JN.1 scare: Karnataka govt advises testing of symptomatic contacts of Covid sufferers

Amid a sudden rise in COVID-19 circumstances attributable to JN.1, the Karnataka authorities on Thursday suggested the authorities to check all symptomatic shut contacts of coronavirus sufferers. Karnataka Well being Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao mentioned that there are 34 circumstances of JN.1 variant of Covid within the state. “We’re effectively ready. There may be nothing alarming. Nearly all of the circumstances are in Bengaluru. We’re advising folks to keep up bodily distancing,” he mentioned whereas chatting with reporters. 

In a round, the state’s well being division mentioned that in view of the present Covid scenario brought on by Omicron subvariant JN.1, it was suggested that together with the targetted testing norms issued earlier, “all symptomatic shut contacts shall even be examined for Covid-19”.

Virtually 400 Covid 19 sufferers are in Dwelling Isolation presently and few are admitted typically isolation wards in hospitals, it mentioned. “Henceforth, Covid 19 sufferers underneath residence isolation and basic ward admissions shall be visited by medical doctors/paramedical employees from PHCS/UPHCs/Namma Clinics and so forth at the least as soon as to evaluate the medical situation and signs of sufferers and recommend additional steps for therapy.”

All these Covid sufferers admitted in ICUs shall be monitored by Tele ICU from State HQ, as finished throughout the earlier Covid waves, the round mentioned.

The well being division additional mentioned that district demise audit committees shall meet as and when required and audit the covid deaths updated. Equally, the State Demise Audit Committee shall audit the COVID deaths and submit reviews with suggestions, infrequently, to the Well being Commissionerate.

The well being division additionally directed all public hospitals in districts to determine devoted Covid isolation wards together with some ICU beds to confess and deal with Covid-19 sufferers. “As pointless publicity to CT just isn’t fascinating, the CT thorax scan shall NOT be used as screening take a look at for Covid 19 anymore.”