Latest news with #SuranjitChatterjee
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Two people died of Covid in Delhi within 24 hours; total no. of active cases in India stand at 3,395
NEW DELHI: Two more persons with Covid-19 died in the last 24 hours, taking the capital's death toll for this year to three. The city documented 81 fresh infections since Friday, with the current active caseload standing at 375. Across India, the total number of active Covid-19 cases climbed to 3,395. As reported by the Union health ministry's Covid-19 dashboard on Saturday, the deceased were identified as a 60-year-old woman who experienced acute intestinal obstruction following abdominal surgery and tested positive for Covid-19, and a 71-year-old man with pneumonia, septic shock and acute kidney injury (AKI). Maharashtra has 467 active cases of Covid-19, Delhi 375 Kerala leads with 1,336 Covid-19 positive cases, whilst Maharashtra and Delhi follow with 467 and 375 cases, respectively. Other states, including Gujarat, Karnataka, and West Bengal, have also surpassed 200 cases, but their situation remains less severe compared to the top three affected regions. Dr Romel Tickoo, director of Internal Medicine at Max Hospital, Saket, indicated that during May 2024, India witnessed minimal Covid-19 activity, with very few active cases across the country. Nevertheless, by May 2025, the situation changed with a notable rise in case numbers. 'Despite its increased transmissibility, JN.1 does not appear to cause severe illness in most cases. However, the symptoms remained largely similar to those observed in the previous year,' he said. The JN.1 variant, a sub-lineage of the Omicron BA.2.86 strain, has become predominant in India, accounting for about 95% of recent cases. Explaining the nature of the new strain of Covid-19 currently circulating, Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, internal medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said that NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 are sub-lineages of JN.1, which itself is a descendant of earlier Omicron strains. They are not entirely new variants but evolved forms with additional mutations. Compared to the Delta variant, which was associated with severe lower respiratory tract infections, the current sub-variants primarily cause milder, upper respiratory symptoms. They are more transmissible but generally less severe, especially among vaccinated individuals. The precautions for the current wave of Covid-19 remain the same as in previous phases. Dr Neetu Jain, senior consultant in pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine at PSRI Hospital, advised that individuals should wear masks, particularly in crowded spaces and indoor venues, while maintaining distance from people displaying flu-like symptoms, including cough, cold or nasal congestion. She emphasised that those with symptoms should self-isolate and keep track of their health. The treatment protocol should focus on supportive measures such as staying hydrated and using paracetamol for fever management. She cautioned against self-administering antibiotics without a doctor's prescription.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
How is Covid-19 different from monsoon flu? A doctor explains
Even as cases of Covid-19 rise across the country, the early monsoon has meant that influenza cases are also spiralling. How then does one differentiate between the two viruses as they have almost overlapping symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, fatigue, headaches, body aches and diarrhoea? 'Clinically, it is difficult to tell the difference between the two from symptoms alone. Testing is needed to confirm a diagnosis. These are respiratory viruses that can spread from person to person. But yes, given the mutations that we are seeing in sub-variants of Covid-19, we can say these are more transmissible as these trick your immune system faster. But their effects continue to be mild in line with what we have seen in the Omicron variant. The only difference on the surface could be in the severity of symptoms,' says Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, internal medicine specialist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. However, for the immuno-compromised, the elderly and those with co-morbidities, testing is recommended to avoid complications. The biggest difference is the dipping oxygen saturation. The oxygen levels fall much more rapidly in Covid-19 compared to flu. Of course, we have seen pneumonia and low levels of oxygen in flu too, especially when the patient has co-morbidities. But the dip among all age groups is sharper in Covid-19. Loss of smell or taste used to be a distinguishing factor but with newer variants, these symptoms do not show up. Besides, you could lose your sense of smell and taste even in bad cases of flu. Covid-19 can cause more severe symptoms in some people compared to the flu. Not only that, a flu may result in symptoms between one and four days after infection. In Covid-19, a person may experience symptoms anywhere from two to five days and up to 14 days after infection, according to the Centres for Disease and Control (CDC). Also, in flu cases, the disease tends to ease out and resolve faster than Covid-19, whose symptoms tend to intensify and even become long-lasting. The latter may even lead to multi-system inflammation that may last a longer time. If a person has Covid-19, they could be contagious for a longer time than if they have flu. People with influenza virus are potentially contagious for about one day before they show symptoms. But Covid-19 patients can spread the virus days before their symptoms begin and can be contagious for a week after their symptoms begin. In other words they are more superspreading. Testing is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. While flu is generally diagnosed going by symptoms, if you are in an area where Covid-19 is rampant, then go for the RT-PCR. Early testing can help reduce severe illness. Do not miss out on the flu vaccine shot, which is updated every year. Covid vaccines were based on ancestral strains and cannot protect us from sub-variants. Vaccines that do so are not widely available. We have protection from earlier vaccine shots and have infection-acquired immunity. With mild symptoms, no vaccine guideline has been issued.
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Delhi reports 104 active Covid-19 cases, 99 in a week
Delhi reported 104 active cases of COVID-19, out of which 99 have been reported since May 19 and 24 patients were discharged or recovered, according to the state dashboard. According to the central COVID-19 dashboard, there are 1,009 active cases across the country, including those in Kerala with 430 cases, followed by Maharashtra with 209 cases, and Delhi with 104. The cases in Delhi and other parts of the country come after a spike in coronavirus disease cases was reported in Asian countries. Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said only those patients should be tested in whom there is an indication, not in every case. 'Obviously, the numbers are rising, but we should not press the panic button. If we look at other viral cases, 104 in a week is a minuscule number. Because the numbers are rising, we have to be watchful. Now, we can start investigating a bit more if there is a reason,' he said. According to reports, the spread of Omicron-related variants has led to the latest rise in the number of COVID-29 cases. The sub-lineages of the JN.1 variant (LF.7 and NB1.8) have been confirmed by health authorities in these countries. JN.1 is a descendant of the BA.2.86, also known as 'Pirola' strain, belonging to the Omicron lineage. Last Friday, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh said 23 COVID-19 cases were reported from private labs, adding hospitals are prepared to tackle any surge in cases. 'We have had a conversation with medical superintendents regarding preparations. Eight of our senior officials are visiting hospitals daily. Our hospitals are prepared with oxygen and oximeters,' he said. The Delhi health department also issued an order last week to all government and private hospitals to ensure adequate beds, and a supply of oxygen, antibiotics, and other drugs and vaccines. According to the health department, hospitals have been told to ensure that equipment such as ventilators, BiPAP machines, and oxygen concentrators are functional. 'Refresher training of dedicated staff may be conducted. Report Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in all health facilities (OPD/IPD) daily on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal. Confirmed influenza and COVID-19 cases may also be reported on IHIP,' the advisory added. The order, issued by the special secretary, instructed daily reporting of all parameters on the Delhi State Health Data Management Portal, and adequate testing as per COVID-19 testing guidelines. 'Ensure Covid-19 testing of 5% ILI cases & 100% SARI cases. ICMR guidelines for testing are attached. Send all positive COVID-19 samples for whole genome sequencing to the Lok Nayak Hospital to enable timely detection of new variants, if any,' said the advisory.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Karnataka: 84-year-old man infected with COVID-19 dies due to multi-organ failure in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: A 84-year-old man with severe comorbidities has died due to multi-organ failure in Karnataka's Bengaluru, and his COVID-19 test results came back positive on Saturday, said health officials. The health department said that the city's Whitefield resident died on May 17 due to multi-organ failure. The results of the COVID-19 test taken on him when he was alive came on Saturday, showing positive, officials said. According to the health department, 38 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the state, including 32 in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, in Belagavi, a 24-year-old pregnant woman tested positive. Multiple states, including Karnataka and Delhi, have issued advisories but have urged people not to panic. According to health experts, there has been no surge in COVID-19 cases; only sporadic cases have been reported. Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said on Friday, "At the moment, the situation is under control. There are, at most, sporadic cases, which are also rare. Even the present cases are being managed very easily." On Saturday, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava reviewed the matter regarding COVID-19 cases reported across multiple states, mainly from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, etc, according to official sources. It is observed that most of these cases are mild and under home care. However, the Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and, through its multiple agencies, is proactively monitoring the situation closely, the official sources said. According to the Union Health Ministry, as of May 19, India has 257 active COVID-19 cases, most of which are mild and require no hospitalisation. The country continues to monitor respiratory illnesses through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the ICMR. The Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health. While COVID-19 is now considered another type of viral infection, basic precautions such as hand hygiene, masks in crowded areas and avoiding unnecessary gatherings are still encouraged.
India.com
25-05-2025
- Health
- India.com
COVID-19 Cases Rise In Kerala, Tamil Nadu, And Maharashtra; Health Ministry Issues New Advisory
India is seeing a slow rise in COVID-19 cases in various states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Delhi, which has caused health authorities to release advisories requesting public vigilance. The Union Health Ministry states that there are presently 257 active COVID-19 cases in the country, most of which are mild and can be managed at home. The spike, however not a cause for alarm, has put health authorities on their toes, particularly since sporadic cases are being reported in varying regions. Kerala has the most active cases at 95, followed by Tamil Nadu with 66 and Maharashtra at 56. The other states reporting low yet significant case numbers include Karnataka (13), Puducherry (10), Gujarat (7), and Delhi (5). COVID-19 Active Case Count By State (as of May 25): Kerala: 95 Tamil Nadu: 66 Maharashtra: 56 Karnataka: 13 Puducherry: 10 Gujarat: 7 Delhi: 5 Rajasthan: 2 Haryana, Sikkim, West Bengal: 1 each In an interview with ANI, Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant of Internal Medicine in Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said that the situation is not such that it can bring panic. "At the moment, the situation is under control. These are sporadic cases, and even those are mild. No hospitalisation is being required," he added. Dr. Chatterjee further added that COVID-19 is now acting like a seasonal flu and can be treated with simple care. COVID-19 Fatalities Reported Although for the most part cases have been mild, two fatalities have recently been reported. In Maharashtra's Thane district, a 21-year-old diabetic patient died of the virus, the second COVID-19 fatality reported in the state. An 84-year-old comorbid patient in Karnataka also died from an infection complication. New Variants Under Watch Two new variants of COVID-19 — NB.1.8.1 (identified in Gujarat) and LF.7 (found in Tamil Nadu)—have been identified. Although neither has been declared a variant of concern, both are being closely monitored by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Advisory From Health Ministry The Union Health Ministry suggested basic precautions, particularly in public or populated spaces. Citizens have been instructed to: Use masks in populated areas Practice normal hand hygiene Don't travel if feeling unwell Although the increase in cases has not caused panic, authorities remain vigilant to ensure that the spread is contained.
