Health Minister Vishwajit Rane stated on Wednesday that the Goa health department is prepared to handle any new coronavirus epidemic in the tourist state, despite worries over the discovery of new COVID-19 sub-variant cases in several regions of the nation.
Speaking with media during a virtual conference chaired by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Rane stated that Goa presently has nineteen COVID-19 patients, all of whom exhibit minor symptoms and none of them is in critical condition.
Health ministers of states attended the meeting.
“No patient of COVID-19 is hospitalized. All have been kept in home isolation as they have mild symptoms,” the Goa minister said.
Three new coronavirus cases were reported on Tuesday, taking the number of active count in Goa to 19, said the state health department.
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According to a health department bulletin, no new cases were found on Wednesday following the testing of 15 swab samples throughout the day by various state government facilities.
Since the coastal state is presently experiencing its busiest travel season and an increase in international visitors, Rane stated his agency is prepared to handle any new respiratory sickness outbreaks.
“We are adhering to all guidelines issued by the central health ministry,” he said.
During the virtual meeting, Mandaviya briefed all health ministers about guidelines on coronavirus and took stock of preparedness to deal with any situation, Rane said.
As many as 21 cases of new COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been detected across the country till now, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul said on Wednesday in New Delhi but asserted there was no need to panic.
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He said the scientific community in India was closely investigating the new variant as he emphasised on the need for states to ramp up testing and strengthen their surveillance systems.
The World Health Organisation has classified JN.1 as a separate “variant of interest” given its rapidly increasing spread but said that it poses a “low” global public health risk.
Source: PTI
