As India witnesses a renewed rise in the number of Covid-19 cases, Punjab’s Mohali district has reported its first case in the current wave, marking the re-emergence of the virus after a prolonged period of low transmission.
The case was detected in a patient admitted to a private hospital for an unrelated medical condition. The individual later tested positive for Covid-19, prompting the district health authorities to ramp up surveillance and precautionary measures.
The patient, a 51-year-old woman from Yamunanagar, Haryana, had gone to Dera Beas to participate in a religious gathering (satsang) where she fell down. Her blood pressure was not coming under control. Therefore, she was referred to the Fortis Hospital, Mohali, on May 23. Later, she tested positive at Fortis Hospital, Mohali.
States and Union Territories across the country — including Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh — have placed hospitals on high alert amid the rising case count. In Punjab, all district hospitals and medical colleges have been instructed to enhance testing, ensure adequate bed availability, and check oxygen supply readiness.
Health officials have attributed the latest spike in cases to the JN.1 variant, a sub-lineage of the Omicron strain. Though not classified as a Variant of Concern (VOC) by the World Health Organisation (WHO), JN.1 has demonstrated active transmission across South Asia.
Medical experts have noted that the symptoms associated with the variant are generally mild and short-lived. Most patients recover within four days. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, fatigue, runny nose, headaches, and general exhaustion.
With surveillance being tightened and resources mobilised, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant while avoiding panic.
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