Nearly 3,000 active Covid cases in India, Kerala remains epicentre

India, much like many parts of the world, is currently grappling with a concerning surge in COVID-19 cases, with the active caseload getting to the 3,000 mark, as reported by the Union Health Ministry.

As of now, there are 2,997 active cases in India, with 328 new cases reported on Wednesday, December 20.

Nationwide statistics

• According to recent Health Ministry data, the active cases rose from 2,669 to 2,997 in a day, with one reported death in Kerala.
• The case fatality rate stands at 1.18%, and 10 states and one Union Territory, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, and Puducherry, witnessed a rise in active cases.
• The sudden spike, attributed to the sub-variant JN.1, has triggered increased numbers, particularly in Kerala, where the variant was first detected in India.

However, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya assured, "The situation is a cause for vigilance, but there is no need for panic.

Kerala's

• Kerala, the epicentre of the current surge, recorded 265 new cases in the past 24 hours.
• The JN.1 variant, classified as a "variant of interest" by the World Health Organisation (WHO), has now seen 21 reported cases across the nation.
• "The patients have shown mild symptoms and have not required hospitalization," a Kerala Covid task force official told India Today.

Maharashtra

• Maharashtra reported its first case of the JN.1 sub-variant in Sindhudurg, with the patient having a travel history from Goa.
• Despite the rise, the patient successfully recovered without complications.

Bihar

• Two individuals in Bihar's Patna were tested positive.
• Only after genome sequencing, it would be clear if the infections are caused by the new JN.1 variant.

Testing challenges and concerns

• With daily testing in Maharashtra hovering around 500, the state faces challenges in differentiating COVID-19 patients amid the rise in seasonal infection cases.
• Limited RT-PCR testing is prompting healthcare professionals to rely on their expertise in screening for the virus.
• "Even with the spike, 92.8% of cases are in home isolation, indicating mild illness," said Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant.