Centre issues advisory to states amid COVID-19 surge

The Centre on Monday issued advisory to states in view of a recent upsurge in COVID-19 cases and detection of first case of JN.1 variant in India.The latest advisory comes after Kerala reported an increase in number of cases, prompting neighbouring Karnataka to also ramp up coronavirus measures.The central government has asked states to maintain constant vigil over the Covid situation and report and monitor district-wise SARI and ILI cases on a regular basis.The states have also been advised to ensure adequate testing including higher number of RT-PCR tests; and send positive samples for genome sequencing to INSACOG laboratories.India has recorded 260 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have increased to 1,828, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.The death toll was recorded at 5,33,317, the data updated at 8 am showed. The country's Covid case tally is 4.50 crore (4,50,05,076).The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 4,44,69,931, and the national recovery rate stands at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry's website.The case fatality rate stands at 1.19 per cent.According to the ministry's website, 220.67 crore doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in the country so far.With inputs from agencies