Hyderabad: Urging the public to remain calm, health minister Damodar Raja Narasimha on Saturday directed the officials concerned to closely monitor the evolving Covid-19 situation in other states and countries amid a sudden spike in cases.The minister also appealed to the public to maintain personal hygiene and take necessary precautions.At a review meeting on the state’s preparedness in handling Covid-19, officials highlighted that the state has adequate testing kits, medicines, and testing facilities, apart from robust healthcare facilities.“The minister asked officials to continuously seek inputs from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as well as the Union ministry of health and family welfare over the current situation. Covid-19 is now an endemicity, meaning it is a consistently occurring infection within communities. Hence, officials were asked to ensure that no panic spreads in the state,” an official from the department of public health and family welfare told TOI.This development comes a day after the health officials confirmed the first Covid-19 case this year after a pulmonologist, a private medical practitioner residing in Kukatpally, tested positive. Gandhi hospital has also also reopened its isolation ward. Officials noted that although some countries reported a slight rise in Covid-19 cases, hospitalisation rates remain significantly low.“Moreover, no new advisories or guidelines have been issued by the ministry of health and family welfare, which reflects the controlled nature of the situation,” the official added.Health department officials said that the situation remains stable in India, where a limited number of JN.1 variant cases have been detected. This variant, in circulation since 2023, currently poses no significant threat. However, at least one sample of a new strain — NB181 — was detected in the country, which was collected and sequenced in April.Officials further said that an increase in respiratory infections such as cough, cold, and fever is also expected due to prevailing weather conditions. “As Covid-19 has very comprehensive symptoms, these conditions might also add to it,” said the official, urging people to remain vigilant during the upcoming monsoon season and adopt appropriate preventive measures such as maintaining cleanliness and eliminating stagnant water sources.
