What you need to know about Omicron subvariants XFG, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 as India's Covid cases rise
The ICMR DG said there has been an uptick in cases --first from the south, then west, and now from northern India. All these cases are being monitored through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Covid cases in India past 7,000-mark, 6 more deaths
Covid cases in India past 7,000-mark, 6 more deaths New Delhi: With six more deaths on Wednesday, the Covid toll in the country has gone up to 74. The total number of active cases in India has crossed the 7,000 mark. Of the latest fatalities, three were from Kerala, two from Karnataka and one from Maharashtra. Official sources maintained that most cases are mild and being managed under home care. At the same time, Centre has directed all states to check facility-level preparedness and ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines as a precautionary measure. The sources had said on June 4 that state and district surveillance units under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) are closely monitoring Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases. "Testing is recommended for all admitted SARI cases and 5 per cent of ILI cases as per guidelines and positive SARI samples are being sent for Whole Genome Sequencing through the ICMR VRDL network," they added.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Two more die of diarrhoea in Odisha's Jajpur, toll rises to four
The diarrhoea situation continued to remain grim in the affected and surrounding areas of Vyasanagar municipality, Dharmasala, Danagadi, Rasulpur and Korei blocks with the waterborne disease affecting over 500 people in the last three days. The highest number of cases has been reported from Dharmasala, which reported the first diarrhoea outbreak on Monday night following a community feast. A day later, more diarrhoea cases were reported from several villages in the neighbouring blocks, prompting the Health department to depute two state-level rapid action teams to the affected areas. Although no exact cause of the outbreak has been ascertained, local health officials said, community feasts, consumption of rotten mangoes and jackfruits and water contamination could be the primary reasons. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said food and water samples have been collected from the affected areas and sent for tests. 'The test reports are awaited. Efforts are on to provide immediate treatment and control the outbreak,' he told The New Indian Express. Dr Mishra, along with two rapid action teams consisting of medical officers, microbiologists, epidemiologists and the joint director of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, visited the areas and monitored treatment in coordination with the CDM&PHO. Specialists from Maharaja Jajati Keshari Medical College and Hospital, Jajpur are looking into the treatment of the critical cases, while six medicine specialists from SCB MCH have also been deputed to the district. Separate teams comprising ASHA and anganwadi workers have been engaged to conduct door-to-door surveys and distribute ORS pouches, halogen tablets, medicines and awareness materials in the affected villages. The teams of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) wing have been engaged in disinfection of drinking water sources.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Sample crunch stalls genome sequencing of Covid cases
1 2 3 Ranchi: The state health department is yet to carry out a genome sequencing of the Covid 19 variant which has led to an uptick in cases in Jharkhand in the recent weeks due to lack of adequate collection of samples. "The samples necessary for genome sequencing have not yet arrived," Dr Anupa Prasad, of the microbiology department of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) said. Health department officials said 27 samples were tested for Covid 19 on Wednesday in the district. Of them, seven returned positive, bringing the total number of active cases in the state to 16. Since May 24, a total of 432 samples were tested, with 31 cumulative positive cases reported. According to experts, genome sequencing can be conducted with more than 75 samples. However, a match requires 96 samples for optimal processing and matching. Experts highlighted that genome sequencing is essential to track mutations in the virus, assess the nature and speed of transmission, and guide public health strategies, including vaccination and containment measures. Ranchi civil Surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar said, "Samples for genome sequencing can be sent to Rims, which is the designated centre for conducting genome analysis in the state. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like IIT Delhi AI Programme IITD TAILP Apply Now Undo Health officials are collecting eligible samples, especially those from positive patients with unusual symptoms or severe illness. However, no plan has been made till now for genome sequencing." Moreover, all district surveillance officers (DSOs) under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) in the state have been directed to ensure daily reporting of Covid 19, influenza-like illness (ILI), and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) cases on the integrated health information portal. The directive by the health department mandates both govt and private health facilities to input data on suspected and confirmed Covid 19 cases daily. In addition to portal entry, districts are required to share the same data by 5 pm daily via the official IDSP Jharkhand WhatsApp group. Additional chief secretary (health) Ajoy Kumar Singh said, "All govt and private hospitals have been asked to enable timely trend analysis and ensure effective surveillance and response to emerging Covid 19 cases across the state."
