Karnataka Urges Mask-Wearing and Crowd Avoidance for 60+ Amid COVID Advisory

The Karnataka Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) convened to assess the implications of the recently identified subvariant in neighbouring Kerala. Subsequently, the committee released recommendations for the public. Individuals aged 60 and above, especially those with underlying health conditions such as kidney, heart, or liver ailments, pregnant women, and lactating mothers are advised to wear face masks and steer clear of enclosed, inadequately ventilated spaces, as well as crowded areas. State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao mentioned that the government will soon release a fresh set of COVID-19 guidelines.

In January 2024, MetroMitra, an auto rickshaw service based in Bengaluru, will introduce a Whatsapp chatbot feature. This feature will enable users to effortlessly book rides to and from metro stations with just three clicks. Beyond facilitating last-mile connectivity to and from metro stations, the chatbot will also permit users to book auto rides to various other destinations.

Karnataka has reported 79 Covid cases as of Wednesday morning, according to MOHFW Covid status for states. This is 35 more cases than what was reported on Tuesday by the Karnataka health department. There have been no deaths reported in the last 48 hours. The positivity rate reported on Tuesday was 6.09 percent. The number of cases reported in neighbouring Kerala saw an increase of 224 between Tuesday and Wednesday in the data reported by the central MOHFW.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the JN.1 coronavirus strain, identified in Kerala, as a "variant of interest." The WHO states that based on current evidence, the risk to public health from this strain is low. Initially considered a variant of interest within its parent lineage BA.2.86, JN.1 has now been reclassified by the WHO as an independent variant of interest.

The JN.1 strain is presently proliferating in both the United States and China, and it has been identified in a neighboring state of Karnataka as part of the routine surveillance conducted by INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium). Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR, reported that the case was discovered in a sample that tested positive for RT-PCR in Karakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on December 8. The sample initially yielded a positive result in the RT-PCR test conducted on November 18. The individual exhibited mild symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) and has since recuperated.

The Karnataka Health Department issued an advisory for senior citizens and a few others to wear masks in public places amid a rise in the cases of Covid-19 cases in the neighbouring state of Kerala. The advisory has been issued based on recommendations made by the Karnataka Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) after a meeting on December 17. "All elderly (60 years and above) comorbid, particularly with kidney, heart, liver ailments etc, pregnant women, and lactating mothers when outdoors shall wear face masks and strictly avoid visiting closed, poorly ventilated and crowded areas", the advisory issued by the office of D Randeep, Health Commissioner, said.