Rajasthan's COVID Surge: Mild Cases but No Panic Yet

Rajasthan reports a rise in COVID cases, with 32 cases observed this year and mild symptoms similar to the Omicron strain. Experts advise caution but no panic, as facilities are equipped to handle the situation, while genome sequencing is underway to identify circulating variants.

Rajasthan is witnessing a rise in COVID-19 cases, with eight reported at Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Medical College and Hospital, including one serious pediatric case, according to Dr. Deepak Maheshwari, Principal and Controller of the institution. Fortunately, the symptoms remain mild, often akin to the flu, and are primarily affecting the upper respiratory tract.

Although one patient has died, Dr. Maheshwari clarifies that the cause was not COVID-19. The hospital is well-equipped with necessary testing facilities and intensive care units, but there is no immediate cause for alarm. Measures are being taken to monitor infections, including genome sequencing to ascertain the variant involved.

As of now, Rajasthan's neighboring regions, such as AIIMS Jodhpur and other districts, have also reported cases, bringing the state's total to 32 since the year's start. The Indian Council of Medical Research asserts the mild symptoms are due to Omicron sub-lineages. Laboratories across the country, including in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, are observing transmissible variants like LF7 and NV181, but severe cases remain rare, according to experts.

(With inputs from agencies.)