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India Today
23-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
23 active Covid-19 cases in Delhi, no need to panic: Delhi Health Minister
Amid a spate of Covid-19 cases in parts of India, Delhi has detected 23 active cases of novel coronavirus infection till Thursday, Health Minister Pankaj Jain said on of these cases have been reported after tests conducted at private labs, Jain said, adding that it is yet to be ascertained whether these cases originated in Delhi or came from outside the the wake of the number of cases reported, we are in constant touch with medical superintendents of all hospitals in Delhi. The Delhi government is fully prepared to tackle any situation. There is no need to panic as the latest variant looks like a common influenza only," Jain said while speaking to the media. All the 23 patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 are stable and out of danger, Jain added."All the hospitals in the city are fully equipped and prepared for any emergency. There is no dearth of oxygen cylinders, testing kits or any other facility to take care of Covid-positive patients," the Delhi health minister said. "We have set up an 8-member team which visits hospitals taking stock of the preparations".However, the administration is not expecting any emergency situation to crop up, Jain assured, as he looked to allay fears around the surge in the number of cases across India and some Asian has seen the biggest surge in Covid-19 infections, with 182 infections reported across the state so far in May.A total of 53 active cases have been reported from Mumbai with no recent deaths related to the Monday, the director general of health services chaired a review meeting of experts from the National Centre for Disease Control, Emergency Medical Relief division, Disaster Management Cell, the Indian Council of Medical Research and Central government hospitals have been instructed to monitor influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infection InTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#Delhi


Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Covid in India: These states are reporting rise in cases
Amid a surge in coronavirus cases in Asian countries, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have reported the most active cases among Indian states, according to the Union health ministry. There are a total of 257 active cases across the country, with Kerala having 95 active cases in the state. According to the health ministry, mortality figures for the state are still being calculated. Also Read: India saw 164 Covid cases since May 12; Centre on alert amid fresh wave in Asia Maharashtra reported 56 Covid cases, while Tamil Nadu logged 66. Infections were also detected in Puducherry, Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Haryana, Karnataka, and West Bengal. Since May 12, a total of 164 new Covid cases have been recorded across India. Kerala saw the biggest jump, with 69 fresh cases, followed by 44 in Maharashtra and 33 in Tamil Nadu. Also Read: Covid-19: No cause for panic, says health department The ministry data also shows that 112 patients have been cured, discharged or migrated after being diagnosed with Covid since May 12. On May 19, experts from the National Centre for Disease Control, Emergency Medical Relief division, Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research and central government hospitals, held a review meeting chaired by the director general of health services regarding the uptick in cases. 'The meeting concluded that the current Covid-19 situation in India remains under control. As of May 19, 2025, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 257, a very low figure considering the country's large population. Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalisation required,' reported PTI, quoting an official. Also Read: Is Covid back? Here's what authorities in India, Hong Kong, and Singapore say as cases go up The Maharashtra state health department confirmed in a press release on Tuesday that two patients had died due to Covid-related complications in January this year. Both patients had other pre-existing medical conditions as well. The statement also added that a total of 6,066 swab samples have been examined for coronavirus since January, of which 106 tested positive for the infectious disease. Of these, 101 were from Mumbai and the remaining from Pune, Thane, and Kolhapur. The release noted that there had been a global rise in Covid cases, including in Asian countries such as South Korea, Singapore, China, Thailand and more. Health authorities across countries have urged citizens to not panic, stay updated on vaccinations and take any necessary medical precautions. Singapore's health minister Ong Ye Kung stated in a post on Facebook last week that periodic Covid-19 waves are "expected throughout the year". The Brihan Mumbai Corporation (BMC) urged citizens to remain calm and also stated that arrangements to accommodate patients have been made and the situation was being monitored by the authorities.


Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Is Covid back? Here's what authorities in India, Hong Kong, and Singapore say as cases go up
Covid-19 cases in Asia have seen a surge in recent weeks, with Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand being the most affected. After the years of the pandemic, in which the world almost came to a standstill, the big question is whether Covid is back again. India has remained largely unaffected by the recent surge in cases, with the government maintaining that the situation is under control. – Covid cases in India: As per the data from the ministry of health and family welfare, India reported 164 cases since May 12 and the total number of active Covid infections in the country stood at 257 on Tuesday. Kerala reported the highest number of cases at 69, followed by Maharashtra at 44 and Tamil Nadu at 34. – Review meet held in India: Experts from the National Centre for Disease Control, Emergency Medical Relief division, Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research, and central government hospitals held a review meeting on Monday under the chairpersonship of the director general of health services. "The meeting concluded that the current Covid-19 situation in India remains under control. As of May 19, 2025, the number of active Covid-19 cases in India stands at 257, a very low figure considering the country's large population. Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalisation required," an official told PTI. –2 Covid deaths in Mumbai, sources say: Mumbai's KEM Hospital reported two Covid-19 positive deaths, both patients having underlying serious health conditions, according to sources cited in a PTI news agency report. "One patient had oral cancer, while the other suffered from nephrotic syndrome. Both the deaths were attributed to their pre-existing conditions rather than Covid-19." ANI quoted sources. HT could not independently verify the report. – Hong Kong and Singapore Covid-19 cases: While there is an uptick in cases in Southeast Asian countries, the Covid still seems to be in check. Authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore have urged caution but have also said that these waves were expected. The Singapore ministry of health and the communicable diseases agency said that the estimated number of Covid-19 cases stood at 14,200 for the week of April 27 to May 3, rising from the previous week's figure of 11,100, the Straits Times reported. "After the resumption of normalcy, Hong Kong experienced cycles of active periods of Covid-19 every six to nine months. We expect the activity level of Covid-19 to remain at a higher level for at least the next few weeks,' the controller of Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection, Edwin Tsui, said in a press release. Last week, Singapore's health minister, Ong Ye Kung, had posted on Facebook that periodic Covid-19 waves are "expected throughout the year". – South Korea: Meanwhile, the South Korea's Disease Control and Prevention Agency extended its seasonal Covid vaccination period last month by two months, until the end of June. It advised people aged 65 and above to get inoculated with the JN.1 shot from Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE.


Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
India saw 164 Covid cases since May 12; Centre on alert amid fresh wave in Asia
The surging number of Covid-19 cases in southeast Asian countries like Singapore and Hong Kong raised alarms in India, with health authorities conducting a review meeting and asserting that the situation in the nation was 'under control'. Experts from the National Centre for Disease Control, Emergency Medical Relief division, Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research and central government hospitals, held a review meeting on Monday under the chairpersonship of the director general of health services. An official source, as cited by news agency PTI, said, "The meeting concluded that the current Covid-19 situation in India remains under control. As of May 19, 2025, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 257, a very low figure considering the country's large population. Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalisation required." However, the Union health ministry continues to proactively monitor the situation closely and ensure that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health. The rise in Covid-19 cases in southeast Asia are mostly triggered by the JN.1 variant, a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86 variant. As per the World Health Organisation, the JN.1 variant has around 30 mutations, and among them are LF.7 and NB.1.8, the two most common versions among the recently reported cases. Covid cases in India: As per the data from the ministry of health and family welfare, India reported 164 cases since May 12. Kerala reported the highest number of cases at 69, followed by Maharashtra at 44 and Tamil Nadu at 34. Karnataka reported 8 new cases of Covid-19, while Gujarat accounted for 6 and Delhi 3. Haryana, Rajasthan, and Sikkim reported one new case each. The ministry noted that the active cases in Kerala, however, was at 95, adding that "further reconciliation of mortality figures is ongoing". Currently, India has a total of 257 active cases of Covid-19. As many as 4,45,11,240 persons have been discharged and 5,33,666 deaths have been recorded, official data showed. The deaths of two Covid-19 patients at the civic-run KEM hospital in Mumbai sparked concerns over Covid-19. However, the hospital has clarified that the deaths were not related to coronavirus, but were due to co-morbidities. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had said in a statement that deaths of two Covid-infected patients, a 14-year-old girl and a woman aged 54, were reported at KEM hospital in Parel. However, hospital authorities said that they were due to serious diseases like nephrotic syndrome with hypocalcemic seizures and cancer. BMC clarified that there was no need for people to panic. It further said that Covid-19 is now considered as an endemic and ongoing health problem and very few cases of the virus are being found. "The Health Department of the BMC is constantly monitoring the spread of COVID-19. From January 2025 to April 2025, the number of COVID-19 patients has been found to be very low. But since the beginning of May, there have been some cases of COVID-19. However, the BMC administration is appealing to citizens not to panic in this regard," the civic body's statement read. BMC also said that it has made arrangements for the treatment of Covid patients, such as earmarking special beds and rooms in the municipal hospitals in the city. The capacity will immediately be increased if deemed necessary, it added. Southeast Asian countries like Singapore and Hong Kong are reporting an uptick in Covid-19 cases, with authorities urging people to keep vigil and take precautions. In a press release, the controller of Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection Edwin Tsui said, "After the resumption of normalcy, Hong Kong experienced cycles of active periods of Covid-19 in every six to nine months. We expect the activity level of Covid-19 to remain at a higher level for at least the next few weeks.' As per Nation Thailand, there were 31 severe cases of Covid-19 in Hong Kong in the week ending May 3, which is a 12-month peak in such cases. In Singapore, the ministry of health and the communicable diseases agency said that the estimated number of Covid-19 cases stood at 14,200 for the week of April 27 to May 3, rising from previous week's figure of 11,100, the Straits Times reported. Last week, Singapore's health minister Ong Ye Kung had posted on Facebook that periodic Covid-19 waves are "expected throughout the year". Meanwhile, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency extended its seasonal Covid vaccination period last month by two months, i.e., until end of June. It advised people aged 65 and above to get inoculated with the JN.1 shot from Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE. Reportedly, the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported that positive test rates for Covid-19 in hospitals more than doubled in the five weeks leading up to May 4. Amid the rising concern over Covid cases in Asia, members of the World Health Organisation voted in favour of a global pandemic agreement. After Slovakia called for a vote on Monday, 124 countries voted in favour of the global treaty on improving pandemic preparedness. "Governments from all over the world are making their countries, and our interconnected global community, more equitable, healthier and safer from the threats posed by pathogens and viruses of pandemic potential," said Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The draft addresses structural inequities on drugs and vaccines after lessons were learned following the Covid-19 pandemic. It will be formally adopted on Tuesday during a plenary session at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. (with inputs from agencies)


India Today
19-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
COVID-19 under control in India, say authorities amid surge scare in Asia
Health authorities in India are keeping an eye on reports of a rise in Covid cases in Singapore and Hong Kong even as official sources on Monday asserted the current coronavirus situation in the country was under control.A review meeting of experts from the National Centre for Disease Control, Emergency Medical Relief division, Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research and Central government hospitals was held on Monday under the chairpersonship of the director general of health meeting concluded that the current Covid-19 situation in India remains under control. As of May 19, 2025, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 257, a very low figure considering the country's large population."Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalization required," an official source country has a robust system for surveillance of viral respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and have been asked to monitor influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infection Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health, the sources Watch