On Wednesday, India has seen a sharp rise in the covid cases from yesterday. According to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry, India has recorded 7,830 cases in the past 24 hours, which has marked a sharp jump from yesterdays 5,675 cases. After this, the active Covid-19 cases in the country stand at 40,215 with a daily positivity rate of 3.65 percent, whereas the weekly positivity rate stands at 3.83 percent.The health ministry data has revealed that with 16 new fatalities, the death toll due to the virus has increased to 5,31,016, two each in Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, one each in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Whereas, five deaths were reported in Kerala.The bulletin stated by the department says that 441 vaccine doses were administered in the past 24 hours. And a total of 4692 recoveries were recorded with the current recovery rate of 98.72 percent, taking the overall count to 4,42,04,771.The total number of tests conducted in the country so far is 92.32 crore, and in the past 24 hours over 2 lakh tests were conducted.Meanwhile, Indian Medical Association has issued an advisory for the citizens. They are advised not to panic amid rising cases of Covid-19 and also to maintain hygiene. The IMA statement said, “Dont panic. We have controlled it before we will do it now with your support. Covid cases are rising, but dont panic. Maintain hygiene.”The department also added that the Covid related death cases are being reported in above 60 years or people who are diabetic or have other ailments. State governments are putting their best to deal with the situation. Certain guidelines issued by the government are:Avoid going to overcrowded and poorly ventilated areasWearing of masks by doctors, paramedics and other healthcare workers as well as patients and their attendants within healthcare facilitiesWearing masks in crowded places and closed sitting areasMaintaining hand hygiene through frequent hand washingPractising social distancingRefraining from spitting in public placesMinimising personal contact if experiencing respiratory symptoms.Why is India witnessing a certain spike in daily Covid casesThe recombinant variety XBB.1.16 is responsible for the present increase in India, claim the specialists. The variety has some changes in its spike protein, allowing it to bypass vaccine-induced immunity and infect people who have had a complete course of vaccination against the virus. Although this new type of concern does not have any distinct new symptoms, specialists have recommended people get tested as soon as fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body soreness persist for more than two to three days.Mock drills in hospitalsKeeping the current situation in mind, the government is conducting mock drills across the states to take the stock of the preparedness of hospitals. During the mock drills government will review both, private and government hospital conditions, bed counts, and availability of doctors and medicines.What are mock drillsThe mock drill is a complete demonstration of how to react when a disaster occurs. In this, hospitals demonstrate how they will manage the situation and handle the patients in case there is a new wave in the upcoming days in the country.
