Shruti Suman
Amid a surge in coronavirus cases across the country, several states in India have issued health advisories and implemented precautionary measures. Some states have imposed restrictions on inter-state travel, particularly in border areas, while others have placed hospitals on high alert in anticipation of potential COVID cases in their regions. The central question looms: will India experience another wave of COVID?
Kerala Issues Health Advisory
Responding to the escalating COVID cases, the Kerala government issued a health advisory urging individuals aged 60 and above to wear masks in public spaces. The advisory also advises people to avoid crowded places and stay in enclosed spaces. This directive followed a national advisory from the central government.
Earlier, the central government emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring of the COVID situation, especially during the festive season, and imposed strict travel restrictions, particularly for those arriving from countries with the new variant.
Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George, highlighted the state’s high-level committee’s vigilant monitoring of ICU bed occupancy, oxygen beds, and ventilators across government and private hospitals.
Telangana Hospitals on High Alert
The Telangana government issued an alert to all hospitals in the state regarding the new JN.1 sub-variant of the coronavirus. Dr. M Raja Rao, Additional Director of Medical Education and Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital in Telangana, assured that hospitals are prepared to handle the new sub-variant. The alert advises monitoring individuals with influenza-like or severe acute respiratory illnesses, increasing testing, isolating patients, enforcing mask-wearing, and ensuring the availability of medication.
Karnataka Issues Health Advisory
Similarly, the Karnataka government issued a health advisory, urging individuals above 60, those with comorbidities, pregnant women, and lactating mothers to wear masks outdoors. The advisory also recommends avoiding closed, poorly ventilated spaces and crowded areas. Authorities in districts bordering Kerala and Tamil Nadu were instructed to be vigilant, conduct adequate testing, and promptly report COVID cases.
In light of the current COVID situation, the emergence of the JN.1 sub-variant, the winter season, and the expected gatherings during year-end and New Year festivities, the public is advised to adhere to precautionary measures recommended by the COVID-19 State Technical Advisory Committee. These measures include mask-wearing and avoiding crowded and enclosed spaces, especially for elderly individuals and those with comorbidities.
