Gujarat reports 108 new COVID-19 cases, One more death

Ahmedabad: An 18-year-old girl from the Vinzol area became the second COVID-19 fatality in Ahmedabad within 48 hours, raising concerns amid a steady rise in cases across the state. The patient, who was admitted to LG Hospital with respiratory complaints, succumbed to the infection late Sunday night, officials confirmed.

Gujarat has recorded 108 new COVID-19 positive cases and one death on Tuesday, according to the state health department, reports PTI.

This comes as Gujarat reported 95 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, pushing the total number of active cases in the state to 397. Among these, 22 patients are currently hospitalised. Ahmedabad alone accounts for over 140 of these cases, and notably, more than 50% of the state's Covid patients are under 50 years of age.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that fresh COVID-19 cases have been reported from three states in India, with Kerala recording the highest number of infections so far this month. According to the latest data, Kerala, Gujarat, and Haryana have all confirmed new cases, but hospitalisation rates remain low as many patients exhibit only mild symptoms.

Also Read: Fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Kerala, Gujarat, Haryana

Her death follows that of a 47-year-old woman from Danilimda, also admitted to LG Hospital, who died on Saturday due to health complications. Although officials have not confirmed the exact cause of death in either case, medical experts suggest pulmonary infections and breathlessness as likely contributing factors.

Alarmingly, the virus has also impacted very young children. According to hospital data, about 10% of cases in Ahmedabad are below one year of age, with the youngest patient being just two days old. Another infant, eight months old, is currently receiving treatment at Civil Hospital.

Nationally, Gujarat now ranks fourth in terms of active Covid-19 cases, following Kerala (1,435), Maharashtra (506), and Delhi (483). Other states with notable caseloads include West Bengal (331) and Karnataka (253).

In the 24 hours ending at 8 AM, Gujarat reported 18 new cases, according to the COVID-19 dashboard maintained by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). Since January 1, India has recorded a total of 32 COVID-related deaths, including four reported in the last 24 hours.

According to news reports, analysis of 15 COVID-positive samples in Gujarat up to last week revealed the presence of several Omicron subvariants. Among these, four cases were identified as the LF.7 strain, while LF.7.9 and XFG were found in three cases each.

Experts have clarified that all detected strains are sub-lineages of the Omicron variant. So far, these variants have not been associated with any significant threat, showing low morbidity and mortality rates across India.

Also Read: Kerala Private Hospitals step up COVID protocols amid rising cases