Delhi has reported 63 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, marking the highest daily count since May 2020. This increase in cases is not limited to Delhi alone, but is also being observed in other northern states such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
In the last 15 days, Delhi has logged a total of 459 cases, which is a significant increase compared to 191 cases in the previous fortnight and 73 cases in the 15-day period before that.
Similarly, Rajasthan has witnessed a rise in cases with 226 cases being reported in the last 15 days. This is a significant increase compared to 96 cases and 27 cases in the two previous fortnights, respectively.
While the reported numbers may not be large, experts believe that the actual count is likely to be much higher due to low testing.
The last time the daily number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi exceeded 50 was in May 2020. This was during the declining phase of the countrywide surge in cases that began in March and peaked in mid-April. At that time, India reported over 12,500 cases on April 19.
Cases rose again earlier this winter (December-January), but the numbers were comparatively lower. The highest daily count during this surge was 841 cases reported across India on December 30. During that time, most cases were being reported from south India, particularly Kerala.
After a gap of more than two months, the northern states are now witnessing a spike in COVID-19 cases. Apart from Delhi and Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are also experiencing a rise in cases. In Uttar Pradesh, the number of cases rose from 12 in the 15-day period from January 20 to February 4 to 164 in the latest fortnight from February 19 to March 5. Similarly, Bihar has seen an increase in cases from 14 to 103 in the previous fortnight.
However, in Karnataka, where cases had surged recently, infections appear to be cooling off. The state reported 268 new cases in the latest 15-day period, down from 959 cases two fortnights ago.
In Maharashtra, the case count has remained steady over the past three fortnights. The state reported 496 cases in the latest period compared to 466 and 555 cases in the previous two fortnights.
Experts state that such periodic surges in COVID-19 cases are normal and expected as the virus has become endemic. The strain(s) of the virus currently circulating in the northern states are yet to be identified.
