Covid in India: Which states tweaked guidelines amid spike in cases this week

India recorded 2,994 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, with the active caseload at 16,354, according to union health ministry data.

The daily positivity rate stands at 2.09%, while the weekly positivity rate is at 2.03%, as per the latest health bulletin. Check the revised Covid-19 guidelines from the union health ministry, as well as the situation in different states.

-Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection.

-The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease.

-Seek immediate medical attention if difficulty breathing, high-grade fever or severe cough, particularly if lasting for more than 5 days.

-“A low threshold is to be kept for those with any of the high-risk features,” guidelines discussed and prepared in January said.

-Additionally, in moderate or severe diseases at high risk of progression, the guidelines recommend, “Consider Remdesivir for up to 5 days (200 mg IV on day 1 followed by 100 mg IV OD for the next 4 days)”

Covid-19 cases in different states

Maharashtra

Maharashtra reported 425 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, with an active caseload exceeding 3,000. No Covid-related deaths were recorded, and the state’s recovery rate stood at 98.14%, according to the state health department bulletin cited by news agency PTI.

Pune had a higher test positivity rate than the state average on Thursday, with the current weekly test positivity rate at 11% compared to the state’s 8.16%, officials reported.

Mumbai recorded 177 cases, while Pune city had 50 new cases on Friday. The state government has urged people to avoid gathering in crowded places and to use masks to reduce the spread of the infection.

Delhi

Delhi has seen a rise in fresh Covid-19 cases over the past few days. However, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that there is no immediate cause for concern as the government is taking all necessary measures.

Kejriwal added that genome sequencing of all samples that test positive for Covid-19 is being carried out to detect any new variants promptly. He further informed that the XBB.1.16 variant is currently the most prevalent, accounting for 48% of all positive cases, and while it spreads rapidly, it is not severe.

In regards to mask-wearing regulations, the chief minister stated that no new guidelines had been issued by the Centre yet, and the government would act accordingly when they receive them.

On the vaccination front, Kejriwal announced that all adults in Delhi had received full vaccination against Covid-19, while all eligible people below the age of 18 had been administered with the second dose.

Uttar Pradesh

Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh witnessed its highest single-day count of nine new Covid-19 cases in five months on Friday, prompting the district administration to enforce Covid protocols. The state has seen a threefold increase in active Covid cases over the past few days, although the silver lining is that almost all patients are recovering in home isolation with no significant symptoms.

Dr. Abhishek Shukla, secretary-general of the Association of International Doctors, emphasized the importance of following Covid protocols, such as social distancing, wearing masks in public places, and avoiding crowded places, to reduce the number of cases.

According to officials who attended the review meeting chaired by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, there is currently one Covid positive patient for every ten lakh population in the state.

Last week, UP reported a total of 78 new Covid cases, including 38 from Lakhimpur Kheri, where students and staff of a government residential school were found infected. This was the highest number of cases reported in a single day this year.

Kerala

The Kerala government issued an alert to all districts on Wednesday following a slight increase in Covid-19 cases in the state. Kerala’s health minister Veena George announced the alert after a meeting with core committee members and experts, stating that the state reported 172 new infections on Tuesday, indicating a marginal increase in cases.

“We request all to wear masks and meet other measures to check the possible infection. There is no need of any panic and but it always good to take precautions,” she said after the meeting.

Several hospitals in Kerala have made masks mandatory, and schools have also advised children to wear them as a precautionary measure.

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government has mandated the wearing of face masks from Saturday at all government hospitals throughout the state due to a rise in the number of coronavirus cases, news agency PTI reported. Health Minister Ma Subramanian stated on Friday that doctors, nurses, medical staff, patients, and visitors must comply completely with the new rule at the approximately 11,300 healthcare facilities since infections initially started in hospitals.

Upon arrival at airports in the state, passengers arriving from other countries are randomly screened for COVID-19. During the last 24 hours, 123 individuals have tested positive for the virus in Tamil Nadu, according to the minister.