Karnataka detects 32 JN.1 cases, as active cases cross 4,100 nationally

This follows the Health Ministry's confirmation that 63 cases of the JN.1 Covid-19 sub-variant had been detected in India until December 24

India on Tuesday reported three deaths in Karnataka and 116 fresh cases across states, which increased the number of active cases in the country to 4,170, according to data updated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Karnataka on Tuesday confirmed 32 patients of the JN.1 Covid sub-variant, as the state reported 92 fresh cases to take its tally of active caseload to 432.

Speaking to the media, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that there were 34 cases of the JN.1 variant of Covid and that a majority of cases had been reported in Bengaluru. “We are advising people to maintain physical distancing,” he added.

This comes after the Union health ministry had confirmed 63 cases of JN.1 Covid-19 sub-variant being identified in India till December 24.

The country has recorded 24 deaths since December 18. Of these, Kerala has witnessed 16 deaths, followed by Karnataka with six deaths, and Punjab and Rajasthan with one casualty each.

Kerala witnessed a drop in active cases on Tuesday, with the state recording zero fresh cases in the last 24 hours. The state reported that 232 patients were discharged till Tuesday morning, taking the state’s active case tally to 3,096.

This is a drop of 32 cases as compared to the 3,128 reported on Monday. Kerala still accounts for 74 per cent of the national active caseload.

Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu saw minimal rise in fresh cases, with active caseload reaching 168 and 139 respectively.

Several state governments have now issued advisories to local administrations to increase testing in view of the upcoming festival season. The Himachal Pradesh health department issued an advisory to the chief medical officers in the state to test patients with Covid-like symptoms and take necessary precautions.

The Delhi government has advised people to wear masks and avoid gatherings amid the fresh rise in coronavirus infections and the upcoming New Year celebrations.

Fourteen states and Union Territories have reported zero Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours.