New Delhi: A total of 69 cases of the JN.1 subvariant of COVID have been reported in the country until December 25, according to Health Ministry sources on December 26. Out of these, 34 cases were reported in Karnataka, 14 in Goa, nine in Maharashtra, six in Kerala, four in Tamil Nadu, and two in Telangana, the sources stated. The total number of active cases in the country was recorded at 4,170.
According to Union Health Ministry data, Karnataka reported 436 cases, Kerala 3096, Maharashtra 168, Gujarat 56, and Tamil Nadu 139 cases. Meanwhile, amid rising concerns over the emergence of the new variant of the coronavirus, Dr. Randeep Guleria, former director of AIIMS Delhi, said, “This is the season when you will see viral infections, respiratory infections becoming more. Every year we see them, whether it’s influenza, COVID, RSV, or other viral infections. And that happens because of the temperature and crowding.”
“As it’s a holiday season, people travel, so they will carry the virus with them. There are crowds, and many of the crowds stay indoors because of the cold weather, which leads to the spread of infection, which is different in different people. So I would say what we need to do is first of all COVID-appropriate behavior like wash your hands regularly if you have a cough and cold so that you don’t spread the infection to others,” he added.
He further said, “Avoid going to crowded places, especially if you have a fever, cough, and cold because you may be spreading the infection to others.” The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, distinct from its parent lineage BA.2.86. However, the global health body emphasized that the overall risk posed by JN.1 remains low based on current evidence.
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