New Delhi: India has logged 636 new cases of COVID-19, while the number of active cases of the infection have increased to 4,394, the health ministry said on Monday (January 1). Three new fatalities due to Covid —two from Kerala and one from Tamil Nadu — have been reported in a span of 24 hours, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am.
On Sunday (December 31), the country logged 841 new cases of COVID-19, the highest in 227 days, while the number of active cases of the infection was recorded at 4,309, the health ministry said. Three new fatalities due to Covid — one each from Kerala, Karnataka and Bihar — were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am. India had recorded 865 new days on May 19.
On Saturday (December 30), India recorded 743 fresh COVID-19 infections, the highest single-day rise in 225 days, while the number of active cases stood at 3,997, the Union health ministry said. Seven new fatalities — three from Kerala, two from Karnataka and one each from Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu — were reported in a span of 24 hours, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am.
Meanwhile, a total of 197 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been detected in the country so far, with Odisha joining the list of states that have detected the presence of the variant, according to the INSACOG’s data updated on Monday (January 1). Ten states and Union territories have so far detected the presence of the JN.1 sub-variant of the virus. These states are Kerala (83), Goa (51), Gujarat (34), Karnataka (eight), Maharashtra (seven), Rajasthan (five), Tamil Nadu (four), Telangana (two) Odisha (one) and Delhi (one), according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). The INSACOG’s data showed 180 Covid cases recorded in the country in December had the presence of JN.1, while 17 such cases were detected in November.
Several states have been reporting an uptick in the number of Covid cases over the last few weeks and nine states and Union territories have so far detected the presence of the JN.1 sub-variant of the virus. Here’s a look at the cases reported from several states.
Maharashtra
As many as 131 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Maharashtra on Sunday (December 31), the health department said. However, the number of patients infected with the JN.1 variant remains at 10. These cases were from Thane, Pune, and Akola cities, and Pune and Sindhudurg districts.
According to the Public Health Department of Maharashtra, 80,23,576 COVID-19 patients have been discharged after full recovery. The recovery rate in the state is 98.17 per cent, while the case fatality rate in the state is 1.81 per cent. Out of 8,76,33,748 laboratory samples, 81,72,836 have tested positive (9.33 per cent) for COVID-19 until today.
Since January 1, 2023, 137 COVID-19 deaths have been recorded in Maharashtra. 70.80 per cent of these deaths have occurred in individuals over 60 years of age; 84 per cent of the patients had comorbidities, while 16 per cent did not have any comorbidities.
Earlier on Saturday (December 30), a total of 172 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Maharashtra, as per the data shared by the Public Health Department. The health department said the state recorded a total of 10 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 on Saturday (December 30), with the highest number of infections reported from Thane Municipal Corporation.
As many as 32 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the Greater Mumbai Area on Saturday (December 30), the health department, bringing the total number of positive patients to 208, as per the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Public Health Department.
Watch: All You Need To Know About The New COVID Variant JN.1
Nagpur city on Friday (December 29) registered 11 coronavirus cases, taking the total number of active cases to 22, a civic official said. A Nagpur Municipal Corporation release said only four persons are admitted in hospitals at present with “medium level symptoms”, while others are in home isolation. The release said NMC additional commissioner Anchal Goyal chaired a meeting to review the coronavirus situation and asked officials to ramp up testing in view of the new JN.1 sub variant. Ms Goyal directed them to keep oxygen beds and isolation wards ready as a precautionary measure.
Delhi
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said that the capital recorded 10 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours with no instances of the new variant detected so far. Minister Bhardwaj stated,
There is such a pattern that after the increase in Corona cases in South India, the cases also increase in North India.
According to the latest health report, 599 tests were conducted in Delhi, with 10 samples testing positive, he said. Minister Bhardwaj reassured the public by noting that currently, only six COVID-19-positive patients are admitted to hospitals in Delhi, and the majority of cases are mild. He urged citizens not to panic but emphasized the importance of taking precautions. Minister Bhardwaj, providing insight into the rigorous testing and monitoring procedures in place said,
All the positive cases coming in RTPCR test, we are sending those samples for genome sequencing. Currently, there is not a single positive case of the new variant in Delhi.
Odisha
Five more persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Odisha in the last 24 hours taking the total number of cases in the state reported this month to 19, health officials said on Sunday (December 31). The total active COVID-19 cases in the state now is 18 as one patient has recovered from the disease, they said.
Earlier, the Odisha government had asked all government-run medical colleges and chief district medical officers to increase surveillance, testing and preparedness for a potential surge of the virus. Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra in a letter to all medical colleges and CDMOs said:
The recent rise in COVID-19 cases across India necessitates immediate and proactive measures to combat any surge in COVID-19 cases in the state. In continuation of the earlier communication, you are requested to implement the action points given therein and to remain alert to meet any exigency.
The state government has directed all districts to increase surveillance on ILI (influenza-like illness), and SARI (severe acute respiratory infection) and ensure the availability of COVID-19 testing in every health institution.
Those found positive have to follow home isolation protocol and necessary treatment. The healthcare institutions have been directed to ensure dedicated beds and oxygen-supported beds for any admission and management as per the COVID management protocol.
It also asked the authorities that the COVID management strategy should be followed. The letter said,
Coordinate and collaborate with district administration for increasing IEC (Information Education Communication) and BCC (Behaviour Change Communication) for community awareness emphasising that symptomatic, elderly and vulnerable populations should adhere to the COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.
It also asked the authorities to ensure adequate availability of test kits, reagents, drugs, and consumables to deal with the COVID situation in coordination with Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited.
Also Read: “People With Comorbidities Should Get COVID Test Done,” Says Dr Rajesh Chawla From Apollo Hospital
Karnataka
Karnataka on Saturday (December 30) reported 201 fresh cases of Covid-19 and one new coronavirus-related death in the past 24 hours. This takes the total number of active cases in the state to 833, a health department bulletin said. Out of these, 783 people are in home isolation while the remaining 50 are hospitalised. Among those hospitalised, 15 have been admitted to ICU and 35 are admitted in general ward, it added.
With this, the total number of covid-19 related deaths in the state after the recent spike in cases has touched more than 10, it said.
According to the bulletin, in the past 24 hours, 60 patients have been discharged, a total of 7,060 tests have been taken, including 5,549 RTPCR and 1,511 Rapid Antigen tests. The Positivity Rate stands at 2.84 per cent while case fatality rate stands at 0.49 per cent.
The maximum number of tests were conducted in Bengaluru Urban district. Out of the 2,095 tests conducted, 69 have been found positive for the virus, which is the highest as compared to other districts of the state.
The person, who was aged 74, was admitted in Mysuru. He had symptoms of breathlessness and comorbidities, the bulletin stated.
A total of 13 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district on Friday, taking the total number of active cases in the district to 25.
Karnataka on Friday (December 29) reported 173 fresh cases of Covid-19 and two coronavirus related deaths in the last 24 hours. This takes the total number of active cases in the state to 702 and the total number of Covid-19 related deaths in the state to more than 10, the health bulletin said.
Also Read: Surge In COVID Cases Prompts Increased Testing And Genome Sequencing
Amid a spike in cases and detection of JN.1 infections in the state, the Karnataka government’s cabinet sub-committee on Covid has advised people to wear masks, not send children with symptoms to schools, adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour such as social distancing, isolating for seven days if infected and granting leave to infected employees.
It has also decided to administer “precautionary vaccine” for the aged and those with comorbidities and to get 30,000 doses of Corbevax vaccine from the Centre for this purpose.
Jammu and Kashmir
Amid rising COVID-19 cases, the Leh district administration on Monday (January 1) said wearing masks in public places will be mandatory for people. Leh recorded 11 COVID-19 cases last week. District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) CEO Santosh Sukhadeve in an official order said,
In view of rising COVID-19 cases in the district, precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19… are hereby ordered to be followed strictly. People must ensure compulsory wearing of facemasks in offices, workplaces and public places, including public transport.
The order also asked people to maintain social distancing in offices and public places.
The general public shall avoid unnecessary gathering and visiting crowded places.
All Heads of departments (HoDs) of Leh district and all sub-divisional magistrates shall ensure the compliance of this order,” Mr Sukhadeve said.
The chief medical officer will ensure rigorous surveillance and submit daily status reports on COVID-19 to the DDMA, he said.
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