Cases of COVID sub-variant JN.1 rises to 109 in India; total COVID-19 cases toll 529

According to the Health Ministry, forty more cases of the COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 were recorded, taking the tally of cases of the new variant across the country to 109 till December 26. In view of the rise in cases, the Karnataka government has mandated seven day home isolation for Covid positive patients and holidays from work.

New Delhi: India recorded 529 fresh COVID-19 cases in a single day, while the country's active infection count stood at 4,093, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

According to the Health Ministry, forty more cases of the COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 were also recorded, with the tally of cases of the new variant across the country till December 26 rising to 109.

Thirty-six COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 cases have been detected from Gujarat, 34 from Karnataka, 14 from Goa, nine from Maharashtra, six from Kerala, four each from Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, and two from Telangana. Most of the patients are currently in home isolation, the ministry said.

Even though the number of cases are on the rise and the JN.1 sub-variant has been detected in the country, there is no cause of immediate concern, according to the health experts. As much as 92 per cent of those infected are opting for home-based treatment, indicating a mild illness, officials said, citing the data.

Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant last week had written to states and Union territories calling for requisite public health measures to be put in place and underlined the critical COVID-19 control and management strategies considering the ongoing festive season.

States have been urged to ensure effective compliance of operational guidelines for revised surveillance strategy for COVID-19 shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Amid the surge in Covid cases in Karnataka, the state health government has mandated seven day home isolation for Covid positive patients. The decision was taken in the sub-committee meeting of the government. The state also directed the employers to allow special leaves for the infected.

The development came amid the state reporting 74 fresh cases of Covid-19 Tuesday, and two coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours.

Himachal Pradesh health officials have also told chief medical officers to test people with respiratory illness symptoms and exercise caution. They advised the denizens of the state having cold, fever or cough symptoms to get tested for covid infection.

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