India’s active Covid caseload at 2,669 as JN.1 cases surge, states on alert

India on Thursday saw an uptick in Covid-19 cases, with 358 fresh infections recorded in the past 24 hours, according to the data by the Union Health Ministry.

The surge in cases comes amid a rise in Covid sub-variant JN.1, which was first detected in Kerala. The death toll was recorded at 5,33,327 with three deaths reported from Kerala in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Similarly, the fresh infections were mainly reported from Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease increased to 4,44,70,576 and the national recovery rate was pegged at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry’s website.

HEALTH MINISTRY CHAIRS MEET

The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday held a meeting to review the sudden increase in Covid-19 cases and deaths in several parts of the country. The meeting was chaired by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya who said it was important to remain alert and be prepared against new and emerging strains of Covid-19.

He called for the need for joint efforts between the Centre and states to ensure efficient management of the virus. “Let us undertake mock drills once every three months at both Central and State levels and share best practices,” he said.

States have been directed to monitor emerging evidence of Covid-19 cases, symptoms and case severity to plan appropriate public health response.

JN.1 COVID VARIANT CASES

India has so far reported 21 cases of the new coronavirus variant JN.1 from across the country, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul said on Wednesday, but asserted that there was no need to panic.

Available treatments are effective, the infection is mild and all viruses mutate, experts said.

He said that the scientific community in India was closely investigating the new variant as he emphasised the need for states to ramp up testing and strengthen their surveillance systems.

Paul highlighted that about 91 to 92 per cent of those infected are opting for home-based treatment.

Several states are taking proactive measures to ensure full preparedness to handle any potential scenarios amid concern over the spread of the new Covid variant.

The West Bengal Health Department will continue its surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) cases, in accordance with central guidelines, amid an uptick in Covid-19 cases in the country, a senior official said.

Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel also advised people to remain vigilant and not panic, and said the state currently has 13 active Covid cases.

Similarly, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Wednesday asserted that the city government is “totally alert” to tackle the issue and it will ramp up genome surveillance.

Bharadwaj told PTI that oxygen cylinders, ventilator beds and other requirements are being “reviewed again”.