In the latest update on the Covid-19 situation in India, the Union Health Ministry reported a single-day increase of 656 new infections. Concurrently, the active cases have risen to 3,742, as per the data updated on Sunday morning.
The death toll in the country reached 5,33,333, with one new death reported from Kerala within the past 24 hours, according to the 8 am update.
As India grapples with a surge in Covid-19 cases and the identification of the JN.1 subvariant, Dr. NK Arora, the head of the India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), emphasized that there is currently no need for an additional vaccine dose against the subvariant.
Dr. Arora shared insights, stating, "Every week you hear something new coming up in different parts, and then it spreads all over India. We have identified a large number of subvariants, over 400 subvariants, or mutations of this virus, and fortunately, none of these Omicron variants have really been associated with more severe disease or hospitalization," during an interview with ANI.
The total number of active Covid-19 cases in the country currently stands at 3,420.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, distinguishing it from its parent lineage BA.2.86. Despite its rapid spread, the global health organization emphasized that the overall risk associated with JN.1 is presently considered low based on available evidence.
This decision by the WHO to categorize JN.1 as a distinct variant of interest marks a shift from its earlier classification as part of the BA.2.86 sublineages.
Responding to the emergence of the new Covid subvariant JN.1, the Odisha Health and Family Welfare Department issued guidelines on Saturday. They urged vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, to wear face masks when venturing outside and to avoid crowded places.
In a statement, the Odisha Health & Family Welfare Department mentioned, "With the emergence of the JN1 COVID variant, the Odisha government has advised the elderly and those with co-morbidities to wear facemasks while going out and avoid visiting crowded places."
As the situation evolves, staying informed about the latest guidelines and updates is crucial to ensure the well-being of the community. Stay tuned for more developments on the evolving Covid-19 situation in India.