Covid JN 1 variant: Panic over surge in cases; check symptoms

Covid JN 1 subvariant: Amid a concerning surge in Covid-19 cases attributed to the recently identified JN.1 variant, cautionary advice from a former WHO scientist has urged nationwide vigilance. Multiple states have swiftly implemented preemptive measures in response to the rise in infections, with health advisories emphasising the crucial need for mask-wearing and extensive testing.

In the past 24 hours, the nation recorded a total of 358 new Covid cases, with a staggering 300 cases reported in Kerala alone. Tragically, six Covid-related deaths were also documented during this period.

According to the latest data from the health ministry dashboard, India currently accounts for 2,669 active Covid cases. December 20 saw the highest daily figure since May, with 614 cases reported. Despite being categorised as a "variant of interest" by the World Health Organisation, JN.1 subvariant of Covid has been clarified as currently posing no significant risk.

Checkout the symptoms 
Identified symptoms associated with the Covid subvariant JN.1 variant encompass fever, runny nose, sore throat, headaches, occasional gastrointestinal issues, severe fatigue, exhaustion, and muscle weakness. Medical experts strongly advise seeking a Covid test if these symptoms persist for more than two days.

Former WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan, addressing the surge in infections, cautioned against underestimating Covid as a common cold. She underscored not only the severity of cases, but also the potential long-term impacts of the virus. While expressing hope that JN.1 might exhibit mild behavior similar to Omicron, Swaminathan warned about the possibility of new variants becoming more transmissible over time.

Swaminathan highlighted the variant's potential to evade existing antibody responses, posing a risk of recurrent waves of infections among previously infected individuals.

This situation stresses the critical necessity of maintaining vigilance and adopting proactive measures to mitigate the impact of emerging variants on public health.