COVID-19 Update: India logs 341 new cases in 24 hours, 3 die in Kerala; Health Minister holds review meeting

COVID-19 Sub Variant JN.1: According to statistics available on the Union Health Ministry website, Kerala has recorded 292 new COVID-19 infections and three fatalities in the last 24 hours. According to the ministry website, 292 of the 341 COVID-19 infections recorded countrywide until 8 AM today were from Kerala, bringing the state's active cases to 2,041.
 
Kerala was followed by Tamil Nadu, which recorded 13 new cases, while other states like Maharashtra had 11 new cases, Karnataka (9), Telangana and Puducherry (4 each), Delhi and Gujarat (3 each), Punjab and Goa (1 each) in the last 24 hours.
 
Addressing the matter, Union Health Minister Mansukh L. Mandaviya held a review meeting on Wednesday and said, "It is time to work together in a 'Whole of Government' approach, through closely working with each other. We need to be on the alert, but there is no need to panic."

He also added that it was important to be prepared with mock drills of hospital preparedness, increased surveillance, and effective communication with people. He plans to do mock drills in all hospitals once every three months.

"I assure all support of the Centre to States. States/UTs advised to send samples of all COVID-19 positive cases to INSACOG labs to facilitate tracking of new variants, and urged to create awareness, manage infodemic and ensure dissemination of factually correct information," added the Union Health Minister.

What is COVID-19 sub variant JN.1? 

This variation, a sub variant of BA.2.86, was isolated and reported in November. However, it was discovered in the United States in September 2023.
 
How dangerous is the JN.1 variant?
There is no reason to panic, according to experts. However, the quantity of samples being collected from all over the states is very low at the moment.
 
Symptoms of COVID-19 Sub Variant JN.1
So far, the majority of cases have been mild. Fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, body soreness, and fatigue are common symptoms.
 
What do health departments suggest in different states?
Considering the sudden rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Kerala, the Karnataka Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has issued an advisory, advising people over the age of 60, particularly those with co-morbidities (particularly kidney, heart, and liver ailments), pregnant women, and lactating mothers, to wear face masks and avoid closed, poorly ventilated spaces and crowded areas.
 
Meanwhile, doctors in New Delhi have encouraged people to wear masks, avoid crowds, and eat a nutritious diet.
 
The COVID-19 situation in West Bengal is under control, and the state is prepared to deal with any emergency, according to a top health department official.
The Rajasthan health department convened a review meeting on Tuesday after the new COVID-19 sub-variant, JN.1, was discovered in certain patients in Kerala.
 
So far, no JN.1 subtype of coronavirus has been discovered in Uttarakhand, according to Health Secretary R. Rajesh Kumar.
Nonetheless, he stated that all districts had been instructed to carefully adhere to the operational requirements for the updated surveillance plan in the framework of COVID-19.