Covid-19: With 11 deaths, current wave toll in country past 100-mark
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NEW DELHI: The country's death toll due to Covid-19 has crossed the 100-mark, reaching 108 after as many as 11 deaths were reported on Monday - the highest in a day in the current wave.
Kerala reported seven deaths, while a death each occurred in Delhi, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
The seven victims from Kerala, which has been worst affected by the surge in Covid cases over the past few weeks, were all above 60 and had comorbidities such as cancer, pancreatitis, kidney disease and pneumonia. The victim from Delhi was a 67-year-old man with a history of lung cancer.
Senior officials in the health ministry reiterated that most of those who have died due to Covid had co-morbidities, like cancer, kidney disease and heart disease.
Kerala has the maximum number of active cases (1,920), followed by Gujarat (1,433), Delhi (649) and Maharashtra (540). Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana have also reported a few Covid-19 cases over the past week.
It is suspected that the current surge in cases is being caused by emergence of new sub-variants of the coronavirus that can breach immunity developed through past infection and vaccination. However, experts say these aren't causing severe symptoms.
Dr Rommel Tickoo, director of internal medicine at Max Saket, said there is no cause for panic as most patients with the infection have mild symptoms, as surface with the common flu. "We don't advise a Covid test for everyone with fever, cough and cold, though some patients have come to us with positive Covid tests. Treatment involves symptomatic management and rest. In case of Covid or Covid-like symptoms, we advise keeping away from others," he said.
Official sources have maintained that most cases are being managed under home care. However, directives have been issued to all states to check facility-level preparedness and ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines as a precautionary measure.
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