India Reports 614 New Covid-19 Cases; Health Minister Held High-Level Meeting
Some states on India witnessed an uprise in the Covid-19 cases after the detection of the first case of Coronavirus sub-variant JN.1 in Kerala. As per the Health Ministry Data updated on Wednesday, 614 new coronavirus infections were recorded in the country, the highest since May 21. The active cases rose to 2311, the updated data shows. According to the Union Health Ministry website, Kerala has reported 292 fresh Covid cases and three deaths within a span of 24 hours.
The Union Health Ministry conducted a high-level meeting on Wednesday to discuss the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases, and deaths in some parts of the country. The meeting, in particular, focused the presence of Covid sub-variant JN.1 located recently in Kerala. The meeting was lead by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and 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, joined the discussion.
In the meeting Health Minister presses the importance to stay vigilant and prepared against the new and emerging variations of Covid-19. He stated that the joint efforts between the Centre and States are needed for the effective management of the virus. “Let us undertake mock drills once every three months at both Central and State levels and share best practices,” India Today quotes as the Health Minister is saying.
Besides active monitoring of emerging Covid-19 cases, symptoms, and gravity of the situation, all states and Union Territories (UTs) are recommended to send samples of all Covid positive cases to Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) labs to facilitate tracking of new variants, India Today reports.
Despite the rise in Covid cases, on Tuesday Kerala Health Minister Veena George guaranteed that the state is well equipped to handle the situation. The Minister has also added that directions were given to provide special facilities for Covid-19 patients, ensuring the availability of isolation wards, rooms, oxygen beds, ICU beds, and ventilators in hospitals.
