Alakesh Maity, July 10, 2026: A man has died from COVID-19 in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. He had been admitted to CMC Hospital in Vellore last month and passed away after four days of treatment. Health officials reported that both his lungs were severely damaged.
Additionally, five new cases have been detected across the Kadapa and Tirupati districts.
Current Situation:
- Infected Individuals (4): Residents of various areas in Kadapa; tested positive via RT-PCR.
- Treatment: Three are in home isolation, while one has been admitted to the COVID special ward of a local hospital in Kadapa. Symptoms are mild.
- Vaccination: All four had received two doses of the COVID vaccine; one had also received a booster dose.
- Administrative Measures:
- Contact tracing is underway.
- Affected areas are being sanitized.
- The Department of Medical Education has directed all state government hospitals to keep ICU beds, isolation beds, oxygen supplies, ventilators, rapid testing kits, and medicines ready.
New Variant: ‘Cicada’ (BA.3.2)
Reports of a new Omicron sub-variant, BA.3.2—dubbed ‘Cicada’—emerged last month.
- It carries approximately 70–75 mutations, mostly in the spike protein.
- Experts state that the symptoms are similar to those of Omicron.
What are the symptoms?
Fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, headache, nasal congestion/runny nose, shortness of breath, eye irritation, nausea, and skin rashes.
COVID-19 Mortality Rate
Official Data: Approximately 5.30 lakh deaths in India up to the end of 2022.
WHO Estimate: Approximately 47 lakh deaths.
WHO Advice:
Awareness is essential, not panic. Wearing masks, washing hands, and getting tested promptly if symptoms appear are crucial. There are currently no instances of this in West Bengal. However, caution is essential!
