Mask up if you have a heart condition: IMA expert, as Andhra Pradesh COVID-19 cases reach 32
An Indian Medical Association expert has addressed concerns regarding a rise in COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh, noting that the current sub-variants are descendants of Omicron and do not pose a severe threat. He advised individuals with heart conditions to wear masks as a precautionary measure.
Why it matters
Public health guidance based on expert analysis helps prevent unnecessary panic while ensuring vulnerable populations remain protected during cyclical viral outbreaks.
As the coronavirus caseload in Andhra Pradesh reached 32 on Wednesday (July 22, 2026), questions and concerns about the severity of the infection have grown, even as people wonder if it is time to start wearing a mask.
Addressing these concerns, Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the National Indian Medical Association (IMA) COVID Task Force, said the rise was not another wave of the kind that fills hospitals and strains the health system.
“The coronavirus has a tendency to come in cyclical patterns, so it is common to see a periodic rise in cases. Since 2022, when the last wave caused by Omicron was reported, we have not witnessed an incident where the healthcare system was overwhelmed,” said Mr. Jayadevan, who is also convener of the research cell of the IMA, Kerala.
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