As we close of the year, there is a growing uncertainty over where this pandemic, especially in the wake of a new variant, is headed.
COVID cases in India are gradually increasing over the past 10 days, with more than 9,000 cases reported in the past 24 hours alone, one of the highest spikes we have seen since the start of December. 
There is a gradual upward trend in cases in Delhi and Maharashtra over the past 10 days which has raised fears of a possible third wave in India. For example, Delhi witnessed an 86 percent rise in daily COVID cases, with 923 new cases reported on 29 December. And Mumbai, another hotspot, reported 2,510 total cases, which is reportedly more than the total cases in Kerala. 400 infections were detected in Bengaluru, 540 in Kolkata and 294 in Chennai on 29 December.
And this surge largely stems from the highly mutated Omicron variant, which is more transmissive than earlier variants. But the total cases of this variant are still below 1,000. However, given that each case of Omicron is only detected after the samples are genome sequenced, which takes about a week, there is a possibility that this number is higher.
So for our last episode of 2021, we unpack biggest story of the year with the following questions- At what stage of the pandemic are we  in? Are we at the brink of a new wave? 
Joining me today to discuss the state of the pandemic in India is Vaishali Sood, The Quint and Quint FIT’s Health Editor. 

Guests: Vaishali Sood, Health Editor at The Quint and Quint FIT
Host and Producer: Himmat ShaligramEditor: Vaishali Sood

Music: Big Bang Fuzz
Listen to The Big Story podcast on:
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<div>As we close of the year, there is a growing uncertainty over where this pandemic, especially in the wake of a new variant, is headed.</div>
<div><br>
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<div>COVID cases in India are gradually increasing over the past 10 days, with more than 9,000 cases reported in the past 24 hours alone, one of the highest spikes we have seen since the start of December. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>There is a gradual upward trend in cases in Delhi and Maharashtra over the past 10 days which has raised fears of a possible third wave in India. For example, Delhi witnessed an 86 percent rise in daily COVID cases, with 923 new cases reported on 29 December. And Mumbai, another hotspot, reported 2,510 total cases, which is reportedly more than the total cases in Kerala. 400 infections were detected in Bengaluru, 540 in Kolkata and 294 in Chennai on 29 December.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>And this surge largely stems from the highly mutated Omicron variant, which is more transmissive than earlier variants. But the total cases of this variant are still below 1,000. However, given that each case of Omicron is only detected after the samples are genome sequenced, which takes about a week, there is a possibility that this number is higher.</div>
<br>
<div>So for our last episode of 2021, we unpack biggest story of the year with the following questions- At what stage of the pandemic are we  in? Are we at the brink of a new wave? </div>
<br>
<div>Joining me today to discuss the state of the pandemic in India is Vaishali Sood, The Quint and Quint FIT’s Health Editor. <br>
<br>
<strong>Guests: </strong>Vaishali Sood, Health Editor at The Quint and Quint FIT</div>
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<strong>Host and Producer: </strong>Himmat Shaligram</div>
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<strong>Editor:</strong> Vaishali Sood</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<strong>Music:</strong> Big Bang Fuzz</div>
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</div>
<div><strong>Listen to The Big Story podcast on:</strong></div>
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<div>Apple: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=https%3A%2F%2Fapple.co%2F2AYdLIl&amp;redir_token=G9sQMbbppKv-LEFD29gDyTmPMzt8MTU3MTM4MDU5NkAxNTcxMjk0MTk2&amp;v=xkpX1V6aUFo&amp;event=video_description">https://apple.co/2AYdLIl</a>
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<div>Saavn: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2oix78C&amp;redir_token=G9sQMbbppKv-LEFD29gDyTmPMzt8MTU3MTM4MDU5NkAxNTcxMjk0MTk2&amp;v=xkpX1V6aUFo&amp;event=video_description">http://bit.ly/2oix78C</a>
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<div>Google Podcasts: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2ntMV7S&amp;redir_token=G9sQMbbppKv-LEFD29gDyTmPMzt8MTU3MTM4MDU5NkAxNTcxMjk0MTk2&amp;v=xkpX1V6aUFo&amp;event=video_description">http://bit.ly/2ntMV7S</a>
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<div>Spotify: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=https%3A%2F%2Fspoti.fi%2F2IyLAUQ&amp;redir_token=G9sQMbbppKv-LEFD29gDyTmPMzt8MTU3MTM4MDU5NkAxNTcxMjk0MTk2&amp;v=xkpX1V6aUFo&amp;event=video_description">https://spoti.fi/2IyLAUQ</a>
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<div>Deezer: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2Vrf5Ng&amp;redir_token=G9sQMbbppKv-LEFD29gDyTmPMzt8MTU3MTM4MDU5NkAxNTcxMjk0MTk2&amp;v=xkpX1V6aUFo&amp;event=video_description">http://bit.ly/2Vrf5Ng</a>
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<div>Castbox: <a href="http://bit.ly/2VqZ9ur">http://bit.ly/2VqZ9ur</a>
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The Big Story is back with a second season!

The news culture of our times is noisy, crowded, and honestly so confusing. This is why we are coming every fortnight on your podcast platforms to help you make sense of the new and now. 

With two new hosts, Anjali and Prateek, the second season of The Big Story will feature longer and well-rounded discussions with experts across science, culture, technology, politics, and more. Tune in on your preferred podcast platform!   



Millions of listeners seek out Bingepods (Ideabrew Studios Network content) every day. Get in touch with us to advertise, join the network or click listen to  enjoy content by some of India's top audio creators.
studio@ideabrews.com

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<p>The Big Story is back with a second season!</p>
<p>The news culture of our times is noisy, crowded, and honestly so confusing. This is why we are coming every fortnight on your podcast platforms to help you make sense of the new and now. <br aria-hidden="true"><br aria-hidden="true">With two new hosts, Anjali and Prateek, the second season of The Big Story will feature longer and well-rounded discussions with experts across science, culture, technology, politics, and more. Tune in on your preferred podcast platform!   </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Millions of listeners seek out <a href="https://bingepods.com/">Bingepods</a> (Ideabrew Studios Network content) every day. Get in touch with us to advertise, join the network or click listen to  enjoy content by some of India's top audio creators.</em><br><em><a href="mailto:studio@ideabrews.com">studio@ideabrews.com</a></em></p>
<p><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bingepods.app">Android</a> | <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bingepods/id1637568609">Apple</a></p>

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