India’s central authorities have given guidance to states in response to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases and the detection of the JN.1 variant in the country. States are strongly advised to stay alert and regularly report Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) cases on a district-wise basis. The focus is on enhancing testing, especially RT-PCR tests, and states are urged to send positive samples for genome sequencing to INSACOG laboratories.
The JN.1 subvariant of COVID-19 was identified in Kerala during routine INSACOG surveillance, leading to increased concerns. The Union Health Ministry is conducting mock drills in state health facilities as part of regular exercises, and they are closely coordinating with State Health Authorities to monitor the situation. On December 16th, Kerala reported its first case of the JN.1 variant, while China also reported 7 new cases of the same variant on the same day.
China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration identified 7 cases of the JN.1 variant on December 15th. Meanwhile, in the United States, COVID-19 hospitalizations reached nearly 19,000 on December 17th, marking the highest number since March. The situation in the United States is being closely monitored.
In Singapore, COVID-19 cases saw a significant spike to 56,043 in the first week of December, a 75% increase from the previous week. The Ministry of Health in Singapore is emphasizing the importance of mask-wearing in crowded places, and starting December 19th, they will provide daily updates to keep the public informed about the evolving situation.
In summary, the guidance from India’s central authorities underscores the need for vigilance and proactive measures against the backdrop of rising COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the JN.1 variant. This is mirrored by developments in Kerala, China, the United States, and Singapore, each grappling with their unique challenges in managing and monitoring the pandemic.
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