Covid cases on the rise in Himachal Pradesh, hospitalisation low

Shimla, June 26

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The number of Covid-19 cases is on the rise in Himachal these days. From merely 49 active cases on June 1, the count by Sunday evening had gone up to 319. Five persons have died since June 15 due to Covid or Covid-related complications.

Hospitalisation rate is, however, pretty low at the moment. Out of the total 319 cases, only nine are admitted to the hospitals.

“The current spike in numbers is being driven by Omicron and its sub-variants. Just like during the Omicron-driven third wave, the severity of infection appears much less compared to Delta variant that drove the second wave,” said Dr Malay Sarkar, a member of the State Covid Clinical Committee.

“Low hospitalisation rate also suggests mild severity of the infection. Most people recuperate after remaining in home isolation,” he said.

The rise in number of active cases has, however, put the government on alert. “At a review meeting yesterday, the Secretary (Health) directed all chief medical officers, principals of medical colleges and medical superintendents to increase testing across the state,” said a spokesperson of the Health Department.

“Directions were also issued to all frontline workers and eligible individuals to get their precautionary dose,” the spokesperson said.

Since last week, around 1,500 tests are being conducted daily. This number, at the peak of the pandemic, used to be around 12,000 to 15,000. “Testing needs to be increased to detect and check the spread of infection,” said Dr Sarkar.