Karnataka Health Department Issues New Year Celebration Guidelines Amidst Surge in JN.1 Variant Cases
In response to the detection of 34 cases of the JN.1 variant, with 20 reported in Bengaluru city, the Karnataka health department has issued guidelines for New Year celebrations across the state, urging caution in light of the heightened Covid-19 infections.
The circular, dated Monday, emphasizes that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, currently classify JN.1 as a Variant of Interest (VoI) and not a Variant of Concern (VoC). The department discourages the imposition of restrictions that may induce unnecessary panic among the public.
However, considering the prevailing COVID-19 scenario in the state, the health department outlines precautionary measures for the general public. These guidelines include:
- The department strongly advises elderly individuals (60 years and above), those with comorbidities (especially kidney, heart, liver ailments), pregnant women, and lactating mothers to avoid visiting closed or poorly ventilated spaces and crowded areas. If outdoors, they should wear face masks covering the nose and mouth.
- For New Year celebrations, adherence to COVID Appropriate Behavior (CAB), encompassing social distancing, face masking, hand sanitization, and respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, is mandatory. Individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms are urged to avoid festive and recreational venues, including swimming pools, and seek medical consultation.
The circular concludes by stating that additional measures will be recommended based on the evolving situation in the coming days if deemed necessary.
On Monday, Karnataka reported 125 fresh COVID-19 infections, accompanied by three new deaths, underscoring the importance of vigilant measures to curb the spread of the virus.
