Karnataka records 34 cases of JN.1 COVID-19 variant; Health Minister assures adequate preparedness

Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Health Minister of Karnataka, has revealed that the state has identified 34 cases of the JN.1 variant of COVID-19. However, he reassured the public that the government is well-prepared, and the situation is not alarming.

Of the 430 active cases, 400 are under home isolation, while the remaining are receiving treatment in hospitals, with 7-8 patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Minister Gundu Rao affirmed, "As of now, things are okay. We have done genome sequencing. We are well prepared; nothing is alarming. The majority of the cases are in Bengaluru."

Encouraging preventive measures, he advised people to maintain social distancing and announced plans for administering booster vaccines to the elderly. "About 30,000 vaccines, we are procuring. We will give the anti-flu vaccine to our health workers. With the new year approaching, we are advising people to maintain physical distancing."

In response to the situation, a cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Minister Gundu Rao in Bengaluru, convened to address COVID-19 precautionary measures. The decisions included sending an adequate number of samples for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to national centers, ensuring the readiness of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) plants, obtaining PESO licenses, and procuring mobile oxygen generation and filling units.

The release also highlighted the importance of mock drills at hospitals, readiness of hospital beds and ventilators, and encouraging individuals in government and non-government establishments to avail home isolation leave for seven days if tested positive for COVID-19.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar urged the public not to panic, assuring that everything is under control. "No need to panic about Covid. Everything is fine now. Our health minister will update," Shivakumar stated.

As of December 25, the Union Health Ministry reported a total of 69 cases of the JN.1 subvariant in the country, with Karnataka recording 436 cases, Kerala 3096, Maharashtra 168, Gujarat 56, and Tamil Nadu 139 cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, distinct from its parent lineage BA.2, while emphasizing that the overall risk remains low based on current evidence.

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