COVID-19 variant JN.1 in India: COVID-19 cases are rising in India again. The Centre has directed all the states to remain vigilant and ensure adequate testing in all districts, with a high proportion of RT-PCR tests.
Union Health Secretary Sudhanshu Pant issued a letter to all the states and asked them to send all positive samples for whole genome sequencing to the laboratories of INSACOG. The states have also been asked to regularly report cases of influenza-like illnesses, allowing for detecting rising trends early.
According to media reports, the sub-variant was first identified in Luxembourg and it is a descendant of the Pirola variant (BA.2.86), which itself stems from the Omicron sub-variant.
Reportedly, the variant carries mutations in the spike protein that may increase its infectivity and ability to evade immune responses.
COVID-19 variant JN.1 detected in India; Here’s what we know so far
- Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said his government has implemented guidelines issued by the Centre in connection with a new variant of COVID-19.
- According to data from the Union Health Ministry, 127 new cases and one death have been reported in the past 24 hours. Of these, 111 cases and one death were reported from Kerala.
- The Health Ministry has confirmed at least one case of new sub-variant JN.1 in Kerala during routine surveillance.
- According to a report by Indian Express, a traveller from Singapore to Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirapalli was previously detected to have the sub-variant. At least 15 cases of JN.1 have also been detected in Goa
- Karnataka’s Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said masks may be made mandatory for those aged above 60 years, as well as people with heart ailments and breathing issues.
- The Centre’s letter urges states to ensure appropriate public health measures and promote respiratory hygiene, it does not specifically ask for mask mandates.
- Updated Covid-19 vaccines are expected to increase protection against JN.1, as per Union Health Secretary Sudhanshu Pant
- On December 16, Kerala reported 302 new Covid cases. Along with the increase in cases, deaths are also slowly rising.
