Active Covid-19 cases in India have surpassed the 4,000-mark, with a reported one death in Kerala, according to the Union Health Ministry on Monday.
Sixty-three cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 were reported in the country till Sunday, including 34 detected in Goa.
The rise in cases coincides with concerns over the emergence of sub-variant JN.1. Kerala, where JN.1 was first identified, recorded the highest number of active cases (128) in a single day, pushing the national death toll to 5,33,334. In the last 24 hours, 315 people recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 4.44 crore.
India saw a single-day rise of 628 new coronavirus cases while the number of active cases went up to 4,054, the Union health ministry said on Monday.
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WHO has classified JN.1 as a variant of interest following its rapid global spread. In recent weeks, JN.1 was reported in multiple countries, and its prevalence has been rapidly increasing globally.
Covid cases in Maharashtra
Thane city has reported five cases of JN.1 variant of coronavirus out of 20 samples tested since November 30, an official said on Sunday.
The number of active COVID-19 cases in the city is 28. While two of them are being treated at hospitals, the rest are recovering at their homes, he said.
"A total of 20 samples were sent for COVID-19 testing since November 30 this year and five of them returned positive for the JN.1 variant," the civic official said.
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The patients infected with the JN.1 variant include a woman. None of them are hospitalised.
Meanwhile, Thane Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar and his Navi Mumbai counterpart Rajesh Narvekar held meetings with senior officials and reviewed preparedness.
Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Bansode instructed health officials to ensure the availability of medical equipment in government hospitals.
Covid cases so far in India
On Sunday, India reported 656 fresh Covid-19 cases and four deaths, increasing the active cases to 3,742.
The death toll reached 5,33,333, with one new death in Kerala. INSACOG Chief Dr NK Arora stated that no additional vaccine dose is currently needed against the JN.1 subvariant.
The Union Health Ministry has no plans for travel advisories or mandatory testing at airports. Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik assured citizens about the latest wave, stating the country has successfully fought the disease before.
The WHO urged South-East Asian countries to strengthen surveillance due to increasing respiratory diseases, including the JN.1 sub-variant.
Kerala reported 128 fresh infections, contributing to the nationwide total of 334 active cases.
Odisha recorded one Covid-19 case in the past 24 hours, and the Mizoram government called for adherence to Covid-appropriate behavior during the Christmas-New Year season, citing an increase in JN.1 sub-variant cases. Bihar directed increased RT-PCR testing at airports, including Patna, Gaya, and Darbhanga.
