The Union Health Ministry admitted that there has been a rise in the daily COVID-19 positive rate in India across a number of States, including the southern states of Kerala, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Karnataka, while issuing an alert on Wednesday. It did note, however, that no case clustering has been documented in connection with the new JN.1, variation of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Though the variety is presently the subject of considerable scientific investigation, there is no reason for alarm just yet. Every JN.1 case was found to be mild, and each person recovered without any problems, according to the Ministry.
According to NITI Aayog Member (Health), there have been 21 cases of JN.1, sub-variant JN.1 identified in India to date, and 91% to 92% of people with the infection are choosing to receive home-based therapy. There have been nineteenth incidences in Goa in addition to one both in Kerala as well as Maharashtra connected to the COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1. In the past two weeks, Sixteen deaths associated with COVID-19 have been documented; numerous deceased individuals had substantial comorbidities. The amount of reported COVID-19 cases in India has increased rapidly over the past two weeks, namely 115 on December 6 to 614 as of today, but it is still less than in the global context. Ministry data shows that 92.8% of the cases occurred in isolation at home, suggesting a mild illness.
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What is isolation and its effect?
Life is full with intra-personal, inter-personal, and existential isolation; everyone has experienced it, in different ways, at different stages of their growth. Research links persistent social isolation to higher death rates, mental health issues, and cardiovascular issues.
Moreover, researchers have linked isolation to an increased likelihood of developing illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, impaired immunity, and a shorter life span. A lack of social support and interaction can exacerbate loneliness, cognitive decline, anxiety, and depression because humans are social beings.
The Connection Between Mental Health and Social Isolation
Research has long documented the relationship between social isolation and mental health. Individuals with strong social ties are less likely to experience depression than others without significant emotional and social support. Socially isolated people also frequently suffer from higher levels of stress at work, abuse drugs and alcohol more frequently, and are generally less satisfied with their lives. There is a reciprocal association between mental health and social isolation. Additionally, brain alterations brought on by isolation may have a role in the development of mental health issues. People may find it more difficult to control their stress, which can have a major negative impact on their health and well-being, if they lack social support.
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Resulting from the Pandemic
According to some research, the pandemic’s social isolation may have contributed to an increase in the prevalence of anxiety, sadness, sleep disorders, and drug abuse. A traumatic occurrence, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in social isolation among people globally, regardless of age. Social distancing, quarantines, and distant jobs cut off many people from their regular networks of support and social interaction.
Handling the Impact of Isolation:
Social isolation is difficult to overcome at times. One can, however, take certain steps to start mending your relationships with others and to start feeling less alone.
Speak with an Expert:
Seeking advice from a physician or mental health specialist can be beneficial if you or someone you know is going through social isolation. They are able to identify physical or psychological issues that are causing social isolation. A therapist may assist you in addressing the emotional problems that cause social isolation, as well as in creating tactics to fight it and improve your social skills—all of which may make you feel more comfortable participating in social events.
Seek Out Opportunities for Social Engagement:
Begin by making modest progress in reestablishing social connections. To reconnect, this can entail giving friends or family members a call or sending them a text. According to one study, even a quick video chat can considerably lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation.
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network tracks variations through the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples. The Health Ministry ordered on Wednesday to strengthen the system to ensure the prompt detection of novel variants spreading in the nation. “This would enable the timely implementation of appropriate public health measures,” said the ministry.
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States have been asked to increase testing, send a significant number of samples of COVID-19-positive cases and illnesses resembling pneumonia to the INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories every day for sequencing, and monitor the emergence of any new variants.
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