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Hans India
a day ago
- Health
- Hans India
Current Covid wave unlikely to strain hospitals
New Delhi: With India witnessing nearly 4,000 active Covid-19 cases, health experts have urged the public not to panic, stating that the current surge is unlikely to cause a higher burden on hospitals. As per the latest figures from the Ministry of Health, there are 3,961 active Covid cases. The number of deaths across multiple states, since January 1, 2025, surged to 32. Meanwhile, 2,188 patients were discharged or migrated in the last 24 hours, indicating an improvement in recovery. "It is highly unlikely that the current infection can cause a higher burden on the hospitals. Hence, there is no need to panic. However, the sentinel surveillance system needs to be strengthened in order to catch the outbreak in the earlier phase," says Dr Harshal R Salve, Additional Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi. States currently reporting the highest number of active infections include Kerala (1,435), Maharashtra (506), Delhi (483), Gujarat (338), and West Bengal (331). This fresh wave has been caused by two new coronavirus variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, mutations of the Omicron offspring JN.1 variant. Both were found in India, as per data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), set up under the Ministry of Health.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Covid-19: Current infection wave unlikely to cause higher burden on hospitals, say doctors
New Delhi: Amid nearly 4,000 active cases of Covid-19 disease in the country, health experts on Monday assured that there is no need to panic as the current infection wave is unlikely to cause a higher burden on hospitals. According to the latest update, shared by the Ministry of Health, there are 3,961 active Covid cases. The number of deaths across multiple states, since January 1, 2025, surged to 32. Meanwhile, 2,188 patients were discharged or migrated in the last 24 hours, indicating an improvement in recovery. "It is highly unlikely that the current infection can cause a higher burden on the hospitals. Hence, there is no need to panic. However, the sentinel surveillance system needs to be strengthened in order to catch the outbreak in the earlier phase," Dr Harshal R. Salve, Additional Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi, told IANS. Kerala (1,435), Maharashtra (506), Delhi (483), Gujarat (338), and West Bengal (331) have reported the highest number of cases so far. This fresh wave has been caused by two new coronavirus variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, mutations of the Omicron offspring JN.1 variant. Both were found in India, as per data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), set up under the Ministry of Health. "While Covid cases are testing positive again, there is absolutely no need to panic. It is due to a JN.1 variant that is reportedly reappearing,' Dr. S.K. Chaudhary, Chief Superintendent of Motilal Nehru Joint Hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, told IANS. Salve noted that severe infections due to these variants are unlikely, as the majority of the population possesses natural immunity. "Symptoms are similar to earlier Covid infections. As the majority population has already been infected earlier, they possess natural immunity, which protects them from severe manifestation of the disease," he noted. However, "this sub-variety has high transmissibility. Patients with comorbidity and the elderly need to wear N95 masks for protection from transmission. In general, cough hygiene and hand washing need to be practised", the expert added.
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Experts dismiss rising Covid cases in Southeast Asia as seasonal trends of flu
New Delhi: With media reports citing cases of Covid-19 infections surging in Southeast Asia, bringing fresh fears about the disease that affected millions of people and the global economy, health experts on Tuesday dismissed them as seasonal trends of flu. As per media reports, the weekly Covid-19 infections in Singapore surged by 28 per cent from 11,100 in late April to 14,200 in the first week of May, with hospitalisations also rising 30 per cent. Hong Kong recorded 31 virus-related deaths in the week ending May 3, the city's highest weekly toll in a year. New infections in Hong Kong rose to 1,042 in the week ending May 10, up from 972 the previous week. 'Rising Covid cases in Southeast Asia are attributed to seasonal trends of flu cases. Most of the cases are mild and do not need any hospitalisation,' Dr. Harshal R Salve, Additional professor at, the Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi, told IANS. India also is seeing a slight uptick in cases. A review held on Monday by the Ministry of Health concluded that the current situation in India is 'under control,' with just 257 active cases reported nationwide as of May 19. 'Covid-19 is a cyclical disease, which means that cases will rise every few months. The intervals can range from six to nine months. As with other Asian countries, we are seeing Covid cases in India too. But they are not overwhelming hospitals and are not any more severe than they used to be. In fact, most cases are so mild, they are being treated as outpatient,' said Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Convener, Research Cell, Kerala State IMA. 'Due to widespread immunity due to prior vaccination and from surviving past infections, Covid-19 is no longer the destructive force it used to be. There is no indication of any major genetic shift having occurred in the virus that could alter the character of the disease it causes,' he added. China and Thailand have also reported a notable increase in new infections. The surge is being largely attributed to the spread of new Omicron subvariants, including JN.1 and its related descendants -- LF.7 and NB.1.8, which make up over two-thirds of sequenced cases. The increase in cases may also be attributed to waning immunity, with periodic waves being anticipated. While the cases reported so far are generally mild in severity, 'the outcome also depends on the host. For instance, infection in a frail elderly individual could lead to more severe outcomes,' Jayadevan said. The experts urged cough hygiene and cleanliness to fight the virus. 'When cases rise, it's important to take more precautions than usual. Wearing masks in crowded closed spaces will be helpful. Those who have a fever should stay home and avoid mingling with others,' Jayadevan said. Meanwhile, the health ministry assured that the country has a robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including Covid also exists in the country through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR.
