New Delhi: The fear of the coronavirus infection is resurfacing after three and a half years. With a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the Central Government issued an advisory to all states on Monday. As per the advisory, state governments must regularly monitor and report district-wise SARI and ILI cases. The advisory also emphasises adequate testing, prioritising RT-PCR tests. Additionally, samples are to be sent to INSACOG labs for genome sequencing to identify variants.
The COVID-19 pandemic has once again taken hold in India. The JN-1 variant, discovered in Singapore, was detected in Kerala, raising concerns. The state and central governments are on high alert. In the last 24 hours, India recorded 335 new cases, with four fatalities in Kerala and one in Uttar Pradesh.
As of the latest data, India’s tally of individuals infected with the new variant has reached 1,701. The total death toll from COVID-19 stands at 533,316, while 444,697,99 people have recovered, leading to a 98.81% national recovery rate. The case fatality rate remains at 1.19%.
India’s vaccination efforts have been substantial, with 220.67 crore doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered. However, experts warn that the new variant is highly transmissible and has caused rapid infections in countries like the United States and China.
Amid the rise in cases globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) urges adherence to COVID-19 protocols. The organisation has advised governments to conduct continuous testing and maintain strict surveillance. A video message from WHO’s COVID-19 technical lead, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, reiterates the importance of vigilance.
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