JN.1 subvariant spreads quickly, wear masks in crowded places: Minister Dinesh Gundurao

BENGALURU: Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundurao on Wednesday said the JN.1 subvariant of the novel coronavirus spreads rapidly and behaves like the Omicron variant, but is not dangerous. The JN.1 subvariant was first detected in August and there has been an increase in the number of cases since August. So far, about 20 cases have been detected across the country, he said.

Addressing the media after a meeting with Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, along with health ministers from all states, Union Territories, and key officials, he said a meeting will be held with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tomorrow and advised citizens to wear masks in crowded places. In Bengaluru, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will make arrangements for home isolation of the primary contacts of patients and the civic body has already been given necessary instructions, he said.

Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao and other officials at the virtual meeting with Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday.

The minister said, “Karnataka has been conducting the highest number of tests in the country and on Tuesday, 772 tests were conducted. The health officials have been advised to trace severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) cases, he noted.

“According to the Centre, Covid is on the rise in 36 countries and they advised on isolation of patients and ensuring oxygen supply. Since the cost of maintaining ventilators is rising, we have sought central assistance. The Kerala health minister informed that there have been five deaths in that state so far”, he said.

The minister said no guidelines were given by the Centre and only inquiries about treatment were made at the meeting. “There is no plan to impose curbs on New Year celebrations for now. We will conduct more tests and if there is a rise in the number by Saturday, we will decide on the next course of action. There is no change in the quarantine rule for patients and it will continue to be for 10 days. The primary contacts of patients will have to be in home isolation”, he said.

Earlier, Dinesh Gundurao and other officials briefed the central team about the number of active cases, steps suggested by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and preparedness in hospitals. The minister also sought the Centre’s support in view of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in neighbouring Kerala. “The state may need more ventilators, drugs and medical kits. In case we need, we will seek central support”, he said.

Meanwhile, one person from Chamarajpet in the city, who had contracted Covid-19, died on December 14. He had been admitted to the Mallige Hospital for treatment of tuberculosis and chest disease and had comorbidities.

However, all the five members of his family have tested negative and are in isolation. The health authorities have sent his samples for genome sequencing as his CT value was 25 on the day he died. The BBMP expects to get the report in the next five days.

Medical experts have suggested ramping up testing in view of the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations and have expressed apprehension of a further increase in the number of cases after January 10. The number of active cases were just four in the first week of November, which jumped to 44 in the second week and 80 by the end of that month as testing was reduced, they pointed out.

If 5,000 tests are conducted daily in the state, a large picture about the rise in cases after January 10 will be known. If there is a rise in the number of positive cases after a week, the Covid rules should be reviewed, they felt.

The Health Department will also meet next week to review the situation and introduce some preventive measures if necessary. These may include making wearing of masks compulsory at large gatherings, maintaining social distance between tables at pubs and bars, use of sanitisers at public places, reducing the duration of celebrations and raising awareness. For now, the authorities are adopting a wait-and-watch approach.