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Rachel V Thomas

Omicron Sub-Lineages Likely Behind COVID Surge In India: Why Deaths Are Occurring

<span>COVID-19</span> infections have resurfaced in India, with Andhra Pradesh reporting two deaths and several active cases, prompting health authorities to step up surveillance and preparedness measures.

A 52-year-old man from Kadapa's Rajampet area, who tested positive for COVID-19 after developing fever and cough, died while undergoing treatment at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore.

In another case, a 43-year-old man from Kadapa, who was admitted to the Government General Hospital with health complications, tested positive and later died while receiving treatment in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit.

A 25-year-old medical student from Kadapa Medical College has also tested positive for the virus and is currently undergoing treatment through home isolation. Several more cases have also been reported.

<h2>What Variant Is Causing The Reported Cases?</h2>

Doctors say they have seen a rise in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks.

Dr. Lancelot Pinto, Consultant Pulmonologist and Epidemiologist at the PD Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, told <strong><em>HealthandMe</em> </strong>that SARS-CoV-2 has frequently been detected in patients presenting with viral respiratory infections.

"So when we send throat swabs in the context of a viral respiratory infection, we have detected SARS-CoV-2 as the causative organism often. It doesn't seem that this is a more virulent strain based on our experience so far. But in those who are immunocompromised, who are vulnerable because of their health risks, it can cause severe disease."

While the exact variant behind these cases has not yet been confirmed and samples have been sent for genome sequencing, experts say the virus currently circulating in India is largely made up of <span>Omicron</span> sub-lineages.

"The virus currently circulating in India is largely made up of Omicron sub-lineages, which generally cause milder illness than earlier variants, though they remain highly transmissible," Dr. Neha Rastogi, Senior Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, told <em><strong>HealthandMe</strong>.</em>

<h2>Why Are We Still Seeing Severe COVID Despite Herd Immunity?</h2>

According to Dr. Pinto, viruses are capable of triggering what is known as an inflammatory cascade—a strong immune response that can sometimes contribute to severe illness.

"This cascade is such that there's a strong immune response to the virus that can sometimes be detrimental to humans, causing severe disease. We also know that any viral infection, however innocuous it may seem, has the potential of increasing your cardiovascular risk."

He explained that viral infections can also increase cardiovascular risk, meaning people already at risk of heart-related complications may experience poorer outcomes.

"And therefore, those who are at an increased risk of cardiovascular events could suffer from poor outcomes in the context of any viral infections."

Another concern, he said, is the limited availability of antiviral medicines.

"What has been concerning, though, is the difficulty of procuring antivirals at present. So drugs such as remdesivir and paxlovid are not easily available. And therefore, we are not able to offer it to vulnerable and high-risk individuals. And I hope this gets fixed in the near future."

Although the circulating Omicron sub-lineages generally cause milder illness, they can still lead to severe disease in vulnerable individuals.

<ul><li>Senior citizens</li><li>People with diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease, or chronic kidney disease</li><li>Individuals with weakened immunity</li><li>Pregnant women</li><li>People who are unvaccinated or have not received recommended booster doses.</li></ul>

Despite the lower overall severity of the current variants, health experts say vigilance remains important. To reduce the risk of infection, people should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, wear masks in crowded indoor settings, maintain hand hygiene, ensure good ventilation, and avoid close contact when unwell.

Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, or breathlessness should get tested and seek timely medical advice.

"If you are a high-risk individual and suffer from diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, or respiratory disease such as COPD, this is the time to be a little cautious about exposing yourself to those who are ill, trying and avoiding crowds, trying and avoiding places where there's a conglomeration of individuals together and easy to pick up viruses. Mask up with a high-efficiency mask if it's feasible, especially if you are exposed to such kind of situations," Dr Pinto said.

For people without these underlying conditions, he said the virus appears to behave much like other seasonal respiratory viruses.

"For the average person who does not have a high risk in terms of these comorbidities, it does appear that this virus behaves just like any other seasonal influenza virus or any other seasonal virus."

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COVID-19 infections have resurfaced in India, with Andhra Pradesh reporting two deaths and several active cases, prompting health authorities to step up surveillance and preparedness measures.A 52-year-old man from Kadapa's Rajampet area, who tested positive for COVID-19 after developing fever and cough, died while undergoing treatment at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore.In another case, a 43-year-old man from Kadapa, who was admitted to the Government General Hospital with health complications, tested positive and later died while receiving treatment in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit.A 25-year-old medical student from Kadapa Medical College has also tested positive for the virus and is currently undergoing treatment through home isolation. Several more cases have also been reported.What Variant Is Causing The Reported Cases?Doctors say they have seen a rise in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks.Dr. Lancelot Pinto, Consultant Pulmonologist and Epidemiologist at the PD Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, told HealthandMe that SARS-CoV-2 has frequently been detected in patients presenting with viral respiratory infections."So when we send throat swabs in the context of a viral respiratory infection, we have detected SARS-CoV-2 as the causative organism often. It doesn't seem that this is a more virulent strain based on our experience so far. But in those who are immunocompromised, who are vulnerable because of their health risks, it can cause severe disease."While the exact variant behind these cases has not yet been confirmed and samples have been sent for genome sequencing, experts say the virus currently circulating in India is largely made up of Omicron sub-lineages."The virus currently circulating in India is largely made up of Omicron sub-lineages, which generally cause milder illness than earlier variants, though they remain highly transmissible," Dr. Neha Rastogi, Senior Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, told HealthandMe.Why Are We Still Seeing Severe COVID Despite Herd Immunity?According to Dr. Pinto, viruses are capable of triggering what is known as an inflammatory cascade—a strong immune response that can sometimes contribute to severe illness."This cascade is such that there's a strong immune response to the virus that can sometimes be detrimental to humans, causing severe disease. We also know that any viral infection, however innocuous it may seem, has the potential of increasing your cardiovascular risk."He explained that viral infections can also increase cardiovascular risk, meaning people already at risk of heart-related complications may experience poorer outcomes."And therefore, those who are at an increased risk of cardiovascular events could suffer from poor outcomes in the context of any viral infections."Another concern, he said, is the limited availability of antiviral medicines."What has been concerning, though, is the difficulty of procuring antivirals at present. So drugs such as remdesivir and paxlovid are not easily available. And therefore, we are not able to offer it to vulnerable and high-risk individuals. And I hope this gets fixed in the near future."Who Is At High Risk?Although the circulating Omicron sub-lineages generally cause milder illness, they can still lead to severe disease in vulnerable individuals.Those most at risk include:Senior citizensPeople with diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease, or chronic kidney diseaseIndividuals with weakened immunityPregnant womenPeople who are unvaccinated or have not received recommended booster doses.How To Reduce The Risk?Despite the lower overall severity of the current variants, health experts say vigilance remains important. To reduce the risk of infection, people should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, wear masks in crowded indoor settings, maintain hand hygiene, ensure good ventilation, and avoid close contact when unwell.Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, or breathlessness should get tested and seek timely medical advice."If you are a high-risk individual and suffer from diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, or respiratory disease such as COPD, this is the time to be a little cautious about exposing yourself to those who are ill, trying and avoiding crowds, trying and avoiding places where there's a conglomeration of individuals together and easy to pick up viruses. Mask up with a high-efficiency mask if it's feasible, especially if you are exposed to such kind of situations," Dr Pinto said.For people without these underlying conditions, he said the virus appears to behave much like other seasonal respiratory viruses."For the average person who does not have a high risk in terms of these comorbidities, it does appear that this virus behaves just like any other seasonal influenza virus or any other seasonal virus."

omicron sub-lineages drive covid surge in india: why deaths are occurring

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Omicron Sub-Lineages Likely Behind COVID Surge In India: Why Deaths Are Occurring

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