K’taka health minister holds emergency meeting after two Covid deaths in Kerala

BENGALURU: Covid seems to be spreading again around the world, including India with a steady increase in cases. A new subvariant of the Corona virus JN-1 (JN.1), which was found in America, Britain, China and France, has now been traced in India.

The first case was detected in neighbouring Kerala. The JN.1 is an  Omicron subvariant of the BA 2.86 and is also known as pirola. How dangerous it is, or not, is yet to be determined, but it is spreading fast all over. An 80-year-old man recently succumbed to Covid in Kerala’s Kannur, becoming the second casualty. A few days earlier, a woman had died after contracting Covid.

It has come to my notice that a deceased person has tested positive for COVID. We are monitoring the situation very closely, considering the rising cases in Kerala. To ensure preparedness, held a meeting with the health department today at Vikas Soudha.

All the district… pic.twitter.com/G8vIvtETod

— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) December 16, 2023

This is the second death in the last two days, which is cause for concern. The wearing of masks has been made mandatory in public places in Kannur’s Panoor. Many restrictions are also being imposed on public gatherings. Following this, the state government is also on alert. Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao held an emergency meeting and directed officials to take necessary precautionary measures. He said there is no cause for panic as of now.