JN.1 variant in India: The cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in India. On Friday, India recorded a single-day rise of 761 Covid-19 cases and 12 deaths in the past 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said in a statement.
According to the Ministry’s data, the active caseload saw a slight rise from yesterday’s 4,423 to 4,334, the data updated at 8 am stated. The total number of cases stood at 45 million.
Moreover, the death toll rose to 533,385, with 12 fatalities reported. The case fatality rate was pegged at 1.18 per cent, the health ministry said. In the past 24 hours, 838 people recuperated from Covid-19, taking the total number of recovered cases to 44 million. The national recovery rate was recorded at 98.81 per cent, the ministry said.
The resurgence of cases is being closely monitored, mainly due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus JN.1 variant, which is classified as a ‘variant of interest’ by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The JN.1 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant and has been identified as the most prevalent strain in the US, accounting for over 44 per cent of cases.
In India, 541 cases of JN.1 sub-variant have been reported from nine states as of January 3, with Karnataka reporting the highest count at 198, followed by 148 in Kerala. The other states where JN.1 cases have been detected are — 47 in Goa, 36 in Gujarat, 32 in Maharashtra, 30 in Andhra Pradesh, 26 in Tamil Nadu, 15 in Delhi, four in Rajasthan, two in Telangana and one each in Odisha and Haryana.
Experts warn that while JN.1 is highly transmissible, it primarily causes mild symptoms similar to a common cold, affecting the upper respiratory tract and that the overall risk is low. They have also asked people not to panic and stressed that viral respiratory illnesses usually see a spike during the winter months.
JN.1 variant surge raises risk among children
Dr. Rahul Verma, Director, Neonatology & General Paediatrics, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital told Financial Express.com that this variant is a derivative of the Omicron virus (BA 2.86), though more infectious, it has the same symptoms like fever, cold, cough, running nose and tummy-aches, and body ache in children.
“Starting its spread from Kerala, the virus is thought to be now responsible for almost a third of COVID-19 infections in the population. So far, there does not seem to be an increased risk of complications noted with this strain. Overcrowding, the weather, and lack of precautions are some of the factors responsible for the spread of this infection in children,” Dr. Verma said.
It is known that the JN.1 is more transmissible; it could potentially lead to an increase in the overall number of cases, including in children. Children can contract and spread the virus, even if they are less likely to develop severe illness, Dr. Verma explained.
Here are some preventive steps that can be taken:
- Vaccination: Encourage eligible individuals, including parents and caregivers, to get vaccinated. It is established that COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be effective in preventing severe illness and reducing transmission. Wherever eligible, a booster dose is advisable as per current recommendations. In addition, routine annual vaccination against the flu virus would help in reducing the confusion on the type of virus illness.
- Hygiene Practices: Reinforce the importance of regular handwashing, using hand sanitizers, and practicing good respiratory hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.
- Masking: Children above two years may be encouraged to wear masks, especially in crowded or high-risk settings.
- Social Distancing: Encourage maintaining physical distance from others, particularly in situations where close contact is unavoidable.
- Regular Testing: One of the biggest taboo is swab testing. Regular testing, especially in areas with a surge in cases, can help identify and isolate cases promptly to prevent further spread.
