India's major cities may see the highest virus cases next week: Cases in Delhi and Mumbai may top next week, experts say, as the country reported the largest number of daily cases since the end of May
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| India's major cities may see the highest virus cases next week |
Experts say new COVID-19 infections in Indian cities such as the capital, New Delhi, and Mumbai could peak next week after rapid growth, as the country has seen the highest number of daily cases since the end of May.
On Thursday, 247,417 new infections were 30 times higher than the daily cases a month earlier, and Delta has grown across the country as a more contagious alternative omikron. Infections total 36.32 million, behind the United States alone.
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said Gautam Menon, a professor of physics and biology at Ashok University near the capital.
Mumbai recorded a maximum of 20,971 infections last Friday, but cases have been declining since then. City officials say infection rates are declining, too, with about 80 percent of COVID-19 hospital beds empty.
Delhi reported more than 27,500 infections on Wednesday, the closest ever, and the health minister told local media this week that infections could start declining in a few days.
Federal and state health officials say the current third wave has eased most infections, with fewer hospitalizations and deaths in April and May than the previous increase of several thousand people.
The Ministry of Health says that common pain relievers such as paracetamol should be sufficient for people with a mild fever due to COVID-19. However, he cautions against indolence because infections are now beginning to grow in 300 areas from less than 80 a week ago.
“Experience from other countries tells us that it is more practical to track/monitor hospital admissions than new cases,” said Rajiv Dasgupta, president.
Center for Social Medicine and Community Health at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
“Non-pharmaceutical interventions - shutdowns, etc. - are rapidly losing relevance to infection in the community.
Many cities and states, including Delhi, still have a nighttime curfew. The capital is also completely closed on weekends, and private offices, schools, and restaurants are closed throughout the week.
The latest spike in India's transmission rate comes ahead of elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, home to 220 million people, which begins on February 10.
Political parties have organized mass rallies with thousands of people over the past few weeks.
Super Spreader Mass of Fear at Holly Dive
Last year a wave of the virus killed more than 200,000 people - experts say the actual number may be much higher - and huge political gatherings and religious celebrations were blamed.
