Another Covid-linked death reported in Delhi, fourth since January

Earlier, two patients who tested positive for COVID-19 had died — a 60-year-old woman suffering from acute intestinal obstruction post-laparotomy and a 71-year-old man who was also suffering from pneumonia, septic shock, and acute kidney injury. However, this is the first such case when a young patient has died. But experts have urged people not to panic.

“The lungs of the 22-year-old, who died, were already damaged, and Covid aggravated her condition. This shows that those with comorbidities need to remain watchful,” said Dr Suranjit Chaterjee, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital. As per the government data, the Capital added 47 cases since Sunday.

The latest surge in coronavirus cases in India and other Southeast Asian countries has been linked to the spread of Omicron-related variants. The spread of sub-lineages of the JN.1 variant (LF.7 and NB1.8) has been confirmed by health authorities in some countries.

JN.1 is a descendant of the BA.2.86, also known as the ‘Pirola’ strain, and belongs to the Omicron lineage. The strain can evade existing immunity and is more transmissible, as per experts. But so far, its symptoms do not differ much from those associated with the Omicron variant.

Fewer cases in other parts of NCR

Other parts in the NCR have reported fewer cases. While Noida reported 63 active cases as of Monday, Ghaziabad had 22 active cases, as per officials.

Gurgaon has 16 active cases, officials said, adding that five new cases were added on Monday. All Covid patients in the Millennium City, however, are recovering at home and do not require hospitalisation. Twenty-eight cases have been detected amid a fresh spike. As of Sunday, neighbouring Faridabad had five active cases. Four new cases were added on Monday, said officials.