NEW DELHI : Reports of COVID-19 cases inching up in parts of India have inevitably revived memories of the devastating waves the country witnessed a few years ago.
News of a handful of Covid-19-linked deaths in Andhra Pradesh and rising infections in a few cities has once again triggered concern. But the situation today is markedly different from what India faced during the peak of the pandemic.
As of now, the rise remains localised rather than nationwide. Andhra Pradesh has reported a small increase in cases, including a few COVID-19-related deaths, prompting the state to strengthen surveillance, testing and hospital preparedness.
Similar upticks have been seen in some other cities and states, but hospitals are not witnessing the kind of overwhelming admissions that characterised earlier waves.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, even as the overall burden of severe disease remains limited.
LIVING WITH THE VIRUS
The biggest difference between now and 2020 or 2021 is that SARS COV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, is no longer an unfamiliar pathogen. It has transitioned into what experts describe as an endemic respiratory infection, meaning it continues to circulate and can be expected to cause periodic increases in cases, much like several other respiratory viruses.
“(The virus) never went away. There is no signal for greater public health concern than many previous waves that we can see on sewage water surveillance,” underlined Dr Anurag Agarwal, biologist and dean, biosciences and health research with Ashoka University.
This means occasional spikes should not come as a surprise.
Changes in weather, increased travel, festivals, social gatherings and the emergence of newer variants can all contribute to temporary increases in infections. Such fluctuations are not necessarily the beginning of another major wave.
Also, since SARS COV 2 is just like any other influenza virus and will mostly lead to flu-like symptoms, the number of cases are also likely to go up whenever patients with respiratory symptoms are tested specifically for the virus.
As Dr Pradeep Narayan Sahoo, internal medicine specialist with Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneswar, puts it, the current situation should be approached with “caution, not panic.”
Public health authorities, he points out, have responded by strengthening surveillance and preparedness rather than signalling a large-scale outbreak.
Dr RR Dutta, head of internal medicine at Paras Health, Gurugram, echoed this assessment.
According to him, what is being seen is “not necessarily the beginning of a major new wave”, but evidence that the virus continues to circulate at low levels and can produce periodic spikes.
Another reassuring factor is that most currently reported infections continue to be mild. Fever, sore throat, cough, fatigue, runny nose and body aches remain the most commonly reported symptoms, closely resembling those caused by several seasonal viral illnesses.
This does not mean COVID-19 has become harmless. Rather, the disease profile has changed because a large proportion of the population now has some degree of immunity, either through vaccination, previous infection or both. These layers of protection have significantly reduced the risk of severe disease for most healthy individuals.
Experts also point out that hospitals today are far better equipped to respond than they were during the initial years of the pandemic. Surveillance systems are stronger, testing capacity is readily available, and healthcare facilities have experience managing COVID patients.
This allows authorities to detect localised increases early and respond before they escalate.
WHO SHOULD BE CAREFUL?
Even though most infections are mild, some groups continue to face a higher risk of severe illness. Older adults, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease, as well as those with weakened immune systems, remain vulnerable to complications.
For them, the advice is straightforward. Anyone developing respiratory symptoms should avoid close contact with vulnerable family members, especially elderly relatives or people with underlying illnesses. Wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings, maintaining good hand hygiene and seeking medical advice if symptoms worsen remain sensible precautions.
Doctors also advise paying attention to warning signs such as breathlessness, persistent high fever or chest pain rather than assuming every illness will resolve on its own.
Vaccination also continues to play an important role. While vaccines may not prevent every infection, they continue to provide significant protection against severe disease and hospitalisation. Experts recommend that individuals eligible for booster doses discuss them with their healthcare provider, particularly if they belong to high-risk categories.
Importantly, there is currently no indication that the public needs to return to the restrictions associated with earlier phases of the pandemic.
The experience of the past few years has also left India better prepared, both at the individual and institutional levels. People are more aware of respiratory hygiene, recognise symptoms earlier and understand when medical attention is necessary.
Health systems, too, have developed mechanisms to monitor changing trends and respond rapidly if required.
The message from doctors is consistent: stay informed, monitor symptoms and follow simple precautions when necessary. Panic serves little purpose. Vigilance, however, remains as relevant as ever.
