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div id=”pcl-full-content”>Maharashtra’s newly formed Covid task force aims to chalk out measures to contain the spread of infections and prepare a protocol for treating critically ill patients. It was set up following a nationwide upsurge in Covid cases and the emergence of the coronavirus’s JN.1 variant. At least 10 of the over 100 JN.1 cases in India have been reported from the state.
Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, chairperson of the Covid task force, said on Wednesday that the expert body would discuss multiple issues including vaccinations.
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“There is no reason to panic but with the festive season and people making travel plans, we are advising caution, especially for people with comorbidities, so they can decide whether to visit crowded locations or not and why the use of masks would be important,” Dr Gangakhedkar said.
The public health expert had become the face of the Indian Council of Medical Research during the government briefings during the pandemic. He has since retired as the ICMR’s epidemiology and communicable diseases chief.
Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar (retd), Vice-Chancellor, of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, who is also a member of the task force, told The Indian Express that the coronavirus was getting into an endemic phase and there could be a possible increase in numbers.
“We have done modelling studies previously and will assess the situation accordingly during this phase. So far there is no increase in the requirement of oxygen and rise in hospitalisations,” Kanitkar said.
Another member of the task force, Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, genome sequencing coordinator for Maharashtra and head of the microbiology department at BJ Government Medical College, said clinical studies related to the JN.1 variant could help give a better insight into preventive measures.
The other members include Dr DB Kadam, internal medicine specialist and former head of general medicine at BJ Government Medical College, and Dr Varsha Potdar, who heads the influenza group at the Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Virology in Pune.
The commissioner (health) is the member secretary of the task force.
State reports 87 new cases, two deaths in 24 hours
Pune reported a Covid-19 death today. An 81-year-old man who had comorbidities, including acute kidney disease, passed away on December 24. When contacted, Pune Municipal Corporation officials said that they have stepped up testing and more than 4,000 tests have been conducted since December 18. So far, there are 36 persons with Covid-19 in Pune city with mild symptoms in home isolation.
Another death was registered in Sangli district of Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, 87 new Covid cases were reported in the state today and two deaths, according to the health department bulletin issued on Wednesday. As many as 10,864 tests were conducted today across the state and at present, the dominant Covid variant is Omicron XBB.1.16. Till today, there were 10 patients detected with JN.1 variant in the state. Mumbai has 103 active Covid cases, followed by 43 in Thane, 53 in Pune district, and 19 in Raigad.
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