1. Assam resident returning from Sweden tests positive for COVID-19 on December 21.
2. Concerns arise over potential links to the new JN.1 subvariant of the Omicron strain.
3. Health officials emphasize vigilance, urge calm, and stress adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
Guwahati, Dec 22: A woman who recently returned to Assam from Sweden tested positive for COVID-19 on December 21, sparking concerns among the public and health officials in the region. The main worry revolves around whether this infection is linked to the new JN.1 subvariant of the Omicron strain.
The confirmation of the woman’s positive status came through an RT-PCR test conducted at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), according to Dr. Abhijit Sarma, the superintendent of GMCH.
Dr. Sarma has urged the public to remain calm and avoid panic, emphasizing that there is currently no evidence indicating the involvement of the JN.1 subvariant.
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He also pointed out that a significant portion of the population is vaccinated and encouraged those who haven’t received their vaccinations to do so promptly. Additionally, he stressed the importance of adhering to general COVID-19 protocols.
In line with the recent guidelines from the World Health Organization recommending home isolation for COVID-19 patients, health authorities have advised the woman to rest at home.
While the GMCH is well-equipped with facilities like ICUs and isolation beds, the current strategy favors home isolation when deemed appropriate.
This development comes on the heels of Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta’s call for heightened vigilance in light of this recent case. Notably, genome sequencing, a process that could conclusively identify specific COVID-19 variants, is not currently being conducted in Assam.
Health authorities in Assam are closely monitoring the situation, with further updates expected as more information becomes available about the nature of the virus detected in the Sweden returnee.
