India is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases due to two highly transmissible strains, KP. 1 and KP. 2, the government informed Parliament. Derived from the JN1 Omicron variant, these strains increase in cases without increasing hospitalizations or severe illness, according to data presented by the Union’s Health Minister, JP Nadda.
Maharashtra recorded the highest number of cases, followed by West Bengal and Uttarakhand. The strains most frequently cause mild symptoms such as fever, cold and fatigue, without serious cases or hospitalizations having accumulated so far. The government has taken several measures to address the situation, adding fitness infrastructure.
The National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has highlighted the importance of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, operational in all states and Union Territories, to monitor epidemic-prone diseases. Additionally, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing Network (INSACOG) is carrying out comprehensive genomic sequencing to track emerging variants, supported by 67 laboratories and over 400 sentinel sites across the country.
(With agencies. )