Year-end covid curve could be shaped by past festival lessons
4 years ago

Year-end covid curve could be shaped by past festival lessons

Live Mint  

For months, covid-19 blossomed in India despite muted public movement. Most festival-related outbreaks since August have come within days of an extraordinary rise in public mobility, the data show. Delhi’s severe third wave around Dussehra was also preceded by some rise in mobility, though pollution and the winter could also have been dominant causes. Most festival-related covid surges were preceded by extraordinary rise in mobility Manindra Agrawal, professor at Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, said the festivals led to a surge because of higher probability of infection spread. “If West Bengal had banned Durga Puja festivities, the BJP would have made it an issue,” Rao said.

Festival India Delhi Data Mobility Indian Diwali State Durga Puja Rao Indians  lessons  past  covid  shaped  data  state  rise  mobility  curve  festival  yearend  cases  outbreaks  testing  week  wave  days

History of this topic

Marginal rise in COVID-19 cases in Ernakulam
1 year ago

Marginal rise in COVID-19 cases in Ernakulam

The Hindu  

The district has reported a slight uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases. The authorities said there was no need to panic as the marginal increase came in view of the increase in number of tests conducted over the past two weeks following reports of a spike in the number of positive cases across the State. “After a lull of …

A fresh COVID-19 data interpretation approach
1 year, 9 months ago

A fresh COVID-19 data interpretation approach

The Hindu  

There is a fresh spike in COVID-19 cases in India, a surge that is attributable to at least three reasons. Therefore, one of the first steps in India for the experts is to arrive at a consensus on the number of COVID-19 cases which are expected even when the disease is endemic. Another key reason why every spike in cases …

Covid might not go away but no major outbreak likely in India: Expert
2 years ago

Covid might not go away but no major outbreak likely in India: Expert

The Hindu  

It is unlikely that Covid will be completely eliminated but there seems little chance of a significant outbreak of the disease in India in the next two months, a top infectious diseases expert said on Friday. In India, it seems unlikely that there will be a significant new outbreak in the next two-three months," Koul, a leading pulmonologist and researcher …

No surge expected in global COVID-19 cases this winter, says IHME report
2 years, 2 months ago

No surge expected in global COVID-19 cases this winter, says IHME report

The Hindu  

Global COVID-19 infections are projected to rise slowly to about 18.7 million average daily cases by February next year from the current 16.7 million daily driven by the northern hemisphere’s winter months, the University of Washington said in an analysis. IHME estimates that daily infections in the United States will increase by a third to more than a million, driven …

Festivities Pick Up, Active Cases Dip, New Variants Spark Risk; A Lethal Strain 'Made'
2 years, 2 months ago

Festivities Pick Up, Active Cases Dip, New Variants Spark Risk; A Lethal Strain 'Made'

News 18  

The festive season is here in full swing, with Covid situation in the country seeming to be in control as the active cases have now declined to 25,968, as per Union health ministry’s bulletin on Wednesday. The Maharashtra government also cautioned on Tuesday that Covid cases could rise especially during winters and the festive season, citing new variants like BA.2.3.20 …

Is Kerala behind the rise in COVID-19 cases? Explaining how ‘skewed data’ led to a jump in infections
2 years, 8 months ago

Is Kerala behind the rise in COVID-19 cases? Explaining how ‘skewed data’ led to a jump in infections

Firstpost  

The Centre sent a letter to Kerala government saying that their decision not to publish daily coronavirus figures and data has impacted national statistics like the rise in the total number of cases across India in 24 hours India is witnessing a rise in COVID-19 cases and fatalities, sparking concern that a fourth wave is around the corner. No daily …

India: COVID cases hit month-high, Kerala reports spike in deaths
2 years, 8 months ago

India: COVID cases hit month-high, Kerala reports spike in deaths

Al Jazeera  

Daily cases nearly double from the previous day to more than 2,000 for the first time in a month, government data shows. The capital, New Delhi, last week tightened COVID precautions for schools, and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, again made masks compulsory in public places in some districts. India has reported a total of about 522,000 deaths …

Photos: Signs of normalcy in India after two years of COVID curbs
2 years, 10 months ago

Photos: Signs of normalcy in India after two years of COVID curbs

Al Jazeera  

Nearly two years after India went into the world’s biggest lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19, students are heading back to school across the vast country – a sign of normal life resuming as infection rates fall. India’s daily coronavirus infections rose by less than 10,000 for a third straight day on Wednesday, a level last seen in late …

India celebrates low-key New Year's eve under Covid shadow | Top Points
3 years ago

India celebrates low-key New Year's eve under Covid shadow | Top Points

India Today  

When India stepped foot in 2021, it came with the thought of eradicating the infection and bracing for a Covid-free year. WHAT'S UP WITH COVID IN INDIA | TOP DEVELOPMENTS 1) Mumbai Police imposes 5pm to 5am curbs on visiting beaches, gardens, other public places: Mumbai Police on Friday issued an order prohibiting people from visiting beaches, open grounds, sea …

How the world plans to celebrate New Year under COVID cloud
3 years ago

How the world plans to celebrate New Year under COVID cloud

Al Jazeera  

Some of the most iconic celebrations will be going ahead as countries hit new record levels of infections. Skyrocketing COVID-19 case rates, driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, have caused some countries to mute their New Year’s Eve celebrations, while others have been hesitant to reimpose strict controls. Unlike last year’s spectator-free event, tens of thousands of revellers are …

COVID-19 threat looms large as Mumbai reports 2,510 new cases, 82% higher than yesterday
3 years ago

COVID-19 threat looms large as Mumbai reports 2,510 new cases, 82% higher than yesterday

Firstpost  

The daily COVID-19 tally of Mumbai is 82 percent higher on Wednesday compared to Tuesday when the city registered 1,333 infections, the highest daily spike since 26 May With the coronavirus situation in Maharashtra deteriorating rapidly, Mumbai on Wednesday reported 2,510 fresh cases and one fatality. The daily COVID-19 tally of Mumbai is 82 percent higher on Wednesday compared to …

India may face intense but short-lived Covid-19 wave as Omicron spreads: Report
3 years ago

India may face intense but short-lived Covid-19 wave as Omicron spreads: Report

Hindustan Times  

India may see a spurt in the Covid-19 growth rate within days and head into an intense but short-lived virus wave as the highly-infectious omicron variant moves through the crowded nation of almost 1.4 billion. “It is likely that India will see a period of explosive growth in daily cases and that the intense growth phase will be relatively short,” …

58% Indians Plan to Travel in Next 3 Months Despite Omicron Surge, Survey Finds
3 years ago

58% Indians Plan to Travel in Next 3 Months Despite Omicron Surge, Survey Finds

News 18  

Even though the threat due to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus rises in India, at least 58 per cent of citizens plan to travel during December to March, a survey by social engagement platform found. The survey by LocalCircles indicated that while such a large number of people have travel plans, only 18 per cent of citizens have made …

Omicron: When will third Covid wave peak in India? Here’s what IIT study says
3 years ago

Omicron: When will third Covid wave peak in India? Here’s what IIT study says

Live Mint  

The third wave of coronavirus in India will peak on 3 February, 2022, an IIT Kanpur study has noted, adding that the country needs to prepare for the third wave of infections after facing severe consequences from second wave of Covid-19. The IIT researchers --- who assumed that a third wave of Covid-19 may hit the country and followed the …

Indians flood markets, tourist spots despite Omicron concerns
3 years ago

Indians flood markets, tourist spots despite Omicron concerns

Al Jazeera  

Authorities urge restraint and caution amid rising cases of the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Indians are crowding markets and taking packed flights to holiday destinations again despite calls from authorities urging restraint and caution amid rising cases of the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s government has warned states not to let their …

Opinion | Huge crowds in markets may lead to third wave of Covid
3 years, 2 months ago

Opinion | Huge crowds in markets may lead to third wave of Covid

India TV News  

Today I want to begin by sounding a note of caution. Huge crowds of Diwali shoppers have been noticed in most of the big markets in the major cities of India during the past week, giving rise to fears of a third wave of Covid pandemic. But the visuals of thousands of Diwali shoppers thronging the big markets of major …

Govt preparing for a surge of 4.5 to 5 lakh Covid cases a day: Dr VK Paul
3 years, 3 months ago

Govt preparing for a surge of 4.5 to 5 lakh Covid cases a day: Dr VK Paul

India Today  

The government is preparing for a surge of 4.5-5 lakh cases per day, said Dr VK Paul at a press conference on Thursday. The government is preparing for a surge of 4.5 to 5 lakh cases per day," said Dr VK Paul. There are 34 districts which are reporting a weekly positivity rate of over 10%," said Lav Agarwal, Joint …

Mass gatherings should be discouraged ahead of upcoming festive season: Centre
3 years, 4 months ago

Mass gatherings should be discouraged ahead of upcoming festive season: Centre

Hindustan Times  

The Centre said on Thursday that mass gatherings should be discouraged amid the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic, particularly in the upcoming festive season. Niti Aayog Member Dr V K Paul said people have to be careful in the upcoming festive season, adding despite the vaccination programme accelerating in the country, the precautions against Covid-19 must continue. Echoing his concerns, Niti …

EXPLAINED: Case Count On Downward Slope, But Here's Why Govt Is Worried About Festive Impact On Covid
3 years, 4 months ago

EXPLAINED: Case Count On Downward Slope, But Here's Why Govt Is Worried About Festive Impact On Covid

News 18  

A lowering of guard in the run up to and during Onam celebrations in Kerala is being seen as a factor that has driven a surge of Covid-19 cases in the coastal state at a time when most parts of the country are reporting a downward trend of new infections. On August 25, the country’s Covid count of more than …

How Covid infection is still rising in parts of the world
3 years, 4 months ago

How Covid infection is still rising in parts of the world

India Today  

Covid-19 continues to blow hot and cold across the world. In the last five days alone, the planet has reported two per cent more cases than the previous five-day period. The reported cases and deaths are two per cent and four per cent higher respectively, as compared to the last five-day block globally. MAPPING INFECTIONS ACROSS CONTINENTS The worst affected …

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Nadda Attributes High Covid Tally to Kerala's '70% Antigen Test Results', Says Centre Has Allocated Funds for 3rd Wave
3 years, 4 months ago

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Nadda Attributes High Covid Tally to Kerala's '70% Antigen Test Results', Says Centre Has Allocated Funds for 3rd Wave

News 18  

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Covid cases fell marginally in Kerala last week after recording a surge for 6 weeks. A decline of 2% left the state with 1.37 lakh new cases during the week, accounting for 54% of all infections detected in India during the period. Last week, Maharashtra recorded less than 40,000 cases, its lowest weekly count in nearly …

The fall and rise of COVID numbers
3 years, 4 months ago

The fall and rise of COVID numbers

The Hindu  

The 1st of August 2021 was a significant date in two different senses from the point of view of the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Estimates of the effective reproductive number at the end of July showed that it was above 1 and increasing in eight States; most of these States showed an effective reproductive number greater than …

Allowing religious gatherings was a bad idea: Govt panel director on Covid spike in Kerala
3 years, 5 months ago

Allowing religious gatherings was a bad idea: Govt panel director on Covid spike in Kerala

India Today  

The spike in Covid-19 cases in Kerala could have been avoided if the state had not resumed religious gatherings, said Anurag Agrawal, one of the directors of the government's genome sequencing monitoring agency INSACOG. Anurag Agrawal told India Today TV that allowing religious gatherings was a bad idea and the Kerala government should have only reopened essential services. "From 13,000 …

Numbers Matter | There is a turn in India’s Covid infection trends — for the worse
3 years, 5 months ago

Numbers Matter | There is a turn in India’s Covid infection trends — for the worse

Hindustan Times  

On Thursday, there were a total of 44,999 new infections of Covid-19 reported across India, according to HT’s dashboard. This was an option that was nowhere close to being on the table during India’s first wave, while the second wave ravaged the country through April and May this year before vaccination numbers could make any dent against the rapid spread …

India’s Total COVID Cases Rises to 3.16 Cr; Rise in Positivity Rate in 10 States
3 years, 5 months ago

India’s Total COVID Cases Rises to 3.16 Cr; Rise in Positivity Rate in 10 States

The Quint  

An R-value of 0.95 means, every 100 infected people on an average pass on the infection to 95 other individuals. If the R-value is lesser than one, it means the number of newly infected people is lower than the number of infected people in the preceding period which means the disease incidence is going down. Speaking to NDTV, Dr Randeep …

Globally coronavirus deaths up 21% in last week, says WHO
3 years, 5 months ago

Globally coronavirus deaths up 21% in last week, says WHO

India TV News  

The World Health Organisation says the number of coronavirus deaths globally jumped by 21% in the last week. WHO said that "if these trends continue, the cumulative number of cases reported globally could exceed 200 million in the next two weeks.” It added that the number of COVID-19 deaths increased in all regions except for Europe. Meanwhile, the Union Home …

Explained | Why is there a COVID-19 spike in Kerala?
3 years, 5 months ago

Explained | Why is there a COVID-19 spike in Kerala?

The Hindu  

The story so far: The second wave of COVID-19, which began rising in Kerala in the second week of April, peaked mid-May, when the State was reporting around 44,000 cases daily and had about 4.45 lakh active cases in the community. The epidemic curve never hit the baseline after the first wave in Kerala because of two things — the …

How media predicted 2020 festive season would spark Covid-19 surge
3 years, 6 months ago

How media predicted 2020 festive season would spark Covid-19 surge

Op India  

For years now, media organisations, both Indian and international, have diligently peddled propaganda against Hindu festivals and employed novel ways to disabuse Hindus of celebrating their festivals. Last year, just before the start of the festive season in October 2020, a slew of media organisations made a beeline to publish articles based on unfounded assertions to purvey frightening and ominous …

We can prepare for a summer with festivals but should stay cautious: De Jong
3 years, 7 months ago

We can prepare for a summer with festivals but should stay cautious: De Jong

NL Times  

Festivals, concerts and other events can start as early as June 5 provided attendees present a negative coronavirus test. This is good news, but we should still be mindful that infection numbers can rise quickly, said virologist and member of the Outbreak Management, Menno de Jong, to AT5. “Festivals like Lowlands are possible but we should not become overly confident.” …

India records deadliest month since outbreak of coronavirus with 95,000 deaths
3 years, 7 months ago

India records deadliest month since outbreak of coronavirus with 95,000 deaths

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Almost 95,390 people have lost their lives to Covid-19 …

Why daily deaths spiked when Covid-19 infections started declining
3 years, 7 months ago

Why daily deaths spiked when Covid-19 infections started declining

India Today  

Based on the trends over the past week, the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is retreating in India. After reaching the peak of over 4.16 lakh new Covid-19 cases on May 6, India has seen the daily caseload decline to around 2.65 lakh this week. However, with the decline in Covid-19 new cases, a spike has been seen in …

India’s Covid-19 hot spots on recovery road: Data
3 years, 7 months ago

India’s Covid-19 hot spots on recovery road: Data

Hindustan Times  

The punishing second wave of the coronavirus disease is receding in 19 Indian states and Union territories, some of which were its early epicentres, although some new hot spots have emerged in the south and the North-East where infections continue to surge, HT’s analysis of nationwide positivity rates shows. The average weekly positivity rate – proportion of samples tested that …

Religious, Political Events Among Factors that Accelerated Covid-19 Transmission in India:WHO
3 years, 7 months ago

Religious, Political Events Among Factors that Accelerated Covid-19 Transmission in India:WHO

News 18  

The World Health Organisation has said a recent risk assessment of the situation in India found that resurgence and acceleration of COVID-19 transmission in the country had several potential contributing factors, including “several religious and political mass gathering events which increased social mixing”. “The resurgence in COVID-19 cases and deaths in India has raised questions on the potential role of …

Huge gatherings at India’s Hindu festival as virus surges
3 years, 8 months ago

Huge gatherings at India’s Hindu festival as virus surges

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — Tens of thousands of Hindu devotees gathered by the Ganges River for special prayers Monday, many of them flouting social distancing practices as the coronavirus spreads in India with record speed. The Kumbh Mela, which runs through April, comes during India’s worst surge in new infections since the pandemic began, with a seven-day rolling average of more …

Indians gather for Holi celebrations as virus cases surge
3 years, 9 months ago

Indians gather for Holi celebrations as virus cases surge

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — Hindus threw colored powder and sprayed water in massive Holi celebrations Monday despite many Indian states restricting gatherings to try to contain a coronavirus resurgence rippling across the country. But for the second consecutive year, people were encouraged to stay at home to avoid turning the festivities into superspreader events amid the latest virus surge. On Monday, …

India Dampens Down Festival Fever as Covid-19 Pandemic Cases Pass 12 Million
3 years, 9 months ago

India Dampens Down Festival Fever as Covid-19 Pandemic Cases Pass 12 Million

News 18  

Indian authorities clamped down on one of the country’s biggest Hindu festivals on Monday as the country passed 12 million coronavirus cases with financial hub Mumbai recording its highest-ever rise in daily infections. India reported 68,020 new daily infections on Monday — a significant rise from below 9,000 in early February — taking the total number of cases to more …

India celebrates Holi amid alarming surge in COVID cases
3 years, 9 months ago

India celebrates Holi amid alarming surge in COVID cases

Al Jazeera  

Indians are celebrating Holi, the festival of colours, despite many states restricting gatherings to contain a coronavirus resurgence across the country. But for the second consecutive year, people were encouraged to stay home to avoid turning the festivities into superspreader events amid the latest virus surge. On Monday, the health ministry reported 68,020 new cases, the sharpest daily rise since …

India records 59,118 new COVID-19 cases, highest single-day rise since October
3 years, 9 months ago

India records 59,118 new COVID-19 cases, highest single-day rise since October

Firstpost  

Registering an increase for the 16th day in row, the active cases have increased to 4,21,066 comprising 3.55% of the total 1,18,46,652 infections New Delhi: India saw 59,118 new coronavirus infections in a day, the highest single day rise so far this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,18,46,652 as on Friday, according to the Union health ministry. Registering …

Centre asks states to regulate crowds, enforce Covid-appropriate behaviour during Holi, Eid, Shab-e-baraat
3 years, 9 months ago

Centre asks states to regulate crowds, enforce Covid-appropriate behaviour during Holi, Eid, Shab-e-baraat

India Today  

The Union home ministry has asked all states and UTs to ensure that people strictly observe Covid-appropriate behaviors during the upcoming festive season. "In view of upcoming festivals like Holi, Shab-e-Barat, harvesting festivals, Eid-ul-Fitr etc, state/UT governments should take measures to regulate crowds by ensuring strict observance of Covid-appropriate behaviour such as wearing of mask and social distancing," the Ministry …

Restrict Public Observance, Limit Gatherings: Centre's Note to States Amid Covid Re-rise Ahead of Festivals
3 years, 9 months ago

Restrict Public Observance, Limit Gatherings: Centre's Note to States Amid Covid Re-rise Ahead of Festivals

News 18  

In the wake of a resurgence of coronavirus in some parts of the country, the Centre on Wednesday asked states and union territories to consider imposing local restrictions in public observance of upcoming festivals and limit or do away with mass gatherings to combat the spread of the virus. In a letter to state chief secretaries and Union territory administrators, …

With 43,846 new COVID cases, India records highest single-day spike this year
3 years, 9 months ago

With 43,846 new COVID cases, India records highest single-day spike this year

India TV News  

India saw 43,846 new coronavirus infections in a day, the highest single-day rise recorded so far this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,15,99,130, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday. Registering an increase for the 11th day in a row, the total active caseload has increased to 3,09,087, which now comprises 2.66 per cent of …

With 24,882 new COVID cases, India records highest single-day spike so far this year
3 years, 9 months ago

With 24,882 new COVID cases, India records highest single-day spike so far this year

India TV News  

India on Saturday recorded 24,882 fresh COVID-19 infections, the highest so far this year, which took the caseload to 1,13,33,728, according to Union health ministry data. The country's active caseload increased to 2,02,022, which constitutes 1.74 per cent of the total infections. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh …

Recent surge in Maharashtra offers clues of how COVID-19 pandemic may move through rest of India
3 years, 10 months ago

Recent surge in Maharashtra offers clues of how COVID-19 pandemic may move through rest of India

Firstpost  

In October 2020, Mumbai appeared to show the future pathway — and potential end-point — for the COVID-19 pandemic. Not just the plain numbers, the disease’s progression could contain clues for how the pandemic may move through the rest of the country — the way the virus progresses in Maharashtra’s rural districts, which were earlier relatively unaffected, and its big …

New questions: The Hindu Editorial on COVID-19 infecting one-fifth of Indian population
3 years, 11 months ago

New questions: The Hindu Editorial on COVID-19 infecting one-fifth of Indian population

The Hindu  

The results of the ICMR’s third serological survey to ascertain the spread of COVID-19 show that nearly one in five Indians — about 270 million — may have been infected. The third edition also included a serological survey of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff, revealing that nearly 25% — significantly above the national average — had been infected. Experts of …

Citizens prepare for Spring Festival despite COVID-19 measures
3 years, 11 months ago

Citizens prepare for Spring Festival despite COVID-19 measures

China Daily  

Although Yang Yang likes traveling, the Beijinger has decided to stay at home for the upcoming Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which falls on Feb 12. The bank employee has preordered takeaway from one of China's best-known roast duck chain restaurants Quanjude for his family banquet on Spring Festival's eve. Compared with last Lunar New Year, when their family …

New Year’s revelries muted by virus as curtain draws on 2020
4 years ago

New Year’s revelries muted by virus as curtain draws on 2020

Associated Press  

This New Year’s Eve is being celebrated like no other in most of the world, with many bidding farewell to a year they’d prefer to forget. In New York’s Times Square, the ball dropped like always, but police fenced off the site synonymous with New Year’s Eve to prevent crowds of any size from gathering. London’s annual New Year’s Eve …

Kerala prohibits all public gatherings for New Year celebrations
4 years ago

Kerala prohibits all public gatherings for New Year celebrations

India TV News  

The Kerala government on Wednesday issued an order prohibiting all public gatherings during New Year celebrations and directed that all celebrations in the state on Thursday should cease by 10.00 pm amid fears about the new coronavirus variant confirmed in the United Kingdom that has forced the government to take unprecedented precautionary measures. No public gatherings are permitted as part …

New Year celebrations could be potential Covid-19 ’super-spreader’ events: Govt
4 years ago

New Year celebrations could be potential Covid-19 ’super-spreader’ events: Govt

Live Mint  

New Delhi: Union Health Ministry on Wednesday asked all states, UTs to keep strict vigil on New Year celebrations, which that could be potential Covid-19 "super-spreader" events and also to curb crowding as precautionary measure during winter season. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to chief secretaries of all States and administrators of UTs to consider imposing restrictions on 30 …

Effects of polls, Durga Puja, Diwali on Covid may be seen in coming weeks: Govt
4 years, 1 month ago

Effects of polls, Durga Puja, Diwali on Covid may be seen in coming weeks: Govt

Live Mint  

The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday in its routine briefing on the country's Covid-19 situation said that over 12.65 crore covid tests have been conducted so far and the cumulative positivity rate has come down to 7.01%. A decision has also been taken to increase house to house surveillance of active cases in containment zones and other vulnerable pockets for …

Discover Related