The gradual increase in Covid-19 cases across Maharashtra and a few other states in the past few days has become a matter of concern once again, say health experts. They suggest the government come up with a mechanism to mandatorily make a record of positive results found via self-testing kits at home, for timely preventive measures.

Dr Wiqar Shaikh, professor of medicine, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, quoted data from the Johns Hopkins University, USA, which showed 1,581 Covid-19 cases in India on March 21, 2022, 1,778 cases on March 22 and 1,938 cases on March 23. He further quoted INSACOG (Covid Genetics Consortium) and GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data) which reported that as of March 24, 568 cases of Covid-19 were under scanner in India for the hybrid Deltacron variant. Dr Shaikh added that seven states have been affected: Karnataka (221), Tamil Nadu (90), Maharashtra (66), Gujarat (33), West Bengal (32), Telangana (25) and Delhi (20).