Delhi has seen a rise in COVID-19 cases, with 300 cases reported on Wednesday for the first time since August 31, 2020. The positivity rate has also increased to 13.89%. Two more COVID-19 related deaths were reported, bringing the total death toll in the city to 26,526. On August 31, Delhi reported 377 cases and a positivity rate of 2.58%. Medical experts suggest that the new XBB.1.16 variant of the virus could be driving the surge, but there is no need to panic. People should follow COVID-appropriate behavior and get booster shots of the vaccines. The number of active cases currently stands at 806, with 54 of the 7,986 beds in dedicated COVID-19 hospitals occupied and 452 patients in home isolation. The rise in cases could also be due to more people getting tested for COVID-19 as a precaution when they develop fever and related symptoms after contracting the H3N2 influenza virus, which is leading to more hospitalizations than other sub-types.
