JN.1 subvariant surge: Odisha reports 2 fresh cases of JN.1 infections

JN.1 subvariant surge: Following the increase in JN.1 subvariant, Odisha reported two fresh cases of the Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1. 

The two fresh infections were detected in Sundargarh and Bhubaneswar, while one of the patients has recovered completely and the other is under treatment. Samples that were found to be Covid-positive are being sent for genome sequencing.

Heath authorities said, "We are sending all the positives for genome sequencing. Two cases of JN.1 have come up in genome sequencing, while the total number of cases is 28. We will test the asymptomatic as per the ICMR guidelines and if they are found positive, they will be sent for genome sequencing." 

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"Out of two cases of JN.1, one is under treatment and the other is totally free of symptoms. One patient also has a travel history in Kerala. There is nothing to worry about; new variants are a viral phenomenon and they will keep coming up," he added.
 

Covid-19 infections in India so far 

India reported 760 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths within the past 24 hours in India--one each in Kerala and Karnataka, according to data provided by the Union Health Ministry. 

The active caseload, which stood at 4,440 the previous day, saw a slight decrease to 4,423. 
Notably, JN.1 is a variant of the Omicron subvariant known as BA.2.86 or Pirola. Kerala reported the first case of the JN.1 variant of Covid-19.

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently designated JN.1 as a variant of interest, different from its parent lineage BA.2.86. However, the World Health Organisation emphasised that, based on current evidence, the overall risk posed by JN.1 remains low.