Covid India cases Highlights: Sub-variant JN.1 found in Maharashtra patients

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday reacted to the new COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 and said that there is "nothing to worry" about and everything is "under control."

"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," the Kerala Health Minister told reporters.

She further said that the number of tests in Kerala is high when compared to other states adding that the situation is totally under control.

ANI

The Gurugram health department has swung into action after a second case of Covid was confirmed here on Friday, officials said.

All adequate arrangements have been made by the health department to check the spread of the disease, they said.

"The situation in the district regarding Covid is under control. All adequate arrangements have been made by the health department," said Dr Virendra Yadav, Civil Surgeon, Gurugram.

According to a health official, a 42-year-old woman tested Covid positive on Friday. The health department did not find any previous travel history of the patient.

The health department said the Covid patient, who has mild symptoms, is being treated in home isolation.

PTI

In response to the rising number of reported COVID cases in the state, the Karnataka government, on Friday, established a cabinet sub-committee tasked with addressing the situation and overseeing the management of the viral disease, ANI reported.

Comprising Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and cabinet ministers Sharan Prakash Patil, HC Mahadevappa, and MC Sudhakar, the committee is aimed at coordinating efforts to manage the current scenario. Concurrently, the neighboring states of Karnataka have also heightened their vigilance following the recent surge in COVID cases.

A 19-year-old student, who recently arrived in the city of Jodhpur from Australia, has tested positive for COVID-19, as confirmed by officials on Friday. The decision to undergo testing was prompted by the onset of mild symptoms, including cold, coughing, and sneezing. The positive test result, received on Friday, led to the student being quarantined at her residence.

Medical teams have taken samples from the student's 10 family members who had been in contact with her. According to officials, the student is experiencing only mild symptoms, and she has been isolated at home. Following medical advice, the necessary medication has been initiated.

Deputy Chief Medical and Health Officer Preetam Singh mentioned that daily sampling for COVID-19 has resumed, specifically targeting individuals suspected of exhibiting symptoms. This case marks Jodhpur's first COVID-19 instance for the current year.

– With inputs from PTI

As of Thursday, the country has reported twenty-two cases of the COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1, with twenty-one cases identified in Goa and one in Kerala, according to official sources. In Goa, there has been no observed clustering of JN.1 variant cases, and all individuals affected have recovered without complications.

The infected individuals exhibited symptoms consistent with mild upper respiratory tract infection, such as a mild dry cough and a sore throat, with or without fever. None of the cases experienced severe complications.

In November, sixty-two samples were sent to various INSACOG labs for whole genome sequencing to detect the JN.1 variant. Additionally, in December, 253 samples have been sent thus far, as reported by the sources on Friday.

Rajasthan health department has formed a state-level team for prevention and control of Covid infection, amid a rise in cases across the country.

Shubhra Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of Medical and Health Department, issued an order to constitute a state-level team for Covid management, according to an official statement issued here on Friday.

Singh said the team is being formed in view of the rise in number of Covid infections in other states, including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.

PTI

Covid India cases Live Updates: Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy assured the public about the JN.1 coronavirus strain, urging calm after a meeting with officials, news agency PTI reported. He highlighted the importance of preventive measures, urging the village and ward secretariat systems to be alert. Reddy stressed the need for village clinic staff to be well-informed about actions against the new variant, aiming for proactive steps.

Officials said that there's no cause for alarm regarding the new variant as those infected are recovering without complications. They conveyed to the Chief Minister that individuals are recuperating without needing hospitalization, differentiating the JN.1 variant from the Delta variant, which previously necessitated hospital care for many patients.

Covid India cases Live Updates: Patients with the new JN.1 variant have been detected in the Maharashtra, prompting the initiation of antigen COVID testing and vaccination following the directives of chief minister.

Likewise, Wadia Hospital under Thane Municipal Corporation is conducting antigen testing.

Covid India cases Live Updates: Following the detection of a new Corona variant in various states, including Kerala, the Government Hospital at Doon Medical College in Uttarakhand has intensified its measures, including stricter arrangements in isolation wards.

Currently, the state boasts 5893 isolation beds with oxygen support and over 3100 skilled paramedical personnel ready for deployment.

Anurag Aggarwal, the Nodal Officer overseeing Covid-19 at Doon Medical College, reassured the public that there's no cause for alarm based on the advisory received, advising against any panic.

"As per the latest advisory, we need not panic. The only requisite right now is to get tested as soon as you catch the flu. We will increase testing for the new variant and will also keep updating the number of patients on the portal," he said.

"An oxygen ward of 20 beds has been prepared for Covid-19 and an ICU ward of 09 beds has also been reserved for Covid. The new variant is not very different from the previous variant but those suffering from cancer, sugar, kidney and heart were advised to be more careful with this variant," Aggarwal added.

(ANI)

Covid India cases Live Updates: Three individuals, including a six-month-old infant, have been reported positive for COVID-19 in West Bengal, PTI reported citing officials on Friday.

However, authorities have not confirmed whether these individuals contracted the new JN.1 strain of COVID-19.

The baby, from neighboring Bihar, is receiving treatment at the Medical College and Hospital Kolkata (MCHK), while the other two individuals are admitted to two different private hospitals, officials stated.

"These were suffering from high fever, cough and cold. and underwent RT-PCR and tested positive for COVID-19," the officer of the private hospital said.

Covid India cases Live Updates: In the midst of growing concerns about the new JN.1 Covid-19 variant, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist of the World Health Organisation (WHO), emphasized that there's no immediate cause for alarm. She clarified that the variant is currently categorized as a "variant of interest" rather than a "variant of concern."

She stressed the importance of exercising caution and urged everyone to remain vigilant by following necessary preventive measures.

Speaking to ANI exclusively, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former DG, of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said, "We need to be cautious, but we don't need to worry because we don't have any data to suggest that this variant JN.1 is more severe or it's going to cause more pneumonia, more death."

"I think what we need to do is try to take the normal preventive measures that we are all now familiar with. We were familiar with Omicron, so it's the same family. So not much has changed, but 1 or 2 new mutations have come up. And that's why I think WHO has said let's keep a watch on it. It's a variant of interest. It's not a variant of concern," said the doctor.

Covid India cases Live Updates: On the new Covid variant and the increasing number of cases across the country, Odisha's Director of Health Services said, “The advisory was issued by the government. We have to be prepared for any eventuality. We are preparing our hospitals and would be following the guidelines of NCDC.”

Covid India cases Live Updates: The Delhi health department has instructed officials to send a sufficient quantity of Covid samples for RT-PCR testing due to a rise in coronavirus cases, PTI reported citing officials on Thursday.

Additionally, they have directed authorities to perform genome sequencing on RT-PCR samples that test positive for Covid.

Officials stated that a meeting led by the Delhi Health Minister was held to assess the readiness of healthcare facilities in addressing ILI/SARI (influenza-like illness/severe acute respiratory infections) on Wednesday.

"Adequate number of Covid samples are to be sent for RT-PCR testing, as per guidelines. Genome sequencing of positive RT-PCR samples is to be performed, as per guidelines. And, measures are to be taken for raising community awareness for avoiding overcrowded and poorly ventilated settings, and wearing masks in crowded and close settings and in hospital premises," an official said.

Covid India cases Live Updates: On Friday, India reported 640 new COVID-19 cases, causing the active case count to rise from 2,669 to 2,997, as per data released by the Union health ministry.

The nation's total COVID-19 cases have reached 4.50 crore (4,50,07,212). With one additional fatality reported in Kerala, the death toll has reached 5,33,328, according to the 8 am update.

Recoveries from the illness have increased to 4,44,70,887, contributing to a national recovery rate of 98.81%, as indicated by the health ministry's website.

Covid India cases Live Updates: A resident of Noida has tested positive for Covid, marking the first case in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar after a prolonged period, PTI reported citing officials. The 54-year-old man, resides in Noida but commutes to a multinational company in Gurugram. Dr. Amit Kumar, the District Surveillance Officer and a healthcare expert, mentioned that the patient recently traveled to Nepal and subsequently resumed work at his Gurugram office upon returning.

"The patient is asymptomatic and went for the COVID-19 test on his own," Kumar said, adding that this is the only confirmed case in Gautam Buddh Nagar so far.