Why is India seeing huge surge in COVID-19 cases? Health Minister Harsh Vardhan tells

As coronavirus cases in India continue to rise at an alarming rate, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday held a meeting with health ministers of 11 states and union territories where cases of COVID-19 are on the rise. During the meet, he also informed the reasons for the sudden increase in new cases of the virus.

Why COVID-19 cases suddenly increased across the country?

Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the biggest reason for the increasing cases of COVID-19 is not following the protocols during big weddings, local body elections, farmer agitation. Health Ministers of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jharkhand were present in the meeting. Dr Vardhan clearly said that in almost all parts of the country, especially in these 11 states, a big reason for the upsurge in the cases was that people stopped following the COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

"The rate of recovery from coronavirus is 92.38 percent. Despite rising cases in the country, the death rate is at 1.30 percent," the union minister said.

In the worst affected state Chhattisgarh, the positivity rate is 20 percent and the growth rate is 8 percent. At the same time, 80 percent of the UK variants have been found in Punjab. According to the Ministry of Health, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab have seen an increase in cases of coronavirus every day. 81.90 percent of the cases reported in a day have come from these states

It is a matter of concern for us...After one year of experience, we have gained knowledge but with time, there are some lapses. I believe everything is still under control. If we implement our strategy properly which we followed earlier, then the number of new cases will drop," he added.

"All activities have been resumed. A casual approach emerged in society. Carelessness is a big factor," he highlighted.