Covid fear on rise as cold weather causes fever spike

HYDERABAD: An increase in viral fever cases due to a drop in temperature over the past few days is leading to public apprehension of a possible spike in Covid-19 cases, with news of newer variants currently doing the rounds.

While some of them are getting tested to ascertain if they have Covid-19, many are refraining from tests over fears of being forced into a long quarantine.

City resident Akshay Singh said that three members of his family have been suffering from fever and cough for a couple of days, but they have not got a Covid test done.

“We wondered if we have contracted Covid-19. However, we did not get tested, because if the result is positive, we are afraid that we would have to isolate for a whole week. Instead, we will isolate till our symptoms stop,” he said.

General dhysician Dr K. Shivaraj said viral infections and Covid-19 had common symptoms of fever, throat pain, blocked nose and headache, which was confusing. He said that while patients who visit hospitals are tested for Covid-19, few people were getting tested of their own volition.

“It is the individual’s discretion, but we usually advise patients to get tested, especially if they have a travel history,” he said.

Dr Shivaraj said that viral infections are currently rampant, and many elderly people are requiring hospitalisation. As for the younger population, they are taking a long time to recover and are suffering from repeated infections, he said.

On Monday, Telangana recorded 15 new Covid-19 cases, of which 11 were in Hyderabad.