Scientists claimed the XBB.1.16 variant of coronavirus to be responsible for the current surge in cases in India. On March 28, 2023, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) recommended an update in the treatment guidelines for managing COVID-19.

Amid fears of a rapid resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the country, India recorded more than 5,000 cases of coronavirus infection – according to the Union Health Ministry data. With this, the active COVID-19 caseload has risen to >25,000, the Health Ministry data said. The positivity rate for a single day is reported as 3.32%, while the positivity rate for a week is recorded as 2.89%. With 0.06% active cases, the recovery rate currently stands at 98.75%, the data stated.

Possible causes for the increase in COVID cases include:

1. Inadequate booster vaccine coverage: Although immunisation rates in India have significantly increased recently, some people still haven’t obtained booster doses. This implies that individuals who haven’t had a booster shot might still get the virus rather readily.
2. Evolving variants: The virus is continually evolving and spreading, even among those who have received vaccinations. These mutations might be more contagious or more resistant to current vaccinations, which would increase the number of cases.
3. Loosening of barriers: As COVID-19 cases dropped earlier in the year in India, several states there loosened the COVID-imposed restrictions, allowing for more freedom of movement and social gatherings. This could have led to an increase in instances.
4. Novel infection: Vaccines are not always successful, and some people who have had vaccinations may still get the virus. These so-called “breakthrough infections” are mostly asymptomatic or moderate, yet they may sometimes still result in serious sickness.

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