The spurt — sharpest since cases started dropping last October — is expected to continue as more tests are conducted following a Holi-induced lull.
Bengal has seen a near four-fold jump in daily new cases between March 24, when 462 cases were recorded, and April 2.
A majority of those now affected are below 45 years, say doctors. This segment has been flouting mask norms, travelling and taking part in electioneering, all of which have made them more vulnerable to the virus, the experts said.
The second wave has seen a more rapid transmission of Covid than the first one, said Peerless Hospital microbiologist Bhaskar Narayan Choudhury. “The infections have been milder and it is the better immunity of the affected which is responsible. More young people are getting affected due to their exposure to Covid through work, travel and the elections. One can’t assume that the virus has lost sting. Since the younger lot has better immunity, they are fighting the virus better,” said Choudhury.
The positivity rate has so far been around 9%-10% at Peerless Hospital, Bhaskar Narayan Choudhury said adding that it is expected to rise over the next few days. “We might see new cases gallop from now on and touch 4,000 sooner than it had last time,” he said.
According to Belle Vue Clinic internal medicine consultant Rahul Jain, due to higher infectivity more members in a family are getting the virus in the second wave. “While last year, a large number of families had just one infected member, this time two-three are getting affected simultaneously. The symptoms are milder which is why tests are being delayed. By the time tests are being done, multiple members are getting affected,” Jain said.
Other than being casual about safety precautions, the young are also delaying getting tested, which could be risky, said Fortis Hospital internal medicine consultant Joydeep Ghosh. “Most are relying on self-medication and delaying tests, eventually infecting other family members. Around 5% of these cases are turning serious and half of these could have been prevented if people acted responsibly,” Ghosh said, adding that with electioneering at its peak, it will be difficult to curb the transmission.