JN.1 Covid cases record highest in Kerala and Gujarat: INSACOG
New Delhi: According to INSACOG data updated on Thursday, a total of 157 cases of Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been found in the country, with Kerala reporting the highest number of 78 cases, followed by Gujarat with 34. Cases have been registered.
Several states have been reporting a rise in the number of Covid cases over the past few weeks and nine states and union territories have so far detected the presence of the JN.1 sub-variant of the virus.
These states are- Kerala (78), Gujarat (34), Goa (18), Karnataka (eight), Maharashtra (seven), Rajasthan (five), Tamil Nadu (four), Telangana (two) and Delhi (one), Indian According to the SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
INSACOG data showed that JN.1 was present in 141 Covid cases reported in the country in December, while 16 such cases were detected in November.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a separate ‘variant of interest’ given its rapidly increasing spread, but said it poses a ‘low’ global public health risk.
The world body said the JN.1 sub-variant of the coronavirus was previously classified as a variant of interest (VOI) as part of the BA.2.86 sub-lineage, the original lineage which was classified as a VOI. Has been done
However, in recent weeks, JN.1 cases have been reported from several countries and its spread has increased rapidly globally.
Amid the rise in the number of Covid cases in the country and the detection of the JN.1 sub-variant, the Center has asked the states and union territories to maintain constant surveillance.
