Article Today, Delhi:
The COVID-19 pandemic, which many believed had disappeared, is now making a worrying return across India in a new form. With the rise in fresh cases in certain states, the Central Government has issued alerts and urged all state governments to remain cautious. Health experts are warning people to stay vigilant as new variants of the virus have been identified.
Experts Identify New Variants
According to experts from the Indian Genomics Consortium, two new variants of COVID-19—NB.1.8.1 and LF.7—have been detected in the country. Apart from these, cases of the JN.1 variant are also being reported. With the emergence of these variants, the Union Health Ministry has advised states to prepare hospitals with necessary facilities to handle any potential surge in cases.
Current Situation Across States
Among the affected states, Kerala has reported the highest number of cases with 273, followed by Tamil Nadu with 66, Maharashtra with 56, Karnataka with 36, and Delhi with 23 cases. So far, five deaths have been reported in connection with COVID-related symptoms. These include a 21-year-old man in Thane, Maharashtra, and an 84-year-old man in Bengaluru. However, official confirmation on the cause of death is still awaited.
No Need to Panic, But Be Cautious
The central government has put all states on alert due to the rising number of COVID cases. It has asked them to take proactive measures and prepare healthcare infrastructure accordingly. Despite the increasing numbers, the Union Health Ministry stated that most of the affected individuals are showing only mild symptoms and are recovering at home. Hence, there is no reason for panic. Still, experts are urging people to follow basic precautions like maintaining personal hygiene, wearing masks, and practicing physical distancing to prevent the spread of infection.
