Amravati district has detected six new COVID-19 cases and one swine flu, prompting health authorities to heighten their response. The discovery has intensified efforts to conduct widespread sample testing.

The increase in cases coincides with the monsoon season, which often sees a rise in various illnesses. From July 24 to 30, the District Health Department tested 140 samples, revealing six positive for COVID-19 and one for swine flu. The swine flu patient, a 60-year-old, is receiving treatment at the District General Hospital.

The COVID-19 cases include:

• A 55-year-old man from Amba Vihar
• A 32-year-old man from Sainagar
• A 42-year-old man from Gopal Nagar
• A 56-year-old man from Vilas Nagar
• A 24-year-old man from Sarafa Kalaram Mandir
• A 50-year-old man from Tarkheda

Among the 140 samples tested, 43 were from women, none of whom tested positive for COVID-19.

The District General Hospital has been overwhelmed with patients suffering from epidemic diseases over the past 15 days, with multiple patients per bed becoming commonplace. The additional burden of COVID-19 has compounded the challenges faced by the health system, which is struggling with financial and staffing shortages.

Dr. Prashant Thakare, Nodal Officer at Sant Gadgebaba Amravati University, confirmed that the samples tested from July 24 to 30 included COVID-19 and swine flu cases. He advised the public to avoid crowded areas and adhere to basic hygiene practices to help curb the spread of these diseases.