Covid-19 India: Karnataka sees 34 infections of JN.1, cabinet subcommittee to meet today

Genome sequencing results for an additional 132 samples are still pending.

On Monday, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced that the first Cabinet sub-committee of the state government is scheduled to meet on December 26. The primary agenda of the meeting is to deliberate on the recommendations put forth by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) regarding additional measures to address the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the state.

Rao emphasised that the majority of JN.1 cases are concentrated in Bengaluru, urging the public not to panic. He stated, "We have a meeting tomorrow. We will decide further guidelines to be given." On Monday, the state recorded 125 new COVID-19 cases and 3 deaths, with a 3.96% positivity rate and a 2.4% fatality rate. Presently, Karnataka has 436 active cases.

According to Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, the national capital is currently witnessing an average of three to four daily COVID cases. He said the city is adequately prepared to combat any resurgence of the virus.

Last week, Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant guided states and Union Territories (UTs) on crucial COVID-19 control and management strategies, particularly in anticipation of the upcoming festive season. He recommended the implementation of necessary public health measures to minimize the risk of an increase in the transmission of the disease.

The Health Department clarified that JN.1 is currently classified as a Variant of Interest (VoI) by the WHO and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, rather than a Variant of Concern (VoC). Consequently, imposing restrictions and creating unnecessary panic are not advised, as per a release from the Health Department. Results for the remaining positive cases are expected by Wednesday.