According to the latest news, Karnataka has reinstated 7-day isolation for COVID-19 patients. In this regard, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced that people testing positive for COVID-19 in the state will have to undergo a mandatory one-week home quarantine.
Following a meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee, he revealed that 36 people had tested positive for the JN.1 variant of COVID-19, contributing to the existing 436 active cases, and they were all managed through home isolation and closely monitored by health officials.
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Rao also asked people with COVID-19 to stay at home for a week, while urging the government and private entities to provide leave to those affected who are unable to attend work.
The minister also revealed that out of 60 samples submitted for genome sequencing, 34 were identified as the JN.1 variant, along with another variant, JN.1.1. Reassuring the public, Rao added that although the variant is new, there is no reason to panic, citing the World Health Organization's classification as a variant of interest with no warning indicating danger.
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Of the 436 positive cases, around 400 people are in home isolation and seven are in intensive care units. Rao stressed that those in home isolation are being monitored as the data collected will be important for future precautionary measures.
Reports add that the state government is procuring additional resources, including four oxygen containers, and has requested 30,000 precautionary vaccines from the central government.
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Rao said the precautionary vaccines are Corbett vaccines as Covaxin and Covishield are currently not available. The state government has requested the central government to procure these vaccines in stock.
Additionally, Karnataka reported 74 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths with comorbidities, both in Mysuru and Dakshina Kannada districts. The JN.1 variant was detected in 34 cases, with Bengaluru city leading with 20 cases.
Despite the increase, Minister Rao assured that no restrictions would be imposed on New Year celebrations, advising necessary precautions in crowded places. The state health department urged people to adopt COVID-appropriate behaviour for celebrations, including social distancing, wearing masks, hand sanitisation and respiratory hygiene. People with respiratory symptoms were advised to avoid festive and recreational places and consult a doctor instead.
