This study examines the regional characteristics of COVID-19 infection trends in India from January to October 2021 through GIS mapping.
In January and February, the number of new infections throughout India decreased, while new infections tended to be concentrated in Kerala and Maharashtra. In March, the number of new infections in India began to increase, with Kerala experiencing a significant decrease in new infections, while Maharashtra experienced a marked increase therein. The number of new infections in India increased rapidly during April and May. The distribution of infections in the states with high numbers of new infections differed between April and May, with April showing high numbers of new infections in the northern and western states of India, and May showing high numbers in the western and southern states. In June, the number of new infections began to decline significantly nationwide, while the number of new cases was again highest in Kerala. Additionally, new infections tended to be concentrated in western and southern India, as in May. In July, as in June, total infection in India plateaued abruptly, although the number of new cases in Kerala increased exceptionally. This increase in the number of new infections in Kerala continued in August. The number of new infections in Kerala began to decline in September, although the concentration of new cases in Kerala did not change. The infection trend in October resembled that in September, but showed a further convergence of infections across India.