Telangana Government Issues Alert on JN.1 Sub-Variant of Coronavirus; Hospitals Advised to Take Precautions
The Telangana government has issued a statewide alert to all hospitals, urging heightened vigilance in response to the emergence of the new JN.1 sub-variant of the coronavirus. Additionally, an advisory has been released to guide medical facilities on necessary precautions.
Dr. M Raja Rao, the Additional Director of Medical Education (DME) and Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital in Telangana, emphasized the importance of monitoring individuals with influenza-like illness or severe acute respiratory symptoms. The directive includes increased testing, isolation protocols, mandatory mask-wearing, and ensuring ready access to medication.
Gandhi Hospital, well-equipped to handle the new sub-variant, reassured the public that there are currently no reported cases of JN.1 in Telangana. Dr. Rao affirmed the hospital’s preparedness, assuring that resources such as beds, medication, and equipment are readily available.
In an appeal to the public, Dr. Rao underscored the need for caution, particularly among individuals with comorbidities, the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions. He recommended the adherence to preventive measures such as wearing masks, maintaining hand hygiene, and practicing social distancing, especially in crowded places.
Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government is on high alert regarding the JN.1 sub-variant and has issued its advisory. In Karnataka, the government has mandated compulsory mask-wearing for individuals over 60 years, those with heart and kidney diseases, and those experiencing symptoms such as fever, phlegm, and colds, amid concerns over the JN.1 subvariant.
The JN.1 subvariant was first detected in the United States in September 2023, and one death has been reported in Kerala where the variant was recently identified. The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged the evolving nature of the virus and urged member states to maintain robust surveillance and sequence sharing in response to the surge in respiratory diseases and the emergence of new COVID subvariants.
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