India Reports 20 Cases of COVID-19 Sub-Variant JN.1 Across States

As per INSACOG data, India has reported 20 cases of the COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1, with the highest number (18 cases) detected in Goa, and one case each in Kerala and Maharashtra. This development has prompted the Centre to advise states and union territories to maintain constant vigilance and enhance preparedness for any emerging strains of the coronavirus. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized the need for heightened alertness against the new variant and reviewed the country’s health facilities’ readiness. Meanwhile, India recorded 614 new coronavirus infections in a day, marking the highest daily count since May 21, and the active cases have risen to 2,311, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized the JN.1 variant as a “variant of interest” due to its rapid spread, though it currently poses a “low” global public health risk. Initially considered a variant of interest within the BA.2.86 sublineages, JN.1 has seen an increasing prevalence globally, leading to its classification as a separate variant of interest by the WHO. The rise in COVID-19 cases and the emergence of new variants underscore the ongoing challenges in managing the pandemic and the importance of sustained public health measures.