Despite COVID XBB.1.16, H3N2 and Adenovirus cases rising, only 1 in 20 citizens surveyed say mask compliance is effective in their area/district/city

March 22, 2023, New Delhi: Daily COVID cases in India have risen from 200 to over 1100 in a few weeks and that is despite very limited testing. With over 10 districts now having a test positivity rate (TPR) of over 10% and several districts in the 5-10% TPR category, the Government of India leadership is now also concerned about the surge. The rise of COVID cases comes alongside a rise in cases of influenza A subtype H3N2 and adenovirus in several parts of India. The elderly, children, and pregnant women have been found to these infections. Severe chest infection is also leading to difficulty in breathing in some patients. In its observations, the ICMR noted that about half of all patients admitted with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and patients walking into clinics were found to be afflicted with Influenza A H3N2.

All of this, coupled with the rise in COVID cases has led to one question amongst the citizens – “Can we get people to wear those masks again?” While health experts have been suggesting once again that people follow COVID appropriate behaviour, majority of the people, both in villages and cities except a small percentage in the metros have completely forgotten about the mask. To understand the current mask compliance situation across the nation, LocalCircles conducted a survey to find out what percentage of people are still observing mask compliance in their area/district/city, LocalCircles conducted a national survey of over 9000 citizens reaching out to people in 302 districts of India. In the survey, 48% indicated that “no one is effectively compliant in public places/gatherings/events/meetings outdoors and indoors”; 39% felt “few are effectively compliant in both public places/gatherings/events/ meetings outdoor and indoor”; 3% indicated that most are compliant in both public places and indoor gatherings; while only 6% felt that all are effectively compliant in both public places and gatherings at other places; and 4% of the respondents gave no clear response opting for “can’t say”. In effect, despite XBB.1.16, H3N2, adenovirus posing a risk, only 6% of those surveyed think that “all” are effectively complying with the masking norms in their area/district/city.

With almost everyone dropping the masks and Governments removing mask mandates, for a large majority of people, they do not carry a mask anymore. Enforcing the mask mandate once again will require not just bringing the mandate back but leaders in Government, business, community, healthcare, education and many other areas, all leading by example.