With the emergence of the JN.1 Covid variant in India, 2669 new active cases were reported within 24 hours on Thursday. The Union Health Ministry noted a rise in Covid cases in Kerala, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Karnataka. As of Wednesday, India has recorded 21 cases of the Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1. This variant, JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1), originated in late 2023 and is a descendant of the BA.2.86 lineage (Pirola) of the coronavirus.
Two Covid-19-related deaths were reported in Karnataka on Wednesday, with uncertainty about their connection to the new subvariant JN.1. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized in a meeting with health department representatives that Covid is still a concern, urging states to monitor emerging cases, symptoms, and case severity for a suitable public health response.
Hospitals nationwide are on alert due to the increasing trend of Covid cases. Dr. Rohit Kumar from Safdarjung Hospital stated that they are on high alert, conducting COVID tests, and sending samples for genome sequencing.
A 41-year-old individual tested positive for the new Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, with no further details available.Kerala reported 300 new active cases of Covid-19 and 3 deaths on December 20, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The West Bengal Health Department will continue surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in line with central guidelines. The Haryana government announced that RT-PCR tests will be conducted for Influenza-like Illnesses and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections. The Delhi government is on high alert following the entry of the new Covid variant into the country. Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that oxygen cylinders, ventilator beds, and other requirements are being reviewed again.