Covid: Surge in fresh cases prompts increased testing, number of active patients reaches 3742
Covid: Concerns are growing as COVID cases continue to rise in multiple states, reaching 3742 active patients on Sunday, with the highest reported cases in Kerala, where a new variant, JN.1, has emerged.
Dr Sameer Bhati, a public health expert and the director of Star Imaging and Path Lab, sheds light on the changing dynamics of the coronavirus.
Despite a lower number of tests, cases in Delhi are closely monitored, and genome sequencing is performed to identify any emerging variants.
Dr Bhati explains that while the RTPCR test is used to detect COVID, genome sequencing is performed to identify new variants.
As the virus transforms frequently, samples from infected people are sent for testing, revealing the specific variant. Notably, the public health expert described symptoms such as cough, cold, fever, and sore throat.
He stated that currently, COVID testing is done in three ways: at home with kits, swiftly with rapid antigen tests, and fully with RTPCR tests.
Dr Bhati observed that most people opt for home testing or seek hospital tests when they experience symptoms. Positive cases are then referred for genome sequencing to identify any potential new variants.
Dr. Bhati also mentions an increase in testing for seasonal flu, despite the fact that its prevalence is relatively low in the capital. The increase in COVID cases is most noticeable in states with higher travel rates, such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
Dr Bhati anticipates an increase in COVID cases in Delhi and the NCR in the coming days.
In response to the possibility of an increase in cases, Dr Bhati emphasises the importance of reporting positive cases to the ICMR, which will trigger genome sequencing in select cases.
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