Rising infections: States on alert as Covid-19 cases hit 4-month high

Doctors say 100-150% increase in flu cases

As a spate of respiratory illnesses grips the country, states are once again on high alert.

Sample this: Covid-19 cases have risen to their highest level in around four months; there were less than 200 cases across India at the end of February, which rose to 618 as of March 16. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday reported 796 fresh cases, even as deaths remained in single digits.

At least five states have relatively high positivity rates. The positivity rate is the number of tests that are positive for Covid-19 per 100 tests conducted. While the national average was