COVID-19 Update: A multifold spurt in fresh Covid cases was noted in India over the past 24 hours, with Kerala contributing the major chunk of those. A total of 423 cases were reported and of which 266 were from Kerala and 70 from neighbouring Karnataka, Union health ministry data showed. Two deaths were reported in Kerala.
The total number of active cases of Covid-19 in the country was recorded at 3,420.
Meanwhile, amid growing considerations about the emergence of the new coronavirus variant, former World Health Organization (WHO) scientific lead Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, said that there is no need to panic at this time as it is an attractive and worrying variant. However, he suggested that the population be cautious and take appropriate precautionary measures.
Speaking exclusively to ANI, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former director-general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said: “We want to be cautious, but we don’t have to worry because we don’t have any knowledge to recommend that this JN. 1 variant is more severe or it’s going to lead to more pneumonia, more deaths. “
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified JN. 1 as a variant of interest, distinct from its BA. 2. 86 parent lineage. However, the global fitness framework posed by the overall threat through JN. 1 remains low based on the existing evidence.
The number of new COVID cases increased by 52 per cent during the past four-odd weeks, the WHO said, with over 850 000 new cases reported during the period.
The number of new deaths decreased by 8% in the past 28 days, with more than 3,000 new deaths reported, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest press release.
As of Dec. 17, more than 772 million cases and nearly seven million deaths had been reported worldwide since the COVID-19 outbreak, the WHO said.
In addition, the WHO said more than 118,000 new COVID-19 hospitalizations and more than 1,600 new intensive care unit (ICU) admissions were recorded, with an overall increase of 23% and 51%. one hundred, respectively, globally.
Due to its increasing spread, the WHO classifies the JN. 1 variant as a variant of distinct interest (VOI) of the BA. 2. 86 parental lineage. In the past it was classified as VOI under the BA. 2. 86 sublineages.
Based on the available evidence, the additional global public health threat posed by JN. 1 is ultimately considered low. Despite this, with the arrival of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, JN. 1 could simply increase the respiratory load. infections in many countries.
The WHO had previously said it was frequently tracking the evidence and would update the JN. 1 threat assessment if necessary.
Current vaccines continue to resist severe illness and death from JN. 1 and other circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, the document notes.
COVID-19 is not the only respiratory disease circulating. Influenza, RSV, and common childhood pneumonia are also on the rise.
WHO advises others to take steps to avoid infection and serious illness using all available tools. These include wearing a mask in crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated areas, staying away from others, practicing respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes), washing your hands regularly, and getting tested if you have symptoms or might have symptoms. You have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or the flu.
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