Covid Cases in India Highlights: A newly identified COVID-19 subvariant, JN.1, detected in Kerala this month, has sparked concerns over a potential surge in cases amid the approaching holiday season. India recorded 260 fresh COVID-19 cases, pushing active cases to 1,828, according to the Union Health Ministry’s December 18 report. The latest death toll has reached 5,33,317 as per the 8 am update. India’s total COVID-19 tally stands at 4.50 crore (4,50,05,076) cases, with recoveries climbing to 4,44,69,931, resulting in a national recovery rate of 98.81 percent, as per the health ministry’s website. The case fatality rate remains constant at 1.19 percent.
Stay tuned as we report the latest updates here
The study on post effects of COVID-19 has reported discovery that found the first pediatric case of vocal cord paralysis following COVID-19 infection in a 15-year-old girl who was diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection with an acute onset shortness of breath.
Dr V K Paul reiterated the need for a whole-of-government approach to tackle with the challenge posed by the surge in COVID cases and the emergence of a new variant. He informed that the scientific community in India is closely investigating the new variant but stressed on the need for states to ramp up testing and strengthen their surveillance systems. He was part of today’s high-level meeting by Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
India recorded 614 new coronavirus infections, the highest since May 21, while the active cases have increased to 2,311, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.
The death toll was recorded at 5,33,321 with three deaths reported from Kerala in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.
One person died due to COVID-19 in Karnataka‘s Bengaluru. According to reports, the person was suffering from co-morbidity.
Union Health Minister Dr @mansukhmandviya virtually chaired a high level meeting with health Ministers of various states to access the current status and preparedness on COVID 19.
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) December 20, 2023
MoS (Health) Prof @spsinghbaghelpr and @DrBharatippawar, Health Minister of Uttarakhand Shri… pic.twitter.com/uigH7V8S4a
Amidst the surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide, Uttarakhand’s government has issued an advisory urging all districts to vigilantly monitor and strictly enforce preventive measures. Health Secretary R Rajesh Kumar clarified that no cases of the JN.1 subvariant have been identified in the state thus far.
While emphasizing the absence of the JN.1 subvariant, Kumar stressed the necessity for districts to adhere rigorously to updated surveillance protocols concerning COVID-19.
In the past 24 hours, Kerala recorded 292 new COVID-19 cases and three fatalities, as stated by the Union Health Ministry’s data on Wednesday. Among the 341 reported infections nationwide till 8 am today, 292 cases emerged from Kerala, elevating the state’s active cases to 2,041 according to the Ministry’s records.
The cumulative fatalities in Kerala due to COVID-19 since its onset three years ago have now reached 72,056, with the three recent deaths reported. Over the last day, 224 individuals diagnosed with the infection have recovered, been discharged, or migrated, contributing to a total count of 68,37,203 recoveries or discharges to date.
On Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) labeled the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a “variant of interest,” yet reassured the public that it presents minimal risk to public health.
According to WHO, “Based on the available evidence, the current global public health risk associated with JN.1 is considered low.”
JN.1 was previously categorized as a variant of interest within the lineage BA.2.86.
The United Nations agency affirmed that existing vaccines remain effective in safeguarding against severe illness and fatalities caused by JN.1 and other prevalent variants of the COVID-19 virus. Read More
West Bengal: Govt reviews COVID-19 situation
A senior official of the health department has said that the COVID-19 situation in West Bengal is under control, as per a PTI report. In response to the Centre’s call for constant vigilance after the first case of the JN.1 variant was detected in India, the state health department conducted a COVID-19 review meeting within 24 hours. The West Bengal Health Department, in collaboration with other state counterparts, is scheduled to engage in a COVID-19 review meeting with the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday, as mentioned by the official. It was emphasised that there have been no reported cases of the JN.1 variant in West Bengal.
The state government of Uttarakhand is on high alert regarding the new JN.1 sub-variant of coronavirus. In this regard, it has issued an advisory.
“The number of patients with the JN.1 variant is increasing in some states. In response, an advisory has been issued for all districts and hospitals in the state, emphasizing every possible effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Health Secretary R Rajesh Kumar, reported ANI.
Amid a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in the country ahead of the festive season, doctors in Delhi have advised people to wear masks, avoid gatherings and maintain a healthy diet.
With Christmas and the New Year approaching, doctors at some hospitals in the city also referred to the detection of the first case of the new JN.1 variant of the coronavirus in the country and asked people to exercise extra caution.
According to sources in the government, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will on December 20 review the preparedness of health facilities and services in the wake of an upsurge in respiratory illness cases, including those of Covid, in some states. PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wished Chancellor of Germany Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz a speedy recovery from Covid-19.
My friend @Bundeskanzler, wishing you a speedy recovery from COVID-19. I pray for good health and well-being.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2023
“The WHO has called this JN.1 a variant of interest (technically, JN.1 is a sublineage of BA.2.86, which is an Omicron subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19) with not enough data, as yet, on either transmissibility of severity.” So, at the moment, it is not known whether JN.1 is going to be any different from other variants. Read More Here
On Monday, the Karnataka government deliberated on mandating face masks for individuals aged 60 and above, along with those experiencing health conditions like heart ailments or respiratory issues. State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced the forthcoming release of updated COVID-19 guidelines by the government.
Hello and welcome to the live blog. The emergence of the new COVID-19 subvariant, JN.1, in Kerala this month has raised fears of a potential case surge. Initially found in a 79-year-old woman from Karakulam, Thiruvananthapuram district, on December 8, she has since recovered. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an advisory on December 18, urging states to implement public health measures to curb transmission and prepare for potential impacts. Stay tuned with us as we bring in the latest updates on it.