New Delhi: Health authorities across India are keeping a watchful eye on a recent, albeit small, increase in COVID-19 infections. This comes as parts of Asia, including major hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore, are also experiencing a fresh wave of the virus. While the current numbers are far from the peaks of previous outbreaks, a noticeable surge has been observed in specific urban centers.
Cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad are reporting a slight but distinct rise in their caseloads, prompting health officials to reinforce vigilance
Mumbai Cluster Emerges in Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, Mumbai has recorded 95 new COVID-19 cases this May. This figure marks a considerable jump when compared to the mere 106 total cases reported across the entire state since January, according to data from the Maharashtra health department
Currently, at least 16 individuals are hospitalized due to the infection. To prevent further spread, most of these patients have been transferred from KEM Hospital to Seven Hills Hospital. Authorities are proactively testing all patients presenting with influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) for COVID-19.
Tamil Nadu Witnesses Diagnostic Shift
Tamil Nadu is also seeing new cases, with 12 reported in Puducherry. In Chennai, doctors are noting a change in diagnostic patterns: fevers that were previously assumed to be influenza are now increasingly being identified as COVID-19. This subtle shift has even led surgeons in some hospitals to postpone critical procedures, including organ transplants and heart surgeries, due to the inherent risk of infection.
Karnataka and Gujarat Report Fresh Detections
Karnataka’s Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, confirmed that the state currently has 16 active COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, in Gujarat, Ahmedabad experienced an unusual spike, detecting seven new cases on a single day. This is particularly noteworthy for a city that has averaged just one case per month over the past year. All seven patients are currently in home isolation, and their samples have been dispatched for genomic testing to identify the circulating variants.
Virus Remains a Persistent Presence
Despite the World Health Organization declaring the pandemic phase over in May 2023, COVID-19 continues its global circulation. In India, the majority of the recently reported cases are mild, and crucially, there have been no fatalities or admissions to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) linked to this latest increase.
Health experts are advising the public, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, to re-adopt basic preventive measures. These include wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces and practicing frequent handwashing. Additionally, medical professionals are recommending influenza vaccination to reduce the risk and severity of potential co-infections.
