Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense Crime, Digital Desk : India is currently experiencing a significant and rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, prompting health authorities across the country to heighten their state of alert. In the last 24 hours alone, the nation recorded 1,573 new infections, causing the number of active cases to surge by 1,327, bringing the total to 7,383.
This recent wave is largely attributed to the spread of the JN.1 sub-variant, a new descendant of the Omicron strain. While the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a "variant of interest," it has also stated that it currently poses a "low" risk to global public health.
Tragically, the latest data also includes 10 new fatalities. The deaths were reported from several states, with four in Kerala, two in Karnataka, and one each in Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Haryana. This brings India's total death toll since the beginning of the pandemic to 5,33,485.
In response to the rising numbers, the central government has urged states to increase surveillance and maintain a high level of preparedness. Hospitals nationwide have been conducting mock drills to ensure their readiness to handle a potential influx of patients, checking on oxygen supplies, beds, and other critical resources. Health ministers are actively holding review meetings to monitor the situation closely.
States like Kerala and Karnataka, which are seeing a higher concentration of cases, are taking extra precautions, including advising the use of masks for vulnerable populations and ramping up testing.
Despite the concerning rise in active cases, India's overall health metrics show resilience. The country maintains a high recovery rate of 98.80%, with over 4.44 crore people having successfully recovered from the virus. Furthermore, the national vaccination drive has administered over 220.67 crore doses, providing a strong layer of protection to the population.
Health officials are advising the public not to panic but to remain cautious. They recommend returning to basic hygiene practices like regular handwashing, wearing masks in crowded places, and getting tested immediately if symptoms appear.
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