Odisha’s COVID Tally Rises To 5 With 2 New Cases; 7-Day Isolation Back In Karnataka

Bhubaneswar: The active COVID tally in Odisha touched 5 on Thursday with two new cases being detected in the last 24 hours, according to state-wise data shared by the Health Ministry.

There was a lull after one case was detected in the state on December 3 amid the emergence of JN.1, a new sub-variant of Omicron, which is currently pushing the nationwide tally. The remaining four infections have been reported in the last four days.

According to Health department sources, two cases have been detected from Cuttack, one was found positive in Khurda district between Saturday and Monday. They have mild symptoms and are undergoing treatment in home isolation. The districts concerned have been asked to analyse the travel history of all three patients. “The samples of the three patients have been sent for genome sequencing to ascertain the presence of the JN.1 variant. There is no reason to panic, but those with symptoms should go for COVID tests,” Director of Health Services Dr Bijay Mohapatra told the media.

The state is yet to provide details of the two cases detected in the last 24 hours.

While cases are rising, the number of tests being conducted in Odisha reportedly fell to less than 150 on Monday from around 300/day last week. The government has advised the elderly people and those with co-morbidities to wear face masks while going out and avoid visiting crowded places.

Meanwhile, 412 fresh cases have taken India’s active cases tally to 4,170. Three new fatalities have also been reported from Karnataka. A total of 63 cases of the sub-variant JN.1 were detected in India till Sunday. About 35 cases of the sub-variant have been detected in Karnataka so far.

The Karnataka government’s cabinet sub-committee on coronavirus has suggested measures like wearing masks, not sending children with symptoms to schools, adhering to COVID appropriate behaviour like social distancing, seven days home isolation and leave for infected patients. It has also decided to administer “precautionary vaccine” for the aged and those with comorbidities.