Bihar: Health Department on High Alert as JN-1 Variant of COVID-19 Poses Threat

PATNA – In response to the emergence of the new highly infectious variant, JN-1, of the coronavirus reaching Delhi, Uttar Pradesh via Kerala, the Health Department has heightened its vigilance. On Tuesday, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, Pratyaya Amrit, conducted a comprehensive video conference with top officials from all districts.

During the meeting, directives were issued to conduct internal meetings at the district level to ramp up the number of COVID-19 tests. Additionally, officials were instructed to ensure the availability of testing kits, along with all necessary equipment and medicines required for treatment.

Addressing concerns related to PSA oxygen plants, immediate repairs were urged in case of any shortages, and the availability of skilled staff for treatment was emphasized.

The Additional Chief Secretary directed that individuals presenting symptoms of cold, cough, fever, or signs of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) should undergo COVID-19 testing upon hospital admission.

Epidemic officers in all districts received instructions to monitor these developments regularly and submit daily reports to the Health Department.

Common symptoms of the JN-1 variant include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, loss of taste and smell, vomiting, and diarrhea.

In an effort to tackle the potential threat, a mock drill regarding COVID-19 was conducted three days ago. The JN-1 variant, a substrain of the Pirolo variant BA-2-86, has been reported to be 1.2 times more infectious than the normal Omicron variant. Cases of this variant have been identified in 40 countries, prompting increased vigilance and precautionary measures in the health sector.