India has seen a surge in Covid-19 instances in the last 24 hours, with 614 new cases reported. As a result, the Union Health Minister has instructed states to keep an eye out for new strains of the virus. Since May 21, this is the most new instances that have been found. There are even 21 JN examples at this point. One subvariant has been found in Maharashtra, Kerala, and Goa.
As of Tuesday, Maharashtra had confirmed one case of the JN.1 sub-variant and reported 14 new cases of COVID-19.
Based on statistics updated at 8 a.m. on Wednesday by the Union Health Ministry, there are currently 2,311 active cases across India. Three more fatalities from Kerala have been recorded, bringing the total number of deaths to 5.33 lakh and the number of Covid cases to 4.50 crore.
Active cases
With 292 new cases in the last 24 hours, Kerala has seen the most increase in the overall number of active cases. According to ministry statistics, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of new cases with 13, followed by Maharashtra with 11, Karnataka with 9, Telangana and Puducherry with 4, Delhi and Gujarat with 3, and Goa and Punjab with 1.
21 cases of JN.1 found
According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), 21 instances of the Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been discovered nationwide. Of them, one each in Kerala and Maharashtra, and nineteen in Goa, have been located.
Due to its distribution, JN.1, which the World Health Organization had previously designated as a variation of interest (VOI) as part of the BA.2.86 sublineages, was categorized as a distinct “variant of interest” on Tuesday. On the global public health risk scale, it is still rated as “low,” the WHO assured.
Health Minister reviews preparedness of health facilities
During today’s high-level review meeting with the states, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya placed a strong emphasis on looking over newly discovered viral strains. The minister reassured the public after the meeting that there was no reason to fear.
“Health ministers and top officials from every state and territory in the nation convened today to evaluate public health and respiratory disease preparations, including COVID-19. He claimed on X (previously known as Twitter) that “all the states expressed a positive outlook for better implementation of health facilities” during the conference.
He said, “There’s no need to panic, but we do need to be on the lookout.” The minister has instructed staff members to fortify the whole genome sequencing surveillance system for positive case samples to monitor variations via the INSACOG network and guarantee prompt identification of novel variants.
Indore man, woman infected with COVID-19 after return from Maldives
According to a health official who spoke to PTI, two members of a family who had returned from the Maldives to their hometown of Indore were discovered to be coronavirus-positive. Their samples have been sent for genome sequencing to determine the variation.
The cases were recorded in the financial hub of Madhya Pradesh after a spike in viral infection in some areas following the introduction of the novel COVID-19 JN.1 strain to the nation. According to Dr. Amit Malakar, nodal officer of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) at the Indore district unit, a 38-year-old male and a 33-year-old woman both caught the virus.
No need to panic but remain vigilant: Gujarat Health Minister
Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel told people to be cautious and not panic amid worries about the discovery of a new COVID-19 subvariant, adding that there are now 13 active cases of the virus in the state.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the novel COVID-19 strain, JN.1, as a distinct “variant of interest” due to its swiftly spreading nature; yet, it has been deemed to provide a “low” danger to worldwide public health.
Speaking with reporters here, Patel stated that 13 COVID-19 instances are now active in Gujarat. To determine their variation, their swab samples have been sent for genome sequencing. According to him, none of these people are receiving hospital care.
Goa prepared to tackle any fresh outbreak, says state health minister
Goa’s health department is prepared to handle any new coronavirus outbreaks in the tourism state, according to Health Minister Vishwajit Rane. According to Rane, Goa presently has nineteen COVID-19 patients, all of whom have minor symptoms; none of them are in critical condition.
“There are no Covid-19 hospitalized patients. Because of their minor symptoms, all have been maintained in home isolation, according to the minister from Goa.
JN.1 infectious but mild, Delhi govt alert: Saurabh Bharadwaj
According to Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, the COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 is contagious but “mild,” and the city administration is “totally alert” to address the problem.
PTI was informed by Bharadwaj that the needs for oxygen cylinders, ventilator beds, and other items are “reviewed again.” When asked about the new sub-variant, he said, “It’s an Omicron variant.” It’s not that bad. Although contagious, the condition is not highly dangerous. However, the government is setting up all that is required, including patient isolation rooms, ventilator beds, and oxygen cylinders; these specifications are all being reevaluated.
JN.1 Covid-19 variant: Experts allay fears, cite low public health risk
Experts intervened as fear increased and Covid once again gained attention, assuring people that there was no reason to worry because there are good therapies available, the infection is not severe, and viruses always evolve.
The viruses that are in circulation are constantly changing, as is the case with the majority of respiratory viruses, including influenza viruses. Consequently, a sub-variant of SARS CoV-2 is not surprising at all, according to senior consulting physician and public health specialist Chandrakant Lahariya, who spoke to PTI.
Singapore on alert
Even while the number of illnesses appears to have stabilized for the time being, Singapore is nevertheless on high alert. The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Singapore announced that there was a 75% increase in instances last week, with 56,043 cases reported as opposed to 32,035 cases the week before.
Nonetheless, as per the most recent data published in the local newspaper, The Straits Times, the seven-day moving average of cases decreased somewhat from 7,870 on December 12 to 7,730 on December 17. Experts advised individuals to continue avoiding crowded areas and using facemasks to prevent illnesses, especially if they are old or otherwise susceptible.
As with endemic influenza and all the other frequent respiratory illnesses, the present wave of COVID-19 is what we should anticipate. Concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic are no greater than those over previous comparable influenza pandemics. However, this does not mean that we should do nothing at all, as stated by Alex Cook, an associate professor at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.
