department, during the last 24 hours, one coronavirus-infected patient died in the capital city of Jaipur. The death toll from the deadly disease has gone up to 15 in the state since January this year.
Also Read: Amid Rise In COVID Cases, Odisha Government Seeks 50,000 Doses Of CorBEvax Vaccine From Centre
(With inputs from ANI and PTI.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.