Andhra Pradesh has recorded 12 COVID-19 cases since late June, prompting the state government to send patient samples for genome sequencing even as health officials said there is no sign of cluster transmission.
The Health Department said infections have been reported across multiple districts rather than from a single hotspot. Authorities have dispatched five samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, to identify the variant responsible for the latest infections.
COVID-19 cases spread across four Andhra Pradesh districts
The first case this year in Andhra Pradesh was detected in Kadapa district on June 26. Eleven more infections were identified between July 1 and July 16.
According to the Health Department, Kadapa has reported eight cases, followed by two in Guntur and one each in Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. Officials said the patients are from different mandals and locations, with no evidence of localised clustering.
Two of the infected individuals were identified as close contacts of previously confirmed COVID-19 patients.
Five samples sent to NIV Pune for genome sequencing
To determine the virus variant, five patient samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune on July 9 for genome sequencing.
From June 26 to July 15, the state conducted 67 COVID-19 tests, of which 11 were positive. An additional patient from Kakinada district tested positive at CMC Vellore in Tamil Nadu, taking the state’s total to 12 cases.
Four deaths linked to patients with serious underlying illnesses
According to Health Secretary and Commissioner of Health & Family Welfare Veera Pandiyan, four COVID-19 patients have died during the reporting period.
The Health Department said all four had severe pre-existing medical conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease and other serious illnesses.
Among the 12 confirmed patients, three are in home isolation, two are hospitalised and three have recovered and been discharged.
Visakhapatnam case confirmed after repeat testing
KGH Hospital Superintendent Dr Vani said one COVID-19 case was confirmed in Visakhapatnam after a patient initially consulted a general physician with symptoms.
The patient was referred to a private laboratory for testing. After the infection was confirmed, the sample was sent to KGH Hospital, where a second test also returned positive.
Health Department urges caution, not panic
Veera Pandiyan said there was no reason for public panic but advised people to continue following preventive measures.
He said doctors, hospitals and healthcare personnel across Andhra Pradesh have been alerted and remain prepared to respond if required.
According to the Health Department, 339 COVID-19 cases have been reported across India since July 1. Kerala has recorded the highest number with 115 cases, followed by Karnataka (64), Maharashtra (43), Tamil Nadu (39), the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (18), Delhi (18) and Rajasthan (12). The remaining cases have been reported from other states.