Bhubaneswar: Another four COVID-19 cases have been detected in Odisha today, bringing the total active cases in the state to five. This new cluster of infections has prompted authorities to reiterate calls for public caution, though health officials emphasize there is no cause for alarm.
Of the five currently infected individuals, four are male and one is female. Four of the new cases were identified within Bhubaneswar city, while one case was reported from the Khurda area.
The Health Department had previously sent a sample from an earlier detected COVID-19 patient for genome sequencing, which confirmed the presence of the Omicron sub-variant, JN.1.
While the fresh detections have sparked some concern about a potential resurgence of the virus, State Public Health Director Nilakantha Mishra addressed the media to reassure the public. “There is no abnormal surge in cases, and the situation is under control,” he stated.
Director Dr.Mishra clarified that the Government of India has not issued any new guidelines regarding COVID-19, and stressed that the JN.1 variant is not a cause for panic. “This is a normal variant already present in India. The patient identified with JN.1 is in stable condition and expected to be discharged soon. The disease is not spreading rapidly, and no alarming trends have been observed in the State,” he explained.
Dr.Mishra urged the media to avoid exaggerating the situation, emphasizing the importance of communicating verified data. He confirmed that the Health Department follows a rigorous process: “If any new cases are detected, we confirm them via RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) and conduct genome sequencing before making official announcements.”
He appealed to the public, particularly those with weakened immune systems, to continue observing COVID-appropriate behaviors such as hand hygiene and avoiding crowded places, and to report any symptoms to healthcare providers immediately.