COVID-19 News: Why Southern States in India Are Panicking! First Few Cases Of JN.1 Variants In Kerala And Karnataka Had Died! JN.1 Could Be Lethal To Indians!

COVID-19 News: It seems that many cover-ups are gradually coming to light as to what has been really happening in Kerala and Karnataka and why state officials in many of the Southern States in India are panicking and imposing stringent COVID-19 measures.


Indians Dying From JN.1
 
There are speculations that the first few COVID-19 deaths in Kerala this month were actually JN.1 infections and the same goes for the first death cases reported in Karnataka state.
https://www.news18.com/india/karnataka-covid-19-death-news-jn-1-pneumonia-8711020.html
 
Another 3 COVID-19 deaths reported in Kerala in the last 24 hours were also possibly JN.1 infections.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fresh-covid-19-cases-deaths-kerala-9075569/
 
Some researchers and local experts are speculating that perhaps Indians have a higher risk for disease severity and mortality when infected with the JN.1 variant or its spawns. This is not unexpected as the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been known to increase risk of mortality and disease severity in individuals with certain gene variants and even HLA variants predominant in certain races and ethnic groups influences COVID-19 outcomes. Perhaps the JN.1 variant had evolved to target certain genes and HLA variants that are predominant in Indians or maybe it was even lab generated to do so!
 
However further urgent research is needed to validate if Indians are indeed more susceptible to higher risk of disease severity or mortality as a result of infection with the JN.1 variant.
 
Researchers, experts and doctors are now also asking for more details from Kerala health authorities about reports released to the media by these officials claiming that the first person found in the state that was supposedly a woman in her late 70s who only suffered mild symptom. Some are speculating that the story covered in a various local COVID-19 News coverages was possibly fake!
 
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/171223/kerala-health-minister-allays-fears-over-new-covid-variant.html
 
Questions are also being raised about the actual COVID-19 infections rates in Kerala as it some believe that the actual numbers infected are much more than reported as some hospitals are starting to feel the strain.
 
Meanwhile, state governments from various Southern states in India re not taking any chances and have starting issuing mandatory masking for various ages groups and also compulsory masking in certain venues and started introducing stringent COVID-19 measures.
comes-mandatory-for-people-above-60-in-karnataka-as-covid-cases-rise-in-neighbouring-kerala/videoshow/106111968.cms">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/toi-original/breaking-mask-becomes-mandatory-for-people-above-60-in-karnataka-as-covid-cases-rise-in-neighbouring-kerala/videoshow/106111968.cms
 
COVID-19 Infections And Deaths Rising In India. 19 new JN.1 Sequences Detected In Goa And One Each In Kerala And Maharashtra
As the global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic continues, India is grappling with a resurgence of cases, marking the highest number of new infections since May 21. The Union Health Minister has issued directives to states to closely monitor emerging strains, particularly as 21 cases of the JN.1 sub-variant have been identified in Goa, Kerala, and Maharashtra.
 
In the past 24 hours alone, India has reported a concerning spike of 614 new coronavirus infections. The surge prompted the Union Health Minister to emphasize the importance of monitoring emerging strains. This surge in cases is especially alarming as it represents the highest number of new cases recorded in the country since May 21.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/covid-19-updates-india-new-strains-coronavirus-9075970/
 
https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/meeting-health-ministry-covid-cases-subvariant-jn1-kerala-active-caseload-deaths-2478174-2023-12-20
 
Maharashtra, one of the hardest-hit states, not only confirmed one case of the JN.1 sub-variant but also reported 14 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. The latest data from the Union Health Ministry, updated as of 8 am Wednesday, indicates that India now has 2,311 active cases. Unfortunately, three new deaths have been reported in Kerala, bringing the overall death toll to a staggering 5.33 lakh, with a total COVID case tally of 4.50 crore.
 
Kerala stands out with the highest spike in total active cases, reporting 292 new cases in the past 24 hours. Following closely are Tamil Nadu with 13 new cases, Maharashtra with 11 new cases, and Karnataka with 9 new cases. Telangana and Puducherry reported 4 new cases each, while Delhi and Gujarat recorded 3 new cases. Additionally, Goa and Punjab each reported 1 new case, according to the ministry data.
 
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has identified 20 cases of the Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 across the country. Out of these, 18 cases were traced in Goa, and one case each was reported in Kerala and Maharashtra.

JN.1, previously categorized as a variant of interest (VOI) within the BA.2.86 sublineages by the World Health Organization (WHO), was reclassified as a separate "variant of interest" on Tuesday due to its increased spread.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-covid-19-news-who-declares-sars-cov-2-jn-1-strain-as-variant-of-interests-and-admits-that-it-is-more-transmissible
 
However, the WHO has reassured that, despite this reclassification, JN.1 is still categorized as "low" on the global public health risk scale.
 
In response to the escalating situation, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya conducted a high-level review meeting with states, emphasizing the critical need to review emerging strains of the virus. Post-meeting, Minister Mandaviya reassured the public that there is no need to panic. On X (formerly known as Twitter), he shared, "We need to be on the alert but there is no need to panic," while directing officials to strengthen the surveillance system for whole-genome sequencing of positive case samples through the INSACOG network to ensure timely detection of newer variants.
https://twitter.com/mansukhmandviya/status/1737351576145248532
 
Amid the surge, a worrying development has been reported in Indore, where two members of a family who returned from Maldives tested positive for COVID-19. Their samples have been sent for genome sequencing to determine the variant. This occurrence underscores the urgency for robust surveillance and monitoring as new variants emerge.
 
As India faces this resurgence, proactive measures and continued vigilance are essential to curb the spread of the virus and protect public health. The Union Health Minister's emphasis on monitoring emerging strains and strengthening the surveillance system reflects the government's commitment to staying ahead of the evolving threat posed by the virus.
 
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.

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(Note only after this coverage, India in the next 24 hours admitted to having JN.1 variant!)