Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): With the change in weather has come a 15 % rise in the state's cough and cold cases. While the symptoms — fever, body ache, cough, and difficulty in breathing — are similar to those of Coronavirus (Covid), patients are recovering within a week as well.
Amid cases of a Covid variant being reported in the country, doctors are suggesting precautionary measures even as the Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHO) assure that the machinery is in place and Covid testing is regularly being done.
Dr Lokendra Dave, HoD Pulmonary Medicine, Gandhi Medical College (GMC), Bhopal, pointed out that the JN.1 variant of Covid is spreading fast. Recommending non-pharmacological interventions, he said, “People need to adopt Covid prevention habits again to keep themselves safe. Currently, cold, cough cases have risen by 15%, which doesn’t happen generally. Such cases are on the rise due to a fluctuation in temperature.”
Bhopal hasn’t yet recorded a Covid case, and the health department said RT-PCR test facilities are available. Bhopal CMHO Dr. Prabhakar Tiwari said patientsprescribed the RT-PCR are being tested. However, no guideline has been issued by the government in this regard yet, he said. “We are working based on the previous guidelines. We are fully prepared,” he added.
Dr Sanjay Mishra, CMHO Jabalpur, said, “Cold and cough cases are on the rise due to a change in weather. Temperature fluctuation is drastic. As far as the RT-PCR testing is concerned, it is available, so there is no need to worry.”
CMHO, Shahdol, Dr A.K. Lal said, “RT-PCR testing facility is available at the medical college, so if someone has concerns about their cough and cold, they should get themselves tested.”
