Andhra Pradesh is once again on alert over the coronavirus, with the state’s Health Department confirming 12 positive cases recorded between June 26 and July 16. Of grave concern, four individuals with pre-existing serious health conditions have died from the infection. Three of the deceased were from Kadapa district, while the fourth was from Kakinada. Officials said all four had been suffering from underlying conditions including hypertension, diabetes, and kidney-related ailments.
According to details released by authorities, the first case of this cluster was reported in Kadapa district on June 26. Since then, a total of 12 cases have surfaced across the state through July 16. District-wise, Kadapa recorded the highest number with eight cases, followed by Guntur with two, and one case each in Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. Notably, the cases were not concentrated in a single location but were spread across different mandals. Between June 26 and July 15, a total of 67 tests were conducted statewide, of which 11 returned positive. The twelfth case was confirmed at Christian Medical College in Vellore.
Among those currently testing positive, three are under home isolation while two are receiving hospital treatment. Three patients have already recovered and been discharged. On a national scale, 339 cases have been recorded since July 1, with Kerala leading the tally at 115 cases, followed by Karnataka (64), Maharashtra (43), Tamil Nadu (39), and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Delhi with 18 cases each.
Health officials have urged the public not to panic, emphasizing that the current case numbers remain low compared to previous waves. However, they stressed the importance of continued vigilance, particularly among elderly individuals and those with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease, who appear to be at higher risk of severe outcomes.
Authorities have called on citizens to follow basic precautionary measures, including monitoring for symptoms and seeking timely medical attention, as the state continues to track the situation closely amid the broader uptick in cases being observed across the country.