Those living in Ranchi may have reason to worry as the Covid-19 trajectory here has seen an unprecedented upward trend since July, with total cases witnessing a five-fold increase and the toll tripling, government data reveals.

As per data compiled by the National Health Mission (NHM), there were 2,039 cases of coronavirus infection in Ranchi on July 31. Cut to September 8, the tally in Ranchi is 11,138 – the highest among all the 24 districts in Jharkhand. The numbers, as per data with the health department, witnessed such a drastic increase in barely 40 days.

While cases are rising, health experts fear that reopening of malls and hotels may trigger a further spike. Being the largest urban area in Jharkhand, Ranchi has the highest number of malls in Jharkhand that are now open to the public.

“Residents of Ranchi need to be cautious and take all possible precautionary measures. Even though malls have opened, it is advisable to stay at home and maintain social distancing. The number of Covid cases is increasing by the day, and the urban population in Ranchi is at high risk because they are used to socialising in public places,” said Dr Ajay Kumar Singh, the state coordinator of Indian Medical Association (IMA).

As per latest data with the health department, there were 3,693 active cases of infection in Ranchi, which is more than 25 per cent of the total 14,588 active cases across Jharkhand. Health officials have blamed the lack of adherence to social distancing norms for the spike in cases here. “Following social distancing norms is the only way to check the spread of the virus,” said state health secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni.

Jharkhand’s first case of Covid-19 infection was reported from Ranchi’s Hindpiri on March 31. The locality became the state's largest containment zone after over 100 cases were reported from the locality alone in April. Stretching adjacent to Mahatma Gandhi Road and touching Upper Bazar from one end and Pe Pee Compound from the other, Hindpiri is one of the most densely populated areas in the city. And controlling the spread of Covid-19 virus in the locality was the toughest challenge for the local district administration.

While the count of Covid cases has reduced in Hindpiri, the virus has now spread in different clusters of the city, infecting residents of apartments as well as slums. Cases of infection have surfaced in posh localities like Kanke Road, Pe Pee Compound, Ashok Nagar and even Burdwan Compound.

Ranchi civil surgeon Dr V.B. Prasad, one of the officials leading the district’s fight against Covid-19, tested Covid positive on Tuesday. The development triggered panic among staff at the civil surgeon’s office at Sadar Hospital, and the district administration was quick to initiate sanitization of the office. Several health workers have also been infected by the virus so far in the capital.