India records constant new cases of Covid-19 as fears of variant strains soar

India is constantly observing an increase in new Covid-19 cases even as the country is one with the leading vaccination drives across the world. This is mainly attributed to a large resurgence of cases in Maharashtra which has been leading with rise surpassing Kerala for a second consecutive day now.

Last seven days case average has gone up seven of the last eight days now, presenting further surge in cases of Coronavirus as risk of variant strains testing in India looms. After first wave of Covid-19, four states are on the trajectory of cases surge, them being Maharashtra, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab. 

On Friday, total number of 13,632 cases of Covid-19 were recorded across India. Kerala and Maharashtra were responsible for 75% of these cases.  

Country has eased out regulations in all sectors and arenas of the society, with no mask mandate. This is also one of the prime reasons that India is constantly now witnessing increase in new cases. Experts warn that leniency in following Covid-19 protocols may have larger implications even though vaccination drive is in full swing in the country.

“There is a need to study the new infections that are being reported from Maharashtra, where a high proportion of people are likely to have been exposed already. We need to see whether the infections are happening in people who haven’t had it earlier or are these re-infections,” said Dr T Jacob John, former head of the department of virology at Christian Medical College-Vellore.

He further added that it is extremely crucial to carry out and continue surveillance of new Covid-19 cases to assess if and when new variant cases are emerging in India. Dr. John said, “If the new variant of the virus is infecting the people but the antibodies from a previous infection still protects a significant number of people, then the increase would just be a blip… If not, then we are in for trouble.”