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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
India, Thailand, Singapore see uptick in Covid cases; WHO urges vigilance
India and several Asian nations are witnessing a renewed spike in Covid-19 cases, prompting governments to review health infrastructure and issue precautionary advisories. While the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported a global rise in infections, authorities in India and countries like China, Singapore, and Thailand are stepping up monitoring efforts, especially with newer sub-variants of the Omicron strain now in circulation. 1,009 active Covid-19 cases in India As of May 28, India recorded a total of 1,009 active Covid-19 cases, with Kerala (430), Maharashtra (209), and Delhi (104) leading in numbers, according to the Union Ministry of Health. Karnataka reported 40 new infections on Wednesday, raising the state's active caseload to 126. The positivity rate over the past 24 hours stood at 10.12 per cent, based on 395 tests conducted. Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao visited KC General Hospital in Malleswaram to inspect preparedness. 'I personally verified the availability of oxygen cylinders, ICU beds, ventilators, and masks. A dedicated Covid-19 helpline will be launched soon,' he said. Punjab, meanwhile, confirmed two active cases, and Chandigarh reported its first Covid-related death in recent months, a 40-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh with comorbidities, including Hepatitis B. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has confirmed that current variants remain sub-lineages of Omicron and are largely causing mild symptoms. However, experts like Dr Arjun Dang of Dr Dangs Lab have pointed to the presence of more transmissible sub-variants like LF7 and NV181 in states such as Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Strong Covid-19 variant observed in China China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a positivity rate of 15.8 per cent from selected hospital tests in early May, up significantly from 6.3 per cent at the end of March. In April alone, China logged over 168,000 confirmed cases, including 340 severe ones, and nine deaths, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. Chinese health experts have identified XDV and XDV.1 as the dominant strains. Zhong Nanshan, a prominent respiratory disease specialist, has warned these variants show stronger immune evasion and advised older adults and people with health conditions to take heightened precautions. A decline in cases is expected by late June. Over 180,000 cases this year in Thailand Thailand has recorded 187,031 Covid-19 cases and at least 44 deaths from January to mid-May, the National Thailand reported. A total of 67,484 new cases and eight fatalities were recorded over a week (May 18–24), with Bangkok leading in numbers. The annual Songkran water festival in April has been partially blamed for the spread. Authorities have ramped up access to digital healthcare services and are distributing masks, test kits, and sanitisers. Free telemedicine consultations and doorstep delivery of medicines are being provided through government apps like SaluberMD and Mordee. Singapore recommends masks, booster shots Singapore has also seen a rise in cases, with an estimated 14,200 infections in early May, up from 11,100 the previous week. Hospital admissions rose slightly but remain under control. The predominant strain is a descendant of the JN.1 variant, which now accounts for more than two-thirds of local cases. The Health Ministry has advised senior citizens, high-risk groups, and nursing home residents to take booster shots. While no Covid-related fatalities have been reported this year, residents have been urged to wear masks in crowded spaces and avoid social activities when unwell. WHO urged Covid vigilance According to the WHO, there were 91,583 reported Covid-19 cases globally in the 28 days leading up to May 11. Thailand led the tally, followed by Brazil, the UK, Greece, and France. However, the data excludes China and the US, both of which have not submitted recent updates. The WHO reiterated that while Covid-19 has entered an endemic phase in many parts of the world, periodic surges are expected.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
"Rising cases of Covid-19 belong to sub lineage of Omicron virus": CEO, Dangs Lab
New Delhi: Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Dangs Lab , Arjun Dang on Tuesday stated that the rising cases of Covid-19 belonged to the sub-lineage of the Omicron virus. Dang further stated that in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, the variants that were named as 'Variants under Monitoring' were of types LF7 and NV181 and were more transmissible. "We must understand that the current spreading variants are again a sublineage of the Omicron virus. Additionally, in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, we have certain other sub-variants that have been named Variants Under Monitoring, and these are basically of two types, LF7 and NV181. Currently, the cases that we are seeing are more transmissible. They can infect people easily, but again, from the severity perspective, till now, we have not seen any severe cases," Dang told ANI. He further stated that symptoms of patients were only common cold and flu, and added that hospitalisations currently were minimal. "All of these are actually presenting as common cold and flu, and the usual symptoms that we have in any kind of common cold, even the hospitalisations, have been minimal," he added. The CEO further stated that the hospital and staff were better prepared, informed and had better surveillance tools, further stating that the country was in a good place from the preparedness perspective to face the situation effectively. "There has been an increase in the number of sample requests that we are receiving. But this time, we are better prepared, more informed, and we have better surveillance tools. With the scientific tests that we have, we are in a good place from the preparedness perspective to face this effectively and minimise any kind of damage that the current wave might cause," he added. Meanwhile, on May 26, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also confirmed that while Covid-19 cases were reported again in parts of the country, current variants in circulation were showing mild symptoms similar to the Omicron strain.
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
"Rising cases of Covid-19 belong to sub lineage of Omicron virus": CEO, Dangs Lab
New Delhi [India], May 28 (ANI): Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Dangs Lab, Arjun Dang on Tuesday stated that the rising cases of Covid-19 belonged to the sub-lineage of the Omicron virus. Dang further stated that in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, the variants that were named as 'Variants under Monitoring' were of types LF7 and NV181 and were more transmissible. 'We must understand that the current spreading variants are again a sublineage of the Omicron virus. Additionally, in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, we have certain other sub-variants that have been named Variants Under Monitoring, and these are basically of two types, LF7 and NV181. Currently, the cases that we are seeing are more transmissible. They can infect people easily, but again, from the severity perspective, till now, we have not seen any severe cases,' Dang told ANI. He further stated that symptoms of patients were only common cold and flu, and added that hospitalisations currently were minimal. 'All of these are actually presenting as common cold and flu, and the usual symptoms that we have in any kind of common cold, even the hospitalisations, have been minimal,' he added. The CEO further stated that the hospital and staff were better prepared, informed and had better surveillance tools, further stating that the country was in a good place from the preparedness perspective to face the situation effectively. 'There has been an increase in the number of sample requests that we are receiving. But this time, we are better prepared, more informed, and we have better surveillance tools. With the scientific tests that we have, we are in a good place from the preparedness perspective to face this effectively and minimise any kind of damage that the current wave might cause,' he added. Meanwhile, on May 26, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also confirmed that while Covid-19 cases were reported again in parts of the country, current variants in circulation were showing mild symptoms similar to the Omicron strain. (ANI)
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- Health
- Times of Oman
"Current Covid variants in India transmissible but not severe": Dr Arjun Dang
New Delhi: The number of COVID-19 cases in India reached 1,010, on May 27. According to medical experts, the symptoms are similar to cold or flu symptoms. Amid rising sample requests in the wake of a fresh infection wave, Dr Arjun Dang, CEO of Dr Dangs Lab, said the laboratory is witnessing a surge in testing. Speaking to ANI, Dr Dang stated that the number of samples has increased, "There has been an increase in the number of sample requests that we are receiving. But this time, we are better prepared, more informed, and we have better surveillance tools. With the scientific tests that we have, we are in a good place from the preparedness perspective to face this effectively and minimise any kind of damage that the current wave might cause." He further said the circulating variants are subvariants of Omicron showing mild symptoms, "We must understand that the current spreading variants are again a sublineage of the Omicron virus. Additionally, in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, we have certain other sub-variants as well that have been named as Variants Under Monitoring, and these are basically of two types, that is, LF7 and NV.1.8.1. Currently, the cases that we are seeing are more transmissible. They can infect people easily, but again, from the severity perspective, till now, we have not seen any severe cases." "All of these are actually presenting as common cold and flu, and the usual symptoms that we have in any kind of common cold, even the hospitalisations, have been minimal," Dang said. Dr Arjun also said that majorly since few days testing has been increased, "I think, may this month had started on a very low note with minimal cases, but I think in the past five to seven days is when we've seen a major uptake and now we are getting significantly high cases to test on a daily basis." Recently, in an Exclusive interview with ANI, Dr Rajiv Bahl, DG, ICMR, said the government is focusing on transmission, surveillance, and preparedness, but currently circulating variants have mild symptoms like Omicron. "The government and health agencies are closely monitoring COVID-19 cases and taking necessary steps. Currently, the number of active cases is low, and most cases are limited to southern and western India. The government is focusing on three key factors. The rate of transmission and the rapidly increasing cases. Whether the virus is evading our natural and vaccine-induced immunity. Whether the current infections are more severe than before or have mild symptoms like Omicron."
