Latest news with #AcuteRespiratory
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Labs, private hospitals told to conduct Covid-19 testing per govt. protocols if prescribed by doctors
On the back of a slight surge in Covid-19 RTPCR-positive cases reported across the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Wednesday issued orders to all private hospitals and laboratories to strictly adhere to the central government's guidelines on Covid-19 testing. The PMC health department issued a letter raising concerns over an alleged rise in unnecessary Covid screening carried out by private doctors and labs in the city. According to civic officials, this unjustified testing is leading to panic among the public besides adding to treatment costs. 'RTPCR tests are being conducted without doctors' prescriptions, which violates testing protocols issued by the state health department. As per current government guidelines, RTPCR testing is mandatory only for all SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) and 5% ILI (Influenza-like Illness) cases. Healthcare providers advise testing only after a proper medical assessment and in accordance with the protocols,' read the letter issued by the PMC, a copy of which has been seen by Hindustan Times. Dr Nina Borade, PMC health chief said, 'We have attached the official government advisory with the letter and asked all private hospitals and laboratories to strictly implement instructions to ensure targeted and appropriate Covid-19 testing, avoid unnecessary panic, and make efficient use of healthcare resources.' Dr Borade informed that a meeting was held with private laboratories on Tuesday during which the latter were told to strictly follow government guidelines during testing. 'The labs have been asked to carry out testing only as per government protocols and if prescribed by doctors,' she said. Civic officials said that during the review meeting, it was found that Covid RTPCR tests are being carried out in many cases even when it is not necessary as per government protocols like those with mild symptoms such as cold, cough and fever; those returning from travel; employees resuming duty after extended leave; preoperative patients; and those requesting testing without valid medical advice. Meanwhile, genome sequencing reports from B J Medical College have confirmed the presence of the XFG variant in the city. Health officials clarified that this new variant appears to be mild in nature however they emphasised the need to closely monitor patients with comorbidities and those showing SARI symptoms.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
PMC sets up 50-bed ward for Covid patients at Naidu Hospital; two new cases reported
A day after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) took a review of the Covid-19 situation in the city, the civic body has set up a dedicated 50-bed ward at Naidu Infectious Disease Hospital to treat the virus-infected patients, said the officials. According to a statement issued by the PMC on Wednesday, two fresh Covid-19 cases were reported and three patients were successfully discharged after treatment. The city has 31 active Covid cases, 21 of which are under home isolation and 10 are hospitalized, of whom seven are on oxygen support. Besides, the city has reported 151 Covid cases since January this year. Dr Nina Borade, health chief of PMC, said, 'We have started surveillance for Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) cases and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the PMC jurisdiction. The information related to ILI and SARI patients is being updated daily on the government portal. Along with reserving 50 beds at Naidu Hospital, a sufficient stock of medicines and other essential supplies has been made available,' she said. According to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune, a 29-year-old woman from Pune has tested positive for Covid. She has reportedly been found infected with the newly identified SARS-CoV-2 variant, NB.1.8.1, a sublineage of the Omicron family. Currently, the NB.1.8.1 variant is spreading across Europe, Asia, and North America, said the public health officials. XFG is a dominating lineage in Maharashtra, none of these three variants have been identified as variants under monitoring (VUM) by WHO. Previously a 21-year-old man from Thane had tested positive with one XFG variant. He later died on 24, May due to complications of Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with a lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), said the officials. Furthermore, the woman has reportedly developed symptoms like fever, sore throat, headache, and stomach pain for the past eight days. Her samples were taken for testing on May 26. She has a travel history and reportedly visited Hyderabad on May 16. The patient has taken three doses of Covishield vaccine and currently is in home isolation, said the health officials. As per the statement issued by the public health department, Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 107 fresh Covid cases, of which 44 are from PMC, 34 from Mumbai and seven from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Since January, 1,700 Covid cases and 19 deaths among the infected have been reported. Besides, there are 615 active Covid-19 cases in the state.
Deccan Herald
07-06-2025
- Health
- Deccan Herald
Karnataka reports 366 active Covid cases, death toll increases to 9
According to the state health department's Covid bulletin, both the men had Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI), displaying symptoms of fever, breathlessness, and cough.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Active COVID-19 cases cross 5,000; Centre steps up preparedness measures
India's active COVID-19 caseload crossed the 5,000-mark, with Kerala continuing to report the highest number of infections, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal, and Delhi, according to data released by the Union Health Ministry on Friday (June 6, 2025). In view of the uptick in cases, the Centre has initiated mock drills to assess facility-level preparedness across the country. All States have been directed to ensure the availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines in anticipation of any further rise in cases. The country currently has 5,364 active COVID-19 cases. Four new deaths linked to the infection were reported in the last 24 hours. Official sources have maintained that 'most cases are mild and managed under home care.' Also read: Misinformation a bigger threat than COVID-19 uptick Since January this year, a total of 55 deaths have been reported nationwide. The number of active cases stood at 257 as of May 22. A series of technical review meetings were held on June 2 and 3 under the chairpersonship of Dr. Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services (DGHS). The meetings were attended by representatives of the Disaster Management Cell, Emergency Management Response (EMR) Cell, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), Central Government Hospitals in Delhi, and officials from States and Union Territories, to assess the current COVID-19 situation and preparedness strategies. On June 4, official sources stated that State and District surveillance units under IDSP are closely monitoring trends in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI). 'Testing is recommended for all admitted SARI cases and 5 per cent of ILI cases as per guidelines, and positive SARI samples are sent for Whole Genome Sequencing through the ICMR VRDL network,' an official source said.
Deccan Herald
05-06-2025
- Health
- Deccan Herald
451 Covid cases in Karnataka, death toll rises to 7
According to the department, the man had Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and was admitted to a government hospital on May 24 with a fever, sore throat, breathlessness, and cough. He also had hypertension and diabetes.
