Covid cases rise in these 5 states, Center warns

New Delhi: In response to a resurgence of cases of Covid in China and the US, the government today warned five states not to let their guard down.

In his letter to states, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote that few states are reporting higher numbers of new cases per day of Covid.

"Given that the states/UTs have been undertaking various measures to reopen economic and social activities, there is a need for continuous follow up of a risk assessment-based approach for management of COVID 19," Mr Bhushan wrote.

The letter was sent to the state governments of Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Haryana.

Kerala had 2,321 new cases in the last week, roughly 33.8% of India's new cases.

Accordingly, the weekly positivity rate in Kerala has risen to 15.53 percent from 13.45 percent. State officials have been advised to stick with Covid's five-point strategy, which includes testing, tracking, treatment, vaccination and adhering to Covid guidelines.

It was reported in the letters that Delhi reported an increase in weekly new cases, with 724 new cases in the week ending (April 1) to 826 new cases in the last week (ending April 8). This represents 11.33% of all new cases in India.

In Haryana, new cases increased from 367 in the week ending April 1 (increase of 5.70%) to 416 in the week ending April 8 (up by 1.06%). The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.51% to 1.06%.

In Maharashtra, 794 new cases have been reported in the last week (ending April 8). Maharashtra has also seen an increase of positivity from 0.39 percent to 0.43 percent in the last week.

This week, Mizoram reported 814 new cases, accounting for 11.16 percent of all new cases in India. The letter to the state noted an increase in positivity from 14.38 percent to 16.48 percent in the last week.