Current Covid-19 cases may be far more than official figures

The number of novel Coronavirus cases may have been underreported, as only 24 per cent of over 11,000 surveyed citizens got themselves tested for Covid, finds a survey by LocalCircles, a community social media platform. The remaining 76 per cent didn't get tested despite having flu-like symptoms, the result showed. The survey showed that three out of four respondents did not undertake the test to detect Covid-19 when they suffered from flu-like illness.

As the number of infections rose rapidly, LocalCircles connected with 11,449 citizens across 303 districts in India between March 16 and April 2 to learn if people with symptoms like cold, cough, fever, fatigue, respiratory issues were getting themselves tested for Covid-19. The survey asked respondents whether they or their immediate family members were undertaking a Covid-19 test when having flu-like symptoms. As many as 76 per cent of the respondents said they "did not take any Covid-19 test despite the symptoms".

A man undergoes Covid test, at a health centre in Dadar. File Pic/Ashish Raje

Only 12 per cent of the respondents admitted to having taken an RT-PCR test, while another 12 per cent said they underwent RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests, showed the result. The feedback in the community discussions also indicated that most people didn't consider a Covid-19 test unless they had comorbidities.

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The majority were taking treatment for symptoms, stated the survey report, suggesting precautionary measures against the virus. It stated that while the disease may be mildly symptomatic, repeated infections of Covid-19 were known to cause medium- and long-term health conditions, making an individual more vulnerable to any kind of infection.

Of the respondents, 66 per cent were men and 34 per cent women, with 46 per cent of them from tier 1 cities, 32 per cent from tier 2 cities and 22 per cent from tier 3 and 4 districts. India had recorded over 3,000 new Covid cases and nine deaths on April 3, while 3,600 and 3,824 on the previous two days, respectively. This marked a nearly 450 per cent rise in cases in just four weeks.

Pune among 6 most affected districts

Five districts in western Maharashtra and one in coastal Konkan have been affected largely by the new variant of Coronavirus - XBB.1.16. Public health minister Tanaji Sawant has named Pune, Solapur, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur and Sindhudurg as super spreaders. In Satara, following two deaths, the administration made face masks mandatory in banks, government offices and schools and colleges, and appealed to the public to wear one in crowded places. "The new variant is prevalent in these six districts where spreaders have also been found. However, no patient is under intensive care or on life support," Sawant told reporters. "Events, including religious gatherings, will be held and symptomatic people should avoid participating. People should wear masks," he said, adding that Covid-19 hospitals have been asked to conduct mock drills and stock up vaccines.

Mar 16-Apr 2
Period survey was conducted

11,449
Total No of people surveyed