511 Cases of Covid Sub-Variant JN.1 Detected in Country

A total of 511 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been reported in the country so far with the maximum recorded in Karnataka, official sources said on Wednesday.

Out of the total reported cases, official sources indicate that Karnataka has recorded 199 cases, followed by Kerala with 148 cases, Goa with 47 cases, Gujarat with 36 cases, Maharashtra with 32 cases, Tamil Nadu with 26 cases, Delhi with 15 cases, Rajasthan with four cases, and two cases each from Telangana. Additionally, Odisha and Haryana have each reported one case of the COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized JN.1 as a distinct "variant of interest" due to its rapidly increasing spread. However, the global health body emphasized that it presents a "low" risk to global public health. JN.1, a sub-variant of the coronavirus, was initially designated as a variant of interest (VOI) within the BA.2.86 sub-lineages. The parent lineage is classified as a VOI, as confirmed by the WHO. In response to the uptick in Covid cases and the detection of the JN.1 sub-variant in the country, the Centre has urged states and Union territories to maintain heightened vigilance.

States have been urged to ensure effective compliance of the detailed operational guidelines for revised surveillance strategy for COVID-19 shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.