COVID-19 spread remains low in Andhra Pradesh, says Health Minister

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

COVID-19 transmission remains at a low level across Andhra Pradesh and the country, with no indication of widespread or cluster-based transmission in the State, Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav said. According to the Health Department, 2,554 COVID-19 cases were reported across India between January 1 and August 15 this year, while Andhra Pradesh recorded 74 cases, placing it eighth among States. Kerala reported the highest number with 780 cases, followed by Tamil Nadu with 372 and West Bengal with 261.

Of the 74 cases recorded in Andhra Pradesh, 56 patients have recovered and been discharged, while 10 are undergoing treatment in hospitals and four are in home isolation. Four deaths have been reported. Officials said around 30 patients had other underlying health conditions.

The Health Department said COVID-19 cases have been reported in 17 districts, with Visakhapatnam recording the highest number at 16. Srikakulam, Anakapalli, Konaseema and Krishna districts reported one case each. Officials said that during the 54 days following detection of the first case in the current period, 28 days recorded no new COVID-19 cases at all. Current infections are described as sporadic rather than cluster-based, with no evidence of a sustained increase in transmission.

The department said the Omicron variant continues to circulate, resulting in occasional infections, but the overall infection rate remains low. People have been advised not to panic and to follow basic precautions. The government said adequate testing kits, protective equipment and medicines have been stocked in hospitals as a precautionary measure. The available supplies include 6,960 rapid-testing kits, 22,535 N95 masks, 47,018 PPE kits and 15.31 lakh surgical masks, besides 1,233 viral transport media units.

The State has also stocked essential medicines, including 850 Remdesivir injections, 13.81 lakh Azithromycin tablets, 65.32 lakh Vitamin-C tablets and 1.54 crore Paracetamol tablets. In total, 31 categories of essential medicines worth approximately ₹9.53 crore are reportedly available. The Health Department said surveillance would continue and hospitals remain prepared to respond should the pattern of transmission change.