Bihar: Easing of restrictions leads to spike in Covid cases

PATNA: With phase-wise easing of curbs since June, the number of coronavirus cases has recorded a sharp increase in the state. From 3,807 on May 31 to 1,56,866 on September 12, the state recorded a massive 4,120% rise in number of Covid cases in three-and-a-half months.
Patna DM Kumar Ravi attributed the increase in number of cases to people not taking precautionary measures like wearing masks at public places and following social distancing norms. “Even though the government has allowed civic activities to resume, people should not forget that we are still in the middle of a pandemic. People should avoid unnecessary public gatherings and take preventive measures to protect themselves and others from the virus,” the DM said.
He added while the overall cumulative count of positive cases has increased since May, there has been a decline in cases recorded per day since mid-August. “After recording a peak of 4,520 active cases on August 9, the number of active cases in the district has come down to 1,891,” he said.
President of state unit of Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Dr Arun Shah, said massive rise in Covid-19 cases during the unlock phase is a national trend. “Covid-19 cases in the country are approaching 1 lakh per day. The number of tests has also touched 1 million per day in the country. As more and more people are being tested, the cases are bound to increase. The testing capacity in Bihar has also increased manifold in the last few months. The number of samples tested per day has increased from around 40,000 in August to more than 1 lakh in September. This is one of the major reasons for rise in positive cases in the state,” he added.
Dr Shah, however, added the rising number of cases in rural areas was a big concern. “It is well established that close to 20% of cases require proper monitoring and early intervention to reduce mortality. There is a possibility that in the coming months, the fatality rate may rise,” he said.
While the reopening of the economy has increased the risk of infection for all sections of the society, the elderly are most vulnerable. Government data on Covid-19 suggests that mortality rate has been higher among elderly people.
“Senior citizens are at a higher risk of developing severe illness from Covid-19 because of potential underlying comorbidities, such as hypertension, cardiac problems, bronchitis and asthma. Hence, even though civic activities have resumed, elderly should not venture out in public places unless it is necessary,” said former President of state chapter of Indian Medical Association Dr Rajeev Ranjan Prasad.
With the government also allowing partial reopening of schools for students of classes 9 to 12 on a voluntary basis under Unlock 4.0, parents in the city are a worried lot. “I cannot risk the lives of my children. I am not sending them to school before a vaccine comes out, come what may,” said Shiv Narayan, a resident of Patel Nagar in the city.