Dengue patients are currently outnumbering Covid-19 patients in practically all hospitals in Kolkata. Since August of this year, Kolkata hospitals have seen intermittent dengue infections, with the number of cases spiking in the last two weeks. Health officials say most municipal hospitals saw no dengue cases in 2020 and very few in 2021.

Along with increased H1N1 cases, occasional reports of malaria cases are also being seen. Since dengue is a vector-borne disease and Covid-19 is a viral infection, medical professionals claim there is no direct link between the two. One of the causes of the abrupt rise in vector-borne diseases may be the current casual situation among people. Experts further stated that throughout the pandemic, people stayed primarily indoors and were more vigilant about the cleanliness of their surroundings. This helped in controlling mosquito breeding. Vaccination and herd immunity are also causing other flu strains, such as H1N1, to replace Covid-19 gradually. 

Paediatrician professor Mihir Sarkar of Medical College Hospital in Kolkata said that even kids are being impacted. In the paediatric unit, dengue admissions are being reported, but so far, none of the youngsters are serious. No Covid-19 infected admissions were reported to date.

The numbers of dengue patients hospitalized in various hospitals versus Covid-19 and H1N1 patients are summarized as follows: 16 dengue, 10 Covid-19, 9 H1N1, and 2 malaria cases were reported by AMRI (3 units). A total of 9 dengue, 3 Covid-19, 4 H1N1, and 3 malaria cases were reported at Peerless Hospital. CMRI recorded 20 dengue and 2 malaria cases. There were 10 dengue, 4 Covid-19, 2 H1N1, and 2 malaria cases in Belle Vue. Fortis Hospital reported four dengue, four Covid-19, three H1N1, and 1 malaria case.

(ETHealthWorld, August 27, 2022)

https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/kolkatadengue-cases-now-outnumber-covid-admissions-in-city-hosps/93811401