'No spurt in Covid cases, but hospitals are ready to handle cases'

Doctors all over the country are seeing an increase in the seasonal flu cases. However, there is no uptick in the number of Covid-19 cases even as they start preparations to handle any potential spurt.

"Covid numbers have not increased but seasonal flu is more this year," said Sandeep Budhiraja, group medical director at Max Healthcare.

To be sure, hospitals are re-stocking medical supplies, identifying isolation areas, and reinforcing Covid-19 appropriate behaviour to deal with likely threats from the new virus variant, hospital executives told ET.


"Max Healthcare has initiated the setting up of flu clinics again. Patients with flu-like symptoms will need to report to these clinics," Budhiraja added. Sanjith Saseedharan, consultant & head, critical care, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim-A Fortis Associate, said thay are seeing a marginal increase.

We are seeing a marginal increase in the number of upper respiratory tract infections presenting as cough and cold. "Currently, the situation seems fairly safe as none of the patients have tested positive for Covid-19, and there has been no hospital admission or ICU admission for the same".

He believes that hybrid immunity gained by vaccination and natural immunity from natural infections is responsible for this. Though executives say admissions are not going up now, they are reinforcing Covid-19 protocols at their hospitals.