Covid Variant JN.1 Detected in Kerala: Amid the recent surge in coronavirus cases around the globe, India has detected a new variant of Covid-19 disease. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that an infection linked to the JN. 1 Covid strain was detected in Kerala on Sunday. The daily COVID numbers also show a slight uptick across India. According to the health ministry’s official data, the daily caseload is nearing 2,000.
As covid cases hit headlines once again, here are latest updates from India and around the world:
The Monday health bulletin announces that official daily COVID numbers in India have not been released today. The Sunday data shows that India registered 335 new COVID-19 infections. While the daily caseload was recorded at 1,701, the COVID fatality tally stood at 5. While Kerala reported four coronavirus deaths, Uttar Pradesh confirmed one covid death.
India’s overall covid recovery rate stood at 98.81 per cent, the official health bulletin stated. According to the health ministry’s official site, 220.67 crore doses of coronavirus vaccine have been administered across the country since the first drive of vaccination was launched.
Covid-19 Variant JN.1 in Kerala
Kerala confirmed the first case of JN.1 strain of coronavirus. According to the latest reports, a 79-year-old woman is said to be infected with this new variant of Covid-19. The case came to light during the routine Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium’s surveillance on December 8. This variant was first reported in the USA in September 2023, while on December 15, China reported around 7 cases of the same variant. The variant is spreading across the globe as per the CDC’s tracking system.
Covid Variant JN.1: Symptoms
Just like the COVID-19 virus, the JN.1 variant is also not an easily detectable virus. Even though it is more infectious and easily transmitted, the symptoms associated with JN.1 are generally mild. As per Dr Tushar Tayal, Lead Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, the symptoms reported for JN.1 include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, cough, and, in some instances, mild gastrointestinal symptoms. Despite its increased transmissibility, there is no news of a surge in hospital admissions due to this variant
JN.1 Covid sub-variant: Precautions
Dr. Tayal emphasizes the importance of taking proactive preventive measures to curb the spread of JN.1. These measures include frequent hand sanitization, the use of Triple-layer masks, and adherence to social distancing guidelines. Failure to follow these preventive measures could lead to JN.1 becoming the dominant strain of the circulating COVID virus.
In another report by Dr Rajneesh Srivastava, Senior Consultant –Internal Medicine, Max Hospital, Gurugram, has explained the preventive methods be:
- Frequent handwashing
- Wearing mask
- Maintaining social distance
Covid Variant JN.1 cases in India
Following the spread of the JN.1 variant in Kerala, other southern states like Karnataka have issued an alert in the state on Sunday and initiated all precautionary methods including, test kits, which include RT-PCR tests, Rapid Antigen Tests, and VTM (Viral Transport Medium). The Karnataka Health Ministry has also started mock drills in all hospitals to assess bed capacity, including ICU beds, oxygen availability, and medicine supplies.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has requested people to not panic as the situation is still under control. The minister said, “I have told the officials to be prepared. Though the situation is not alarming, and we should not think in that manner, we should be prepared in case the (Covid-like) situation recurs. In the event of any shortcoming, it should be rectified now itself.”
