Active Covid cases rise to 158 in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: The state recorded 49 fresh Covid-19 cases on Friday, increasing the active caseload to 158. Health experts said the increase in cases may have been triggered by a new variant (sub-variant of Omicron) for which samples of positive patients are being sent for genome sequencing to ascertain if there is any new variant.
The health authorities, however, said that going by the trend since the pandemic broke out, every five or six months there is a spike in cases and it is not likely to convert the infection into disease with severe manifestations.
“Like in September-October last year, there was a mild spike in cases with patients having mild symptoms. In those cases, symptomatic treatment worked with a very few people needing hospitalisation. In March this year, we are seeing a similar pattern of infections. We don’t think it will lead to a wave,” said Niranjan Mishra, director of public health.
Health experts said those getting infected now are showing Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) but it is limited to the upper respiratory tract and not causing infection or inflammation in lungs.
Dr Sampat Dash, senior pulmonologist, said at this juncture if testing numbers increase, many people with or without symptoms will be detected Covid positive. “If we treat more people, it will help them isolate themselves at home curtailing their exposure so that others don’t get infected,” he said.