India orders genome sequencing after surge in Covid-19; 752 new cases in 24 hrs

With 752 fresh Covid cases in India over the past 24 hours, Kerala and Karnataka are the major contributors, according to the reports. 

A total of 423 cases were reported on Friday and of which 266 were from Kerala and 70 from neighbouring Karnataka, Union health ministry data showed. Meanwhile, two deaths were reported in Kerala. 

The total number of active cases of Covid-19 in the country on Saturday was recorded at 3,420.

No need to panic, says ex-World Health Organisation (WHO) chief

Amid rising concerns after the emergence of the new variant of the coronavirus, JN.1, former World Health Organisation (WHO) chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan asserted people need not to panic. However, she has urged people to be cautious by taking proper precautionary measures.

#WATCH | On JN.1 COVID variant, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Former DG, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) says, "We need to be cautious, but we don't need to worry because we don't have any data to suggest that this variant JN.1 is more severe or it's going to cause more… pic.twitter.com/HRcpgUjCWj

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2023

Mentioning it in the press release, the World Health Organisation said that current vaccines will continue to protect against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, it noted.

COVID-19 is not the only respiratory disease circulating. Influenza, RSV, and common childhood pneumonia are also on the rise, the press release stated.

Meanwhile, keeping the sudden spike in the cases of new variant of Covid-19 in mind, the Centre on Friday directed states to send samples of all Covid positive test swabs for whole genome sequencing to identify the set of mutations.

WHO advises people

The WHO advises people to take all the precautionary measures to prevent infections and severe disease. The organisation has asked people to start wearing a mask when in crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated areas, keeping a safe distance from others, practicing respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes), cleaning hands regularly, and getting tested if one has any symptoms or if you might have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or influenza.

Bihar govt orders random Covid-19 RT-PCR testing at airports

Apart from this, keeping the situation of the rising cases in the country, Bihar government has directed all districts and hospitals in the state to increase Covid-19 RT-PCR testing with random testing of arrival passengers at Patna, Gaya and Darbhanga airports.

Bihar government directs all districts and hospitals in the state to increase COVID-19 RT-PCR testing with random testing of arrivals at Patna, Gaya and Darbhanga airports pic.twitter.com/yNAVrXWKtn

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023