On Tuesday, Karnataka’s Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, announced that individuals testing positive for Covid-19 in the state will be required to undergo a week of home quarantine. This decision followed the identification of 36 cases of the JN.1 variant of the virus in the state, as reported by the Technical Advisory Committee. Currently, there are 436 active Covid-19 cases, with those testing positive placed under home isolation and closely monitored by health officials.
Minister Rao emphasized the importance of individuals with Covid-19 staying home for a week and issued orders for both government and private organizations to grant leave to affected individuals unable to go to work due to the virus. Despite the overall increase in Covid-19 cases, Rao reported only seven deaths in the state, three of which were confirmed cases of the JN.1 variant.
Out of 60 samples sent for genome sequencing, 34 were identified as the JN.1 variant, along with another variant, JN.1.1. Minister Rao reassured the public, stating that while the variant is new, there is no need for panic, as the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified it as a variant of interest without indicating it is dangerous.
Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered an inspection of Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in the state and emphasized the availability of oxygen supply and Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) to prevent shortages.
Of the 436 positive cases, approximately 400 are in home isolation, and seven are in ICUs. The state government is securing additional resources, including the procurement of four oxygen containers and requesting 30,000 additional precautionary vaccines from the central government.
In the latest health bulletin, Karnataka reported 74 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths with comorbidities. Notably, 34 cases of the JN.1 variant were detected, with Bengaluru city reporting the highest number.
Despite the rise in cases, Minister Rao assured that there would be no restrictions on New Year celebrations in Bengaluru and other parts of the state, urging the public to take necessary precautions in crowded places. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar echoed this sentiment, stating that while people need to be careful, there is no need to panic, and business activities will continue without restrictions.
