HP sees 600% jump in Covid cases, 800% hike in deaths in April alone

DHARAMSHALA: There is no sign of the brutal second wave of Covid-19 that continues to ravage the country dying down soon. Himachal’s caseload is also rocketing upwards, with the small hill state seeing more than 600% rise in cases recorded in April; deaths have risen eight times over March. Himachal recorded 35,682 Covid-19 infections in April which was sevenfold of the 4,960 cases recorded March.

This was also the record one month high in terms of cases reported since last year. The earlier record of one-month high was in November 2020 when 18,459 cases were reported in the state. There were 449 deaths in April, against 53 in March— almost 750% rise. Earlier, the state saw maximum 323 fatalities in November 2020.

Recovery rate down to below 80%

While new infections have shot up sharply recovery rate plummeted to below 80%. On February 28, the state had only 318 active cases.

The second wave hit the state in February end led to exponential rise in active cases. By March 31 the active cases had again climbed to around 3,000 and April to 18,425. April month saw fivefold increase in Active cases in the state resulting in large scale hospitalization and eventually shortage of beds. The government is once again ramping up the bed-capacity.

Casual approach to be blamed, says CM

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has blamed the casual behaviour of people and large gatherings in social functions and weddings for the spike in Covid-19 infections and fatalities. “A large number of fairs, religious gatherings and public events were held in the state since January. People were not wearing masks or following covid-19 protocols, and this resulted in the spike,” chief minister had said. Residents of the state allege that the political rallies during the elections to the Municipal Corporations and local bodies also contributed to the spurt.