Four more omicron cases in AP, one local transmission

Vijayawada: Four more Omicron cases have been reported in Andhra Pradesh on January 5, taking the total tally to 28.

According to Director of Public Health, Dr. G Hymavathi, among the total, three are male foreign travelers from USA and UK, and one female is tested positive through contact of traveler. Three travelers are natives of the Prakasam district and one is from the Guntur district.

In the last few days, Andhra Pradesh has seen a gradual rise in Omicron cases in the state, especially after the new year bash. On 4 January, seven Omicron cases were reported, among which one is reported from a 28-year-old (not an international traveler) who came from Goa to Krishna District.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has closed Kothavalasa ZP high school at Vizianagaram after 19 students and a teacher-tested positive for COVID 19. Panic gripped Vizianagaram after students and a teacher-tested Covid-19 positive.

According to the school authorities, 60 students of classes VI, VIII, and X were tested for COVID 19 Monday. On Tuesday, reports of 19 students and a teacher came back positive. Kothavalasa ZP high school has a roll of around 600 students.

Kothavalasa primary health center medical officer Dr. P. Seethamahalakshmi said those who tested negative were asked to stay away from parents as a precautionary measure. Condition of the students, who tested positive, is said to be stable.

Sources said on December 29, two students from the Kothavalasa ZP high school went to the passport office along with their families. After they returned back to Vizianagaram, students showed Covid like symptoms. Despite visible symptoms, they attended school. Health Officials suspect that they might have led to the spread of the virus.