Kolkata reports 8 new COVID-19 cases amid seasonal viral surge; experts urge caution, not panic
Kolkata has recorded eight new cases of COVID-19 as hospitals in West Bengal report an increase in coronavirus and influenza infections during the ongoing seasonal surge in viral illnesses. Medical professionals have assured the public that the current strain appears mild and does not warrant alarm.
Dr Joydeep Ghosh, Consultant in Internal Medicine at Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, told reporters that he had documented four COVID-19 cases in the past week. He noted that many patients presenting with symptoms in the outpatient department may be positive but are not undergoing testing. The typical symptoms, he said, include high-grade fever and persistent cough. Around eight positive cases have been recorded at the hospital.
Dr Subhajit Sen, Consultant Pulmonologist and Critical Care Specialist at the same hospital, provided details on three patients. One has recovered and been discharged, while two patients aged between 35 and 65 required ICU admission due to low oxygen levels. Both have responded well to treatment and are now stable, though they remain hospitalised.
Dr Sen explained that the current disease pattern resembles the Omicron wave, primarily presenting with mild upper respiratory symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, and body aches. He emphasised that elderly individuals and those with pre-existing conditions remain at higher risk of severe complications. “There is no need to panic, as most patients recover well with timely medical care. Vigilance, not fear, is the need of the hour,” he said.
Dr Sen advised taking precautions such as wearing masks in crowded places, maintaining hand hygiene, avoiding unnecessary gatherings during periods of high transmission, and consulting a doctor promptly if symptoms worsen.
In a separate case, a 10-year-old boy from Kolkata’s Garia neighbourhood tested positive for COVID-19 and was diagnosed with pneumonia. The boy presented with fever, cold, and respiratory distress and was admitted to Peerless Hospital on Saturday. A comprehensive viral panel test confirmed COVID-19 infection, and a chest X-ray showed signs of pneumonia. He is receiving treatment in the hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and remains in stable condition.
As a precaution, the boy’s mother has been placed in isolation, and COVID-19 tests have been initiated for other family members. Hospital officials noted that routine panel testing often detects mild cases that might otherwise go undiagnosed. “Every two to three months, we see isolated COVID-19 cases, but they are overwhelmingly mild,” a hospital representative said.
Medical experts have advised parents that while viral fevers and coughs are common among children during the monsoon season, cases involving prolonged fever or breathing difficulty should be evaluated by a physician promptly.
