COVID-19 update: Maharashtra records 50 new cases, including 9 JN.1 infections
India on Sunday recorded a rise of 656 COVID-19 infections in a day, while the number of active cases rose to 3,742, according to the data posted on the Union Health Ministry website.
COVID-19 update: Maharashtra reported 50 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, including nine new infections of the JN.1, taking the number of infections of the new subvariant in the state to 10. According to officials, JN.1 patients include five from Thane city, two from Pune city and one from a rural area of Pune district, Akola city and Sindhudurg district.
One patient from Pune had traveled to the US, they said, adding that all patients who contracted the JN.1 subvariant have recovered.
India on Sunday recorded a rise of 656 COVID-19 infections in a day, while the number of active cases rose to 3,742, according to the data posted on the Union Health Ministry website.
The total number of infections since the spread of the novel coronavirus began three years ago has risen to 81,72,135 in Maharashtra, a state health bulletin said.
Maharashtra has so far tested 8,75,65,093 samples for COVID-19, of which 81,72,135 were found to be positive. As many as 80,23,418 patients have been discharged so far, the report said.
JN.1 variant
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the new strain as a separate ‘variant of concern’ given its rapidly increasing spread, but said it poses a ‘low’ global risk to public health.
Although the number of cases is rising and the JN.1 subvariant has been detected in the country, there is no need for immediate concern as 92 percent of those infected opt for home treatment, indicating mild disease, officials say. had said earlier.
‘Stay Vigilant, Don’t Panic’: AIIMS
Amid the increase in cases of the new COVID subvariant JN.1, AIIMS doctors urged people not to panic but remain alert and vigilant.
“People are getting infected with the new sub-variant of COVID-JN.1 in many states of the country. The patients’ symptoms are mild. Therefore, there is no need to panic but there is a need to remain alert,” Dr Neeraj Nischal – an additional professor in the Department of Medicine, AIIMS Delhi, told news agency ANI.
“We’ve said these kinds of ripples will continue to happen. Even during the first and second waves, we predicted that this virus would mutate further and that there would be a stage where it would become more contagious but at the same time cause less mortality or morbidity,” he said.
Those suffering from cold, cough or fever should keep their distance from other people, use masks and wash their hands with soap or use disinfectant, according to doctors.
In May, following a sustained decline in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths, and high levels of population immunity against SARS-CoV2, the WHO had declared that COVID-19 was no longer a public health emergency of international importance.
(With input from agencies)