No JN 1 variant in state, follow guidelines: Health Dir
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 26 2023: While cases of the new JN.1 COVID variant has been detected in several countries and some states, no positive case has been found in Manipur.

Nonetheless, the government has taken up precautionary measures in this regard, health director Dr Sasheekumar Mangang has informed and appealed to the people to stay calm and continue following the COVID-19 guidelines.

Addressing a press meet held at the Medical Directorate, Lamphelpat on Tuesday, Dr Sasheekumar said that cases of the new JN.1 COVID variant across the world are on the rise.

In India's context, one per cent of the newly diagnosed COVID cases are found to be caused by the new variant.

However, as there are many who have not tested for the same, the government is keeping a close watch on the matter, confided the director.

He informed that while one COVID case was detected on December 4 this year, the patient has since recovered.

Since then, 130 samples have been tested but none returned positive till date.

Although JN.1 variant has not been detected in the state, the people should continue to be vigilant and follow COVID appropriate behaviour at all times, he urged.

Appealing to the people to stay calm, Dr Sasheekumar, however, stressed the need to stay vigilant.

Of the 100 people affected by the JN.1 variant, none would be in hospital as the variant is of mild nature and does not require hospitalisation.

The third wave of COVID has allowed the people to develop natural immunity to protect themselves from the variant.

On top of this, the vaccines have fended off around 48 per cent of the infection.

While the symptoms of JN.1 are not that much different from the previous variants, in JN.1 variant infection, the person will suffer from blocked nose, thereby obstructing their sense of smell.

The JN.1 variant has an infection rate of 86 per cent, which is much higher compared to the previous variants.

In India, 52 cases of JN.1 variant infection were detected within 29 days.

Although the situation is much more in control compared to the previous COVID waves, it is advised to continue maintain precautionary measures such as getting fully vaccinated and maintaining COVID appropriate behaviour, he said.

Mentioning the measures taken up by the government, Dr Sasheekumar informed that doctors, nurses and technician are already deployed at the airport.

The airport authority has begun identifying passengers who have arrived from COVID-affected zones, while the Health Department has taken up all the necessary measures in this regard.

In addition, COVID tests are being conducted, with the positive samples referred outside the state for genome sequencing.

Oxygen and concentrators are also in stock.

While the measures have been fully implemented in the valley, the CMOs in other districts headquarters have been instructed to take action.

The COVID helpline number will also be reactivated at the earliest, the director conveyed.

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