Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Wednesday registered 14 new Covid-19 cases, marking one of the highest daily counts in months.

According to data released by the Union health ministry on Wednesday, a total of 21 cases of the JN.1 variant have been detected across the country. One case was reported in Maharashtra, where a 41-year-old man in Sindhudurg tested positive for the new variant. The patient, with a travel history from Goa, successfully recovered without any complications.

With 14 new cases reported on Wednesday in the state, the number of active SARS-CoV-2 cases has now reached 45. Of this, Mumbai has the most number of active cases with 27 patients, followed by Pune and Thane with eight cases in each district.

According to a report in The Indian Express on Wednesday, data from November 30 to December 9 this year indicated a daily average of 1-3 new Covid-19 cases in the state. However, the situation changed on December 18, when 13 new cases were recorded, followed by 11 cases on December 19. By Tuesday, active cases had surged to 35 in Maharashtra, signalling a gradual uptick in infections in recent days.

The sub-variant JN.1 is a progeny of the BA.2.86 variant, also known as Pirola, and is not entirely novel. Cases of this variant were first identified in the US in September, with the initial global case reported as early as January this year.

Daily testing in Maharashtra continues to linger at approximately 500 per day. The state health department has directed districts to escalate daily testing, anticipating an increase in the daily Covid-19 caseload.

“The recently identified variant represents a typical mutation, akin to its predecessor, and doesn’t exhibit notable concerns in the realm of healthcare. Treatment protocols remain unchanged, lacking any specific interventions. Most individuals recover through standard flu-like treatments. Diagnostic procedures remain the same, with Covid-19 testing reserved for specific cases based on clinical criteria,” said Dr Neeraj Tulara, Infectious Disease Specialist at Hiranandani Hospital.

Dr Lancelot Pinto, an epidemiologist and pulmonologist at Hinduja Hospital, clarified that there is currently no evidence supporting the notion that the new strain is more virulent. Initial reports suggest it might be more transmissible, and similar to respiratory viruses, could potentially lead to hospitalisation in vulnerable individuals — particularly the elderly, those with comorbidities, and the immunosuppressed. He added, “While a surge in infections could result in increased hospitalisations among these groups, there is no cause for panic at this stage, as indicated by reports from the US and Singapore.”

On Wednesday, Mushrif instructed all medical colleges and hospitals in the state to activate Covid-19-related equipment, considering the global spread of the JN-1 variant of the coronavirus.

“Directions have been given to keep doctors’ teams, medicines and Covid-19 detection kit ready and available,” Mushrif said in a statement in the Legislative Assembly. He was speaking after the review meeting held at Government Medical College in Nagpur.

“We have all unitedly worked to come out of the two waves of coronavirus and we have to emerge victorious against this new variant as well. People need not panic about the new variant but need to be alert. The Union government too has given instructions for the same,” he said.

The minister has given directions to all government medical colleges to update RT-PCR machines as well as activate oxygen plants. “Jumbo oxygen cylinders should also be made available as an additional measure. In addition, people are required to use masks at individual level, maintain cleanliness of hands and maintain social distancing,” he said.