Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Two fresh Covid-19 cases were reported in Indore on Monday, taking the total number of cases in the city to 14, which is the highest in the state. With these additions, the statewide tally has reached 28, alongside one reported death.
Among the new cases is a 21-year-old man, a known contact of a Covid-positive patient from Dewas who recently returned from Delhi. The second case involves a 34-year-old local man with no travel history. Both patients are currently in home isolation and are reported to be stable.
Interestingly, two Covid-positive individuals with Gujarat origins, a 7-year-old girl from Surat and a 35-year-old man from Ahmedabad, were also tested in Indore. However, they are not included in the city’s official case count.
The only reported Covid-related death in the state was that of a 74-year-old woman from Indore, who was also suffering from renal failure.
State health department seeks oxygen availability reports
Amid rising concerns, the state health department has directed all districts, especially Indore and Bhopal, to submit data on the availability of oxygen supplies, operational oxygen plants and the number of oxygen-supported beds. A Google Form has been circulated to district health officers to consolidate this information swiftly.
Five patients discharged after recovery
According to health officials, five patients have successfully completed home isolation and been discharged. They include two residents of Indore and one patient each from Ujjain, Surat, and Ahmedabad. All had mild symptoms and met the discharge criteria of seven days in isolation and no fever for three consecutive days. “The remaining patients are stable and under home isolation. Contact tracing has been completed and all positive samples have been sent for genome sequencing”, said Dr Nirmala Akhand, nodal officer, IDSP.
Genome sequencing reports still pending
Despite sending samples weeks ago, genome sequencing reports from AIIMS Bhopal are still awaited. In the absence of conclusive data, the state health authorities are presuming the JN.1 variant — a sub-lineage of Omicron — to be the currently circulating strain. Adding to the concern is the inactivity of the genome sequencing lab at MGM Medical College, Indore, which has remained non-operational for nearly three years. A Rs 60 lakh sequencing machine, provided by the World Health Organization and installed in November 2022, is yet to begin operations due to pending supply of reagents and essential kits.
Covid-19 cases in six major districts
Indore (14 cases)
Bhopal (4 cases)
Dewas (3 cases)
Ujjain (1 case)
Ratlam (1 case)
Ashok Nagar (1 case)
