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Maharashtra govt to issue testing guidelines after 82% rise in 5 days

In the last five days, Maharashtra recorded an 82 per cent rise in H3N2 cases in the state.

Maharashtra govt to issue testing guidelines after 82% rise in 5 days
(File Image) Maharashtra govt to issue testing guidelines after 82% rise in 5 days
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The number of H3N2 cases in Maharashtra have breached to 200 on Sunday, March 19 and so far seven deaths have been reported after three more deaths recorded on Saturday, March 18. This is the highest number of cases since the data was made public by the state.

In the last five days, Maharashtra recorded an 82 per cent rise in H3N2 cases in the state. While from January 1 to March 15, the state reported 119 H3N2 cases, the public health department’s data shows the number of cases increased to 217 by March 19.

Moreover, in the past 2-3 weeks many pregnant women have been coming with flu symptoms, experts added.

Amid this rise, experts have said that “there is no need to panic”, however, alarmed caution as well.

Wearing a mask, and keeping your hands clean. Along with this, if symptoms like cough, cold, or fever are seen in a person, then it is very important to avoid coming in contact with that person, experts explained.

Given the high number of H3N2 cases reported in Maharashtra, the directorate of health services had recently issued protocols for prevention and treatment.

Now, the government is planning to issue testing guidelines under which those only who are admitted to hospitals will be tested for influenza. The health department has recently discussed guidelines regarding testing, among other things, with scientists of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology, Pune.

Everyone will be informed about the new guideline. Also, all the laboratories and hospitals have been instructed to share test reports with the authorities concerned immediately, officials stated.

Subsequently, the COVID-19 cases have also seen a gradual rise in the city and state. However, on Monday, March 21, Mumbai’s coronavirus saw a slight drop at 35 cases.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, March 19, the state reported 236 new COVID-19 cases out of which 52 cases were reported in Mumbai. Though cases are going up, there is no rise in admission figures across the state, and no deaths were reported in the past 24 hours.

The active case count has reached 1,308 out of which 279 active cases are from Mumbai. In the city, only six patients needed hospitalisation.

Besides, the data also revealed that 407 cases of H1N1 (swine flu) and three deaths were reported in the state this year till March 19.

Maharashtra reported 170 cases of H1N1 till February 28 and two deaths. The swine flu cases in Maharashtra increased in the month of March, reports stated.

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