Andhra Pradesh Reports First Covid-19 Deaths Since 2022; Officials Say Cases Are Sporadic
The Andhra Pradesh health department is on alert after two Covid-19 deaths were recorded in Kadapa district, marking the first such fatalities in the state since 2022. Eight other people have tested positive for the virus and are under monitoring, according to health department officials. However, officials have emphasised that these are sporadic cases and do not constitute a fresh outbreak.
Details of the deaths
The first victim was a 60-year-old man with multiple comorbidities, including diabetes and kidney disease. He was initially admitted to Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences in Tirupati and later transferred to Christian Medical College in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. He died while undergoing treatment on June 28. A postmortem RT-PCR test confirmed a positive Covid-19 diagnosis.
The second death involved a 70-year-old man who was admitted to a hospital in Kadapa with similar underlying health conditions. He tested positive for Covid-19 and died on July 1. Officials stated that both individuals had not received recent booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Current situation
Health authorities are tracing contacts of the deceased and the eight active cases. They have advised people with comorbidities and the elderly to take precautions, including wearing masks in crowded places. However, officials reiterated that there is no need for panic, as the state's health infrastructure is prepared to handle such isolated cases.
These are the first Covid-19 deaths in Andhra Pradesh since 2022, when the state had experienced a significant decline in cases following widespread vaccination. The emergence of new variants remains a concern globally, but experts say sporadic deaths in vulnerable individuals are not indicative of a major wave.
