JN.1 Variant: India Adds 640 New COVID-19 Cases In 24 Hours, Highest Single-Day Rise Since May
Among the states, Kerala reported 265 fresh COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, while five each were reported from Rajasthan and West Bengal. While Delhi has not reported any new infections, the first COVID-19 case has been confirmed in Noida in over seven months.
India on Friday recorded 640 fresh COVID-19 infections, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 4,50,07,212 since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
According to the Union Health Ministry data, the number of active cases climbed to 2,997 from 2,669 the day before.
The death toll climbed to 5,33,328, with one more fatality reported from Kerala.
BCCL
COVID-19 cases increase across states
Among the states, Kerala reported 265 fresh COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, while five each were reported from Rajasthan and West Bengal.
While Delhi has not reported any new infections, the first COVID-19 case has been confirmed in Noida in over seven months.
The patient is a 54-year-old male who lives in Noida but works at a multinational company in Gurugram, Gautam Buddh Nagar Chief Medical Officer Dr Sunil Sharma said.
Delhi to ramp up COVID-19 testing
Meanwhile the Delhi health department has ordered authorities to send an "adequate" number of COVID samples for RT-PCR test.
BCCL
The department has also ordered them to conduct the genome sequencing of COVID-positive RT-PCR samples.
"Adequate number of COVID samples are to be sent for RT-PCR testing, as per guidelines. Genome sequencing of positive RT-PCR samples is to be performed as per guidelines. And, measures are to be taken for raising community awareness for avoiding overcrowded and poorly ventilated settings, and wearing masks in crowded and close settings and in hospital premises," an official said.
Karnataka may bring back COVID-19 guidelines
As concerns grow over the spread of COVID-19, Karnataka Health Department authorities are contemplating enforcing guidelines for school children in the state.
Experts have predicted a peak in the number of cases in the first and second weeks of January in Karnataka.
BCCL
The authorities are considering making wearing masks compulsory for students, teachers, and school staff. They are also contemplating social distancing during prayers, in seating arrangements, and sanitizing the school premises, among other measures.
According to the latest reports from Karnataka's Department of Health and Family Welfare, 23 new positive cases of Covid have been reported in Bengaluru, one each from Dakshina Kannada and Bengaluru Rural districts, taking the total to 25 in the state.
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Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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