India recorded 614 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours. This is the highest number the country has reported since May 21 this year.
The focus now remains on the JN.1 COVID variant, which has infected 21 persons so far, as per NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V.K. Paul. According to media reports, 19 of the infected are from Kerala and one each from Maharashtra and Kerala.
There has been a steep rise in active cases from 115 on December 6 to 614 on December 20. Over the past two weeks, 16 deaths related to COVID-19 were recorded. The last 24 hours have witnessed three deaths.
As per the latest Health Ministry data, India now has 2,311 active cases with the overall death toll to date at 5.33 lakh and the COVID cases tally at 4.50 crore.
This comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday (December 19) classified JN.1 as a separate variant of interest (VOI). It was previously classified as VOI as part of BA.2.86 sublineages. The WHO defines a VOI as one that has genetic changes which could increase its transmissibility and ability to evade vaccines.
"Based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low," WHO added.
JN.1 differs with an additional mutation in the spike protein. This variant has been found in many countries around the world, including in China and the United States.
Health experts are assuring the public to remain calm as the infection is mild and available treatments are effective. They're calling for adherence to existing precautionary measures. As it happens with most respiratory viruses, including the influenza viruses, the circulating viruses continue their mutation.
"However, the government's steps should not be over-interpreted by citizens, and there is no reason to be worried. We humans live in a world inhabited by viruses, which are many folds higher than humans on this planet," Chandrakant Lahariya, a senior consultant physician told PTI.
Paul highlighted that about 91-92% of those infected are opting for home-based treatment.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday, December 20, reviewed the COVID-19 situation in India and the preparedness of public health systems in view of rising cases. "It is important to be on alert and be prepared against new and emerging strains of the coronavirus," he said.
"No increase in hospitalisation rates has been witnessed due to COVID-19. The cases that have been hospitalised were due to other medical conditions and COVID was an incidental finding," Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant said.
(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
First Published: Dec 20, 2023 8:53 PM IST
