India On High Alert as New COVID Variant JN.1 Emerges, 21 Cases Reported Across States

New Delhi: The emergence of the new coronavirus variant JN.1 has led to increased vigilance as India reports 21 cases of this variant across the country, according to VK Paul, a member of the government think tank NITI Aayog (Health). The majority of cases, with 19 instances, have been identified in Goa, while Maharashtra and Kerala have reported one case each.

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya conducted a comprehensive review of the COVID-19 situation, focusing on the preparedness of public health systems, given the recent surge in Covid cases in certain regions of the country.

Emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant against new strains of the coronavirus, Minister Mandaviya stressed the need for seamless coordination between the central and state governments to ensure the effective management of the Covid situation. He proposed conducting mock drills every three months at both central and state levels to share best practices.

The Health Minister underscored that the threat of Covid is not yet over and urged states to closely monitor emerging evidence related to Covid cases, symptoms, and case severity. This, he emphasized, is crucial for planning an appropriate and timely public health response to combat the ongoing challenges posed by the virus.