Delhi-NCR region is witnessing its worst bout of viral fever and Covid with eight out of 10 households affected in the last 30 days, a survey by LocalCircles has revealed. Members of the affected households have experienced Covid-like symptoms such as fever, runny nose and fatigue.

In most cases, people seem to prefer home test kits to check if they have Covid or whether it is a case of viral fever. Whatever the case may be, both carry the risk of spreading to other family members, particularly the children in these households.

SURVEY FINDINGS

1) Twice as many households were impacted this monsoon season compared to last year. 41 per cent of households reported that someone in their family was unwell in July-August last year compared to this year’s 82 per cent of households.

2) Covid cases are likely contributing to this surge this year.

“It is essential that we realise that the pandemic is far from over. I appeal to all to strictly adhere to Covid appropriate behaviour. We cannot afford to let our guards down,” said Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on August 16.

The advisory came as Delhi reported 917 fresh cases of Covid, a test positivity rate of 20 per cent and three deaths in 24 hours. Apart from Covid, medical practitioners and hospitals are reporting a growing number of viral or flu cases. In most of these cases, people have been complaining of a runny nose, headache, sore throat and fatigue. Some people are also reported to be down with a fever.

READ | Covid scare back in Delhi as hospitalisations double, active cases on the rise

To understand the magnitude of the spread and risk, LocalCircles conducted a survey amongst residents of Delhi and NCR cities of Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad which received over 11,000 responses. 63 per cent of the respondents were men while 37 were women.

Over 8 in 10 households of Delhi NCR surveyed have had one or more members impacted by viral/flu-like symptoms in the last 30 days. Of these, 54 per cent households have reported 2-3 family members having or recovered from flu in the last one month, while another 23 per cent households have had four or more family members affected, 8 per cent households had one member down with flu-like symptoms. Only 15 per cent respondents to the survey reported that their households had no members affected.

READ | Private hospitals in Delhi witness surge in Covid patients, doctors advise caution

While flu-like symptoms and viral fever are not uncommon during the monsoon season, this year the number of households affected has doubled as compared to last year. While 41 per cent households of Delhi NCR had one or more members impacted last year, this year the percentage has doubled to 82 per cent.

In summary, 8 in 10 Delhi-NCR households have one or more individuals who have had viral/flu-like symptoms in the last 30 days and this year’s magnitude of spread is twice that of the same period last year when only 4 in 10 households were impacted.

READ | As Covid cases surge, Delhi govt reintroduces Rs 500 fine for not wearing masks

DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH COVID?

The spread of Covid in the months of July-August in 2021 was low post the Delta wave, but with Omicron, Delhi-NCR seems to be in a constant state of infection with BA.1 and BA.2 in January and April, BA.2.12.1 and BA.2.38 in June and now with BA.2.75. The need of the hour is for citizens to observe Covid appropriate behaviour such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

READ | Delhi hospital study finds new highly transmissible Omicron sub-variant of coronavirus

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