Covid HIGHLIGHTS: Maharashtra Reports 50 Fresh Infections, 9 Of Them JN.1 Infections
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Covid News HIGHLIGHTS: As Covid-19 cases rise both nationally and globally, keep abreast of all the latest developments and updates right here with ABP Live.
A fresh spike in the Covid-19 cases has raised alarms nationwide with daily infections continuously increasing. On December 23, the country reported 640 fresh covid infections and active cases marginally increased to 2997. Meanwhile, a Noida resident also tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, the first case of the infection in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar after several months.
The 54-year-old man lives in Noida but works at a multinational company in Gurugram, Gautam Buddh Nagar Chief Medical Officer Dr Sunil Sharma said on Thursday, quoted PTI.
A new sub-variant JN.1, stemming from the Omicron lineage, is being identified as a significant contributor to the recent surge in infections.
Dr V K Paul, a member of NITI Aayog focusing on health, highlighted the nation's interest in the JN.1 variant. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, after evaluating the nation's Covid-19 situation, stressed the importance of vigilance against emerging strains of the virus.
In its recent announcement, the World Health Organisation (WHO) classified JN.1 as a distinct "variant of interest (VoI)," a shift from its previous designation under the A.2.86 sublineages. WHO defines VoIs as variants with potential increased transmission rates due to genetic alterations and potential vaccine evasion capabilities. However, WHO also noted that, based on current data, the global health risk from JN.1 remains low.
As of Friday, the country's COVID-19 tally was at 4.50 crore (4,50,07,212) and the death toll increased to 5,33,328 with one more fatality reported from Kerala, the health ministry data said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 4,44,70,887. The national recovery rate stands at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry's website.
The cases are also seeing a rapid increase in Singapore. Minister for Health (MOH) Ong Ye Kung said the latest wave of COVID-19 cases in the country has possibly peaked, and there was no need for additional measures, like wearing a face mask mandate, to be implemented, reported PTI.
Maharashtra Reports 50 New COVID-19 Cases, 9 Of Them JN.1 Infections
Maharashtra on Sunday reported 50 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of infections since the beginning of the spread of novel coronavirus to 81,72,135 nearly three years ago, said a daily bulletin by the health department. Of the fresh cases, nine were caused by JN.1, increasing the number of infections tied to the new sub-variant in the state to 10, it said. The JN.1 patients include five from Thane city, two from Pune city, and one each from a rural pocket of Pune district, Akola city and Sindhudurg district. One patient from Pune had travelled to the US, the bulletin said. All the JN.1 patients have recovered, it said.
Covid Live — Vaccine Against Omicron Effective For JN.1 Variant Also: Former AIIMS Director
Former Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences and senior Pulmonologist Dr Randeep Guleria says on On Covid-19 new variant Jn.1: "We need a vaccine which covers a broader type of the virus. We have had multiple mutations. Jn.1 is sub lineage of Omicron. So a vaccine which is made against Omicron will be effective against this variant also."
"We need more data first to show what is the current immunity in the population, and the protection that have based on the previous vaccination that we've got, based on that, only can we decide that do we need a new vaccine, which covers the current circulating strain, and that is something that has to be done regularly because variants will keep changing," he added.
Covid Live: India Reports 322 Fresh Infections, Active Cases At 3,742
India reported 322 fresh cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours taking the number of active cases to 3,742, according to the data published by health ministry at 8 am.
The active cases reported on Saturday were at 3,420.
Covid Live: Mizroam Govt Appeals To People To Adhere To Self Measures Ahead Of Festive Season
Mizoram government has appealed to the people in the state to follow covid-appropriate behaviour ahead, of Christmas-New Year festive season in view of an increase in JN.1 sub-variant cases.
Telangana Records 12 New Covid Cases
Telangana on Saturday logged 12 new COVID-19 cases with Hyderabad reporting the highest number of infections at nine, a health department bulletin said, PTI reported.
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