NATIONAL : The Centre today asked States and UTs to maintain constant vigil amid a rise in COVID-19 cases and the detection of the first case of the new JN.1 sub-variant in the country.

In a letter to States, Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant underlined that, due to consistent and collaborative actions between the Centre and State governments, the country has been able to sustain the COVID-19 trajectory at sustainable low rates.

However, as the COVID-19 virus continues to circulate and its epidemiology behaviour gets settled with Indian weather conditions and circulation of other usual pathogens, it is of utmost importance that States maintain a constant vigil over the COVID situation up to the district level. He said that recently, a few states like Kerala, have reported a slight increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

The Health Secretary said, considering the upcoming festive season, states should put in place requisite public health measures and other arrangements to minimise the risk of transmission of the disease by maintaining respiratory hygiene.

In the advisory, the Union Health Secretary advised States to ensure monitoring and reporting of district-wise cases of Influenza-like Illness ILI and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness SARI in all health facilities regularly for early detection of rising trend of cases.

States were also advised to ensure adequate testing in all districts following COVID-19 testing guidelines and maintain the recommended share of RT-PCR and antigen tests.

India’s first case of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 was detected in Kerala recently.