Covid JN.1 variant scare: Odisha Govt asks elderly persons, those with co-morbidities to mask up

Bhubaneswar: With JN.1 variant spreading in several parts of southern India and after Odisha reported its first Covid-19 infection today; the State government advised elderly persons and those with co-morbidities to wear facemasks to keep the viral disease at bay.

Taking to its official ‘X’ handle, Odisha Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) department wrote, “With the emergence of #JN1CovidVariant, #Odisha Government has advised the elderly people and those with co-morbidities to wear a facemask while going out and avoid visiting crowded places. #OdishaCares.”

Most of the JN.1 variant cases have been detected in Kerala and the infected are elderly persons and those with co-morbidities. “This is why senior citizens and people with co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, and other serious health complications must be cautious,” Director of Public Health Dr Niranjan Mishra said earlier in the day.

Notably, as per a WHO statement, global Covid-19 cases have increased by 52 per cent in a month.

More than 200 samples were tested yesterday, of which a report was positive for Covid-19.

A total of 3,420 active JN.1 cases have been reported from across the country.