The number of active Covid-19 cases has reached a new high of 4026 cases, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shared on Tuesday. Over the past 24 hours Delhi has reported 47 news cases, while Kerala still leads with a total of 1435 active cases. Maharashtra is a close step behind with 506 cases and West Bengal stands at a total tally of 330. Needless to say, with the surge in active cases, India is on edge. Although health authorities are closely monitoring the situation, it is important for people to stay alert and watch out for the symptoms. Let’s first understand what is causing this surge.
The culprit: JN.1 variant
The new JN.1 variant is a sub-strain of the Omicron variant. So far, it is not showing signs of causing more serious illness than earlier variants of the virus. “The JN.1 variant seems to be a mild strain, especially in people who have been vaccinated or already had COVID-19 before,” said Dr. Bharat Agrawal, Senior Consultant in General Medicine at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai. “There is no evidence that it leads to more severe disease or hospitalisation,” he added. Most people infected with JN.1 have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, health experts are continuing to monitor the variant closely.
Common symptoms to watch out for
While the JN.1 variant is generally mild, it can still cause some discomfort. Symptoms are similar to earlier COVID-19 strains and include:
- Mild fever
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Sore throat
- Runny or blocked nose
- Cough
- Headache
- In rare cases, stomach issues like diarrhoea
People with health problems or weak immunity should be more careful, as they have a higher risk of complications.
All about ‘hybrid immunity’
Due to vaccination and past infections, most people in India now have built strong immunity against the virus. “Immunity in the population is still strong, mainly because of widespread vaccination and earlier COVID infections,” said Dr. Agrawal. “Even if antibodies go down over time, the body still remembers how to fight the virus,” he explained. This mix of vaccine protection and natural immunity is called hybrid immunity, and it helps reduce the chances of severe illness.
Do you need a new booster vaccine?
At present, experts say there is no need for a special booster for the JN.1 variant. The existing vaccines are still working well. “There is no indication right now that a new or variant-specific booster is needed,” said Dr. Agrawal. “The vaccines we have are still helping to control infections and reduce serious symptoms,” he added.
Safety tips to follow
Even though the situation is not severe, health experts recommend following basic safety habits, especially in public places. Here’s what you can do:
- Wear a mask in crowded or enclosed areas
- Wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitiser
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
- Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms
- Stay home and rest if you are feeling unwell
COVID-19 cases are rising again, but the situation is under control for now. “Stay alert, but don’t be scared,” said Dr. Agrawal. “Following simple precautions is enough for most people to stay safe.”
