by Seerat Rafiq
SRINAGAR: In a move to curb the rising COVID-19 cases, Leh district has made masks mandatory in public spaces following the identification of 11 new cases. The Ladakh administration has swiftly responded to the resurgence, urging residents and tourists alike to strictly adhere to safety protocols.
Shortly after Leh’s announcement, Kargil also implemented the mandatory mask-wearing directive. The measures include maintaining social distancing in public spaces and office premises, with an emphasis on avoiding unnecessary gatherings.
The resurgence in Ladakh has been linked to the emergence of a new variant, JN1.
Dr Motup, the Director of Health in Ladakh, confirmed that genome sequencing reports for the active cases are awaited. Despite the development, Dr Motup reassured the public, stating, “Don’t panic as this new variant is not very dangerous but take precautions. About 90 per cent of the patients are being cured while isolating at home.”
India, as a whole, reported 760 new COVID-19 cases with two additional fatalities. The total active cases stand at 4,423. The Health Minister, Bharadwaj, emphasised that the JN.1 variant, though detected, is not considered highly dangerous. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines.
In a broader context, the health ministry issued directives two weeks ago to intensify genome sequencing in the capital, aimed at identifying variants such as JN1 more effectively.
