Concerns have been raised over the emergence of the new variant of the Coronavirus disease. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has held a high-level meeting to assess the current status and preparedness for COVID-19.
The new Coronavirus variant has raised concerns, but a Kerala-based health expert stated on Wednesday that COVID is like any other communicable disease and cannot be eliminated, adding that the strike rate has dropped.
“COVID is like other communicable diseases that cannot be eliminated. However, the illness strike has decreased, and mortality has decreased. Dr. Sreejith N Kumar told a news agency that it is now like any other cold or flu.
Dr. Kumar added that Kerala doctors are on “alert mode” and searching and surveiling after the JN.1 COVID variant was found.
We should monitor the issue for health reasons. We’re not worried. “The situation is being monitored,” he said.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday to review the COVID-19 situation in India and the public health system’s preparedness for surveillance, containment, and management given the recent spike in cases in some states.
Mandaviya stressed the significance of being aware of new COVID-19 strains throughout the discussion.”It is important to be alert and prepared against new and emerging strains of the COVID-19 virus,” said Mandaviya.
The Union Health Minister advised states to stay alert, improve monitoring, and stock up on medications, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, ventilators, and vaccines.
Mandaviya advised, “Let us undertake mock drills once every three months at both the central and state levels and share best practices.” He also asked states to raise awareness, manage the disease, and spread accurate information.
The Union Health Minister requested States and UTs to exchange real-time case, test, and positivity data on the COVID portal for timely assessment and public health measures. All Centre support was assured to the states.
Mandaviya advised states to monitor symptoms and case severity to organize a public health response.
To track novel variants, he recommended States and UTs to send samples of all COVID-19-positive patients to INSACOG labs.
In the last two weeks, 16 deaths have been reported, all in those with comorbidities; 92% of cases are at home, JN.1 confirmed in Kerala; and from other states, 21 cases from Goa, etc.
According to the Union Health Ministry, Kerala had 292 COVID cases before 8 am on Wednesday, Delhi and Gujarat had 3, Karnataka had 9, Telangana and Puducherry 4, Tamil Nadu 13, and Maharashtra 11.
Since the epidemic began in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has reported 5,33,321 deaths and 2,311 active COVID cases.
Conclusion
Dr. Sreejith N Kumar, a Kerala-based health specialist, advises keeping vigilant for new COVID-19 strains because the disease is like any other infectious disease that cannot be eradicated. Lower disease strike and mortality rates have been observed. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, chaired a high-level meeting to assess India’s COVID-19 situation and public health system readiness for surveillance, containment, and management. Mandaviya advised states to stay alert, improve monitoring, and stock up on medications, oxygen cylinders, ventilators, and vaccines. He also asked states to raise awareness, manage the disease, and spread accurate information. The Union Health Minister requested states to communicate case, test, and positivity data and transmit COVID-19-positive samples to INSACOG labs for variant tracking.
