“It took several months for the Covid-19 tally in the country to cross the 70,000-mark during the first wave. This time around, we are seeing a very steep curve,” the AIIMS director said. A similar situation is being witnessed in the national capital, he added.
Till about a month ago, Delhi was recording 130 to 140 cases daily. However, in the last one week, the daily tally has increased 10 times. On Thursday, the city recorded 2,790 new cases—highest in over three months. The number of cumulative cases stood at 6,65,220.
Dr Guleria said that presence of mutated strains of the virus that causes Covid-19, most importantly the UK strain, which has high transmissibility, is an important factor behind the sudden surge. However, he added, the lack of Covid-appropriate behaviour — wearing masks in public places, social distancing and washing hands regularly — was the main reason.