India on Wednesday recorded 614 fresh Covid-19 cases, which marked the highest surge in infections since May 21, according to the Union Health Ministry. It has been confirmed that the current surge is primarily due to the newly discovered Covid sub-variant JN.1, which was first detected in Kerala on December 8.
NITI Aayog member (Health) VK Paul said today, meanwhile, said today India has so far reported 21 cases of the new coronavirus variant JN.1 from across the country.
India's Covid-19 status
India's overall Covid tally stood at 4.50 crore on Wednesday. According to health ministry's data, the death toll was recorded at 5,33,321 with three deaths reported from Kerala in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease increased to 4,44,70,346 and the national recovery rate was pegged at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry's website.
The case fatality rate stood at 1.19 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.67 crore doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in the country so far.
Mansukh Mandaviya chairs meeting
In light of the current surge in Covid-19 cases, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday convened a meeting in a bid to take a stock of the situation. The meeting was reportedly chaired by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The meeting was also attended by Union Ministers SP Singh Baghel, Bharati Pravin Pawar, Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant, Secretary Department of Health Research Dr Rajiv Bahl and Dr VK Paul, Member, (Health), NITI Aayog.
During the meeting, Mandaviya primarily emphasised on staying alert and be prepared against the emerging strains of Covid-19. He also suggested that the mock drills should be conducted every three months to check preparedness.
"Let us undertake mock drills once every three months at both Central and State levels and share best practices," he said.
States have been directed to monitor emerging evidence of Covid-19 cases, symptoms and case severity to plan appropriate public health response.
All states and Union Territories (UTs) have been advised to send samples of all Covid positive cases to Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) labs to facilitate tracking of new variants.
21 Cases of Covid Sub-variant JN.1 Found in 3 States
As many as 21 cases of coronavirus sub-variant JN.1 have been detected across the country till now, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul said on Wednesday, however, asserted that there was no need to panic.
Paul said that the scientific community in India was closely investigating the new variant as he emphasised on the need for states to ramp up testing and strengthen their surveillance systems. Paul also highlighted that about 91 to 92 per cent of those infected are opting for home-based treatment.
News agency PTI quoted official sources as saying that 19 cases of coronavirus sub-variant JN.1 have been traced in Goa and one each in Kerala and Maharashtra. Over the past two weeks, 16 deaths related to Covid-19 were recorded with the victims having serious comorbidities.
