New Delhi: Two deaths in Mumbai and a surge of COVID-19 cases in the city has caused an alarm. Although viral cases have been on an upward spiral pan-India, experts say not every fever is due to one or the other Covid variant. Given the vaccination status of our people and the fact that we have been exposed to most virulent strains of the virus makes us safer in the given context. “Yes, we are hearing of a sudden surge in populations in Singapore and even Hong Kong. More details on the virus strain is awaited but most likely it belongs to the JN.1 family of viruses. We are keeping a close watch on the health ministry data on case load and also monitoring individual cases that are being reported post Covid screening,” said Dr Madan Madhukar, a pulmonologist based out of Pune, Maharashtra.
The two deaths due to Covid reported from the city of Mumbai were accorded to co-morbidities of the patients. A teenager suffering from kidney failure due to nephrotic syndrome and a 54 year old who was ailing from cancer before succumbing to Covid. The number of cases in Mumbai has also seen an uptick with more than 55 cases having been screened thus far. Kerala too has a heavy case load with more than 90 cases, followed closely by Tamil Nadu which has over 66, Delhi has registered only 5 cases till May 19.
High fever reported from all over
It is viral season and the hospitals are swelling with people who have complains ranging from high fever and sore throat to stomach illnesses. Doctors have ruled all of these as common symptoms of a seasonal viral. “With the incoming monsoon season, such viral outbreaks are commonplace. We are noticing more than normal fever in most cases but that could be due to the soaring outside temperatures as well. The other accompanying symptoms are mostly those resembling flu,” said Dr Bipin Padhi, a general physician at the Max Superspeciality Hospital in Noida. He adds that fever over 103.5 degree F is becoming a common occurrence.
Is it worrisome? “Yes, fever should not be allowed to climb after 103 in all patients. In youngsters and infants, fever needs to be monitored once it crosses 101 degree F. In pregnant ladies and patients with comorbidities, fever needs to be very strictly monitored and kept within the normal range,” he tells us.
Whether this high fever can be due to the strains of Covid or not, one cannot say for sure but doctors are keen to observe this kind of a viral strain which is also causing considerable weakness in patients. “We are monitoring most of these viral cases even to identify and understand its behaviour. This high fever is causing acute dehydration in some patients too. It doesn’t appear to be a common case of a seasonal flu causing a viral fever,” says Dr Padhi.
As for other symptoms like shortness of breath and weakness, doctors say these are not seen as primary concern. “The Mumbai Covid cases show a normal trajectory. There is no reason for any worry as of now. We had already suggested that this is going to be the new normal where people would have to learn to live with variants of Covid,” he adds.
Screenings should be amped up
With the uptick in Covid cases around the globe, does it make sense for India to also increase testing and screening for variants? Dr Padhi says isolated screenings can increase but not every viral fever should undergo a Covid test. “Not now. We are closely observing the situation and are also in touch with the health ministry. We will make an informed decision once it is the right time to do so. Increasing screenings at this time would also give rise to unnecessary panic among people,” agrees Dr Madhukar.
There are many others like Madhukar who feel increased testing for Covid is not the need of the hour but state-wise preparedness for an emergency like situation should be monitored by all government agencies. Hospitals and wards need to be readied, oxygen cylinders checked, and other SOPs adhered to should be out main lookout at the moment.
“Apart from the preps, we should also keep a close eye on vaccine status. Do we have enough doses for a booster to the entire population if the need arises? Do we start making vaccines again, and more importantly do we know what the next variant could be and whether the vaccine would work for all strains… these are some of the questions that stakeholders will be facing now and they need to arrive at conclusion sooner than later,” added Dr Deepti Bhatnagar from AIIMS in Delhi.
Till then, all experts advise personal care and maintaining hygiene as basic SOPs to keep Covid at bay.
According to the government COVID dashboard, as of May 19, the active cases have risen significantly in Mumbai and Kerala with 56 and 95 cases respectively. There have reportedly been two deaths due to the virus as per reports too. The Singapore surge that is being driven by the LF.7 and NB.1.8 (both descendants of the JN.1 variant) is already causing quite a bit of unrest globally. However, experts in India have advised patients to not panic and maintain normal Covid hygiene. They are observing the current viral load in the country and have reached the conclusion that it is a seasonal viral (albeit a stronger variant) Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
