Goa records new cases, Kerala sees new deaths though WHO deems Covid JN.1 as 'Variant of Interest' with low risk

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New Delhi: The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently designated the new JN.1 coronavirus strain as “variant of interest.” The organisation has reassured that the current evidence suggests a low global public health risk associated with this variant. However, a surge in Covid-19 cases in Kerala, leading to three deaths, along with 19 fresh cases in Goa has heightened the level of concern in India.

JN.1 was initially categorised as a variant of interest within the BA.2.86 lineage by WHO. The organisation emphasised that the already administered vaccines remain effective against JN.1 and other circulating strains, including the fatalities caused by it.

19 cases of JN.1 variant detected in Goa

A North Goa district hospital has identified nineteen cases of the Omicron variant BA.2 – JN.1, which includes a BA.2.86 sequence. Dr. Prashant Suryavanshi, the state epidemiologist, has verified the cases and assured the public that there is no cause for concern or panic.

Suryavanshi mentioned that all affected individuals have completed seven days, and they are not currently classified as active cases in the state.

292 fresh cases in Kerala, 3 deaths reported

Kerala recorded 292 new Covid-19 cases and three deaths on Wednesday. With this, the active Covid cases in Kerala have risen to 2,041.

State Health Minister Veena George reassured that the state is prepared to handle the surge, and gave orders to provide appropriate facilities to patients, including the availability of rooms, isolation wards, oxygen beds, ICU beds and ventilators in hospitals.

CDC insights and global concerns

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the JN.1 sub-variant constitutes an estimated 15% to 29% of cases in the United States as of December 8.

Despite its prevalence, the CDC assures the public that there is currently no evidence suggesting an elevated risk to public health compared to other circulating variants.

The CDC also mentioned that an updated vaccine could provide continued protection against the JN.1 variant.

JN.1 was initially identified in the US in September, according to CDC reports. Additionally, China reported seven cases of the JN.1 sub-variant last week, raising global awareness of its presence.