The Return Of Covid?

Just over two months ago, on January 17, India had logged the lowest-ever number of daily Covid-19 infections since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.

- Sonali Acharjee

For many, this signalled the end of the pandemic after three long, challenging years. That precious end, however, now seems debatable, with the virus again sweeping through India on the back of a new variant: the XBB.1.16, of which the country has recorded over 600 cases so far. The total Covid-19 caseload has risen sharply: on March 29, India saw a single-day rise of 2,151 cases, the highest in five months. Active cases on the same day stood at 11,903, the highest in over four months. The average daily cases recorded in the week ending March 23 was 966, thrice the daily average of 313 seen in the week ending March 3. More worryingly, in the week ending March 27, as many as 44 districts across 18 states and UTs had a weekly test positivity rate (TPR) of 10 per cent or more, double the World Health Organization’s (WHO) prescribed limit of 5 per cent. Also, there were 72 districts across 16 states and UTs where the TPR was 5-10 per cent, up from 15 (across eight states) around two weeks ago. The figures have sent alarm bells ringing across the country.

“There is no room for complacency. We are closely assessing the situation and are vigilant,” says N.K. Arora, chairman of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). On March 27, the Centre also held a meeting with states to review preparedness and asked authorities to focus on increasing genomic surveillance and testing, as well as on ensuring that there are enough beds in hospitals should India see a massive wave again.