Unprotected sex during lockdown: India's HIV infection data revealed in RTI

In 2020-21, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit India and stringent lockdowns were imposed, over 85,000 people indulged in unprotected sex, leading to HIV infection.

This figure was revealed by the National AIDS Control Organisation in response to an RTI, as per news agency ANI. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS, which is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

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The RTI response said that of the 85,268 cases recorded in 2020-21, the most were reported from Maharashtra. The state reported 10,498 HIV cases, while Andhra Pradesh came second with 9,521, and Karnataka third with 8,947. Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal rounded out the top 5 with 3,037 and 2,757 HIV cases respectively.

The agency said that in 2011-12, India recorded 2.4 lakh HIV cases, which went down to 1.44 lakh in 2019-20, and then to 85,268 in 2020-21.