Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Heatwave
Char Dham Yatra
Gyanvapi Mosque
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / India News / COVID-19 surging in six states; Omicron dominant in urban areas
India

COVID-19 surging in six states; Omicron dominant in urban areas

COVID-19 surging in six states; Omicron dominant in urban areas
Written by Pratyush Deep Kotoky
Dec 31, 2021, 11:56 am 4 min read
COVID-19 surging in six states; Omicron dominant in urban areas
The "sharp increase" in COVID-19 cases in urban districts is likely driven by the Omicron variant, Union Health Ministry said.

The Union Health Ministry on Thursday red-flagged nine urban districts and six states on the basis of their increasing trajectory in weekly COVID-19 case counts and positivity rates. The "sharp increase" in COVID-19 cases in urban districts is likely driven by the Omicron variant, the Ministry said. The states listed by the Centre include Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

Context
Why does it matter?
  • India has been witnessing a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases lately. On Friday, India's COVID-19 cases crossed the 15,000-mark after two months.
  • Meanwhile, India's tally of Omicron cases has also been rising at an alarming rate.
  • It broke the daily record on Friday for the third time in less than a week.
  • Currently, India's Omicron tally stands at 1,270.
Details
Why did Centre red-flag six states?

The six states were red-flagged based on a comparison of weekly cases and positivity rates of the last seven days (December 24-30) with data from the preceding week (December 17-23). Maharashtra reported a 117% increase in cases, with positivity jumping from 0.92% to 2.59%. In Delhi and Gujarat, the cases rose by 290% and 245%, respectively. Delhi's positivity rate jumped from 0.2% to 1%.

Data
Increase in cases in other states

Meanwhile, during December 24-30, West Bengal registered 4,442 cases (18.49% rise in cases), Karnataka recorded 2,533 cases (26%), and Tamil Nadu logged 4,383 cases (2.35%), the Union Health Ministry said.

Districts
What are the nine districts?

The nine districts red-flagged by the Centre include Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Pune, Thane, Bengaluru Urban, Chennai, Gurugram, Ahmedabad, and Nashik. The Centre listed these districts after comparing their case counts of seven days (December 22-28) with data from the preceding seven (December 15-21). Notably, all these districts have reported a sharp rise in weekly COVID-19 cases, witnessing up to a 232% increase.

COVID-19 situation
'There is a changing scenario in the pandemic situation'

Analyzing the data, Dr. VK Paul, the head of India's COVID-19 task force, said, "There is a changing scenario in the pandemic situation." "We are seeing an increase in cases. Several states are showing a trend, which is going up." The reproduction number is 1.22, and cases are "enlarging, not shrinking," he added. However, he maintained the number of deaths is "stable and reassuring."

Quote
Severity of Omicron cannot be taken for granted: Dr. Paul

Dr. Paul also cautioned that any data on Omicron's lesser severity cannot be "taken for granted" as studies are still ongoing. "The severity issues are still unsettled; the WHO statement says severity is, hopefully, mild. But it cannot be taken for granted," he said.

Precaution
Don't panic, follow COVID-19-appropriate behavior: aDr. Paul

To fight the emerging situation, Dr. Paul said emphasis should be on responsible COVID-19-appropriate behavior, not panic. "Because as a nation we are prepared, we have experience, we have the massive shield of very high coverage of vaccination," he explained. "We must follow the restrictions and rules. All variants enter through the same route, and that route can be blocked by wearing a mask."

Quote
Is India witnessing a third wave?

When asked if India is witnessing a third wave, Paul said it's an emerging situation. "Where this will take us and where this should be stopped, is all in our hands... It is in our hands, by vaccination, by precaution, and other public health measures."

Vaccination
Centre to issue guidelines on 'precaution' dose soon

The Centre will soon come out with "clear-cut recommendations" on the third "precaution" dose, said Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) chief, Balram Bhargava. The Centre is deciding what is the population that will require this third dose, which vaccines can be given, and whether it is going to be the same one or a different one, he added.

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Pratyush Deep Kotoky
Pratyush Deep Kotoky
Twitter
Pratyush Deep Kotoky covers national and politics news at NewsBytes. His over three-year-long career involves reporting on sociopolitical issues across India, particularly the northeast region. His previous stints include 101Reporters, The Sunday Guardian, and Inshorts, and he has also written for Asia Times, Firstpost, and Newslaundry. He has a postgraduate degree in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi.
Latest
Union Health Ministry
VK Paul
COVID-19
COVID-19 India
Omicron variant
Related
Latest
Maruti Suzuki Brezza spied during TVC shoot; India launch soon
Maruti Suzuki Brezza spied during TVC shoot; India launch soon Auto
Bundesliga 2021-22: Champions Bayern Munich's season in numbers
Bundesliga 2021-22: Champions Bayern Munich's season in numbers Sports
2022 Women's T20 Challenge, Supernovas beat Trailblazers: Records broken
2022 Women's T20 Challenge, Supernovas beat Trailblazers: Records broken Sports
Made our democracy strong, resilient: PM Modi in Tokyo
Made our democracy strong, resilient: PM Modi in Tokyo World
Bihar: Nitish Kumar's caste census puts BJP on sticky wicket
Bihar: Nitish Kumar's caste census puts BJP on sticky wicket Politics
Union Health Ministry
COVID-19: India logs 2,487 fresh cases, 13 more fatalities
COVID-19: India logs 2,487 fresh cases, 13 more fatalities India
COVID-19: India logs 2,858 fresh cases, 11 more fatalities
COVID-19: India logs 2,858 fresh cases, 11 more fatalities India
Supreme Court refuses to postpone NEET-PG 2022 exam
Supreme Court refuses to postpone NEET-PG 2022 exam India
COVID-19: India logs 1,150 new cases, 83 more deaths
COVID-19: India logs 1,150 new cases, 83 more deaths India
COVID-19: India reports 1,660 new cases, 4,100 more deaths
COVID-19: India reports 1,660 new cases, 4,100 more deaths India
More News
VK Paul
India in 'tapering phase' of second wave of COVID-19
India in 'tapering phase' of second wave of COVID-19 India
Government preparing to handle 4.5-5 lakh COVID-19 cases a day
Government preparing to handle 4.5-5 lakh COVID-19 cases a day India
At-home COVID-19 vaccinations for those disabled, with restricted mobility
At-home COVID-19 vaccinations for those disabled, with restricted mobility India
COVID-19: Centre says October-November most crucial; warns against festivities
COVID-19: Centre says October-November most crucial; warns against festivities India
WHO nod for COVAXIN expected by September-end: Report
WHO nod for COVAXIN expected by September-end: Report India
More News
COVID-19
Pandemic created a billionaire every 30 hours: Oxfam at Davos
Pandemic created a billionaire every 30 hours: Oxfam at Davos India
First cases of new Omicron sub-variants detected in India
First cases of new Omicron sub-variants detected in India India
COVID-19 re-emergence: Saudi bans travel to India, 15 other countries
COVID-19 re-emergence: Saudi bans travel to India, 15 other countries World
COVID-19: India reports 2,022 fresh cases, 46 more deaths
COVID-19: India reports 2,022 fresh cases, 46 more deaths India
Woman, daughters found dead in Delhi; chilling note found
Woman, daughters found dead in Delhi; chilling note found India
More News
COVID-19 India
COVID-19: India reports 2,226 fresh cases, 65 more deaths
COVID-19: India reports 2,226 fresh cases, 65 more deaths India
COVID-19: India reports 2,323 fresh cases, 25 more deaths
COVID-19: India reports 2,323 fresh cases, 25 more deaths India
COVID-19: India reports 2,364 fresh cases, 10 more deaths
COVID-19: India reports 2,364 fresh cases, 10 more deaths India
COVID-19: India reports 1,829 new cases, 33 more fatalities
COVID-19: India reports 1,829 new cases, 33 more fatalities India
COVID-19: India reports 1,569 new cases, 19 more deaths
COVID-19: India reports 1,569 new cases, 19 more deaths India
More News
Omicron variant
COVID-19 Omicron XE subvariant presence confirmed in India: Details here
COVID-19 Omicron XE subvariant presence confirmed in India: Details here India
New Omicron sub-variants can trigger new COVID-19 wave: Study
New Omicron sub-variants can trigger new COVID-19 wave: Study World
Beijing: Mass testing amid 'grim' COVID-19 situation triggers lockdown fears
Beijing: Mass testing amid 'grim' COVID-19 situation triggers lockdown fears World
COVID-19: How concerning is new Omicron variant discovered in Delhi?
COVID-19: How concerning is new Omicron variant discovered in Delhi? India
COVID-19: India reports 949 new cases, 6 more deaths
COVID-19: India reports 949 new cases, 6 more deaths India
More News
Related
Amid Omicron scare, Centre asks poll-bound states to boost vaccinations
Amid Omicron scare, Centre asks poll-bound states to boost vaccinations India
Centre lists prevention measures against more infectious Omicron variant
Centre lists prevention measures against more infectious Omicron variant India
COVID-19: India records 2,800 deaths as Bihar updates data
COVID-19: India records 2,800 deaths as Bihar updates data India
Centre's warning to Assam, West Bengal as COVID-19 cases rise
Centre's warning to Assam, West Bengal as COVID-19 cases rise India
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love India news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

India Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022