New Delhi: Weeks after a surge in coronavirus cases was reported from parts of Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand, several states in India are on alert too.
Even as the Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely, authorities in Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi and Karnataka have directed hospitals to ensure preparedness for the availability of beds, oxygen and medicines.
In a worrying development, a COVID-19 patient died in Thane while undergoing treatment at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa.
According to the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), the deceased, a 21-year-old man, was suffering from severe diabetes. Eight more positive cases were detected on Saturday, and one was hospitalised.
Kerala has reported 273 cases in May so far. Delhi saw 23 new cases, Andhra Pradesh 4 in last 24 hours.
Amid the rise in the once deadly viral infection, two new variants of coronavirus — NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 — have emerged in India, according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
As per INSACOG data, one case of NB.1.8.1 was identified in April in Tamil Nadu, and four cases of LF.7 were detected in Gujarat this month, PTI reported.
Classification of NB.1.8.1 & LF.7 variants
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified LF.7 and NB.1.8 subvariants as ‘Variants Under Monitoring’, not as ‘Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest’.
“Considering available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is evaluated as low at the global level. Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease,” WHO said recently.
The emergence of new variants notwithstanding, the predominant variant in India is JN.1, which accounts for 53 per cent of tested samples. BA.2 has been found in 26 per cent, and other Omicron sublineages make up 20 per cent.
No need to panic, say doctors
Doctors have advised people not to panic over the rise of COVID-19 cases.
Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (IMA JDN) national spokesperson Dr Dhruv Chauhan said that people need not panic about the JN.1 variant, which is a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86.
“This is not a lethal variant and it’s always better to take precautions like maintaining hand hygiene, wearing masks where necessary such as in hospitals or crowded places and following respiratory hygiene. It is also important to get your symptoms checked by a qualified doctor,” said Dr Chauhan.
“The public should remember that panic and chaos can cause more health issues than the disease itself,” he added.
