COVID-19 News Update: India Sees 774 Fresh Cases, 2 Deaths; 619 Cases Of JN.1 Recorded So Far

With a jump of 774 new COVID cases in a single day, the total active caseload in India has reached 4,187 as of January 6, 2024, as per the information available on the website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Two deaths have been reported in the country in the last 24 hours, one each from Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

Until Friday (December 5), daily cases remained in double digits, however, the sudden jump is seen due to cold weather conditions and the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, JN.1.

According to the health ministry website Kerala is the top contributor to the rising cases with a caseload of 1160 as 89 new cases were reported in the state since yesterday. Meanwhile, Kerala's neighboring state Karnataka has reported 81 fresh cases, taking the total caseload to 1159. Maharashtra has the third highest number of active COVID cases at 931. Active cases in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh stand at 126, 188, 138, and 113.

According to a PTI report quoting official sources, after December 5, the highest single-day jump of 841 cases was reported on December 31, 2023, which was 0.2% of the peak cases reported in May 2021.

At present, more than 92% of the active cases are recovering under home isolation. Data shows that the JN.1 variant is not causing a significant surge in new cases or hospitalizations and deaths.

As of January 4, the number of cases of Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 reported from 12 states stood at 619. Around 199 cases were reported from Karnataka, 148 from Kerala, 110 from Maharashtra, 47 from Goa, 36 from Gujarat, 30 from Andhra Pradesh, 26 from Tamil Nadu, 15 from Delhi, 4 from Rajasthan 2 from Telangana and one each from Odisha and Haryana.

States and Union territories have been asked to remain vigilant in the wake of an increase in COVID cases and the identification of the JN.1 sub-variant within the country.

WHO directives to control the spread of COVID-19 virus:

• Maintain a physical distance of at least 1 meter from others and avoid crowded gatherings.
• Wear a properly fitted mask when physical distancing is not possible, particularly in poorly ventilated settings.
• Clean hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Cover mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue while coughing or sneezing.
• Dispose off used tissues immediately and clean hands regularly.