After a brief delay of a few months in the COVID-19 cases reaching pandemic levels, the threat has reemerged with the detection of the new coronavirus variant, JN.1’s presence in the country.

On Dec 21, Gujarat reported 11 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours. This brought the total number of active cases in the state to 23.

For the last 17 days, the active cases in the state remained at five.

However, the health department has noted that the number of cases is still less than the numbers registered in September this year. It added that none of the cases are severe, and COVID-19, just like cold fever, has become common.

Cases in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar

Ahmedabad has registered the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the state, with six active cases in a day.

The city’s Navrangpura, Naranpura, and Sarkhej areas have registered two cases each, consisting of three men and three women.

Three of the patients have a travel history tracing to the US and Singapore, while three are from Ahmedabad.

Coming from the age range of 25 to 60, all the patients have been in home isolation.

As per the chief medical officer of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), Bhavin Solanki, all these patients tested positive despite taking COVID-19 vaccines, as four of them took booster doses and two took double doses vaccines.

After a patient’s quarantine period ended on Dec 21, the total active COVID-19 cases in Ahmedabad stood at 12.

Meanwhile, Gandhinagar and Kalol registered a case each.

An 8-year-old tested positive in Gandhinagar’s Vavol and has been kept in home isolation. The child had returned from a trip to South India. Earlier, two women were also tested corona-positive in the capital.

This brought the number of cases registered in the city in the last three days to five.

State bodies on foot amid rising cases

The COVID-19 test samples of the positive cases registered in the state are being sent for genome testing to detect the new variant - JN.1, in them.

All the hospitals have been put on alert amid rising COVID-19 cases.

A 25-bed special ward has been prepared on the fourth floor of the Sola Civil Hospital. Which is equipped with ventilators and oxygen supplies, among other facilities. Alongside, Asarwa Civil Hospital is also reported to have been prepared for all situations.

Both the civil hospitals have not housed any corona patients as of now. Most of the 23 active patients in the state are in home isolation.

As per the standing committee’s meeting, health departments at the AMC-run SVP hospital, LG hospital, Shardaben General Hospital, and VS Hospital have been directed to conduct COVID-19 tests for patients showing coronavirus symptoms.

Drives to grow awareness among citizens are also to be run state-wide.

Around 80 urban health centres across Ahmedabad will also start COVID-19 tests in two days, as decided at the standing committee meeting on Dec 21.

COVID-19 cases rising in India

With this surge, Gujarat has climbed to fifth in terms of states with the most active cases in India.

Kerala has the highest number of active cases at 2,341, while the neighbouring state of Maharashtra is fourth with 45 cases.

State-wise active cases:

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