Union Health Minister J P Nadda told Parliament on Tuesday that two COVID-19 cases have been reported in Andhra Pradesh over the past month and that genomic sequencing of samples from Kadapa district showed the RF.5 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant. He also said the Andhra Pradesh government recorded 12 COVID-19 cases between June 24 and July 26, 2026. The RF.5 finding was reported from YSR Kadapa district, where three recent deaths were recorded among patients with significant co-morbidities.
Nadda said the three deceased patients had underlying conditions including diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and chronic alcoholism. Genomic sequencing by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, found that COVID-19–positive samples from Kadapa predominantly showed circulation of the RF.5 Omicron sub-lineage.
“This sub-lineage is not classified by the WHO as a Variant of Concern (VOC), Variant of Interest (VOI), or Variant Under Monitoring (VUM),” he told the Rajya Sabha. The minister stressed that the finding does not presently meet WHO criteria for heightened classification.
The Union Health Ministry said it continues close surveillance of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI), including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme–Integrated Health Information Platform (IDSP-IHIP). Any increasing trend is investigated by Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), and the Indian Council of Medical Research’s Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) network conducts laboratory-based surveillance for major respiratory pathogens, including SARS‑CoV‑2.
Nadda reiterated that health is a state subject and that the Centre provides technical and financial support to states and union territories to bolster preparedness for epidemic‑prone diseases. In view of the ongoing influenza season, states and UTs have been advised to intensify ILI/SARI surveillance, ensure adequate diagnostics and personal protective equipment, undertake hospital surge planning, and strengthen clinical and laboratory capacity through regular reviews.
Original Source: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/andhra-pradesh/2-covid-cases-in-ap-over-past-month-variant-not-of-concernnadda-1974620
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Publish Date: 2026-07-28 17:34:00
