Andhra Pradesh reports 12 COVID-19 cases, four deaths; govt rules out fresh wave
The Health Department says the cases are sporadic and do not indicate a fresh COVID-19 wave, while samples have been sent to NIV Pune to identify the circulating variant
COVID-19 cases are once again being reported in Andhra Pradesh, raising concerns among the public. However, the State Health Department has clarified that the currently reported cases are sporadic and do not indicate large-scale transmission or cluster outbreaks. Officials have advised people to remain cautious but not to panic unnecessarily.
According to the department, 12 COVID-19 cases were reported in the state between June 26 and July 16. During the same period, four COVID-positive patients died. However, officials stated that all the deceased had serious pre-existing co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney-related illnesses.
State Health Commissioner G Veera Pandiyan said that three of the deaths occurred in YSR Kadapa district and one in Kakinada district. Of the 12 cases reported so far, eight were recorded in YSR Kadapa district, two in Guntur district, and one each in Visakhapatnam and Kakinada districts.
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This indicates that COVID-19 cases have been reported across the Rayalaseema, Coastal Andhra, and North Andhra regions.
Meanwhile, the authorities have not yet made any special arrangements in response to these cases. Government hospitals do not have dedicated COVID wards at present. Doctors at the Vijayawada Government Hospital have stated that no COVID-specific emergency equipment or additional medical supplies have been provided by the government so far.
However, Pandiyan stated that the reported cases are scattered across different parts of the state and do not indicate a fresh wave of COVID-19. He said there is no need for panic and assured that the government is fully alert. Hospitals, doctors, and medical staff are prepared, and essential medicines and testing facilities are readily available.
Officials also said that patient samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, for genome sequencing to identify the currently circulating COVID-19 variant. Investigations are underway to determine whether a new variant is responsible for the recent cases.
(This article was originally published in The Federal Andhra Pradesh.)