Slight uptick in Covid active cases in India, amidst regional surge fears

The modest increase in Covid-19 infections, especially in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra should be seen in the backdrop of the recent surge of Covid infections in South East Asian Countries including Singapore and Hongkong

Hyderabad: In a sign of a slight increase in cases of new Covid-19 infections, the Union Health Ministry (MOHFW), which has started to update its Covid-19 dashboard since May 12, is now reporting 257 active Covid-19 infections across various Indian States, as on Monday, May 19.

The modest increase in Covid-19 infections, especially in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, which have 95, 66 and 56 active Covid infections respectively, should be seen in the backdrop of the recent surge of Covid infections in South East Asian Countries including Singapore and Hongkong, according to senior doctors here in Hyderabad.

According to the Covid-19 dashboard data from MOHFW and doctors familiar with the surveillance program note that the Public Health department in Telangana State has yet to start the process of identifying symptoms if any among individuals and conduct tests on suspected cases.

Meanwhile, the neighboring State of Karnataka has reported 13 active infections, Pondicherry has reported another 10 and Tamil Nadu has reported 66.

“Since the monsoon season is about to start in a week or two, it’s better to keep a close tab on emerging seasonal ailments like Covid-19, influenza and other vector-borne diseases. It’s also advisable for the health authorities to start collecting samples from patients and conduct tests to ascertain any new variants that have emerged in the recent past,” a senior health official in Hyderabad, said.

Meanwhile, senior chest specialists from Hyderabad have urged vulnerable population like persons with chronic heart, kidney diseases and those who already had tested positive for Covid, chronic diabetics must be careful, such as wearing a mask, at public places.