On December 24, India recorded 656 new cases of Covid-19 infections. The latest figure indicates a minor decrease in the daily trend of cases from the previous 752, which was the highest since May 21. Kerala remains a significant contributor to the nation's multiplication of instances. As of December 23, there had been four reported deaths. It just came down to one today. States are on high alert in the meantime as the JN.1 sub-variant of SARS-COV2 outbreak has raised national concerns.
In an effort to increase vigilance for any worrying version of the virus, the Union government has instructed the states to submit samples of all Covid-19 test swabs for whole genome sequencing. Experts, however, stressed that despite the increased number of Covid-positive cases, there is no reason for alarm and that caution should be exercised. Although the sub-variant JN.1 is "gradually becoming dominant," according to former AIIMS, Delhi director Randeep Guleria, it is not leading to serious infections or hospitalizations.
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) categorized JN.1 as a Variant of Interest (VOI), it stated that there is insufficient data to suggest that the Covid sub-variant poses a greater danger to public health than other variants that are now in circulation. The UN health organization added that available data indicates that existing immunizations can avert serious illness and even death.
