The coronavirus variant recently identified as JN.1 has raised concerns among health professionals, experts, officials and the general public. This COVID19 subvariant, JN.1, is a descendant of BA.2.86.
On December 18, recent data from the Union Health Ministry showed that 260 new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) were reported in India, increasing the active cases to 1,828.
Symptoms of the JN.1 novel Covid variant include runny nose, sore throat, fever and headache. One may experience mild upper respiratory symptoms that generally show improvement within four to five days.
Updates about JN.1 Covid variant:
260 new cases registered in India, total active cases 1,828 ‘Report symptoms, increase testing’: Government advice amid Covid spike, new variant
The Karnataka government has rejected the current need for border movement restrictions, confirming that it has implemented comprehensive precautionary measures.
The Union Health Ministry has called on states to remain vigilant due to the rise in COVID cases in Kerala. In response to the significant increase in daily cases, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has scheduled a meeting with state health ministers for Wednesday. Kerala has seen a significant increase in daily cases, almost tripling within a week, with 10 deaths reported from December 1 to 17.
The World Health Organization has issued a warning that “COVID is still undergoing change and evolution” as cases of the JN.1 subvariant continue to rise.
The central government has issued a Covid advisory to the states amid the increasing spread of the Omicron subvariant.
In Karnataka, wearing masks is now mandatory for persons aged 60 years and above.
The Central Government has directed the State Governments and urged them to ensure proper health arrangements.
The JN.1 variant is highly adept at evading the immune system and spreads rapidly. This allows it to infect individuals with prior COVID-19 infection as well as those who have been vaccinated.
Covid variants contain a significant number of specific mutations, particularly in the spike protein, which can potentially increase infectivity and evade the immune response.