Covid-19 surge in India: Active cases rise to 4,026; five deaths reported in 24 hours

India’s active COVID-19 caseload has increased to 4,026, with five more deaths reported in the last 24 hours (as of 8 am, Tuesday).

India’s active COVID-19 caseload has increased to 4,026, with five more deaths reported in the last 24 hours (as of 8 am, Tuesday), according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The fatalities were recorded in Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, all involving patients with underlying health conditions.

Kerala reported the death of an 80-year-old man with severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), in addition to diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. Maharashtra recorded two deaths - a 70-year-old woman with diabetes and another 73-year-old woman with both diabetes and hypertension.

In Tamil Nadu, a 69-year-old woman with Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease succumbed to the virus. West Bengal reported the death of a 43-year-old woman who was suffering from acute coronary syndrome, septic shock, and acute kidney injury.

The latest wave is being attributed to the highly transmissible NB.1.8.1 sub-variant, a descendant of the Omicron lineage.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has confirmed that although the new strain spreads rapidly and is highly mutable, it continues to cause mild illness. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache, body aches, runny nose, and loss of appetite - similar to seasonal flu.

Despite the growing caseload, health authorities have urged the public not to panic. Both central and state governments have ramped up precautionary measures. Hospitals across the country are on high alert, with preparations including the review of bed availability and the stocking up of oxygen cylinders and other emergency resources.

Union Minister of State for Health and AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav, reassured that the Centre is “fully prepared” to respond to any COVID-related emergencies. He said that health infrastructure built during previous waves, such as oxygen generation plants and ICU beds, has been reviewed and reinforced as part of contingency planning.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court, on Monday, raised concerns over delays in establishing formal protocols for COVID-19 sample collection and transportation. The observation came during a hearing of a contempt petition filed by Dr. Rohit Jain, who alleged that authorities failed to comply with a January 27, 2023, court order directing the government to set minimum standards in this regard.

Justice Girish Kathpalia noted that although a meeting chaired by the Additional Director General of Health Services was held on May 30, 2023, resulting in the formation of four sub-committees to draft the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), there has been no clarity on outcomes. The court directed the Centre’s counsel, Monika Arora, to submit a detailed status report within six weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for July 18.