When the State had to strain every nerve to contain pandemic spread

It had taken 31 weeks for the curve to flatten after reaching its zenith in May

The COVID-19 pandemic had dealt a heavy blow in the year 2021 too as its spread, though contained in the later part of the year, left the officials tasked with handling it on their tenterhooks.

The worst phase the State had witnessed was in May when the pandemic curve reached its zenith. The month had reported over 100 fatalities and 24,000 infections per day. Over 50% of the infections and 40% of the deaths reported in the entire year had been registered in that month.

As of December 22, the State had reported 11.9 lakh infections and 7,374 deaths against 8.8 lakh cases and 7,108 deaths during the corresponding period in 2020.