India has recorded 573 fresh cases of COVID-19 and the number of active cases has increased to 4,565. Two new fatalities due to the disease - one each in Karnataka and Haryana - were reported in the last 24 hours. Amid an uptick in the number of Covid cases and the detection of the JN.1 sub-variant in the country, the Centre has asked states and Union territories to maintain a constant vigil .
A 77-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 at Max Hospital on Saturday and a 72-year-old woman tested positive at Doon Hospital on Sunday, Health Secretary Rajesh Kumar said. Their samples have been sent for genome sequencing to ascertain if they have been infected by the JN.1 variant of COVID-19, he said. The man, who was undergoing treatment for other ailments at Max Hospital, has been discharged and is under home isolation. He is under the observation of a medical team and his condition is improving, Kumar said.