Over a fortnight after the first JN.1 case was detected in Kerala on December 8, as many as 34 cases, including three patients who died in the last week, have been found to be infected with the new sub-variant of Omicron. Bengaluru accounts for 20 of the cases.
Following genome sequencing of 192 samples at the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, and NCBS in Bengaluru, the presence of the new variant has been confirmed in 34 cases. Of the samples tested, results of 60 samples are available as of date. “Results of the remaining are likely by Wednesday (Dec. 27),” Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said.
The samples of the three COVID-19 patients who died between December 15 and December 17 — male patients aged 76, 64, and 44 years — from Bengaluru and Ramanagaram were found to be positive for JN.1. They also had several other comorbidities.
Bengaluru epicentre
Bengaluru accounted for the highest among those infected new variant, accounting for 20 of the 34 cases. While four cases are from Mysuru, three are from Mandya, and one case each has been detected from Ramanagara, Bengaluru Rural, Kodagu, and Chamarajanagar, the Minister said.
On Monday, 125 new cases were reported, taking the total number of active cases to 436. Of the 125 cases, over 75% are from Bengaluru. The city now has 360 active cases.
The State is yet to meet its target of conducting 5,000 COVID-19 tests daily. On Monday, 3,155 tests were done of which 2,072 were RT-PCR tests. With this, the test positivity rate stood at 3.96%.
With three more deaths — one each from Hassan, Bengaluru Urban and Dakshina Kannada — the total number of deaths reported since December 15 has touched seven. The recently formed Cabinet sub-committee will meet on Tuesday to take stock of the situation.
No need to panic
Asserting that there is no need to panic, Mr. Gundu Rao said currently, the World Health Organisation has classified JN.1 as a Variant of Interest and not a Variant of Concern. “Hence, imposing restrictions and creating unnecessary panic amongst the public is not advisable,” he said.
“However, in the light of the current scenario, in the State, the COVID-19 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has advised that the elderly (60 years and above), those with comorbid conditions (particularly with kidney, heart, liver ailments, etc.), pregnant women and lactating women, should avoid visiting closed, poorly ventilated spaces and crowded areas. However, when outdoors, they should wear face masks covering their nose and mouth,” the Minister reiterated.
Safe celebrations
Stating that there are no guidelines from the Centre as of now regarding restrictions for New Year celebrations, the Minister said: “During the year-end festivities and New Year celebrations, people should follow COVID-19 Appropriate Behavior — social distancing, face masking, hand-sanitization and respiratory hygiene/ cough etiquette. Depending on the situation, the TAC and Cabinet sub-committee will take a call in the coming days.”
