Andhra Pradesh COVID-Toll at 13; Mild Symptoms
The authorities say that the prevailing variant of Covid-19 appears to be Omicron which affected the people during the second spell of Covid-infections in the first round. The symptoms were mild and there was no major health hazard to the infected people. So with the cases this time too.
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh is seeing a gradual rise in the number of Covid-19 cases, with the figure touching 13 by Friday. The state’s first case this season was reported from Visakhapatnam on May 22. Vijayawada, Tirupati etc too have reported such cases in the following days.
State health authorities are sending the samples from infected patients to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing and identifying the virus family. Though genome sequencing labs are present in Vijayawada, Guntur and at SVIMS in Tirupati, these have not been asked to do the testing now.
The authorities say that the prevailing variant of Covid-19 appears to be Omicron which affected the people during the second spell of Covid-infections in the first round. The symptoms were mild and there was no major health hazard to the infected people. So with the cases this time too.
The affected remained in home isolation and their health condition returned to normal in a few days’ time.
Director of medical education Dr Narasimham said, “So far 13 cases have been reported from the state, with the prevalence rate appearing to be between 5 to 7 per cent. The Omicron variant is showing mild symptoms with no need for immediate hospitalisation. We are advising the aged, children and those who use immuno-suppressants and other medications to be alert.”
The health department has issued directions for preparatory steps like more Covid-19 tests, adequate stocks of oxygen, beds, medicines etc.
