In a crucial response to the surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly in the south Indian state of Kerala, the Union Health Ministry convened a high-level meeting on Wednesday (Dec 20).

The focus of the meeting, chaired by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, was to comprehensively review the sudden uptick in COVID-19 cases and related fatalities, exacerbated by the recent identification of the Covid sub-variant JN.1 in Kerala state.

Joining the Health Minister in this critical discussion were Union Ministers SP Singh Baghel and Bharati Pravin Pawar, along with key officials such as Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant, Secretary Department of Health Research Dr Rajiv Bahl, and Dr VK Paul, Member (Health) at NITI Aayog.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/20-years-and-counting-pm-modi-expresses-anguish-over-mocking-of-vice-president-dhankhar-671593">'20 years and counting': PM Modi expresses anguish over mocking of Vice President Dhankhar</a>

Kerala, in particular, has witnessed a surge with 292 new active cases of COVID-19 and three deaths reported on December 19, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, media reports said.

The state's total active cases stand at 2,041, with a cumulative COVID-related death toll reaching 72,056 since the outbreak three years ago.

Despite the rise in cases, State Health Minister Veena George assured on Tuesday (Dec 19) that the state is well-prepared to manage the situation effectively. She highlighted the issuance of directives to provide specialised facilities for COVID-19 patients, ensuring the availability of isolation wards, rooms, oxygen beds, ICU beds, and ventilators in hospitals.

In the broader national context, India reported 341 new cases by 8 am on Wednesday (Dec 20), with 224 individuals recovering or being discharged in the last 24 hours.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-hits-out-at-imf-on-excessive-currency-intervention-comment-671573">India hits out at IMF on "excessive" currency intervention comment</a>

Responding to the emergence of the JN.1 sub-variant of COVID-19, the Centre issued an advisory to states, emphasising the need for public health measures and arrangements to minimise disease transmission during the upcoming festive season.

The advisory urged states to monitor and report influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness cases regularly, updating details in the Integrated Health Information Platform and ensuring adequate testing in all districts.

<section>
Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-mamata-banerjee-proposes-congress-chief-mallikarjun-kharge-as-pm-face-of-india-bloc-671575">India: Mamata Banerjee proposes Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge as PM face of INDIA bloc</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-mamata-banerjee-proposes-congress-chief-mallikarjun-kharge-as-pm-face-of-india-bloc-671575/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The JN.1 variant, considered a descendant of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.86 or Pirola, was first identified in the United States in September 2023. China reported seven infections of this sub-variant on December 15.

Symptoms associated with JN.1 include mild fever, coughing, discomfort in the nasal passages, sore throat, runny nose, facial pain or pressure, headache, and gastrointestinal issues.&nbsp;WHO classified the JN.1 variant as a "variant of interest" on December 19 by maintaining that it does not pose much threat to the public.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)
</section>

In a crucial response to the surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly in the south Indian state of Kerala, the Union Health Ministry convened a high-level meeting on Wednesday (Dec 20).

In a crucial response to the surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly in the south Indian state of Kerala, the Union Health Ministry convened a high-level meeting on Wednesday (Dec 20). The focus of the meeting, chaired by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, was to comprehensively review the sudden uptick in COVID-19 cases and related fatalities, exacerbated by the recent identification of the Covid sub-variant JN.1 in Kerala state. Joining the Health Minister in this critical discussion were Union Ministers SP Singh Baghel and Bharati Pravin Pawar, along with key officials such as Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant, Secretary Department of Health Research Dr Rajiv Bahl, and Dr VK Paul, Member (Health) at NITI Aayog. Also Read | '20 years and counting': PM Modi expresses anguish over mocking of Vice President Dhankhar Kerala, in particular, has witnessed a surge with 292 new active cases of COVID-19 and three deaths reported on December 19, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, media reports said. The state's total active cases stand at 2,041, with a cumulative COVID-related death toll reaching 72,056 since the outbreak three years ago. Despite the rise in cases, State Health Minister Veena George assured on Tuesday (Dec 19) that the state is well-prepared to manage the situation effectively. She highlighted the issuance of directives to provide specialised facilities for COVID-19 patients, ensuring the availability of isolation wards, rooms, oxygen beds, ICU beds, and ventilators in hospitals. In the broader national context, India reported 341 new cases by 8 am on Wednesday (Dec 20), with 224 individuals recovering or being discharged in the last 24 hours. Also Read | India hits out at IMF on "excessive" currency intervention comment Responding to the emergence of the JN.1 sub-variant of COVID-19, the Centre issued an advisory to states, emphasising the need for public health measures and arrangements to minimise disease transmission during the upcoming festive season. The advisory urged states to monitor and report influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness cases regularly, updating details in the Integrated Health Information Platform and ensuring adequate testing in all districts. Watch | India: Mamata Banerjee proposes Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge as PM face of INDIA bloc × The JN.1 variant, considered a descendant of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.86 or Pirola, was first identified in the United States in September 2023. China reported seven infections of this sub-variant on December 15. Symptoms associated with JN.1 include mild fever, coughing, discomfort in the nasal passages, sore throat, runny nose, facial pain or pressure, headache, and gastrointestinal issues. WHO classified the JN.1 variant as a "variant of interest" on December 19 by maintaining that it does not pose much threat to the public. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Union health minister holds high-level review meet amid rising COVID-19 cases

The Federation of Resident Doctors` Association (FORDA) wrote to the Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, requesting him to arrange&nbsp;accommodation facilities for resident doctors advised for home quarantine.

Explaining their anxiety for the safety of their family members, the letter stated the recent reports of resident doctors being tested positive for coronavirus. Sue to that, some resident doctors, who were their primary contacts, have been advised to home quarantine. Some resident doctors stay in hostels allotted on the hospital campus while many stay at their homes in various locations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-employees-receive-10-salary-cut-request-minister-of-civil-aviation-to-intervene-294737">Also read:&nbsp;Air India employees receive 10% salary cut; request Minister of Civil Aviation to intervene</a>

"There are aged family members as well as young children at home who are the most vulnerable to this disease. The doctors themselves might be a source of infection for their family members. Therefore, it is necessary to provide separate accommodation or the resident doctors who are primary contacts, till they test negative for the virus," the letter reads.

The letter assured that the medical fraternity stands together with the nation in the times of a global pandemic. "We appreciate the efforts of the Government of India in providing accommodation and other facilities for the doctors on COVID-19 duties," it said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/donate-blood-plasma-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-appeals-to-recovered-covid-19-patients-294509">Also read:&nbsp;Donate blood plasma, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal appeals to recovered COVID-19 patients</a>

The letter came a day after Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij requested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to provide accommodation facilities to the government officials who travel from Haryana to Delhi for their work.

"I request the Arvind Kejriwal government that those Delhi government employees who reside in Haryana, the arrangements for their stay should be made in the national capital itself and no passes should be issued to them for visiting their homes (in Haryana)," Vij, who is also the state's Health Minister, said.

The Federation of Resident Doctors` Association (FORDA) wrote to the Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, requesting him to arrange accommodation facilities for resident doctors advised for home quarantine.

The Federation of Resident Doctors` Association (FORDA) wrote to the Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, requesting him to arrange accommodation facilities for resident doctors advised for home quarantine. Explaining their anxiety for the safety of their family members, the letter stated the recent reports of resident doctors being tested positive for coronavirus. Sue to that, some resident doctors, who were their primary contacts, have been advised to home quarantine. Some resident doctors stay in hostels allotted on the hospital campus while many stay at their homes in various locations. Also read: Air India employees receive 10% salary cut; request Minister of Civil Aviation to intervene "There are aged family members as well as young children at home who are the most vulnerable to this disease. The doctors themselves might be a source of infection for their family members. Therefore, it is necessary to provide separate accommodation or the resident doctors who are primary contacts, till they test negative for the virus," the letter reads. The letter assured that the medical fraternity stands together with the nation in the times of a global pandemic. "We appreciate the efforts of the Government of India in providing accommodation and other facilities for the doctors on COVID-19 duties," it said. Also read: Donate blood plasma, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal appeals to recovered COVID-19 patients The letter came a day after Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij requested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to provide accommodation facilities to the government officials who travel from Haryana to Delhi for their work. "I request the Arvind Kejriwal government that those Delhi government employees who reside in Haryana, the arrangements for their stay should be made in the national capital itself and no passes should be issued to them for visiting their homes (in Haryana)," Vij, who is also the state's Health Minister, said.

Doctors urge Health Minister to arrange accommodation for medical officials who are on house quarantine

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday briefed the Rajya Sabha on the coronavirus outbreak. The health minister said that passengers are being screened at the airports and doctors are posted there. "Check post on the Nepal border is also been screened," he said.

Screening passengers at airports, Nepal border also under check: Health Minister on Coronavirus