India logged a total of 614 COVID-19 infections, the highest since May 21, while the active cases have increased to 2,311, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. And, Kerala in 24 hours reported 292 fresh COVID-19 infections and three deaths due to the disease taking the active cases in the state to 2,041, as per the Ministry website. Meanwhile, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has called for a high-level review meeting as cases of coronavirus saw a rise in the country.
On rising cases of Covid in Kerala, state Health Minister Veena George had said that despite the increase in COVID cases in Kerala, there was nothing to be concerned about as the state was well prepared to handle the virus infection.
Meanwhile, amid an uptick in COVID-19 cases in some states and the detection of the first case of its sub-variant JN.1 in the country, the Uttarakhand government has issued an advisory to all districts to keep a tab on the situation and strictly adhere to prevention guidelines.
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Although no case of JN.1 sub-variant of the coronavirus has been detected in the state so far, the state has asked to strictly follow the operational guidelines for a revised surveillance strategy in the context of COVID-19.
Similarly, West Bengal's state health department on Tuesday held a review meeting of the COVID-19 situation here less than 24 hours after the Centre urged the states to maintain a constant vigil following the detection of the first case of JN.1 variant in India. The West Bengal Health Department, along with its counterparts from other states, will participate in a COVID-19 review meeting with the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday, the official said.
"Not a single case of JN.1 variant has been reported from anywhere in West Bengal. However, we are ready with our infrastructure to face any situation," the official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
On Tuesday, World Health Organization (WHO) classified the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a "variant of interest" and said current evidence shows risk to public health was low from the strain.
On Monday, the Union Health Ministry sent a communication to states and Union territories, highlighting the need for maintaining a constant vigil over the COVID-19 situation after a recent surge in cases following the detection of the first case of the new JN.1 variant of the coronavirus.
India's first JN.1 case was detected in a sample taken from a 79-year-old woman in Kerala with mild symptoms on December 8. Earlier, a traveller from Tamil Nadu's Tiruchirapalli district was found to be infected with the JN.1 variant in Singapore.