India records 702 cases in a day; total 157 JN.1 cases across nation

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New Delhi, Dec 29, 2023: India witnessed a single day rise of 702 cases of Covid-19 on Thursday, with the number of active cases of the infection rising to 4,097, the health ministry said.

On top of this, a total of 157 cases of Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 has been detected across the country, wherein Kerala has reported the highest number of cases – 78.

 

According to the health ministry’s data as of this morning, six new deaths — two from Maharashtra, one each from Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal and Delhi — were reported within 24 hours.

Last week, on December 22, the country had recorded 752 new Covid-19 cases. It is worth noting that the number of daily cases had dropped to double-digits by December 5, but again started rising after the emergence of JN.1 sub variant and cold weather.

JN.1 Sub-Variant Cases

The nation, so far, has reported a total of 157 cases of Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1, with Kerala recording the highest number of cases, 78.

Data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) shows that after Kerala, Gujarat has the highest number of JN.1 cases – 34.

Several states have been witnessing a rise in the number of Covid cases over the last few weeks. So far, nine states and Union Territories have detected the presence of JN.1 sub-variant of the virus.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) classified the JN.1 as a separate “variant of interest”, considering its rapidly-increasing spread. However, WHO said that it poses a “low” global public health risk.

Previously, the JN.1 sub variant was classified as a variant of interest (VOI) as part of the BA.2.86 sub-lineages, the parent lineage that is classified as VOI, the world body said.

The Centre has asked all the states and Union Territories to keep a constant vigil amid the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases, as well as the detection of the JN.1 sub-variant in the nation.

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also reiterated directions to carry out genome sequencing of the Covid positive cases to confirm the presence of JN.1 sub-variant.

Bharadwaj on Thursday also visited the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) hospital on Thursday to take stock of its readiness in handling the Covid-19 cases. He said that the hospital is fully prepared to deal with any requirement.

Commenting about reserving beds for Covid patient, Bharadwaj told PTI, “If you reserve beds, where will those patients who have surgeries planned or have suffered from strokes or heart attacks go? We are monitoring the situation and if need be, will reserve beds. There are only four patients who have been hospitalised.”

Delhi on Wednesday reported its first case of Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1.