Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Jul 19: A 10-year-old boy has been admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata after testing positive for Covid-19, with doctors confirming that his condition is stable and he is being closely monitored.

The child, who lives in the Garia area on the southern outskirts of the city, was admitted on Saturday after developing fever, cough and breathing difficulties. Following his admission, doctors conducted a swab test, which confirmed a Covid-19 infection. He was subsequently shifted to the intensive care unit's isolation ward for treatment.

Paediatrician Dr Saheli Dasgupta said the boy had been experiencing fever, cold and cough for the past three to four days. A chest X-ray revealed signs of pneumonia in his right lung, while laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

She explained that since Covid-19 is a viral infection, the child is being managed with supportive treatment, including nebulisation, rather than antibiotics. His mother has also been placed in isolation as a precaution, and doctors are planning to test her for Covid-19.

According to the medical team, the boy remains in stable condition and is under continuous observation.

Dr Dasgupta appealed to the public not to panic, noting that fever, cough and cold are common among children during the monsoon season. While acknowledging reports of a rise in Covid-19 cases in some parts of the country, she said that the majority of recent infections have been mild and have not required prolonged hospitalisation.

Meanwhile, health authorities are monitoring a fresh increase in Covid-19 cases in several states. In Andhra Pradesh, officials reported 12 Covid-19 infections between June 26 and July 16, while four patients with underlying health conditions have died during the same period.

As cases have been detected across four districts, samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, to identify the circulating variant. Health experts suspect that a new Omicron sub-variant, "Cicada," could be contributing to the recent rise in infections.

A similar increase has also been observed in Pune, where new Covid-19 cases have been reported over the past 10 days. Doctors there said that most patients have experienced only mild symptoms but stressed the need for continued vigilance.

Medical experts also cautioned that the monsoon season typically sees a rise not only in Covid-19 cases but also in Influenza A and H1N1 infections. They have advised people experiencing fever, sore throat, persistent cough or breathing difficulties to seek medical advice and undergo testing without delay.