Two COVID-19 Deaths Reported in Kadapa

Two people have died of COVID-19 and four others have tested positive for the virus in Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa district, marking the state's first reported COVID-19 fatalities since 2022, according to the Times of India. The development has prompted health authorities to intensify surveillance and review hospital preparedness across the district.

Details of the Two Fatalities

The first death occurred on June 28 at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. A 60-year-old patient, who was initially admitted to the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) in Tirupati before being shifted to CMC Vellore, died during treatment. An RT-PCR test conducted after his death confirmed he was COVID-19 positive.

In the second case, a 46-year-old man from Masapeta in Kadapa died at the Government General Hospital-RIMS (GGH-RIMS), Kadapa, after testing positive for the virus. According to Kadapa District Medical and Health Officer Ravi Babu, the man had been admitted for severe breathlessness and cough, and an X-ray showed both his lungs were completely damaged, resulting in pneumonia. His condition did not improve even after four days of high-dose antibiotic treatment, prompting doctors to suspect a coronavirus infection, which was subsequently confirmed by a chest CT scan.

Contact Tracing and Containment Measures Launched

Following the fatalities, authorities have initiated contact tracing to identify individuals who may have come into contact with the deceased, along with sanitisation measures in the affected localities. Samples from both deceased patients have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for genome sequencing to identify the specific variant responsible for the infections. Based on symptoms, health officials suspect the infections may be linked to an Omicron subvariant, though this has not been officially confirmed.

Four Additional Cases Detected, Hospitals on Alert

A subsequent statewide review by the Andhra Pradesh Health Department detected four additional COVID-19 cases in the Kadapa and Tirupati districts. Officials said the fresh infections have led to increased monitoring, though there is currently no indication of widespread community transmission. The Director of Medical Education has directed all government hospitals in Andhra Pradesh to submit updated reports on their preparedness, including details on isolation beds, ICU facilities, and oxygen supply readiness, in case infections rise in the coming weeks.

Third Death Clarified as Not COVID-Related

A separate death in the district, that of Almaspet resident Mahaboob Basha, had initially raised concerns about wider viral spread. However, Kadapa District Collector Dr Cherukuri Sridhar clarified that this death was not related to COVID-19, stating that the individual had pre-existing cardiac and liver-related ailments and that the coronavirus was not the cause of death.

What Happens Next

Health officials are continuing epidemiological investigations into the deceased patients' travel history, medical conditions, and close contacts. District administrations across Andhra Pradesh have been urged to remain vigilant and ensure timely reporting of any suspected cases as authorities await the genome sequencing results from NIV Pune.