As active Covid infections see a fall, influenza cases on the rise in city
Somita Pal
MUMBAI: With the city seeing a surge in Covid cases in June, the month closed with a 20% drop in active infections on June 30.
On June 1, Mumbai recorded 739 new cases with 2,970 active ones, out of which 102 patients were hospitalised. By mid-june, the city saw a four-fold rise in the active cases with new cases being reported above 2,000 daily.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) report, the city on June 16 reported 2,366 new cases and was home to 13,005 active cases. As per BMC report, Mumbai currently has 10,630 active cases – that’s close to a 20% decrease in the last five days – with 648 patients taking treatment.
“Drop in active cases is a good sign as it shows the disease load in the community is coming down. We will have to see in the coming days if cases continue to drop. With the latest genome sequencing reports, we know that BA.2 and Ba.2.38omicron sub-variants have been the reason behind the surge in Mumbai/maharashtra. Abroad too, we saw these variants led to a surge and within a few weeks, it saw a declining trend too. Here too, we are witnessing an early sign of decline in cases,” said Dr Pradip Awate, epidemiologist and state surveillance officer.
We are expecting active cases to fall. We might continue seeing some deaths from a small percentage of hospitalised patients. Most active cases are recovering in home isolation
On Friday and as the genome sequencing reports have shown, the surge in Covid cases in Mumbai/ Maharashtra has been because of the Omicron subvariantsba.2 and BA.2.38,” said Dr Avinash Supe, who heads the statecovid death audit committee.
While analysing Covid deaths in June, Dr Supe said the majority comprised senior citizens with multiple comorbidities.
Meanwhile, city doctors said they are also seeing a sudden spike in influenza cases. Dr Anil Ballani, general physician, Lilavati Hospital, Bandra, said, “We are seeing a spike in influenza cases. We are all worried
COVID CLAIMS LIFE OF 9-YEAR-OLD
Mumbai For the first time since the June spike, the city registered below 1,000 Covid cases at 978 and two deaths on Friday. The last time the city had reported less than 1,000 cases was on June 5. One of the two deceased was a nine-yearold girl, the youngest Covid victim this year. According to BMC health officials, the girl had epilepsy and a rare genetic disorder-glycogen storage disorder III.
about Covid-19, but not flu and the common cold. Covid cases now is mimicking influenza symptoms of high fever, cold, and throat pain. The only difference between the two is Covid is leading to weakness and persistent cough.”
Dr Hemalata Arora, senior consultant, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital-vile Parle, said, most patients have a sore throat, runny nose, fever.