WHAT IS THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN INDIA?

What are the variants doing the rounds? What are the symptoms? Is the medical system prepared? Why are doctors stressing on the importance of taking basic preventive measures? What is the advice on vaccines and booster doses? Are people with co-morbidities and those who are immuno-compromised at greater risk from the virus?

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The story so far: After a rise in COVID-19 numbers in Southeast Asia, India has started to show an uptick in the number of cases over the last couple of weeks. The numbers slowly grew to hit 5,755 cases (as of Saturday 5:30 pm) as per the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 dashboard.

Active COVID-19 cases cross 5,000; Centre steps up preparedness measures

What is the medical advice?

The same dashboard states that 5,484 people have been discharged. Even as the numbers rise, doctors and experts have repeatedly stated that seasonal spikes and dips in COVID-19 cases are to be expected, since it had moved from a pandemic to an endemic infection. The COVID-19 virus is co-circulating with other seasonal viruses, they point out, and currently the dominant strain is an Omicron sub-variant from which the subcontinent has adequate immunity. The cases have not been severe; from the point of transmissibility too, the RO (reproductive number) is not that worrying to indicate a high contagion factor.

What do you need to know about the Covid-19 spike in India? | In Focus podcast

What is the situation in the country today?