In Akola division, more cases than areas where there were fewer cases in the third wave. Nagpur News – Times of India

Nagpur: The fourth wave is now active not only in the urban areas of Vidarbha but also in the rural areas. Akola health department has recorded more than 1,400 new cases in the last 30 days which is 150% more than the months of April and May. Senior officials of the Akola health department said that there are some identified areas in the division where the cases of Kovid were less in the third wave (Omicron driven), but they are now coming from such areas.
Divisional Deputy Director (Health) Dr Rajkumar Chavan said, “These areas include Washim district, three tehsils of Buldhana district and parts of Akola.” In the last 30 days, 553 new cases have been reported in Washim district, which is the highest in the district. Akola Circle, Even Amravati district, which is the division’s most prominent city and revenue headquarters, has reported only 177 new cases in the same period. Washim is followed by Akola (269) and Buldhana (266).
Dr Chavan said it was clear that the cases would come from areas that were largely unaffected during the third wave that was triggered by the Omicron variant. “Akola division is ready to handle the surge and there is no need to worry as the hospitalization rate is negligible,” he said.
As of July 8, less than 10% of the patients were hospitalized in Akola division. There are 301 patients under treatment in Washim out of which only 18 are in medical facilities. Out of 124 patients under treatment in Akola, 113 are in home isolation and only 11 are in the Kovid ward.
Amaravati and Yavatmal were the worst affected during the third wave. In both these districts, less than 200 cases have been reported in the last 30 days. In Yavatmal, despite at least 400 tests being conducted daily, most of them are coming out negative. This suggests that the natural infection caused by the third wave in January-February is proving to be a preventive measure.
Epidemiologists said that this behavior is typical of the virus. “Omicron’s sub-variants dominate the current surge. It will certainly infect the previously uninfected. As omicron-triggered disease is rarely severe, natural infection acts like a booster dose in many,” said epidemiologist Anand Thatte.
“It does not mean that we should not take booster doses. The vaccine has protected us and helped us maintain normalcy in the last two waves. We should not neglect vaccination,” he said.