Updates on the Covid JN.1 variant: 22 cases reported in India; center orders genome sequencing

22 instances of COVID-19 subvariant JN.1 have been documented in India so far, necessitating the implementation of preventive measures by health agencies to stop the virus from spreading. On the other hand, authorities state that no cases have been reported to cluster up to this point and that all JN.1 subvariant instances had minor symptoms.

The Center on Friday ordered states to submit samples of all Covid positive test swabs for whole genome sequencing in order to identify the set of mutations, in light of the abrupt surge in cases in multiple states.

On Friday, India reported 640 new instances of COVID-19 in the last day, bringing the total number of active cases to 2,997. There was one death from Kerala among the 5,33,328 registered deaths overall. There are 4.5 crore Covid cases in the nation.

HERE ARE COVID UPDATES.
The most recent Covid-19 changes are as follows:
The following states are affected: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa, Puducherry, Gujarat, Telangana, Punjab, and Delhi. These states have also shown a somewhat higher rise in Covid cases nationwide.
Several states are developing individualized monitoring standards as a preventative approach in response to the increasing number of cases.

Kerala’s health minister, Veena George, claims that while the state tests more Covid samples than other states, the matter is still under control. “There’s no need to be concerned. The number of Covid instances has somewhat increased, according to our data. There were meetings at the state and cabinet levels. November is when we made the decision to begin genome sequencing,” she said.

Dinesh Gundu Rao, the minister of health for Karnataka, said that there’s no need to worry just yet. Nonetheless, he advised people to exercise care and use masks in busy areas. Rao told the reporters on Friday that no limitations will be put in place just yet.

A state-level team for the prevention and control of COVID-19 infection has been constituted by Rajasthani authorities in response to the growing number of cases.

Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, presided over a high-level meeting on Friday. In the course of the discussion, Kumar gave authorities orders to increase the number of tests conducted and to make sure that all hospitals have enough supplies of medication, equipment, oxygen tanks, and staff. He also urged the use of social media and other platforms to raise awareness about Covid-appropriate behavior.

Government data indicates that around 93% of those infected with the novel COVID-19 virus are alone at home and have just moderate symptoms. Merely 0.1% of patients receiving care at different hospitals around the nation are dependent on a ventilator, 1.2% are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and 0.6% are on oxygen assistance.

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, a former top scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO), has said that because it is a “variant of interest and not of concern,” there is no reason to panic.