New Delhi/Patna: As many as 594 fresh Covid-19 infections were detected across India on Thursday, taking the total number of active cases to 2,669 from 2,311 the previous day, according to Union health ministry data. Latest variant Covid19, JN.1, has so far infected 21 people in the country.
The country’s cumulative tally of Covid-19 infections stands at 4.50 crore (4,50,06,572). The total toll has reached to 5,33,327 with six more people—three from Kerala, two from Karnataka and one from Punjab—succumbing to the viral disease, as per the data from the Union health ministry and family welfare on Thursday morning.
21 cases of JN.1 Covid variant found
So far, 21 people were found infected with JN.1 Covid variant, much to the discomfiture the health officials across the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, distinct from its parent lineage BA.2.86. However, WHO classified the newer variant of Covid low risk posing on current evidence. The Union health ministry called up on the people to exercise caution, while experts dispel the fears saying that existing module of treatments is capable to treat the mild nature of the infection as manifested in case of JN.1 variant.
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Goa, which is seeing the streams of tourists from across the country on the new year eve, has reported 19 cases of JN.1, while Kerala and Maharashtra reported one case of the new variant each.
No plan to make RT-PCR mandatory at airports
Officials of the Union health ministry has ruled out any immediate possibility of making RT-PCR test mandatory at airports for travellers amid the rise in coronavirus infections in India. Even though the number of cases is rising and the JN.1 sub-variant has been detected in the country, there is no cause of immediate concern as 92% infected people are getting cured at the home-based treatment owing to its mild impact.
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Bihar govt puts health machinery on alert
The state health department has put on alert all its health facilities including hospitals in all districts in wake of the detection of sub-variant of Corona JN.1 in Kerala and the advisory issued by the Centre to all states after a review meeting convened by top health officials with civil surgeons and doctors.
At the review meeting attended by additional chief secretary, health department, Pratyaya Amrit, health secretary cum executive director, State Health Society (SHS), Sanjay Kumar Singh, instructions were given to officials and doctors of medical college hospitals to be on alert mode and keep stocks of necessary medicines.
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“There have been rise in cases of Corona cases in Kerala and few states, which is why we have directed all health facilities to be on alert mode. Samples of suspected patients coming to OPDs in hospitals will be sent for Covid tests.” said Sanjay Kumar Singh, adding that the government medical institutions have been instructed to increase the corona tests and RT-PCR tests in various districts including West Champaran, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Sheikhpura and Begusarai.
