"No JN.1 cases detected in State"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 26 2023: With a fresh wave of Covid hitting some States, the State has taken up safety measures at several places including Imphal Airport to prevent the spread of JN.1 sub-variant of coronavirus, said Health Director Dr Kh Sasheekumar Mangang.

Addressing the media at Lamphelpat today, Dr Sasheekumar continued that not a single case of JN.1 variant has been detected in Manipur and there is no need to panic even if some get infected.

The JN.1 sub-variant has been termed a variant of interest by WHO.

He said that there is an outbreak of the new variant of coronavirus in some countries such as Singapore, Russia, Italy, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, United States etc.

The Health Director further said that there is an outbreak of pneumonia.

Saying that JN.1 came from Omicron lineage, Dr Sasheekumar maintained that cases of JN.1 have been detected in some States of the country too.

Manipur, however, hasn't witnessed any case of Covid infection caused by JN.1 variant, he informed and added that the latest case of Covid in Manipur was detected on December 4 and the person didn't show any symptom and recuperated only in five days.

He went on to state that the Health Department has been working throughout the year to prevent the outbreak of Covid though the infection rate has slowed down considerably.

Saying that they have tested 130 samples since December 4 and none of them turned out Covid positive, Dr Sasheekumar continued that the State doesn't have any case of coronavirus now.

People, however, have to take precaution as the sub-variant of Covid can reach Manipur anytime through flight passengers or those who take the highways regularly, he cautioned.

There is no need to panic even if the State sees some cases of Covid as the Health Department has taken up adequate preventive measures, Dr Sasheekumar said.

Maintaining that the mortality rate of the JN.1 sub-variant is low but spread at a fast pace, the Health Director said that hospitalisation rate of the new variant is also very low .

Saying that majority of the people in Manipur has the immune to fight coronavirus as the State has already been hit by three waves of Covid pandemic and as most of them have been vaccinated, Dr Sasheekumar maintained that the severity will be less even if the State sees new wave of Covid.

He then appealed to follow Covid appropriate behaviour such as wearing face mask (N-95) whenever possible, maintaining social distance, and covering their mouths while coughing.

Dr Sasheekumar cautioned that Covid infections will be more severe to those who have a kidney and heart ailments and those living with HIV, and as such they must take extra precaution.

Stating that a medical team has been stationed at Imphal Airport, he added that the team will test those who come from infected areas in south India and are suspected to have been infected by coronavirus.

He appealed to all flight passengers to come out voluntarily and do the test if they show symptoms of Covid.

Further stating that they collect the details of those coming from south India on flights and put them under surveillance for seven to 14 days, Dr Sasheekumar maintained that the medical teams at Jiribam, Mao, Keithelmanbi etc have also been advised to stay alert.

Saying that they however cannot take up proper safety measures at Churachandpur despite sharing border with Mizoram which was among the most severely affected States in North East during the previous waves of Covid, he added that they are monitoring what measures the Mizoram Government have taken up to prevent Covid outbreak.

He further stated that the State has enough stock of oxygen in case there is a new wave of Covid, while announcing that a Helpline number will be made public soon.

National Health Mission Director Dr Somorjit also attended the press briefing, among others.

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