ANICovid-19 cases in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu's Chennai are on the rise. While Karnataka has 16 active cases, Chennai has 40 active cases, reported TOI.
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed the state's numbers on Tuesday even though the broader situation remains under control. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over rising Covid infections in Singapore and Hong Kong.
In Chennai, fevers in hospitals were largely attributed to influenza A and B until two weeks ago. However, they are now increasingly linked to Covid-19.
The public health department, which says there are 40 active cases, is yet to confirm whether people with the viral infection have strains similar to Omicron JN.1 descendants—LF.7 and NB.1.8—observed in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Most symptoms include fever, nasal congestion, respiratory distress, and a persistent cough, but there is no spike in admissions to intensive care units or deaths reported so far, health officials confirmed.
"There is no need for panic," Director of Public Health, Dr T S Selvavinagayam, told TOI. "Like influenza-like illness, Covid never completely went away. We have been seeing sporadic cases of the viral infection with seasonal peaks," he added.
On Tuesday, the directorate asked people to wear masks and maintain social distancing when they are in closed crowded spaces.
"It is important for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with co-morbid conditions or immunity issues to take precautions," he said.
The number of Covid-19 cases in India stood at 257 as of May 19, according to official figures cited by PTI.
Health officials say the majority of these infections are mild and do not require hospitalisation.
“The current Covid-19 situation in India remains under control,” a senior government source said following a high-level review chaired by the Director General of Health Services. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the emergency medical relief division, and other key agencies.
The central health ministry is closely monitoring international trends and remains proactive in its response, officials said.
Hospitals across the country have been advised to keep a close eye on cases of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infections.
India's surveillance network, which includes the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR systems, continues to track respiratory viruses including Covid-19.
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed the state's numbers on Tuesday even though the broader situation remains under control. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over rising Covid infections in Singapore and Hong Kong.
In Chennai, fevers in hospitals were largely attributed to influenza A and B until two weeks ago. However, they are now increasingly linked to Covid-19.
The public health department, which says there are 40 active cases, is yet to confirm whether people with the viral infection have strains similar to Omicron JN.1 descendants—LF.7 and NB.1.8—observed in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Most symptoms include fever, nasal congestion, respiratory distress, and a persistent cough, but there is no spike in admissions to intensive care units or deaths reported so far, health officials confirmed.
"There is no need for panic," Director of Public Health, Dr T S Selvavinagayam, told TOI. "Like influenza-like illness, Covid never completely went away. We have been seeing sporadic cases of the viral infection with seasonal peaks," he added.
On Tuesday, the directorate asked people to wear masks and maintain social distancing when they are in closed crowded spaces.
"It is important for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with co-morbid conditions or immunity issues to take precautions," he said.
The number of Covid-19 cases in India stood at 257 as of May 19, according to official figures cited by PTI.
Health officials say the majority of these infections are mild and do not require hospitalisation.
“The current Covid-19 situation in India remains under control,” a senior government source said following a high-level review chaired by the Director General of Health Services. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the emergency medical relief division, and other key agencies.
The central health ministry is closely monitoring international trends and remains proactive in its response, officials said.
Hospitals across the country have been advised to keep a close eye on cases of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infections.
India's surveillance network, which includes the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR systems, continues to track respiratory viruses including Covid-19.
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