COVID information LIVE: Are coronavirus signs nonetheless the identical? Expert says, ‘tricky to identify as…’

With the onset of winter, we witness the emergence of a brand new COVID variant like yearly which is fueling a sudden spike in circumstances. As of December 21, India reported 22 circumstances of the JN.1 subvariant of Covid-19. However, no clustering of circumstances has been noticed, and all situations of the subvariant exhibit delicate signs. But are all of the signs the identical as earlier than or are we noticing a number of new signs too? Read more here

COVID information LIVE: Bihar govt directs all districts and hospitals to extend COVID-19 testing 

Bihar authorities directs all districts and hospitals within the state to extend COVID-19 RT-PCR testing with random testing of arrivals at Patna, Gaya and Darbhanga airports

COVID information LIVE: 752 new Covid circumstances, 4 deaths reported in 24 hours

COVID information LIVE: India noticed a single-day rise of 752 coronavirus infections, the very best since May 21, 2023, whereas the energetic circumstances have elevated to three,420, in keeping with Union well being ministry information up to date on Saturday.

The dying toll was recorded at 5,33,332 with 4 new deaths — two from Kerala, one every in Rajasthan and Karnataka — reported in a span of 24 hours, the info up to date at 8 am said.

The nation’s Covid case tally stood at 4.50 crore (4,50,07,964).

The variety of folks recuperated from the illness has elevated to 4,44,71,212, and the nationwide restoration charge stands at 98.81 per cent, in keeping with the well being ministry’s web site. The fatality charge stands at 1.19 per cent.

COVID information LIVE: Number of recent Covid circumstances elevated 52% globally in previous one month: WHO

COVID information LIVE: The variety of new COVID circumstances elevated by 52 per cent through the previous four-odd weeks, the WHO mentioned, with over 850 000 new circumstances reported through the perio

The variety of new deaths decreased by 8 per cent as in comparison with the earlier 28-day interval, with over 3,000 new fatalities reported, World Health Organization (WHO) mentioned in its newest press launch

COVID information LIVE: ‘Nothing to worry about…’: Kerala Health Minister on JN.1 Covid variant

COVID information LIVE: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday reacted to the brand new COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 and mentioned that there’s “nothing to worry” about and every little thing is “under control.”

“There is nothing to worry about. We have found a slight increase in the number of COVID cases. A state-level meeting and a ministerial-level meeting were held. We decided to start genomic sequencing back in November,” the Kerala Health Minister instructed reporters.

She additional mentioned that the variety of assessments in Kerala is excessive when in comparison with different states including that the state of affairs is completely below management.

COVID information LIVE: ‘State accountable for subtle remedy of residents,’ Rajasthan CM Sharma

COVID information LIVE: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Friday mentioned it’s the duty of the state authorities to promptly present subtle medical amenities to every of its resident.

To obtain that, it’s needed that the healthcare employees discharge their duties responsibly and deal with everybody with sensitivity, he mentioned.

Sharma made the remarks addressing a evaluation assembly of the Medical and Health Department at his workplace.

The state of affairs on Covid-19 within the state was additionally mentioned within the assembly.

COVID information LIVE: COVID-19 has presumably peaked in Singapore, says minister however consultants cautious

COVID information LIVE: The newest wave of COVID-19 circumstances in Singapore has presumably peaked, and there’s no want for extra measures, like carrying a face masks mandate, to be applied, mentioned Minister for Health (MOH) Ong Ye Kung.

“We might need a slight surge, however I believe kind of, we’re seeing the height of this wave,” Channel News Asia quoted Ong as saying on Friday at the soft opening of a health campus at Woodlands in northern Singapore.

However, having about 600 to 700 hospital beds taken up by COVID-19 patients is quite a strain on the system, the minister noted.

“We are a 10,000 bed-strong system. To take up 600 or 700 beds, it’s six-seven per cent, which is not small. It’s a significant workload on our healthcare workers and our system.”

COVID information LIVE: Flu and COVID infections are rising and will worsen over the vacations, CDC says

COVID information LIVE: Look for flu and COVID-19 infections to ramp up within the coming weeks, U.S. well being officers say, with will increase fueled by vacation gatherings, too many unvaccinated folks and a brand new model of the coronavirus which may be spreading extra simply.

High ranges of flu-like diseases have been reported final week in 17 states — up from 14 the week earlier than, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mentioned Friday.

“Folks are touring much more this season. They wish to see their households,” said the CDC’s Dr. Manisha Patel. “And all of that kind of provides to the combo” in the spread of viruses.

Health officials are keeping an eye on a version of the ever-evolving coronavirus, known as JN.1. The omicron variant was first detected in the U.S. in September and now accounts for an estimated 20% of cases. The CDC expects it to reach 50% in the next two weeks, Patel said.

It may spread easier or be better at evading our immune systems, but there is no evidence that the strain causes more severe disease than other recent variants, health officials say. And current evidence indicates vaccines and antiviral medications work against it.

COVID news LIVE: CDC says JN.1 variant accounts for 39%-50% of COVID cases in US

COVID news LIVE: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Friday that COVID subvariant JN.1 accounts for 39% to 50% of cases in the United States as of Dec. 23, according to the agency’s projections.

This is an increase from the estimated 15% to 29% of cases in the United States, the CDC had projected as of Dec. 8.

The CDC said the variant continues to cause an increasing share of infections and is now the most widely circulating variant in the country.

COVID news LIVE: Nitish Kumar chairs high-level meeting to review situation in Bihar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar chaired a high-level meeting on Friday in view of the recent spurt in COVID-19 cases in several parts of the country. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who holds the health portfolio, and top government officials. 

Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Pratyay Amrit said two cases of the JN.1 variant have so far been detected in the state.

COVID news LIVE: Rajasthan reports six new cases, 1 dead

Six new cases of Covid infection and one related death were reported in Rajasthan on Friday. Data from the , the state medical and health department indicates that one patient died in Dausa due to Covid infection during the day.

COVID news LIVE: Rajasthan forms Covid management team

The Rajasthan health department has formed a state-level team for prevention and control of COVID-19. The order to form such a group was issued by Additional Chief Secretary of Medical and Health Department Shubhra Singh on Friday evening. 

Singh said the team is being formed in view of the rise in number of Covid infections in other states, including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. Medical Education Commissioner Shivprasad Nakate has been appointed as the nodal officer of the ‘State Covid Management Committee’

COVID news LIVE: Students tests positive in Jodhpur after return from Australia

The student has been quarantined at her home. Medical teams have also collected the samples from her 10 family members who had come in contact with her.

COVID news LIVE: India reports 22 JN.1 variant cases till December 21

“A complete of twenty-two JN.1 COVID variant circumstances have been reported in India until December 21. No clustering of COVID-19 reported thus far, all circumstances have delicate signs,” ANI quoted official sources as saying.

COVID news LIVE: Andhra CM holds meeting with health officials

COVID news LIVE: Karnataka govt forms committee to tackle situation

The Karnataka government has constituted a cabinet sub-committee to tackle the COVID-19 situation in the state and monitor it. The committee includes Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, cabinet ministers Sharan Prakash Patil, Dr HC Mahadevappa and Dr MC Sudhakar.

COVID news LIVE: How many active cases does India have?

Data from the Health Ministry indicates that India has 2,997 active COVID-19 cases as of Friday morning. 

COVID news LIVE: Andhra Pradesh prepares for possible rise in cases

The state has kept medicines on standby. Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was informed during a review meeting on Friday that oxygen infrastructure is also being readied and 57,000 oxygen beds were kept ready.

COVID news LIVE: No need to panic, assures Andhra Pradesh CM

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy held a review meeting on Friday and assured that there was no need to worry about the JN.1 strain. Senior officials have been cautioned to take preventive steps.

“Alert the village and ward secretariat system, and the village clinic system for preventive steps. Village clinic workers ought to be made conscious of the steps that should be taken towards the brand new variant,” Reddy said in an official press release.

COVID news LIVE: 3 people test positive in West Bengal

Three people including a six-month-old baby tested positive for COVID-19 in West Bengal. It it yet to be ascertained whether the trio were infected by the new JN.1 strain of COVID-19.

COVID news LIVE: Kerala braces for rise in JN.1 cases

“The situation is totally under control. We have to expect more cases as airport surveillance done in Singapore Airport shows that 19 passengers from India, not only Keraa but different parts, were found with JN.1. We have plan A, B, C ready. There is nothing to worry about. The transmissibility of this variant is more but the severity is less,” Health Minister Veena George mentioned on Friday.

Covid information LIVE updates: Former WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan says ‘no need to panic, but…’

Former World Health Organisation chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan has asserted that there isn’t any have to panic presently as it’s a variant of curiosity and never of concern. She urged folks to stay cautious and take correct precautionary measures.

“We should be cautious, however we need not fear as a result of we have no information to recommend that this variant JN.1 is extra extreme or it should trigger extra pneumonia, extra dying. I believe what we have to do is attempt to take the traditional preventive measures that we’re all now accustomed to,” she instructed information company ANI.

Covid news LIVE: When does Covid-19 become a serious concern?

There are five factors to determine when a Covid-19 situation becomes serious. Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya, a leading public health and policy expert, and healthcare professional Sabine Kapasi had earlier listed a few factors that could hint at an alarming Covid-19 situation.

According to them, one must watch out if:

1. There are any new mutations and clustering cases in an area.

2. There is a rise in severity of the infection.

3. There is a shift in symptoms of Covid-19

4. There is a rise in hospitalisation

5. There is an increase in mortality.

Therefore, while there is an upsurge in Covid cases due to the JN.1 variant, “there isn’t any enhance in critical illnesses (these contaminated have delicate cough and fever)”, NITI Aayog member-Health VK Paul said.

“This is similar virus which is driving an upsurge in different nations however we do not have to fret,” said VK Paul added.

Meanwhile, Soumya Swaminathan said there’s a “have to…take the traditional preventive measures that we’re all now accustomed to…not a lot has modified, however one or two new mutations have come up. And that is why I believe WHO has mentioned let’s hold a watch on it. It’s a variant of curiosity. It’s not a variant of concern…”

Covid news LIVE: What are the factors to worry about?

1. High transmissibility of JN.1. “The variant is quick rising throughout all WHO areas with constant SARS-CoV-2 sequence information sharing and has grow to be probably the most prevalent variant in some nations,” the WHO says.

2. JN.1 may display a higher immune evasion property. The WHO says the immune escape potential of JN.1 depends on the immune background of the population tested.

3. The WHO says countries approaching the winter season should be aware that, altogether, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing the Covid-19 disease) and co-circulating pathogens (influenza, flu, rhinovirus etc) may exacerbate the respiratory disease burden

Covid news LIVE: Should people in India need to worry?

VK Paul has said that the scientific community in India was closely investigating the new variant. The NITI Aayog member asserted that there was no need to panic and emphasised on the need for states to ramp up testing and strengthen their surveillance systems.

Earlier, Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant had said that the variant was currently under intense scientific scrutiny but not a cause of immediate concern. “No enhance in hospitalization charges has been witnessed resulting from COVID-19. The circumstances which have been hospitalized have been resulting from different medical situations and Covid was an incidental discovering,” he was quoted by PTI as saying

Covid news LIVE: JN.1 Symptoms 

Senior consultant in Chest Medicine at Delhi’s Ganga Ram Hospital, Dr Ujjwal Prakash has explained that JN.1 is similar to other variants and sub-variants observed globally, ANI has reported.

Common symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache.

Some may also face mild gastrointestinal symptoms.

As per Dr Prakash, some patients may witness mild upper respiratory symptoms which typically improve within four to five days.

As per media reports, some symptoms might include extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, loss of taste or smell

Covid news LIVE: All you need to know about JN.1 variant 

-JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1) variant is a descendant of the BA.2.86 lineage (Pirola) of coronavirus. 

-BA.2.86 lineage, first identified in August 2023, is phylogenetically distinct from the circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB lineages, including EG.5.1 and HK.3. BA.2.86 carries more than 30 mutations in the spike (5) protein, indicating a high potential for immune evasion

-JN.1 was first detected in Denmark and Israel in late July 2023.

-According to officials, the sub-strain is currently said to be prevalent in 36-40 countries has has led to 16 deaths over the last couple of weeks, as reported by PTI.

-The World Health Organisation has classifyied the JN.1 Covid variant as the “variant of interest.”

Covid information LIVE: Existing vaccines defend towards new JN.1 sub-variant? What professional says

In an interplay with Livemint, Dr. Gurmeet Singh Chabbra, Director-Pulmonary, Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad mentioned that in keeping with CDC, vaccines is not going to block utterly JN.1 infections, they need to cut back possible hood of extreme sickness and hospitalisation.

“Data from Singapore reveals that those that obtained their final vaccine dose lower than 1 12 months in the past have been much less more likely to develop extreme illness as in comparison with those that obtained it greater than a 12 months in the past,” Dr. Gurmeet Singh Chabbra mentioned. Read more here

Covid news LIVE: Delhi, Kerala, and other states review coronavirus situation; doctors say ‘mask up’ 

A Noida resident has tested positive for Covid, in the first case of the infection in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar after several months, said officials, adding that his sample has been sent to Delhi for genome sequencing and the result is awaited. Gautam Buddh Nagar Chief Medical Officer Dr Sunil Sharma on Thursday said the patient is a 54-year-old male who lives in Noida but works at a multinational company in Gurugram.  Read extra right here

Covid news LIVE: Isolation ward, other arrangements tightened at Dehradun’s hospital

After cases of a new variant of Corona were found in many states including Kerala, isolation wards and other arrangements have been tightened at the Government hospital of Doon Medical College in Uttarakhand.

At present 5893 oxygen support isolation beds and more than 3100 trained paramedical staff are available in the state.

Anurag Aggarwal, Nodal Officer of Doon Medical College and Covid-19, said that there is no need for anyone to panic as per the advisory that has come.

“As per the newest advisory, we want not panic. The solely requisite proper now could be to get examined as quickly as you catch the flu. We will enhance testing for the brand new variant and also will hold updating the variety of sufferers on the portal,” he mentioned.

Covid news LIVE: Kerala records 265 new COVID-19 cases, one death

Covid news LIVE: Kerala reported 265 fresh COVID-19 infections and one death due to the disease in the last 24 hours, according to data on the Union Health Ministry website on Friday.

Of the 328 coronavirus infections reported nationwide till 8 am today, 265 were from Kerala, taking the active cases in the state to 2,606, as per the website.

With one death reported in the state, the total number of people who have died due to coronavirus in Kerala since its outbreak three years ago reached 72,060.

Covid news LIVE: Bilaspur Chief Medical and Health Officer shares update on Covid situation 

On Covid-19 situation, Bilaspur Chief Medical and Health Officer Rajesh Shukla said, “Till now, 136 folks have been examined. One of them has been examined optimistic within the RTPCR check. The affected person had a cough and chilly for a number of days… The pattern will likely be despatched to AIIMS Raipur to check if the variant is new or previous… The affected person has a journey historical past. He had travelled again from Mumbai…”

Covid news LIVE: Watch | Isolation ward tightened at Dehradun Government hospital

Covid news LIVE updates: Isolation ward and other arrangements tightened at Government hospital of Doon Medical College after new cases of COVID-19 variant JN.1 are found in few states. CMS, Doon Hospital, Anurag Agarwal said, “As per the latest advisory, we need not panic. The only requisite right now is to get tested as soon as you catch the flu. We will increase testing for the new variant and will also keep updating the number of patients on the portal… An oxygen ward of 20 beds has been prepared for COVID-19 and an ICU ward of 09 beds has also been reserved for COVID… The new variant is not very different from the previous variant but those suffering from cancer, sugar, kidney and heart were advised to be more careful with this variant.”

Covid information LIVE: JN.1 Covid variant: After Karnataka, Chandigarh urges folks to put on masks

The Chandigarh administration has suggested folks to put on masks within the wake of the unfold of the JN.1 sub-variant of Covid-19, Hindustan reported on Thursday. The administration made it necessary for attendants, medical doctors and different hospital workers to put on masks in hospitals. It additionally suggested folks to keep away from crowded areas as a lot as doable. Read more here

Covid information LIVE: From Alpha to JN.1, all it’s worthwhile to find out about rising variants

COVID-19 Sub Variant JN: Viruses, together with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus accountable for the COVID-19 pandemic, bear frequent mutations. While many genetic alterations are inconsequential, some can improve the virus’s capacity to contaminate cells or evade antibodies. Read more here

Covid information LIVE: Singapore reported 965 COVID-19 circumstances in previous week

Covid information LIVE updates: The variety of contemporary COVID-19 circumstances in Singapore jumped to 965 up to now week, up from 763 the earlier week. The variety of sufferers admitted to intensive care items (ICU) went up from 23 to 32 in the identical interval. These are the very best numbers of recent weekly hospitalisation and ICU admission for COVID-19 sufferers in 2023, TODAY newspaper reported on Thursday. Most COVID-19 sufferers listed here are contaminated by JN.1, a sublineage of the coronavirus’ Omicron subvariant BA.2.86. With the JN.1 variant, winter situations within the northern hemisphere and extra folks selecting to not put on masks have fueled the rise in COVID-19 circumstances, TODAY, citing consultants, reported. (PTI)

Covid information LIVE: Maharashtra CM chairs COVID evaluation meet, says govt absolutely ready to sort out state of affairs

Covid information LIVE updates: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday held a gathering to evaluation the COVID-19 state of affairs within the state in view of the detection of the JN.1 sub variant in some elements of the nation.

The state was absolutely ready to sort out the state of affairs and other people should not panic however ought to take precautions, particularly as a result of upcoming competition and new 12 months season, Shinde mentioned.

In his tackle after the assembly that he chaired by means of video conferencing, Shinde mentioned the signs of the brand new sub variant have been delicate however it appears to unfold sooner.

During the assembly, the CM was knowledgeable that Maharashtra has 63,000 isolation beds to sort out the ailment, a launch by the Thane district info workplace mentioned.

Covid information LIVE updates: Gurugram well being dept swings into motion after corona confirmed in girl

Covid information LIVE updates: The well being division right here has swung into motion after corona was confirmed in a girl, who returned from overseas.

The division on Thursday recognized 62 suspected sufferers, who got here to the OPD of the civil hospital and the first well being facilities, mentioned an official.

After figuring out them, the samples of all have been taken and despatched to the lab for testing. Reports of all of the suspected sufferers will come from the lab on Friday. It was a matter of reduction that no new Covid affected person was discovered within the final 24 hours.

A senior officer of the well being division mentioned that samples of twenty-two sufferers have been taken from the antigen package. The studies of 10 sufferers are but to come back from the federal government lab.

District Surveillance Officer Dr Jai Prakash Rajliwal mentioned that the contaminated feminine affected person is present process remedy in dwelling isolation.

Covid information LIVE: ‘Let’s not take the virus lightly as…,’ ex-WHO official Soumya Swaminathan warns as circumstances surge

With JN.1 variant fueling one other COVID surge in India, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO chief scientist, mentioned that the brand new pressure shouldn’t be dismissed as a ‘common cold’ and warned saying ‘let’s not take things lightly’ this time. Read more here

Covid information LIVE updates: Noida man assessments optimistic for Covid, first case in a number of months

Covid information LIVE updates: A Noida resident has examined optimistic for Covid, in a primary case of the an infection in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar after a number of months, officers mentioned on Thursday.

The affected person is a 54-year-old male who lives in Noida however works at a multinational firm in Gurugram, Gautam Buddh Nagar Chief Medical Officer Dr Sunil Sharma mentioned.

“His test sample has been sent to Delhi for genome sequencing. The result is awaited,” Sharma mentioned.

District Surveillance Officer and public healthcare professional Dr Amit Kumar mentioned the affected person travelled to Nepal earlier this month and likewise went to work at his Gurugram workplace after returning.

“The patient is asymptomatic and went for the COVID-19 test on his own,” Kumar mentioned, including that that is the one confirmed case in Gautam Buddh Nagar thus far.

Covid information LIVE updates: Risk is low, no restrictions now”: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao

Covid news LIVE updates: In response to the evolving situation of COVID cases in the state, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao provided reassurance to the people and said that the risk factor is low adding that there are no restrictions at present.

“The virus doesn’t have a extreme affect on the well being of individuals. The danger is low, so you needn’t panic, there are not any restrictions now,” the Health Minister asserted.

Minister Gundurao emphasized that there are currently no limitations on movement, stay, travel, or public functions.

However, he urged individuals aged 60 and above to exercise caution and wear masks in crowded places.

“We are trying into all of the elements. There isn’t any such concern as of now. There isn’t any restriction on motion, keep, journey or capabilities. People above 60 years of age ought to be cautious and put on masks in crowded locations,” he added.

Covid news LIVE updates: 4 JN.1 variant cases found in Rajasthan; health dept issues advisory

Covid news LIVE updates: Two more Covid cases of the new sub-variant were reported in Rajasthan on Thursday, which took the tally of such cases in the state to four, prompting the health department to issue an advisory for the prevention and control of the infection.

The Rajasthan Health and Medical Department advised people to seek timely medical advice in case of mild cold, cough, fever, or sore throat.

According to an official statement, two Covid cases of the JN.1 sub-variant were reported in Jaisalmer on Wednesday.

Two more cases of the same Covid sub-variant were reported in Jaipur on Thursday. One of them is a native of Jhunjhunu and another hails from Bharatpur, the statement added.

Covid news LIVE updates: Karnataka reports 24 fresh cases

Covid news LIVE updates: Karnataka on Thursday reported 24 fresh COVID-19 cases taking the cumulative figure since the outbreak of the virus to 40,89,174, the health department said. With the COVID recurring in some parts, the state government intensified tests.

Covid news LIVE updates: JN.1 sub variant in Goa: 19 samples found, all old, inactive cases, says health official

Covid news LIVE updates: The JN.1 sub variant of COVID-19 was found in 19 samples that were tested over a period of time, but these are old cases and are no longer active, a top health official said on Thursday.

The first case of this variant was found in Kerala on December 8, after which the Centre urged states and union territories to maintain constant vigil, including monitoring and reporting district-wise cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) in all health facilities regularly for early detection.

“All the 19 circumstances of JN.1 sub variant traced in Goa aren’t energetic. They are previous circumstances and have crossed the window interval. This variant was discovered throughout genome sequencing of samples collected from sufferers,” state epidemiologist Dr Prashant Suryavanshi told PTI.

Covid news LIVE updates: ‘No plan to make Covid testing mandatory at airports as of now’, says health ministry sources

Covid news LIVE updates: There is no plan so far to make RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 mandatory at airports for travellers, Union health ministry sources said on Thursday, amid an uptick in coronavirus infections in India.

Even though the number of cases is rising and the JN.1 sub-variant has been detected in the country, there is no cause of immediate concern as 92 per cent of those infected are opting for home-based treatment, indicating mild illness, they said.

There is also no increase in hospitalisation rates and COVID-19 is an incidental finding in people hospitalised due to other medical conditions.

Covid news LIVE updates: JN.1 variant is fast spreading; vulnerable for older people with multiple comorbidities: Health expert

IMA COVID Task Force Dr Rajeev Jayadevan said that the new strain can be problematic for people of old age and those with multiple comorbidities.

“JN.1 is a fast-spreading variant, it may go into the subsequent tier of the inhabitants, which is the susceptible age group, older folks and likewise folks with a number of comorbidities. In such people, their underlying situations can destabilise and will outcome of their hospitalisation and issues after that,” the health expert said. He said a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases has been seen from November.

Dr Jayadevan said that, however, people, suffering from COVID-19, are not requiring the need to be hospitalised.

“Fortunately, most of those individuals are not requiring hospitalisation that is as a result of a lot of the COVID circumstances at the moment are occurring within the people who find themselves travelling and who’re properly sufficient to go to work,” he said.

“Many folks confuse COVID for the widespread chilly. It’s very totally different, COVID-19 can have an effect on the well being of our blood vessels, particularly if it comes time and again. So whereas we are able to get widespread colds time and again,” he explained

The health expert also said that it’s better to take precautions rather than getting COVID-19 infection.

“COVID-19 is greatest prevented, even when the preliminary signs are delicate. The reported numbers will likely be an underestimate as a result of little or no testing is definitely occurring,” he mentioned.

Covid news LIVE updates: JN.1 Covid variant: Experts allay fears, cite low public health risk

The emergence of the JN.1 Covid variant and India reporting 21 cases is neither surprising nor particularly worrying, say scientists, allaying fears but also advising adherence to existing precautionary measures.

The announcement on Wednesday about the increasing numbers of the new sub-variant, detected in three states, came as the Union Health Ministry reported a spike in cases. On Thursday, the count was 594 new coronavirus infections, marginally lower than Wednesday’s 614, which was the highest daily count since May 21.

As panic spread and Covid came under the spotlight again, experts stepped in to say there is no need to panic – available treatments are effective, the infection is mild and all viruses mutate.

“As it happens with most respiratory viruses, including the influenza viruses, the circulating viruses keep changing. Therefore, a sub-variant of SARS CoV-2 is not a surprise at all,” Chandrakant Lahariya, a senior advisor doctor and public well being professional, instructed PTI.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is circulating in all settings, he mentioned.

Covid information LIVE updates: Former WHO chief advises precautions to keep away from an infection

Covid information LIVE updates: Dr Soumya Swaminathan has suggested precautions to keep away from an infection, “Avoid being in a very closed environment with very poor ventilation with toxic people without a mask. So do wear a mask if you’re in that type of very close setting because prolonged exposure to somebody infected increases the risk of infection,” she mentioned whereas chatting with information company ANI.

“Try to be in an open space rather than in most cases, have gatherings and now ventilated places today, entering into the season of gatherings,” mentioned Swaminathan.

“If you have some warning symptoms and signs like severe fatigue, prolonged fever or you’re feeling breathless, visit the hospital,” she mentioned.

Covid information LIVE updates: ‘Need to be cautious, not panic’: Dr Soumya Swaminathan on new Covid variant scare

Amid the rising new JN.1 Covid-19 variant scare, former World Health Organisation (WHO) chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan asserted that there isn’t any have to panic presently as it’s a variant of curiosity and never of concern.

However, she urged folks to be cautious by taking correct precautionary measures.

Speaking to ANI solely, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former DG, of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) mentioned, “We need to be cautious, but we don’t need to worry because we don’t have any data to suggest that this variant JN.1 is more severe or it’s going to cause more pneumonia, more death.”

“I think what we need to do is try to take the normal preventive measures that we are all now familiar with. We were familiar with Omicron, so it’s the same family. So not much has changed, but 1 or 2 new mutations have come up. And that’s why I think WHO has said let’s keep a watch on it. It’s a variant of interest. It’s not a variant of concern,” mentioned the physician.