Hyderabad: Ten states across the country reported Covid-19 fatalities even this year, while Telangana recorded its last death in 2022. Till date, 323 cases were reported in the state in 2024, a significant decrease from 1,50,000 cases reported in 2022, which fell to 3,260 cases in 2023. It is anticipated that the number of cases may not surpass 500 for the current year. Experts say that Covid-19 is no more endemic but has become seasonal, occurring more during the Dec-Jan season.
Andhra Pradesh, which reported 316 Covid-19 cases, has also not reported any deaths in 2024. The trends also correspond with global data from the World Health Organization (WHO). It shows that during the 28-day period between Sept 16 and Oct 13, 2024, 30 countries (13%) had reported deaths due to Covid-19, while 95 countries (41%) confirmed cases of the virus worldwide. The data indicates that there were over 3,30,000 new cases during this period, marking an 18% rise in reported cases. In contrast, there were over 4,500 new deaths, reflecting a 25% decline in fatalities compared to the previous 28-day period (Aug 19 to Sept 15, 2024).
During the same time-frame, at least 43 countries had reported hospitalisations, and 30 nations noted admissions to intensive care units (ICUs). The available data shows that around 25,000 new hospitalisations and over 800 new ICU admissions.
Dr Subodh Kandamuthan, director, Kakarla Subba Rao Centre for Health Care Management at ASCI, stated, “We cannot think Covid-19 will not happen again, but instances will be reported with low intensity. The govt is also aware of this, and they make this part of the seasonal management of diseases.”
