India has confirmed 21 cases of the emerging coronavirus variant JN.1, with Goa reporting 19 cases and Maharashtra and Kerala one each, according to government officials. NITI Aayog member (Health) VK Paul highlighted this concerning development, prompting heightened vigilance across the nation.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a review meeting today, emphasizing the critical importance of preparedness and vigilance against new and evolving strains of the coronavirus. “Being alert and well-prepared against emerging variants is crucial,” stated Mr. Mandaviya, emphasizing the need for seamless coordination between the Centre and states to effectively manage the ongoing pandemic.
The Health Minister advocated for regular mock drills at both central and state levels every three months to share and implement best practices in combating COVID-19. He reminded states that despite progress, the battle against COVID is far from over, urging continuous monitoring of emerging cases, symptoms, and severity to devise appropriate public health responses.
Sudhansh Pant, Secretary of the Health Ministry, presented a comprehensive overview of the global and domestic COVID situation. While highlighting that India’s cases remain notably lower compared to global figures, Pant indicated a recent surge in active cases, rising from 115 on December 6 to 614 presently. Notably, the majority of these cases, approximately 92.8%, are under home-isolation, signifying mild illness. Moreover, hospitalization rates have not increased due to COVID, with hospitalized cases primarily attributed to other medical conditions where COVID was incidentally discovered.
However, concerns arise from the escalating daily positivity rates observed in Kerala, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Karnataka. Positivity rate, calculated as the number of confirmed cases per 100 tests, serves as a crucial indicator of the virus’s spread.
Regarding the JN.1 variant, Mr. Pant assured that while under intensive scientific scrutiny, it is not an immediate cause for alarm. No clusters or severe cases associated with this variant have been identified in India. All reported JN.1 cases exhibited mild symptoms, and patients recovered without complications.
This development emphasizes the need for continued vigilance, efficient management, and constant monitoring by health authorities across the nation to effectively navigate the evolving landscape of COVID-19 and emerging variants.
Sources By Agencies
