India Covid-19 update: Country sees nearly 600 new infections, 300 in Kerala alone; 21 cases of JN.1 variant so far

Meanwhile, the country’s Covid-19 tally stands at 4.50 crore (4,50,06,572), and the death toll reached 5,33,327 with six more people — three from Kerala, two from Karnataka and one from Punjab — succumbing to the viral disease in the last 24 hours, the data stated.

With the deaths reported in the coastal state, the total number of people who have died due to coronavirus in Kerala since its outbreak three years ago reached 72,059. On Tuesday, state Health Minister Veena George said that despite the increase in COVID cases in Kerala, there was nothing to be concerned about as the hospitals were well-prepared to handle the virus infection.

A rise in daily positivity rate has been observed in a few other states like Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Karnataka, reported PTI.

21 cases of JN.1 variant reported across country, 19 in Goa

Meanwhile, a total of 21 cases of the new coronavirus variant have been recorded in the country till now.  Goa reported the maximum number of cases at 19.

JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1) variant emerged in late 2023 and is a descendant of the BA.2.86 lineage (Pirola) of SARS-CoV-2.

State epidemiologist Dr Prashant Suryavanshi told The Indian Express, “Total 19 cases of the new variant have been reported in Goa. These cases were detected through genome sequencing, with most of them being sporadic, reported from North Goa area

This data, however, does not give an accurate picture of the variants that are in circulation in India as laboratories from most states stopped sending in genome sequences from June-July, Anonna Dutt reported earlier.

West Bengal to continue surveillance of influenza-like illness

In light of this latest surge in cases, the West Bengal Health Department will continue its surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) cases, in accordance with central guidelines, amid the uptick in COVID-19 cases, a senior official said, the report said.

“We will continue our surveillance activity as per the guidelines of the health ministry. At present, there is not a single COVID-19 case in our state. However, we are ready with the infrastructure,” the official said.

In a meeting, Mandaviya reiterated that Covid was not over yet and urged the states to monitor emerging cases, symptoms and case severity to plan appropriate public health response. Mandaviya asked all the states to remain alert, increase surveillance and ensure adequate stock of medicines, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, ventilators and vaccines.

— With PTI inputs