With 5335 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, the highest so far in the latest surge, and the Union Health ministry marking 13 deaths, including seven reconciled deaths in Kerala, the rising COVID cases were becoming a cause for concern.
However, health experts observe that while the virus is not lethal, it has more infectivity.
“We should get worried about people who have medical problems, especially low immunity. The maximum cases would be mild, with only fever, coughing and bronchitis issues. We saw 1-2 severe cases in the last few days,” Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, Head of Critical Care and Pulmonology at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, told The New Indian.
“This virus is not lethal, but its infectivity would be higher, and hence more positive cases would be there,” Dr Grover said, adding, “Although most of us are vaccinated and have hybrid immunity from natural infection and COVID vaccination, we must not let the guard down although. We must follow COVID-appropriate behaviour.”
Speaking on the importance of the vaccine, Dr Grover said, “Fatalities are higher in the young because of the increasing vulnerability of the unvaccinated in society.”
India’s active caseload currently stands at 25,587. The daily positivity rate of the country reaches 3.32 per cent whereas the weekly positivity rate went up to 2.89 per cent.
With 8229, Kerala reported the highest number of active COVID cases. Maharashtra is second with 3874 cases.
On Wednesday, Delhi recorded 509 fresh cases in a single day, which amounts to a positivity rate of 26.54 per cent.
Seeing the rise in cases, the government’s Empowered Group 1 on COVID, led by Dr VK Paul, held a review meeting on the country’s present COVID status and preparedness.