India logs 22% increase in Covid-19 cases

In the last week of the year 2023, India recorded a 22 per cent rise in COVID-19 cases, with the tally in the past 24 hours nearing the 850 mark for the first time in seven months.

As per a Times of India report, the surge is driven by the JN.1 sub-variant, which is spreading through the nation. In the southern state of Kerala, the infections may already have peaked, as the state logged the highest counts in the current phase.

Overall numbers remain low and the rise as per reports have been very gradual, however, this could be because of scant testing.

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During the week ending on Saturday, India reported 4,652 fresh Covid cases, up from the 3,818 in the previous week. The number of deaths also saw decline at 29  as opposed to 17 recorded last week.

As per numbers reported on Sunday, Saturday saw the daily tally rise to 841 — the first time numbers crossed the 800 mark. Additionally, three fatalities were reported. This is the highest since May 18.

Cases rise across India

Last week, Kerala logged 3,018 cases, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of India's case load. This week, the numbers witnessed a 24 per cent drop or 2,282 cases. This, as per reports, may indicate that the surge in Kerala may already have peaked. 

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However, that's not true for several other states. In Karnataka in the south and Maharashtra in the west, the cases rose significantly — apart from Kerala, daily cases in only these two states have topped 100.

In Karnataka last week, 922 fresh cases have been reported, a three-fold increase from the 309 in the previous week.

In Maharashtra, cases increased six-fold from 103 to 620.

Overall last week, 20 states and Union Terrotories reported COVID-19 cases, more than double the number on December 15.

(With inputs from agencies)