With Andhra Pradesh reeling severely under the Covid-19 crisis, health officials suspect that the N440K variant, discovered by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), might be the reason behind the rapid deterioration of the health conditions of Covid patients in the last few days, in Visakhapatnam as well as other parts of the state.

The new Covid variant, named as the AP strain, which was identified in Kurnool district, is believed to be 15 times more deadly and stronger than other Indian variants.

The Visakhapatnam district health authorities are closely monitoring the developments.

“We are yet to confirm, which strain is in circulation right now, as samples have been sent, for analysis,to CCMB. But one thing is certain that the variant, currently in circulation in Visakhapatnam, is quite different from what we have seen during the first wave last year,” Visakhapatnam District Collector V. Vinay Chand said.

Experts said that as compared to the first wave experienced last year, this year, the virus can be acquired through a shorter exposure.

The net result is that more people can end up getting infected in a lower time frame.

According to a senior health official in the district, earlie, a Covid patient would reach the hypoxia or dyspnea stage, in about a week. However, in the current scenario, patients are reaching the serious condition stage in barely three to four days.

Experts are especially concerned about the highly unpredictable nature of the AP variant.

“The younger generation is being majorly affected. Not everyone responds to the treatment too.” the official adds.

Apart from the overall sense of panic, the net effect of the possible new Covid strain is evident in the growing demand-supply gap for beds with oxygen, and ICU beds.

Only after a lot of pressure, the Jaganmohan Reddy Government postponed the Intermediate exams at the last minute. But it did not make any changes in the schedule given for the 10th class exams. Hence, the arguments continued on this aspect in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. The Government advocate told the court that there would be no change in 10th exams since there was a long gap and these exams would be held from June 7 in AP.

The Government, however, assured to change the exam schedule if the Coronavirus cases increased further in the State during the meantime. The court pointed out that already, there were the virus forecasts and experts’ warnings about the rising infections in the next one to two months.

Even then, the Government pleader has said that no decision has been taken on 10th class exams since there is over a month’s time for them to begin. Anything may happen in this gap. Any decision would be taken by reviewing the virus situation a few days prior to the June 7 exams. Then, the High Court postponed the hearing for June 2 and asked the Government to submit its observations on the Covid situation and its policy on 10th exams on that day. The NEET exams were postponed for three months. Most Central exams were being postponed for two to three months. It looks difficult to hold AP 10th exams as per present schedule.

Intermediate examinations in Andhra Pradesh have been postponed. State Education Minister Suresh announced the decision today. Details as follows.

It is known news that the government of AP decided to conduct the exams though many states and CBSE cancelled the exams already. However the decision of government met with criticism from the parents as well intellectuals. Some of them moved to high court in this regard.

In this backdrop, state education minister Suresh today announced the decision to postpone the exams in the wake of the High Court order to reconsider the conduct of inter-examinations. The views of the parents of the students were also taken into consideration, he added. The minister said the dates of the inter-examinations would be announced once the situation in the state improved. “As a responsible government, we want to conduct exams keeping the future of the students in mind in a safe environment. But students and their parents are worried about the growing number of cases in the country and the state. So we have taken the decision to postpone the exams”, he concluded.

The decision of postponing the exams during the second wave is welcomed by the parents and students. However, one doesn’t understand, why government couldn’t assess the situation earlier and was hell bent on conducting the exams risking the lives of students and their families. It seems the government took the decision now in order to avoid more serious comments from the honourable court.

The Andhra Pradesh government will launch CLAP (Clean Andhra Pradesh) programme on July 8, to commemorate the birth anniversary of late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy.

During the meeting held on Thursday, Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy reviewed several public welfare schemes such as Swachha Sankalpam, YSR Jala Kala, Jal Jeevan Mission, Jagananna Palle Velugu and construction of roads in villages.

Stressing upon the importance of sanitation in rural and urban areas, he directed the officials to ensure sewage does not pile up in the villages. He told them to focus on sewage pumping and disposing the water safely. “Sewage water must be sent to treatment plants,” he said and called for preparation of an SOP to dispose solid waste.

In view of the Covid pandemic, the Chief Minister instructed officials to administer vaccines to sanitary workers in village panchayats and municipalities and provide them additional uniform, gloves, masks and coats.