New Delhi, December 31 (IANS): As cases of the new Omicron subvariant JN.1 continue to rise globally, including in India, many people are worried that a new coronavirus wave will occur early next year and that things will return to normal. There are growing concerns that it could derail the plan. Are these fears real?
India recorded 743 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours (as of Saturday). The total number of active infections rose by seven to reach 3,997, according to the Federal Ministry of Health.
A total of 162 cases of JN.1 infection have been reported in India so far, with Kerala having the highest number of cases at 83.
With this, the total number of coronavirus cases in India since the outbreak in January 2020 has reached 45,012,484. The death toll due to the coronavirus infection in India has increased to 533,358 with seven deaths in the last 24 hours.
Globally, cases of JN.1 have been reported from the United States, some European countries, Singapore, and China.
WHO’s COVID-19 technical lead Maria van Kerkhove said on Saturday that hospitalizations and ICU admissions due to the coronavirus had increased by 35 per cent in the last month from a limited number of reporting countries.
“SARS-CoV-2, influenza and other respiratory pathogens continue to increase. Take steps to protect yourself from infection,” she advised.
Kerkhof said that although the number of JN.1 detections continues to rise, the important thing is that the coronavirus infection is widespread in all countries.
“You can protect yourself from infections and serious illness. Masks, ventilation, testing, treatment and vaccination: booster shots every 6-12 months depending on your risk group,” she told X Posted.
The JN.1 COVID-19 variant is more contagious and contagious compared to other variants, according to Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It means.
But “the public health risk is still low because we all have immunity now, thanks to vaccines and previous natural infections,” she says.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a separate “variant of interest” given its rapidly growing prevalence, but it is still a variant of concern for global public health. He said the risk was “low.”
Dr. Ishwar Gilada, a consultant at the Unison Medicare Research Center for Infectious Diseases in Mumbai, said JN.1 does not need to worry the public until it becomes a “variant of concern” (VoC).
“India has managed the COVID-19 pandemic much better than many powerful countries. India has been one of the best countries in vaccinating against COVID-19, with 75 per cent of the population fully vaccinated. 35 per cent have received the booster shot (third dose),” he told IANS.
The third wave, organized by Omicron variants primarily using the BA.2 subvariant, infected the majority of the population with minimal morbidity and mortality.
“In fact, BA.2 was a savior for India from the infections caused by descendants of BA.2 like BA.4 and BA.5 and BA.2.86 (pilora). India is also much better prepared. India is supporting more than 50 countries in Africa and other regions with medicines and vaccines,” he added.
JN.1 was identified in Luxembourg in August 2023 and is currently present in more than 40 countries without causing significant morbidity or significant mortality.
“Worldwide, only people with co-morbidities are dying. In India, there is no cluster of infections due to JN.1 and it is not yet the dominant strain of coronavirus. , there will be no increase in demand for beds, ICU beds or ventilators,” Dr. Gilada said.
Experts urge the elderly, people with severe co-morbidities and people going to crowded places to wear masks.
“People with certain comorbidities face an increased risk of severe outcomes and increased mortality from COVID-19,” said Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Primus Super Specialty Hospital. Dr. Vikas Chopra told IANS.
“Common comorbidities associated with a higher risk of death include cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and coronary artery disease, chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, obesity, and a weakened immune system. included,” Dr. Chopra said.
