Andhra Pradesh is currently facing a worrying situation with the COVID-19 positivity rate surpassing 10% in various districts after a six-month gap. The highest positivity rate of 16% was reported in the combined Visakhapatnam district, while other districts, such as the Krishna, Anantapur, and West Godavari, also exceeded the 10% mark this week. The first week of April saw at least a 7% weekly positivity rate in four other districts, including Nellore, Kurnool, Guntur, and East Godavari.

When measuring the spread of the virus in the community at a specific time, the case positivity rate is a critical indicator. Over the past two weeks, more than 15,000 COVID-19 tests were conducted in Andhra Pradesh, revealing 267 new infections. As of Sunday, the state had 138 active cases. Despite Omicron and its sub-lineages remaining the predominant variant, most of them have little or no significant transmissibility, disease severity, or immune escape. However, the sudden increase in the number of infections is linked to the new Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16.

The Union government's data shows that the prevalence of XBB.1.16 rose from 21.6% in February to 35.8% in March. Nevertheless, there have been no reported increases in hospitalization or mortality rates. To combat the fast-growing infection numbers, the state government is planning to increase the daily tests.

Over the past year, one of the significant challenges faced by Andhra Pradesh in managing COVID-19 has been getting suspected cases tested. Due to people's familiarity with the disease, many have adopted a new attitude, with the majority opting for self-testing and self-medication. The fear and panic that surrounded the disease in the initial months of the outbreak is now mostly absent. This attitude is worrying and could impede efforts to control the spread of the virus. It is crucial to raise awareness among people about the significance of getting tested and seeking medical help if they experience symptoms.

The current situation in Andhra Pradesh concerning COVID-19 is distressing, with the positivity rate exceeding 10% in various districts. Increasing daily tests is a positive step by the state government, and it is vital to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. The pandemic is far from over, and it is crucial to continue following COVID-appropriate behavior to keep ourselves and others safe. Raising awareness among people about the importance of getting tested and seeking medical help if they experience symptoms is critical to containing the spread of the virus.