COVID-19 crisis deepens in India: New variant JN.1 stirs panic across states

In a dramatic turn of events, Indian authorities issued an urgent advisory on Monday, signaling a state of high alert due to an alarming rise in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases across the nation. The Union Health Ministry’s latest data revealed a startling increase of 260 new COVID infections in just 24 hours.

Centre Urges Vigilance Amid Growing Panic

The Centre has called upon all states to maintain a heightened state of vigilance, as the escalating COVID situation triggers widespread panic among the populace. States have been instructed to report and closely monitor district-wise cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) on a regular basis.

Aggressive Testing and Surveillance Strategies Deployed

In response to the crisis, states have been advised to ramp up testing efforts, including a significant increase in RT-PCR tests. Positive samples are to be sent for genome sequencing to INSACOG laboratories, ensuring rapid identification and response to the evolving virus.

New Public Health Measures to Combat COVID Threat

The advisory emphasized the need for states to implement rigorous public health measures and make arrangements to minimize the risk of COVID. This includes ensuring effective compliance with the detailed operational guidelines for the revised surveillance strategy for COVID, as shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The Emergence of the JN.1 Variant Raises Concerns

Compounding the crisis, the first case of the new JN.1 variant was detected in India, reported from the southern state of Kerala during routine surveillance by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of the ICMR, confirmed that the case was detected on December 8 in a sample from Thiruvananthapuram district.

Patient with Mild Symptoms Recovers

The patient, a 79-year-old woman, exhibited mild Influenza-like symptoms but is now reportedly better. This development has intensified concerns among health officials and the public, as India grapples with the potential implications of this new variant.