In the latest update on the COVID-19 situation in India, the country has confirmed a total of 22 cases of the JN.1 subvariant. Health departments are implementing precautions to curb the potential spread, although officials note that all reported cases exhibit mild symptoms and no clustering has been observed.
Responding to the surge in cases across states, the Centre has issued a directive, instructing states to submit samples from all positive Covid tests for genome sequencing. It will help to identify specific mutations and enhance understanding of the variant.
As of the latest data, India recorded 640 new Covid cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the active tally to 2,997. The total death toll stands at 5,33,328, with one recent death reported in Kerala. The overall Covid case count in the country is now at 4.5 crore.
ALSO READ: Congress Forms Manifesto Committee For 2024 Lok Sabha Polls, P Chidambaram To Lead Panel
The states experiencing a rise in cases include Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa, Puducherry, Gujarat, Telangana, Punjab, and Delhi. In response, individual states are implementing surveillance guidelines as a precautionary measure.
Health authorities in Kerala assure that the situation is under control despite a slight increase in cases. High levels of testing have been maintained, with genomic sequencing initiated since November.
Kerala health minister Veena George said, “There is nothing to worry about. We have found a slight increase in the number of Covid cases. A state-level meeting and a ministerial-level meeting were held. We decided to start genomic sequencing back in November”.
Karnataka's health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that there is no need for panic at present but urged citizens to adopt precautionary measures such as mask-wearing in crowded places. No additional restrictions are announced.
In Rajasthan, a state-level team has been formed to address the prevention and control of Covid-19 infections in light of the rising cases.
Bihar's chief minister, Nitish Kumar, presided over a high-level meeting, directing officials to increase testing rates and ensure the availability of essential resources like drugs, equipment, oxygen cylinders, and manpower in all hospitals. The importance of spreading awareness about Covid-appropriate behavior was also discussed.
Government data reveals that approximately 93% of those infected with the JN.1 subvariant exhibit mild symptoms and are isolated at home. Ventilator support is required for only 0.1% of cases, with 1.2% admitted to the ICU, and 0.6% receiving oxygen support.
ALSO READ: France Grounds Nicaragua-Bound Plane Carrying 303 Indians Over Suspected Human Trafficking
Former WHO chief scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, has said that the JN.1 variant is a "variant of interest" and not a "variant of concern," urging people not to panic.