Across the country, 339 corona cases have been reported since July 1. -Symbolic Image
Andhra Pradesh has reported 12 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths between June 26 and July 16, prompting the state government to send five virus samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, for genome sequencing to identify the circulating variant. Neighbouring Karnataka has also stepped up precautionary measures along its border with the state.
Health Secretary and Commissioner Veera Pandian said the four deceased patients had pre-existing conditions, including hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease. He said the deaths occurred in patients with severe underlying illnesses.
According to the Health Department, eight of the new cases were reported from Kadapa, two from Guntur, and one each from Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. Officials said the infections were reported from different locations, with no evidence of any cluster outbreak.
Currently, three patients are in home isolation, two are undergoing treatment in hospital, and three have recovered and been discharged.
Dr. Vani, Superintendent of King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam, said one patient tested positive after developing COVID-19 symptoms. The infection was first confirmed at a private laboratory and later verified at KGH Hospital.
Health Department urges caution
Pandian appealed to the public not to panic and advised people to continue following precautionary measures. He said hospitals and healthcare workers across the state have been placed on alert to deal with any rise in cases.
According to official data, 339 COVID-19 cases have been reported across India since July 1.
Karnataka increases surveillance
Neighbouring Karnataka has heightened surveillance in districts bordering Andhra Pradesh following the fresh cases.
Tumakuru Deputy Commissioner Shobha Kalyan said precautionary measures are being implemented in border taluks, including Pavagada, due to their proximity to Andhra Pradesh.
“COVID-19 cases have been reported in Andhra Pradesh. Since some parts of Tumakuru district share a border with the state, we have decided to strengthen precautionary measures,” she said.
WHO-monitored variants
Thousands of variants of the coronavirus have emerged since the pandemic began. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified several major variants, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron, as variants of concern or interest at different stages of the pandemic.
Omicron has continued to evolve into multiple subvariants, including JN.1, XFG and NB.1.8.1, which have been detected in various parts of the world.
