Covid-19 JN.1 highlights: 157 cases recorded in India, highest from Kerala – Mint

Covid-19 JN.1 news highlights: India reported a total of 109 JN.1 COVID variant cases in the country as of December 26, Health Ministry sources have said. As many as 36 cases were reported from Gujarat, 34 from Karnataka, 14 from Goa, 9 from Maharashtra, 6 from Kerala, 4 from Rajasthan, 4 from Tamil Nadu and 2 from Telangana, the sources updated.

Covid-19 LIVE updates

On Wednesday, India recorded 529 fresh COVID-19 cases in a single day, while the country's active infection count stood at 4,093. Three new fatalities -- two from Karnataka and one from Gujarat -- were reported in 24 hours, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am. The number of daily cases had dropped to double-digits till December 5, but infections have again gone up after the emergence of a new variant and cold weather conditions.

Meanwhile, The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, distinct from its parent lineage BA.2.86. However, the global health body emphasised that the overall risk posed by JN.1 remains low based on current evidence.

Catch all the LIVE Updates on Covid, JN.1 variant here

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: There has been a consistent increase in the number of coronavirus cases over the last few weeks and nine states and Union territories have so far detected the presence of JN.1 sub-variant of the virus.

Accoridng to Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), Kerala has reported 78 cases of new variant, Gujarat has reported 34, Goa has reported 18, Karnataka has reported 8, Maharashtra (seven), Rajasthan (five), Tamil Nadu (four), Telangana (two) and Delhi (one).

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: Amid rising cases of coronavirus across India, cases in Gujarat are not alarming as 22 of the 36 patients infected with sub-variant JN.1 so far have already recovered during home isolation, said the states health minister Rushikesh Patel on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference in Gandhinagar, Patel said Gujarat currently has 66 active cases of Covid-19, including 47 in Ahmedabad, 10 in Rajkot, 4 in Gandhinagar, and one each in Dahod, Gir Somnath, Kutch, Morbi and Sabarkantha districts.

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: Amid rising Covid-19 cases, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday visited the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) hospital on Thursday to take stock of preparedness for Covid-19.

The arrangement for RT-PCR testing have been made outside the hospital and there are modern equipment at the health facility. Bharadwaj also said that no Covid patient is admitted in the hospital currently.

"Following the oxygen shortage that was seen during the Covid wave in Delhi and across the country, the hospital now has piped oxygen supply through a centralised system," he said.

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: Amid rising cases of Covid-19 virus, Delhi reported two fresh cases on Thursday. The reports of the two positive cases have been sent for genome sequencing to confirm, wether they are caused by the new subvariant or not, said the Medical Superintendent of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital.

"We have increased the number of tests. Yesterday, we performed 636 tests in private and government hospitals combined. Three genome sequencing results were received yesterday, out of which two were old Omicron variants and one was JN.1," said Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj.

A total of 157 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been detected in the country, with Kerala reporting the highest number of 78, followed by Gujarat at 34, according to the INSACOG's data updated on Thursday.

Several states have been reporting an uptick in the number of Covid cases over the last few weeks and nine states and Union territories have so far detected the presence of the JN.1 sub-variant of the virus.

These states are -- Kerala (78), Gujarat (34), Goa (18), Karnataka (eight), Maharashtra (seven), Rajasthan (five), Tamil Nadu (four), Telangana (two) and Delhi (one), according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Odisha has risen to eight after three fresh infections were detected, public health director Niranjan Mishra said on Thursday.

All the eight patients are currently in home isolation, he added.

Mishra reassured the public that there is no need to panic as no one has been hospitalized in the state thus far.

He said, "All districts have increased Covid-19 testing. On Wednesday, a total of 690 samples were tested, with three testing positive."

Citing national statistics, Mishra said 92 per cent of Covid patients are in home isolation, and only those with comorbidities are being admitted to hospitals.

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital, Lady Hardinge Hospital here has reserved 48 beds for the patients.

Apart from this, six ICU beds and a ward with 30 beds have also been reserved for Covid patients in the new building of Lady Hardinge Hospital.

Additionally, 12 beds have been reserved for paediatric patients in Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, which comes under Lady Hardinge Medical College.

Recently, the Director of the hospital also held a meeting with all the stakeholders and information was taken regarding all the arrangements related to COVID-19.

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) cadres took out a silent procession in Kancheepuram with candles in their hands and garlanded DMDK founder and actor Vijayakanth's portrait when it ended near the bus depot on Thursday.

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) founder-leader and actor Vijayakanth passed away in Chennai, aged 71, after testing positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.

Actor Jr NTR took to X to pay tribute to the late actor Vijayakanth. He wrote,

"Saddened to learn about Vijayakanth Garu's passing. A true powerhouse in both cinema and politics. May his soul find eternal peace. My thoughts are with his family and friends."

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj asserted that there are no new cases of JN.1 subvariant of COVID in Delhi at present after one patient infected with the virus was discharged on Thursday.

"We have increased the number of tests. Yesterday, we performed 636 tests in private and government hospitals combined. Three genome sequencing results were received yesterday, out of which two were old Omicron variants and one was JN.1," Minister Bhardwaj said.

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: On JN.1 Covid-19 sub-variant, MoS Health Dr.Bharati Pravin Pawar said, "Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has held a meeting with all States on this. Testing and genome sequencing increased in states. Senior citizens should take precautions. There is no need to worry but precautions should be taken. We are monitoring the situation in Kerala where cases are high."

While speaking to ANI, Director, Public Health, Dr. Niranjan Mishra said, "We have increased surveillance on testing, yesterday 690 samples were tested out of them 378 were RT-PCR. Out of them, we detected 3 positive cases. This month for December, we have 8 active cases in our observation, all are in home isolation, not requiring hospitalisation."

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: As per Karnataka Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, " The cases are going up but the situation is not alarming. People need not worry. All medical colleges and district hospitals are directed to keep beds ready for any eventuality."

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE:Covid tests ramped up, 636 conducted on Wednesday: Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj to PTI

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: India recorded 692 fresh cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. The total active caseload increased by four, reaching 4,097, according to Union Health Ministry data.

As per official data, six deaths have been reported in the country in the last 24 hours - two in Maharashtra, and one each in Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, and West Bengal.

With this, the total count of coronavirus cases in India since its outbreak in January 2020 has reached 4,50,10,944, with an increase of 702 cases in the last 24 hours. The total death toll due to COVID-19 cases in India has risen to 5,33,346, reflecting an increase of six deaths in the last 24 hours.

The total number of active Covid cases in Tamil Nadu was reported at 135, the Union Ministry of Health Affairs informed on Wednesday.

DMDK founder-leader Vijayakanth passed away in Chennai on Thursday. He was 71. Vijayakanths death was confirmed by officials of Miot Hospital

Yesteryear Tamil actor and DMDK founder Vijayakanth has been unwell for quite some time and his wife Premalatha took over the reins of the party days ago.

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: The recent spike in active covid-19 cases in India could be due to other variants such as BA.2.86 and not just JN.1 variant, experts have said. "Based on whatever information we have, it appears that JN.1 can infect many at a time, more than other mutants. In India, the virus is present and with time it might pre-dominate. But having said that, other strains also tend to exist and can continue causing the infection," said Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar, epidemiologist, former ICMR scientist and member of the governments covid-19 task force.

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has reportedly shut the Covid-19 withdrawal facility that allowed its subscribers to take out a part of their retirement savings as Covid advances, the Economic Times reported. While there is no official notification in this regard yet. Mint could not independently verify this development.

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: Several life-saving drugs supplied to various government hospitals in Delhi have reportedly failed to pass quality tests. The list of medicines that have failed to match the mandatory quality standards includes steroids, anti-epilepsy medications, antibiotics, anti-hypertensive drugs, and even antacids.

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: Wearing masks, not sending children with symptoms to schools, adhering to COVID appropriate behaviour like social distancing, seven days home isolation and leave for infected patients, are among the measures that have been decided by the Karnataka government's cabinet sub-committee on coronavirus, amid a spike in cases and detection of JN.1 infections in the state.

It has also decided to administer "precautionary vaccine" for the aged and those with comorbidities and to get 30,000 doses of Corbevax vaccine from the Centre for this purpose.

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday appealed to the disgruntled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal to make the documents public related to the alleged 40,000 crore scam in Covid-19 management during the previous BJP government in the state.

The minister said Yatnal should at least hand over the details to the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission of Inquiry to probe into the coronavirus related irregularities.

Kharge, who is the son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, suspected the involvement of the Central government in the Covid scam.

"Yatnal has said that if he is expelled from the BJP then he will release all the documents (related to Covid mismanagement). I appeal to him through the media to please make the documents public, keeping in mind the people of Karnataka and to safeguard their interest. Or at least share them with Justice John Michael Cunha Committee Commission of Inquiry," Kharge, who holds IT/BT and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj portfolios, told reporters.

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) Leader Vijayakanth tested positive for COVID. The party informed that Vijayakanth has been put on a ventilator due to breathing issue.

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: A fifty-eight-year-old daily wager died of Covid-19 on Wednesday in a government hospital for chest diseases here.

Director of Health G Sriramulu told PTI that the worker had co-morbidities, including a cardiac problem. He was first admitted to the Government General Hospital here. As he was diagnosed with Covid pneumonia, he was later shifted to the hospital for chest diseases, where he died today.

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: After the national capital reported its first case of JN.1 variant infection, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that there is no need to panic and that it only causes mild sickness.

"JN.1 is a sub-variant of Omicron and is a mild infection. This is the one spreading in south India. There is no need to panic. It causes mild sickness," Bharadwaj said while speaking to ANI.

Earlier today, Delhi reported the first case of JN.1 variant infection.

"Delhi has reported the first case of JN.1, a Sub-Variant of Omicron. Out of the 3 samples sent for Genome Sequencing, one is JN.1 and the other two are Omicron," Saurabh Bharadwaj told ANI.

With new Covid sub-variant JN.1 fueling a sudden infection surge, former AIIMS director and senior pulmonologist, Dr Randeep Guleria noted though the new variant is spreading rapidly, it is not causing severe infections and hospitalisation. On the vaccine situation, he said that since the virus is changing, we need a new jab that covers a broader type of the virus. Read more here

Covid-19 JN.1 news LIVE: Two more Covid cases were detected in Gurugram on Wednesday, taking the total number of active cases to 10 while the authorities directed all hospitals to be on alert.

The directions come amid a scare over the new Covid sub-variant JN.1 which spreads rapidly but poses low risk. However, it has not been determined if the new cases in Gurugram belong to this sub-variant.

District Collector Nishant Kumar Yadav has asked all hospitals in Gurugram to expeditiously establish separate isolation wards exclusively for patients exhibiting Covid symptoms.

These wards should be equipped with necessary medical infrastructure, including isolation beds and oxygen facilities, to provide optimal care, according to the orders.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) of Delhi has issued guidelines for Covid-19 suspected or positive cases that will be reported at hospitals following the sudden surge in the cases of Coronavirus in the country.

- As per the policy on COVID-19 testing, directed by the management, testing will be done for patients with SARI (severe acute respiratory infection) like symptoms that include according to the WHO, acute respiratory infection, persistent fever or fever of >= 38 C with cough and onset within last 10 days.

-It further asked all the departments at the institution to make provisions in their respective designated wards to manage in-patients who have tested positive for COVID-19.

-"12 beds in the C6 ward will be earmarked for hospitalization of seriously ill COVID-19 patients," the memorandum said.

-It also said that a screening OPD in the Emergency Department will screen patients for COVID-like symptoms and triage them same based on the medical requirements.

-"Rooms no 1 to 12 in the new private ward are to be earmarked for hospitalization of COVID-19 positive EHS beneficiaries," it added.

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital, Lady Hardinge Hospital here has reserved 48 beds for the patients.

Apart from this, six ICU beds and a ward with 30 beds have also been reserved for Covid patients in the new building of Lady Hardinge Hospital.

Additionally, 12 beds have been reserved for paediatric patients in Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, which comes under Lady Hardinge Medical College.

Recently, the Director of the hospital also held a meeting with all the stakeholders and information was taken regarding all the arrangements related to COVID-19.

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Covid-19 JN.1 highlights: 157 cases recorded in India, highest from Kerala - Mint