NEW DELHI: According to official sources on Wednesday, there have been 511 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 reported nationwide thus far, with Karnataka recording the highest number of cases. Karnataka has reported 199 cases, Kerala has reported 148, Goa has reported 47, Gujarat has reported 36, Maharashtra has reported 32, Tamil Nadu has reported 26, Delhi has reported 15, Rajasthan has reported 4, Telangana has reported 2, and Odisha and Haryana have reported one each. Despite its fast spreading nature, the WHO has designated JN.1 as a distinct “variant of interest” and stated that it presents a “low” risk to global public health.The world body stated that the JN.1 sub-variant of the coronavirus was previously categorised as a variant of interest (VOI) as a component of the parent lineage that is categorised as a VOI, the BA.2.86 sub-lineages. Due to an increase in Covid cases and the discovery of the JN.1 sub-variant in the nation, the Centre has requested that states and Union territories keep a continuous watch. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has shared updated operational guidelines for the COVID-19 surveillance strategy, and states have been urged to ensure their effective compliance.Additionally, they have been asked to keep an eye on and report cases of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) in each district’s medical facilities.
