New Year 2024: Top 7 precautions to take while partying amid rising Covid sub-variant JN.1 cases

New Year is around the corner and many are prepared for the celebration but one must not forget to take precautions amid increasing numbers of reported cases of Covid's new sub-variant JN.1.

Also read: Delhi reports first case of Covid's JN.1 sub-variant

With the Delhi government prepared to take on new cases in view of mass gatherings on New Year, a number of hospital beds have been arranged along with oxygen cylinders and testing kits, including AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital.

Also read: Covid-19 JN.1 news Highlights: INSACOG says 157 cases recorded in India, highest from Kerala

Delhi's Health Minister, Saurabh Bharadwaj during a press briefing on Thursday said that directives have been issued to all hospitals under the Delhi government to maintain all preparations for dealing with Covid-19. Ahead of New Year, Bharadwaj said, "Although there isn't any situation causing panic in Delhi presently, it doesn't mean that hospital administrations should be lax. All hospitals must remain prepared to deal with Covid," reported ANI.

Also read: India records over 4,000 active Covid cases, 5 deaths today | 10 updates

Safdarjung Hospital has reserved 50 beds for isolations and 9 ICU beds along with arrangements related to oxygen, PPE kits and Covid testing. In Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, separate help desks has been set up for Covid-19 patients. A designated testing centre will ensure deployment of immediate treatment upon confirmation of Covid.

As per an ANI report, Senior pulmonologist and former Safdarjung Hospital HOD, Dr Neeraj Gupta, said, "JN.1 is a variant of Omicron. It is a very mild virus. It crosses our immune barriers and is able to infect us with a normal infection. Like any viral infection, this is also mild; it is not of a very severe nature, and we are not expecting any admissions or higher admission rates."

Also read: Covid-19 LIVE updates: Govt remains vigilant on new variant JN.1 ahead of New Year celebration

He also mentioned that patients with comorbidities or any severe condition that decreases the immune system must be more cautious as morbidity rate is high among them, that may eventually lead to mortality.

While stating precautionary measures Dr Neeraj Gupta said, “I will want people to beware. Take all the precautions, including avoiding any exposure to excessive cold. Try to remain healthy and exercise when the Sun comes out. Take a nutritious diet and exercise all Covid-appropriate behaviour, like wearing masks in public, and this will also prevent them from many pollution-related issues.”

Also read: COVID-19 update: Delhi's positivity rate around 1%, Saurabh Bharadwaj urges caution

WHO laid down a number of directives for the general public to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus.

• One must keep physical distance of at least 1 metre from others, even if they don’t appear to be sick and avoid crowded gatherings.
• One must wear a properly fitted mask when physical distancing is not possible, especially in poorly ventilated settings.
• One should clean hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• One should cover mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue while coughing or sneezing.
• One must dispose off used tissues immediately and clean hands regularly.
• In case one tends to develop symptoms or tests positive for Covid-19, the person must self-isolate until recovery and take appropriate medicines and rest.
• Get vaccinated.

(With inputs from ANI)