Latest news with #Influenza-LikeIllness
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
MGMGH opens Covid-19 ward but no cases in district yet
TIRUCHY: Amid an increase in Covid-19 cases across the country, a 12-bed Covid-19 isolation ward has been set up at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) as a precautionary measure. Although no confirmed cases of the viral disease has been reported in the district so far, the move to open the isolation ward comes as fever cases are being more intensely monitored across the state. The Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has instructed all district and city health officers to step up surveillance of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant as of May 2025, NB.1.8.1, is more transmissible but does not typically cause severe disease. Covid-19 is now considered endemic, and many cases are being identified incidentally through broad respiratory virus testing.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Active Covid cases in India cross 3,000, Kerala leads the surge
India's active Covid-19 cases have crossed the 3,000 threshold, with Kerala reporting the highest number of infections, according to data released by the Union health ministry on Saturday. The number of active cases has risen sharply from 257 on May 22 to 3,395 as of May 31. In the last 24 hours alone, 685 new cases were recorded, and four deaths were reported, one each in Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. Health officials maintain there is no reason for alarm. 'The severity of infections is low, with most patients under home care,' an official source told news agency PTI. Dr Rajiv Behl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said on Monday that genome sequencing from affected regions in the west and south of India confirmed that the variants driving the latest increase are all Omicron subvariants — LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1. 'We should monitor and be vigilant, but there is no cause to worry,' he said. The rise in active cases is most pronounced in Kerala (1,336), followed by Maharashtra (467), Delhi (375), Gujarat (265), Karnataka (234), West Bengal (205), Tamil Nadu (185) and Uttar Pradesh (117). Delhi reported the death of a 60-year-old woman who had acute intestinal obstruction, while Karnataka reported a 63-year-old cancer patient who had co-morbidities including tuberculosis. Odisha health secretary Aswathy S urged residents not to panic, assuring that all seven patients in the state are stable and the situation remains under control. 'The latest ICMR report says that the present variant does not exhibit severe symptoms, and most cases are mild,' she said. Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta has reiterated that the city's hospitals are well-prepared. 'Nineteen patients are hospitalised in Delhi, but there is no need to worry. The government is alert,' she said. An earlier advisory instructed hospitals to ensure the availability of beds, oxygen, antibiotics, and vaccines. Karnataka issues precautionary guidelines As active cases continue to rise in Karnataka, the state's health and family welfare department has issued a detailed advisory aimed at preventing further spread. Healthcare workers have been directed to report all Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) cases, especially those with co-morbidities. A portion of these cases will undergo RT-PCR testing, and symptomatic individuals among vulnerable groups — including children, the elderly, and pregnant women, must be tested. The advisory also mandates the tracking of positivity rates and CT values, genome sequencing of severe cases, and sewage surveillance where applicable. With schools set to reopen in June, a separate circular instructed schools to send symptomatic children home and ensure that teachers and staff do not work while ill. 'Avoid crowded or poorly ventilated areas, especially for immunocompromised individuals,' the circular said.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka reports third Covid-19 fatality amid rise in cases
A 63-year-old man who had tested positive for Covid-19 died at a private hospital in Mysuru on May 25, pushing Karnataka's coronavirus death toll to three, health officials confirmed on Friday. The patient was admitted on May 15 and succumbed ten days later. A statement from the state health department attributed the death to septic shock complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), acute kidney injury (AKI) with reduced urine output, Covid pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and hyponatremia. He also suffered from chronic kidney disease (CKD) and bronchiectasis. (Also Read: 67 dead as record-breaking rainfall batters Karnataka, over 19 lakh at risk: Report) As of May 30, Karnataka has 234 active Covid-19 cases, with 114 new cases reported on the same day, according to the health bulletin. A total of 460 tests were conducted, including 406 RT-PCR and 54 rapid antigen tests. The test positivity rate stood at 24.7 per cent, with a case fatality rate of 0.8 per cent. Health officials reiterated that Covid-19 testing must be carried out in all Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases and selectively—up to 5 per cent, among Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) cases. Throat swab samples must be sent to designated labs for RT-PCR confirmation. The department also directed all testing to be done in government laboratories and emphasized that test kits must be used on a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) basis to prevent wastage. (Also Read: 6-year-old girl killed as heavy downpour causes landslides in Coastal Karnataka)
NDTV
6 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
9 New Covid Cases Reported In Rajasthan In 24 Hours
Jaipur: Rajasthan reported nine new Covid-19 cases, including a 16-day-old infant, in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of cases this year to 32. Of the newly detected cases, seven were reported in Jaipur, while two were confirmed at AIIMS Jodhpur. The Health Department has collected samples from all the patients and sent them for genome sequencing. Health officials said that two cases were detected in AIIMS Jodhpur and an equal number tested positive in Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, Jaipur. Four cases tested positive in B Lal Diagnostic Lab, Jaipur - four cases, while one case came positive in Aanavik Diagnostic Centre, Jaipur. In Jodhpur, a 16-day-old male infant has tested positive with a 35-year-old female. The cumulative COVID-19 from January 1 to May 27 this year is 32, while one death has been registered. Jaipur has the highest number of patients who tested COVID-19 positive, followed by Jodhpur, counting six patients. Udaipur has four patients, Didwana has three patients, Ajmer has two patients, Sawai Madhopur has one, Phalodi has one, Bikaner has one and one more patient. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, urging citizens to follow safety protocols and get tested in case of symptoms. Following a rise in COVID-19 cases, Rajasthan's Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinwasar held a high-level meeting with officials from the Department of Medicine and Health on Tuesday. During the meeting, he issued necessary directions to strengthen preventive measures and ensure medical preparedness. The Minister stated that, as per the Union government, the current COVID-19 variant is not considered fatal, but individuals should remain cautious and consult a doctor if symptoms like cough, cold, or fever appear. Khinwsar particularly emphasised the need for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with serious illnesses, and children, to take extra precautions. He advised the public to avoid crowded places and seek medical advice if they experience symptoms of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI). He also directed department officials to ensure that diagnostic and treatment facilities remain accessible and active across the state. Medical experts, he added, have confirmed that while the situation is being closely monitored, the threat level remains under control. Gayatri Rathore, Principal Government Secretary of the Department of Medicine and Health, stressed the need to ensure the full functionality of oxygen plants across the state. She instructed officers to repair any non-operational plants immediately and ensure that all facilities are ready to handle potential surges in cases. She also reiterated the importance of strictly following the central government's COVID-19 guidelines as they are updated from time to time.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Vasai-Virar civic body starts Covid screening
Vasai: With Covid-19 cases rising in Mumbai, the healthcare department of the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) has started a screening campaign and kept beds aside in its hospitals as a precautionary measure. "In the past week, we have screened 5,070 people for Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and carried out antigen tests, but there are no positive cases," said VVCMC medical officer Dr Bhakti Choudhary. The corporation has also reserved a 25-bedded ward at Jivdani hospital, Virar, and has made arrangements for liquid oxygen plants. Awareness drives will be carried out in industrial areas, public places and residential neighbourhoods. The health department has also appealed to the public to promptly get tested if they experience any symptoms. Meanwhile, 66 patients, including 31 from Mumbai, tested positive for Covid across the state, according to the state health department on Tuesday. Since Jan, the state has recorded 435 positive patients, including 310 from Mumbai.
