Centre calls meet as Covid rises in Kerala, 10 deaths this month

The Union health secretary has urged states to monitor and report ILI and SARI cases and increase RT-PCR tests. Positive samples should be sent for genome sequencing to detect new variants. JN.1 variant, a descendant of the Pirola lineage, has significant mutations and has been reported in multiple countries. The health secretary states that current RT-PCR tests are effective for JN.1 detection. Symptoms of JN.1 infection are similar to other variants. The government reassures that JN.1 does not pose increased risk or severity and updated vaccines provide protection.