In Singapore, the Health Ministry recently issued a new advisory due to a surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly related to the JN.1 sub-lineage of the BA.2.86 variant. The ministry reported an increase in cases from 32,035 to 56,043 in the week of December 3-9, 2023. Although the government is uncertain about the JN.1 variant’s role in the spike, there is no clear evidence suggesting it is more transmissible or causes more severe disease.
To address the rising cases, the health ministry is implementing contingency plans, including collaborating with hospitals, ensuring manpower, deferring non-urgent procedures, and preparing additional facilities like the new COVID-19 Treatment Facility at Singapore EXPO Hall 10. The average daily hospitalizations have risen to 350 from 225 in the previous week.
In response to the situation, the advisory urges citizens with respiratory infection symptoms to stay home, wear masks if unavoidable interactions occur, limit social interactions, and avoid crowded places. Travelers are advised to take precautions like wearing masks at airports, obtaining travel insurance, and avoiding poorly ventilated crowded spaces.
A specific case of the JN.1 variant was identified in Kerala, Bharat, with the patient recovering from mild symptoms. The Health Minister assured citizens that the health system is monitoring the situation and requested vigilance, especially for those with comorbidities.
Karnataka’s Health Minister ruled out restricting movement at the border, stating that precautionary measures are in place. The India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium actively monitors the genomic aspects of COVID-19 in the country, with JN.1 first detected in the United States in September 2023.
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