New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India has witnessed a decline in active Covid-19 cases, with a reduction of 368 cases, bringing the total active cases to 5,608 on Friday.

In the past 24 hours, the country reported four new fatalities — one each from Delhi, Punjab, Kerala and Maharashtra — raising the total Covid-19 related deaths this year to 120. As in previous cases, the majority of the deceased who died in the past 24 hours had underlying health conditions, with Covid-19 infection limiting their survival.

Several states continue to see a decrease in daily infections. Kerala reported decline by 125 cases but continue to have the highest load at 1,184, followed by Gujarat with 912(down by 134 cases), Delhi with 630(2), Karnataka with 398 (68), and Maharashtra with 389(dip by 54 cases). Conversely, there has been a slight uptick in cases from Manipur (16), Rajasthan (26), Uttarakhand (5), and Punjab (7).

In the last 24 hours, 1,092 individuals recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total recoveries this year to 18,256.

Health authorities have identified two new Omicron sub-lineages — NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 — as the causes of the current surge. Both are mutations of the JN.1 variant. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has clarified that these new strains are not associated with increased disease severity compared to previous Omicron waves.

Genome sequencing data indicates that earlier cases were predominantly due to the JN.1.16 sub-variant, while recent cases are largely attributed to recombinant variants such as LF.7 and LP.8.1.2.

Experts continue to urge the public to adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviors, including avoiding crowded places and maintaining health precautions, particularly for individuals above 60 or those feeling unwell.

UNI AJ PRS