00:00 Following the identification of the initial case of the coronavirus sub-variant JN.1 in
00:07 Kerala, several states in the country have witnessed a rise in COVID cases.
00:12 In Sikog, the central government's consortium of laboratories has detected 19 sequences
00:18 of the JN.1 sub-variant, a descendant of BA.2.86, 1 in Maharashtra and 18 in Goa.
00:26 India recorded its highest daily count of new coronavirus infections since May 21, with
00:32 614 reported cases, as per the updated data from the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday.
00:38 The active cases have surged to 2,311.
00:42 The death toll reached 5,33,321, including three deaths reported from Kerala in the past
00:49 24 hours.
00:50 Within the span of 24 hours, Kerala registered 292 fresh COVID infections and three deaths,
00:57 contributing to the nationwide count.
00:59 Among the 341 new COVID infections reported across the country on Wednesday, the majority
01:04 originated in Kerala.
01:06 This brings the total number of active cases in India to 2,311, as per information from
01:11 the ministry website.
01:13 Notably, the three new deaths reported in Kerala add to the total of 72,056 COVID-related
01:19 fatalities in the state since the outbreak began three years ago.
01:23 The total tally of deaths related to COVID-19 infections stands at 5,33,321, while the number
01:30 of discharged persons is at 4,44,70,346.
01:36 Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday held a high-level review meeting
01:41 with representatives of all states and Union territories on the preparedness of health
01:45 services in the backdrop of the recent upsurge in COVID cases in various states.
01:49 Speaking at the meeting, Mandaviya said, "It is time to work together with the whole of
01:53 government approach.
01:55 We need to be on the alert, but there is no need to panic.
01:58 It's important to be prepared with mock drills of hospital preparedness, increased surveillance
02:02 and effective communication with people.
02:05 A mock drill should be done in all hospitals once every three months.
02:09 I assure all the support of the Centre to States.
02:12 Health is not an area of politics."
02:14 The World Health Organization has conveyed that symptoms associated with the new COVID
02:18 variant are generally of mild to moderate severity.
02:21 Designated as a variant of interest by the United Nations Health Organization, the COVID
02:26 strain's symptoms may include fever, a runny nose, sore throat and headaches.
02:30 Most individuals affected by this variant display mild upper respiratory symptoms, with
02:35 noticeable improvement usually occurring within four to five days.
02:39 In rare cases, individuals infected with the JN.1 variant may also experience gastrointestinal
02:44 issues leading to changes in digestive health, according to information from the WHO.
03:02 [MUSIC PLAYING]
Comments