National Desk, 16th December: India recorded 312 fresh cases of the COVID-19 subvariant JN.1, with 280 cases originating from Kerala, a state experiencing an uptick in cases. The data, based on 17,605 tests conducted in the preceding 24 hours, reveals a sudden surge in Kerala’s COVID-19 cases.
Kerala reported two fatalities this month, with 470 cases in November and 825 new cases in the first ten days of December alone, making it the highest in the country during this period. As of Thursday, the state has 1,104 active COVID-19 cases. Most cases are identified among hospitalized patients with respiratory symptoms, testing negative for H1N1 but positive for COVID-19.
Dr. Sunny P. Orathel, a medical superintendent at a state hospital, noted that symptoms persist for a month or two, exacerbated by atmospheric pollution and climate change rather than the virus itself. The JN.1 variant, first identified in Europe in August 2023, is reported to be more contagious and can evade vaccine immunity. The Kerala government may introduce precautionary measures in high-risk areas if the rise in cases continues.
Read More: Indian National Congress Launches Online Crowdfunding Initiative ‘Donate for this’