THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Dec 27: Health Ministry officials announced on Wednesday that as of December 26, 109 cases of the JN.1 COVID sub-variant had been recorded nationwide.
According to the sources, there were 36 cases recorded from Gujarat, 34 from Karnataka, 14 from Goa, nine from Maharashtra, six from Kerala, four from Rajasthan, four from Tamil Nadu and two from Telangana.
More infectious than the normal COVID virus
In response to concerns regarding the emergence of a new coronavirus variant, Dr. Bobby Bhalotra, Vice Chairman in the Department of Chest Medicine at Gangaram Hospital, stated, “The new variants are so far mild; they are from the family of the Omicron virus. So, the cases are not too much to be worried about; there is no panic as such but yes, it is a sign that it has come back again. It may flourish because it is more infectious than the normal COVID virus so we have to start taking precautions. Precaution and prevention are better than cures. Take precautions so that doesn’t spread for them.”
“There is an increase in cases of respiratory illness in OPD of 20-30 per cent due to weather changes, viral illness and an increase in pollution in the national capital,” he further stated.
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Viral exacerbations among people with respiratory conditions
He added that individuals with pre-existing asthma, interstitial lung disease, or COPD are primarily experiencing viral exacerbations, such as the swine flu or H1N1 virus.
“Despite having a vaccine against these viruses, especially H1N1, people are not getting themselves inoculated in time, and the immune system, which can be prevented by taking a vaccine, is not being used by many patients. So, this increasing exacerbation of breathing problems is due to viruses and more because of pollution. Pollution in our city is very high. And that impacts the lungs of patients, especially those with asthma, bronchitis, and interstitial lung disease. So that’s another reason why the number of patients is higher these days in the OPDs”, Dr Bhalotra stated.
“Any viral flu that has some treatment and, if not controlled in time, can lead to major respiratory complications like COVID or H1N1 and swine flu. Antiviral medicines are available against them. I think if anybody has had a persistent fever for more than two or three days, his oxygen level is going down. These are the patients who should urgently get their COVID test, H1N1 or RTPCR test,” the doctor added.
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New variant shows milder symptoms
Additionally, the doctor emphasized that individuals experiencing a heightened fever along with respiratory symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness, and a decrease in SpO2 levels (as measured by a pulse oximeter), falling below 94 percent, should urgently seek medical consultation or head to the nearest hospital emergency.
“The new variant is a little milder, and sometimes people don’t even have fever, muscle pains, body aches, bone pains, breathlessness, or coughs primarily. So there’s a little variation in the symptoms”, he stated.
He added that patients are experiencing recovery within a span of one week.
“The respiratory symptoms also get started reducing very shortly; whether the patient has a pre-morbid condition like diabetes compromised, then they take more time to recover,” he stated.
