As India witnesses a surge in Covid cases, Karnataka has reported 34 cases of the latest JN.1 variant out of the 60 samples that were subjected to genome sequencing.
Out of the 34 cases, 20 are from Bengaluru, 4 from Mysore, 3 from Mandya and one case each from Ramanagara, Bengaluru Rural, Kodagu & Chamaraja Nagara. The variant has reportedly caused three deaths, reported from Bengaluru’s South Zone, West Zone and from Ramanagara district.
Genome sequencing results for another 132 samples are awaited. The Cabinet sub-committee formed to tackle Covid-19 will have it’s first meeting tomorrow.
The government is likely to increase testing but is not contemplating any restrictions on movement or new year celebration at the moment.
Commenting on the Covid scenario in the state, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “Most of the JN.1 cases are from Bengaluru. There is no reason to panic and fear the variant. We have a meeting tomorrow. We will decide further guidelines to be given.”
On Monday, the state recorded 125 new Covid-19 cases and 3 deaths. The positivity rate in the state stands at 3.96% with a fatality rate of 2.4%. Currently, Karnataka has 436 active cases.
The Health department said that results of the remaining positive cases may be available by Wednesday. “It is pertinent here to note that, currently WHO & Ministry of Health & Family Welfare , Government of India have classified JN.1 as Variant of Interest (VoI) and not Variant of Concern ( VoC) . Hence, imposing restrictions & creating unnecessary panic amongst public are not advised,” a release from the Health Department said,
(with PTI inputs)
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