Andhra Pradesh Reports 1st COVID-19 Deaths Since 2022, 4 Active Cases Detected in Kadapa

Andhra Pradesh has reported its first COVID-19-related deaths since 2022, with two people succumbing to the infection and four others testing positive in Kadapa district. The latest cases have prompted health authorities to intensify surveillance, while samples from the deceased have been sent for genome sequencing to determine the COVID-19 variant responsible for the infections.

According to health officials, three of the four infected patients are recovering in home isolation, while the fourth, who has mild symptoms, is undergoing treatment in a special COVID-19 ward at the Government General Hospital-RIMS (GGH-RIMS), Kadapa. All four patients tested positive through RT-PCR tests conducted at the Kadapa virology laboratory. Social Media Restrictions for Kids: Andhra Pradesh Drafting Law to Limit Access for Under-13 Users, Focus on Mental Well-Being.

Two COVID-19 Deaths Reported

According to a report in The Times of India, the first death was reported on June 28 at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. The deceased, a 60-year-old man, was initially admitted to the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), Tirupati, before being shifted to CMC Vellore for advanced treatment. An RT-PCR test conducted after his death confirmed that he was COVID-19 positive.

According to health officials, the patient also suffered from diabetes, kidney disease and other comorbidities, which may have contributed to the severity of his illness. Lithium Battery Explodes at EV Scooter Shop in Balrampur, Small Blasts Continue for Nearly 30 Minutes (Watch Video).

The second death involved a 43-year-old patient who had tested positive for COVID-19 while undergoing treatment. Officials said detailed medical records relating to his pre-existing health conditions were not immediately available.

Earlier reports had identified the deceased as a resident of Masapeta in Kadapa, who was admitted to GGH-RIMS with COVID-like symptoms before succumbing during treatment.

Four Active Cases Detected

Health officials said the four COVID-19 positive patients belong to different localities in Kadapa district. Three are recovering in home isolation, while one patient has been admitted to hospital as a precaution because of mild symptoms.

Officials added that all four had received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, while one of them had also taken a booster dose.

Omicron Subvariant Suspected

Based on the clinical symptoms observed in the patients, health authorities suspect that the infections may have been caused by an Omicron subvariant.

To confirm the variant, samples from the two deceased patients have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, for genome sequencing. The sequencing results are awaited.

Following the recent cases, the district medical and health department has intensified surveillance and monitoring in Kadapa to detect any further spread of the infection. Officials continue to advise people, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, to seek medical attention if they develop respiratory symptoms.

Meanwhile, the death of Mahaboob Basha, a resident of Almaspet in Kadapa, had triggered speculation about another COVID-related fatality. However, Kadapa District Collector Dr Cherukuri Sridhar clarified that the death was not caused by COVID-19.

“The deceased did not succumb to COVID-19. He was suffering from pre-existing cardiac and liver-related ailments. COVID was not the cause of death," the Collector said.

The latest fatalities mark Andhra Pradesh's first reported Covid-19 deaths since 2022, even as health authorities continue surveillance and await genome sequencing results from the National Institute of Virology to identify the exact variant responsible for the infections.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2026 03:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).