1. India reports a slight increase in COVID-19 cases with 602 new infections and 5 deaths in the last 24 hours.
2. The active caseload is now at 4,440.
3. The rise is attributed to the Omicron sub-variant JN.1, detected in several states, including Kerala.
New Delhi, Jan 03: India has recorded a marginal uptick in COVID-19 cases, reporting 602 new infections and 5 deaths in the past 24 hours. The active caseload now stands at 4,440. The recent surge is linked to the emergence of the Omicron sub-variant JN.1, detected in various states, notably in Kerala.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi has issued guidelines for managing suspected or positive COVID-19 cases in hospitals, demonstrating the health authorities’ vigilance.
Data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) revealed the presence of the JN.1 variant in 239 cases recorded in December and 24 cases in November. Known for its high transmissibility rate, even surpassing Omicron, JN.1 poses an increased risk of infection with minimal exposure.
Despite the rise, the recovery rate remains robust at 98.80%, with 4,44,76,550 individuals having successfully recovered.
The death toll in India due to COVID-19 is 5,33,366, constituting 1.18% of total cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the JN.1 sub-variant as a variant of interest but considers it to pose a “low” global public health risk.
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As a precautionary measure, regions like Leh have mandated mask-wearing in public places and urged social distancing in offices and public spaces.
The Rajasthan Medical and Health Department has extended the service period of doctors working urgently temporarily until June 2024 to enhance the health system’s preparedness.
India’s vaccination drive continues, with over 220.67 crore doses administered thus far. The government and health officials remain vigilant, closely monitoring the situation and implementing necessary measures to curb the virus’s spread.
