Covid-19 HIGHLIGHTS: Bengal Sees First Covid-Related Death In Nine Months
Covid-19 News HIGHLIGHTS: Please follow this space for the latest updates on the rise of COVID-19 cases and related developments in the country.
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Covid News HIGHLIGHTS: Please follow this space for all the latest updates pertaining to Covid-19 cases in India.
Covid-19 cases have seen a rapid spike in the country, with infections being reported from various states since the emergence of the Omicron sub-variant JN.1. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also 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 potentially 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.
On Tuesday, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that Covid positivity rate in the city is around 1 per cent and emphasised that people should follow precautions during the winter festival season. Genome sequencing of samples testing positive for Covid-19 has been ramped up, he said. "The report of genome sequencing is awaited," Bharadwaj added.
Speaking on the situation in the national capital, Bharadwaj stated that 400 tests are being conducted every day and the positivity rate is around 1 per cent. He reiterated that the new JN.1 sub-variant of the Omicron strain is not life-threatening.
"The new variants are not dangerous but people should not become lax and (they must) follow precautions. People should not panic and think that the virus is spreading and people are dying. But people should be cautious during this time of the festival season," he added, as quoted by PTI.
With six more samples testing positive for JN.1, the number of infections of the new Covid-19 sub-variant reported in the country has risen to 69, PTI reported, citing official sources.
A total of 109 JN.1 COVID variant cases have been reported in the country till 26th December. 36 cases from Gujarat, 34 from Karnataka, 14 from Goa, 9 from Maharashtra, 6 from Kerala, 4 from Rajasthan, 4 from Tamil Nadu and 2 from Telangana, ANI reported, citing sources.
Covid-19 LIVE: Bengal Sees First Covid-Related Death In Nine Months
After a span of nine months, Bengal reports the demise of a Covid patient.
STORY | Bengal records death of COVID patient after nine months
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 28, 2023
READ : https://t.co/MjtONHm4Ha pic.twitter.com/EcMP2NHuSs
Covid-19 LIVE: Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj Announces Specialised ICU For Corona Patients
#WATCH | Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said, "A special ICU has been made for Corona patients... The government has made its full preparations. A Corona help desk has been created for the patients as soon as they enter the hospital... Currently only 4 corona patients… https://t.co/6fkmoDxwaH pic.twitter.com/cM3t8mRbJz
— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2023
Covid-19 LIVE : Delhi Health Minister Takes Stock Of LNJP Preparedness
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj visited the LNJP Hospital on Thursday to take stock of its preparedness for COVID-19 and asserted that the facility is fully geared to deal with any exigencies.
Bharadwaj told PTI Video that arrangements for conducting RT-PCR tests have been made outside the hospital and there is modern equipment at the health facility. He said no Covid patient is admitted in the hospital at present.
"Following the oxygen shortage that was seen during the Covid wave in Delhi and across the country, the hospital now has piped oxygen supply through a centralised system," he said.
Asked if the Delhi government is planning to reserve any beds for Covid patients, the minister said only four people are currently hospitalised with the infection in the city.
"If you reserve beds, where will those patients who have surgeries planned or have suffered from strokes or heart attacks go? We are monitoring the situation and, if need be, will reserve beds. There are only four patients who have been hospitalised," he said. (PTI Input)
Covid-19 LIVE: 157 Cases Of JN.1 Variant Detected In India, Highest From Kerala, Gujarat: INSACOG
A total of 157 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been detected in the country, with Kerala reporting the highest number of 78, followed by Gujarat at 34, according to the INSACOG's data updated on Thursday.
Several states have been reporting an uptick in the number of Covid cases over the last few weeks and nine states and Union territories have so far detected the presence of the JN.1 sub-variant of the virus.
These states are -- Kerala (78), Gujarat (34), Goa (18), Karnataka (eight), Maharashtra (seven), Rajasthan (five), Tamil Nadu (four), Telangana (two) and Delhi (one), according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
The INSACOG's data showed 141 Covid cases recorded in the country in December had the presence of JN.1, while 16 such cases were detected in November.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a separate "variant of interest" given its rapidly-increasing spread, but said it poses a "low" global public health risk. (PTI Input)
Covid-19 LIVE: 3 More Test Positive In Odisha
The total number of Covid-19 cases in Odisha has risen to eight after three fresh infections were detected, public health director Niranjan Mishra said on Thursday.
All the eight patients are currently in home isolation, he added.
Mishra reassured the public that there is no need to panic as no one has been hospitalized in the state thus far.
He said, "All districts have increased Covid-19 testing. On Wednesday, a total of 690 samples were tested, with three testing positive." Citing national statistics, Mishra said 92 per cent of Covid patients are in home isolation, and only those with comorbidities are being admitted to hospitals. (PTI Input).
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