<
div id=”pcl-full-content”>Maharashtra registered a total of 894 new COVID cases in December amid the spread of the new Omicron variant—JN.1. This number was substantially higher than November when the state reported only 26 cases.
On Monday, the state recorded 70 new Covid cases over the last 24 hours, significantly lower than the 131 reported on Sunday. This figure represents a slight drop from Saturday when a total of 172 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed.
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Monday’s testing results came after 3,347 tests were conducted. These comprised 1,454 RT-PCR tests and 1,893 rapid antigen tests. The positivity rate for the day stood at 2.09 per cent.
“While there is a possibility of further case increases, we anticipate maintaining control. Our substantial acquired immunity, stemming from widespread vaccination and previous infections, serves as a protective factor,” said Dr Pradeep Awate, the former state surveillance officer of Maharashtra.
On December 21, the first case of JN.1 Covid-19 infection in the state had been reported of a 41-year-old man from Sindhudurg.
Maharashtra had reported it’s first case of JN.1, Covid-19 infection in Sindhudurg, where a 41-year-old man tested positive for the virus. Experts state that while JN.1 is more infectious, doctors confirm it is less virulent, minimising the likelihood of severe outcomes.
The JN.1 variant, recognised for its heightened infectiousness and robust immune escape capabilities, has garnered attention from the World Health Organization (WHO), earning the classification of a “variant of interest” (VOI).
“As per the available information, it suggests the variant remains relatively mild. Caution is crucial amid the holiday season, emphasising rapid response preparedness to minimise the potential impact on the healthcare system amidst uncertainties surrounding the new variant,” Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, formerly in charge of epidemiology at the Indian Council of Medical Research, who currently leads Maharashtra’s Covid task force, said.
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