India records 263 cases of Covid sub-variant JN.1 so far, says report
PTC News Desk: India has so far recorded a total of 263 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1, with about half of them recorded in Kerala.
So far, the presence of the JN.1 sub-variant of the virus has been detected in ten states and union territories.
According to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), these states are Kerala (133), Goa (51), Gujarat (34), Delhi (16), Karnataka (eight), Maharashtra (nine), Rajasthan (five), Tamil Nadu (four), Telangana (two), and Odisha (one).
According to INSACOG data, 239 Covid cases recorded in the country in December had JN.1, compared to 24 such cases in November.
JN.1 has been classified as a separate "variant of interest" by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to its rapid spread, but it poses a "low" global public health risk.
The JN.1 coronavirus sub-variant was previously classified as a variant of interest (VOI) as part of the BA.2.86 sub-lineages, the parent lineage that is classified as a VOI, according to the world body.
However, JN.1 cases have continued to be reported from multiple countries in recent weeks, and its global prevalence has rapidly increased.
The Centre has asked states and union territories to remain vigilant in the face of an increase in Covid cases and the detection of the JN.1 sub-variant in the country.
According to data released today by the Health Ministry, India has recorded 573 new coronavirus infections, with 4,565 active cases.
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