As the States across the country rush for genome sequencing of the Covid-19 cases, more number of JN.1 sub variants are being detected as at least 63 cases were reported in the country on Monday with maximum from Goa at 34 cases followed by Maharashtra where nine cases have been identified. Eight are from Karnataka, six from Kerala, four from Tamil Nadu and two from Telangana.
However, there has been no clustering of cases reported so far and all the cases of the JN.1 subvariant have mild symptoms, according to officials from the Union Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, overall India reported 628 new Covid cases, 1 more death in 24 hours, while the active caseload jumped to 4,054, according to Union health ministry data. The death toll stands at 5,33,334, with one new death reported from Kerala in 24 hours, the data showed.
For the first time on Sunday, Pune district reported JN.1 variant of Covid-19 as the genome sequencing results of three patients tested positive for the variant. One of the patients who tested positive to the Covid variant had a history of travelling to the USA. Both the patients from Pune had mild symptoms and have already recovered.
In fact, Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde has tested positive for coronavirus, state Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Monday. There is no need to panic about the viral infection, Pawar was quoted by a news agency as saying.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said there are four Covid patients in hospitals in the State and they have asked for a genome sequencing report to know whether the new cases are of new variants or not.
The total number of fatalities stood at 5,33,334 (5.33 lakh), with one new death reported from Kerala in the preceding 24 hours, according to the information updated at 8 am. The country's Covid case tally is currently at 4.50 crore.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has risen to 4,44,71,860 (4.44 crore) while the national recovery rate stands at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry website.
India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) chief Dr NK Arora said that no additional dose of vaccine is needed against the subvariant at present.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently designated JN.1 as a variant of interest, differentiating it from its parent lineage BA.2.86. Despite its swift dissemination, the global health organization has underscored that the overall risk associated with JN.1 is currently considered low based on available evidence.
