63 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 reported nationwide: Sources

According to official sources on Monday, there were sixty-three cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 reported nationwide up until Sunday, of which 34 were found in Goa. They also stated that nine cases had been found in Maharashtra, eight in Karnataka, six in Kerala, four in Tamil Nadu, and two in Telangana.

Dr. V K Paul, a member of NITI Aayog’s Health committee, stated last week that the Indian scientific community is closely examining the novel Covid sub-variant and emphasized the necessity for states to bolster their surveillance systems and increase testing.

Although the number of cases is increasing and the JN.1 sub-variant has been found in the nation, officials had stated that there is no need for immediate concern because 92% of infected individuals choose to receive treatment at home, indicating a mild illness.

Additionally, hospitalization rates have not increased, and COVID-19 was discovered by accident in patients who were admitted for other medical reasons, they had stated.

Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant emphasized the importance of COVID-19 control and management strategies in a letter to the states and Union territories last week. The letter also advised the states and territories to implement the necessary public health measures to minimize the risk of an increase in the disease’s transmission, given the impending holiday season.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has shared updated operational guidelines for a revised Covid surveillance strategy, and the states have been asked to make sure that these guidelines are followed effectively.

To detect a rising trend of cases early, the states have been asked to regularly report district-wise cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) and Influenza-like Illness (ILI) from all health facilities.

As per PTI, the Union Health Ministry reported on Monday that there was a daily increase in coronavirus cases in India of 628, while the total number of active cases increased to 4,054.

The ministry’s data updated at 8 am showed that the number of deaths from the viral disease was 5,33,334 with one new death reported from Kerala in a 24-hour period, according to PTI.

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