COVID-19 Update: Andhra Pradesh Reports New Cases and Omicron Variant Detection
COVID-19 Situation in Andhra Pradesh
New Delhi, July 28 - On Tuesday, Union Health Minister JP Nadda reported that Andhra Pradesh has recorded two COVID-19 cases in the past month. Genome sequencing tests from samples in Kadapa district confirmed the presence of the Omicron variant RF.5, which has not been classified as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). In a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Nadda mentioned that the Andhra Pradesh government documented 12 COVID-19 cases between June 24 and July 26, 2026. He also noted that three fatalities due to COVID-19 were reported in YSR Kadapa district.
All affected individuals had pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and long-term alcohol use. The Health Minister indicated that genome sequencing conducted by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune revealed a significant spread of the Omicron RF.5 variant among COVID-19 positive samples from Kadapa district. He stated, 'This variant has not been classified by the WHO as a variant of concern (VOC), variant of interest (VOI), or variant under monitoring (VUM).'
Nadda emphasized that the Ministry of Health is maintaining close surveillance on COVID-19, influenza-like illnesses (ILI), and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program-Integrated Health Information Platform (IDSP-IHIP). He reiterated that health is a state subject, and the central government provides technical and financial support to states and union territories to enhance their preparedness and response capabilities against infectious diseases, including COVID-19. In light of the current influenza spread, all states and union territories have been advised to increase ILI and SARI monitoring, ensure adequate testing facilities and personal protective equipment (PPE), plan for managing the rising number of patients in hospitals, and strengthen the capacity of medical and laboratory personnel through regular review meetings.