Pune Municipal Corporation Gears Up to Combat JN.1 Variant: Mock Drills and Vigilant Measures in Place

Pune, 21st December 2023: In a proactive response to the emergence of the JN.1 variant of the Covid virus, Pune Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar, along with Additional Commissioner Ravindra Binwade, Health Officer Dr. Bhagwan Pawar, and health officials, convened on Thursday to chart a course of action. The focus of the meeting was to ensure the health system’s competence through meticulous precautions.

As of now, Pune city has reported seven active Covid cases, and the health authorities are conducting 150 tests weekly. A patient’s blood sample has been dispatched to a laboratory for testing, while hospitals across the city have been directed to closely monitor suspected cases.

The strategy underscores the importance of obtaining throat secretion samples from individuals presenting with symptoms and subjecting them to testing. Dr Pawar highlighted that a recent “mock drill” conducted by the Health Department of the Municipal Corporation assessed the readiness of available beds, ICU facilities, oxygen supply, medicine stocks, and manpower.

Dr Pawar reassured the public, stating, “Not a single patient infected with the JN.1 virus of Corona has been found in the city. Appropriate measures are being taken by the health department with vigilance. Mock drill has been conducted recently and it is clear that we have all the facilities available. Citizens should not panic, take necessary precautions.”

The Pune Municipal Corporation boasts the following medical facilities:

– Isolation Beds: 620
– Oxygen Beds: 674
– ICU Beds: 396
– Ventilator Beds: 41