Amid rising JN.1 COVID-19 cases in India, how are different states faring?

The JN.1 coronavirus variant in India has been causing increasing alarm over the last several weeks. According to the most recent data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the recent spike in COVID-19 infections persisted on Thursday, with 702 new cases confirmed nationwide. With this, there are 4,097 active cases throughout the nation. In the past 24 hours, there have been six COVID-related deaths: two in Maharashtra and one in each of Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, and Delhi. Rising COVID cases in India Delhi reported the first JN.1 coronavirus sub-variant case on Wednesday. Saurabh Bharadwaj, the health minister for Delhi, informed ANI that of the three samples received for genome sequencing, one is JN.1 and the other two are Omicron. With 36 and 34 cases, respectively, Gujarat and Karnataka have recorded the highest numbers. Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana are the next states in line. The resurgence of cases is being closely monitored, especially due to concerns surrounding the JN.1 variant, a sub-lineage of the Omicron variety that has been reported to be the most common strain in the United States, accounting for more than 44 per cent of cases. The new variant is listed as a variant of interest by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Although highly contagious, experts caution that JN.1 mainly affects the upper respiratory system and gives mild symptoms akin to a normal cold. Amid rising cases, what are the affected states doing? Let’s take a look. Karnataka So far, the state confirmed at least 34 new cases of COVID-19. Bengaluru has the highest number of reported cases, with 464 active cases. Bengaluru reported 57 new cases on 26 December. COVID-19 has been linked to two deaths so far. Dinesh Gundu Rao, the state health minister, claims that “the situation is under control.” The health department issued a circular advising that, in addition to the earlier targeted testing for normal concerns, “symptomatic close contacts shall also be tested for COVID-19” because of the current circumstances. Few are admitted to general isolation wards in hospitals, and approximately 400 COVID-19 patients are currently in home isolation, according to the Deccan Herald. “Henceforth, COVID-19 patients under home isolation and general ward admissions shall be visited by doctors/paramedical staff from PHCS/UPHCs/Namma Clinics, etc. at least once to assess the medical condition and symptoms of patients and suggest further steps for treatment.” [caption id=“attachment_13554422” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A medical staff conducts covid-19 test of a woman at Rajiv Gandhi institute of Chest Disease in Bengaluru. PTI[/caption] In addition, the advice states that the state will conduct close to 5,000 COVID-19 screening tests every day. Professionals in the workforce who are confined to their homes will also be “entitled to seven days of leave.” The Quint reports that Rao also informed the media that the state is obtaining 30,000 vaccines and that medical personnel will receive anti-flu shots. Hospitals will also host simulated drills. The state has also asked the public to wear masks (especially senior citizens and follow social distancing. Delhi A day after the National Capital reported the first case of the new variant of coronavirus, doctors issued a mask of advisory for the OPDs. According to ANI, Sir Gangaram’s secretary, Dr AK Bhalla, said that the decision has been taken due to recent surge in influenza and COVID-19 infections. Doctors have also advised people to wear masks, avoid gatherings, and maintain a healthy diet. “We are advising people to wear masks, patients to use inhalers and avoid stepping out as much as possible…,” Senior consultant at Metro Hospital Saibal Chakravorty was quoted by PTI as saying. Furthermore, health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj instructed health institutions to ramp up testing and make sure to increase the genome sequencing of all confirmed COVID cases. AIIMS Delhi also issued special guidelines, stating that anyone with symptoms of severe respiratory infection, fever for over 10 days or more along with cough will be tested for COVID-19 infection. Kerala The southern state has reported six cases of the new COVID-19 variant on Wednesday. Health Minister Veena George has asserted that there’s “no cause for alarm.” As per Hindustan Times, she said elderly people and those suffering from serious ailments need to take extra care to prevent getting COVID-19. She went so far as to urge people not to worry or incite fear in response to the increase in infections. “There’s no need to worry. We are keenly monitoring the situation. But we should be alert. People with comorbidities should be taken care of,” she said. She has also issued instructions for testing those showing symptoms and sending their samples for genome sequencing. Telangana The state government issued an advisory regarding the new JN.1 sub-variant of coronavirus, PTI reported. The Additional Director of Medical Education (DME) of Gandhi Hospital said there are no cases of JN.1 variant in Telangana. “Our state government has issued an alert to all hospitals in the state. If there are any cases of influenza-like illness or severe acute respiratory illness we need to monitor them, increase their testing, keep them in isolation wards, wear masks and keep medication ready,” Dr M Raja Rao, Additional Director of Medical Education (DME) and Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital in Telangana told ANI. Uttarakhand The state government is on alert. It released an advisory for all state hospitals and districts, highlighting the need to take all reasonable steps to stop the COVID-19 virus from spreading, according to Livemint. The health secretary directed Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and District Magistrates to follow hospital COVID-19 prevention recommendations. [caption id=“attachment_13525082” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] While Kerala has recorded one incident of a JN.1, Goa has also recorded 19 more cases. File image/PTI[/caption] Patients with heart, lung, and respiratory conditions should also be constantly watched, and those who have influenza cases should get checked. The state’s hospitals were directed to input all patient data onto the Integrated Health Information Platform site. Rajasthan On Tuesday, the Rajasthani health department convened a review meeting in Jaipur. Shubhra Singh, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, gave staff instructions to keep an eye on patients with respiratory and cold ailments who are visiting state-run hospitals. “The patients should be continuously monitored, and samples should be taken for testing as required. She also directed the upload of the patients’ information on the health portal daily,” said an official statement issued on Tuesday. Meghalaya According to The Times of India, ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations, the state health and family welfare department issued a health advisory for COVID protocol to be followed. Health Minister Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh reviewed the status of infections in the state and other parts of the country. Uttar Pradesh Last Friday, the state health department issued an advisory to all divisional commissioners and senior health officials. According to Hindustan Times, a letter from health secretary Ranjan Kumar read, “All patients of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness should be tested for COVID. If any of them tests positive via RT-PCR as well, their samples be sent for a genome sequencing test and other precautions such as contact tracing will be ensured completely.” Himachal Pradesh The government has issued an advisory for the state to test patients with COVID-like symptoms and take necessary precautions. They have also advised people to wear masks and get tested if they have flu-like symptoms or cough, sore throat, fever, etc. Centre’s advisory The Union government, in response to an increase in COVID-19 infections in certain states, has recommended that all states enact more stringent public health measures in an effort to reduce ongoing viral transmission. “Due to consistent and collaborative actions between centre and state governments, we have been able to sustain the trajectory at sustainable low rates," Union health secretary Sudhansh Pant wrote in a letter issued to states and Union Territories. The central government has also asked states to strictly comply with operational guidelines for surveillance of COVID-19 and ensure adequate testing in all districts. “States are asked to monitor and report district-wise influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness cases in all health facilities regularly, including in the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal for detecting the early rising trend of cases," Pant added. To identify any novel variants of the virus, the government has asked that states submit positive samples for genome sequencing to the Indian SARS COV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) facilities. It has also asked states to ensure that all public and private health facilities participate in a drill being conducted by the Union health ministry to take stock of their “preparedness and response capacities."