Covid Scare: Karnataka Makes Masks Must For Elderly, People With Comorbidities

Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said preparations in hospitals and health centers are underway. Increased vigilance was ordered in border districts like Kodagu, Mangaluru, and Chamarajanagar.

Karnataka government issued an order making masks mandatory for people over 60 years of age amid JN.1 subvariant spread scare. The state has made it compulsory for people with comorbidities including heart and kidney diseases and those affected by fever and cold. On Tuesday, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced that the state will issue an order following the detection of JN.1 subvariant of coronavirus in Kerala. 

Minister Rao said that they held a technical advisory committee meeting under the leadership of TAC Chief Ravi. The committee discussed the action that should be taken.

"We have suggested guidelines. People over 60, those with heart and kidney diseases, and those with fever, phlegm, and colds must wear masks," said Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Preparations in hospitals and health centers are underway. Increased vigilance was ordered in border districts like Kodagu, Mangaluru, and Chamarajanagar.

"Testing is mandatory for those with breathing problems. We'll assess daily COVID surges and decide further. Border testing will intensify," said the Karnataka Health Minister, assuring the situation is under control.

"In 2-3 days, severity will subside. No need to panic; it's normal. Prohibitive measures work with more positive COVID symptoms, not the case now," added Dinesh Gundu Rao.

India recorded 1,828 active cases with one death in Kerala linked to the JN.1 subvariant. Dr. NK Arora, the chief of INSACOG clarified that the death was due to multiple health conditions. The Union Ministry of Health is also in touch with the Kerala State Department of Health.

The Covid-19 subvariant JN.1 has been detected in several parts of Kerala, surveillance conducted by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), a multi-laboratory network that monitors genomic variations in novel coronavirus, has revealed. JN.1 is a mutation of the Omicron subvariant BA.2.86, and was first detected in the United States in September 2023. In the US, JN.1 accounted for 21.4 per cent of cases as of December 12, 2023.