TS issues COVID-19 health advisory as daily cases double

Hyderabad: The Telangana director of public health and family welfare has issued an advisory in view of the rise in Covid-19 cases in the state in the last 15 days. The daily number of cases has doubled in the state with 403 cases being reported on 21 June.

Meanwhile, 240 cases were reported in Hyderabad.

"The Telangana government is well prepared to tackle any eventuality in view of the rise in COVID cases. It is important to complete vaccination by taking both doses and it is also equally important to adhere to the precautions, including wearing a face mask and maintaining physical distance," the advisory read.

It also listed a set of precautions to be strictly followed. They are:

· Vulnerable age groups: Children less than 10 years of age and elders above 60 years of age are advised to avoid going outdoors unless necessary.

· Susceptible age groups: There is a higher incidence of COVID disease in the age group of 20 to 50 years, hence people are requested to exercise due precaution while going for work/essential activities.

· Use of face masks: Everybody should wear a mask when going out of the house. Face masks are the first line of defense against COVID

· Physical distancing: Maintaining a distance of more than 6 feet between people is important. Maintain physical distance when outside your homes.

· Workspace: Workspaces are to be provided with soap and sanitisers. Adequate physical distancing between employees should be maintained.

· Travel: Citizens are requested to avoid unnecessary travel. In case it is unavoidable, they should ensure all COVID-appropriate behavior such as wearing face masks, washing hands, using sanitiser, maintaining physical distance are followed.

· Seek medical care: In case of any flu/influenza-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, running nose, difficulty in breathing, body pains and headache, please report to the nearest government health facility and seek health services without any delay.

· Co-morbid conditions: People with co-morbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes, cardiac illness, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer and/or any other chronic illness are requested to stay indoors and avoid any kind of travel except for medical care in order to avoid exposure to COVID.

· Vaccination: Complete vaccination by taking both doses.

In the last few weeks, cases have been on the rise in Telangana. According to the government's daily Covid-19 Bulletin, Telangana registered 403 positive cases on Tuesday. There is a 63% increase in the number of cases from Monday to Tuesday.

On June 20, 246 positive cases were registered.

In Hyderabad, a total of 240 cases were registered on Tuesday. 185 cases were regsitered in the city on Monday.

Rangareddy marked the highest increase in the last 24 hours from 19 positive case on Monday to 103 cases on Tuesday.

What the Doctors are saying?

Dr. Sravani Reddy Karumuru, Consultant General Physician, Renova Hospitals, Langar House says, "The change in the climate is favourable for multiplication of infectious viruses. In the current pandemic situation, monsoon can lead to mutation of virus and care must be exercised. Self-prescription is not advisable and people must common forward and seek expert help."

Dr Mustufa Afzal, senior infection control specialist at Care Hospitals explains, "The number of cases reporting to out-patient departments are less because people have started self-medication again. Those who are testing are having the infection for more than five days."

Due to the change in the weather, there is an increase in viral infections in the city. There are hardly people wearing masks and there has also been a challenge noted in controlling the gatherings which is allowing for the spread of infection.

Many doctors opine that they do not know whether this can be a SARS-Cov 2 virus or a viral infection due to lack of testing.