New COVID variant in Kerala: 280 new cases reported in 24 hours; Restrictions likely to be imposed

The latest data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has confirmed the presence of the JN.1 variant in Kerala, which is currently seeing a rise in Covid cases. J

Thiruvananthapuram: India recorded 312 new cases of Covid-19 on Friday, including 280 from Kerala, where a number of cases have been recorded in the past week. According to government data, the new cases came from 17,605 tests conducted in the past 24 hours. Kerala is witnessing a sudden rise in Covid-19 cases with two people succumbing to the virus this month. According to official figures, Kerala reported 470 cases in November and 825 new ones in the first ten days of this month, the highest in India. The state has 1,104 active Covid cases as of Thursday.

“Covid cases are detected in patients admitted to hospital with respiratory symptoms. In most cases they test negative for H1N1, but positive for Covid. In some patients, the duration of symptoms is longer and lasts a month or two. However, what we are now noticing is that, more than with Covid, the symptoms are worsening due to air pollution and climate change,” the state hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr. Sunny P. Orathel, to the Times of India.

Covid restrictions are likely to be imposed

The latest data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has confirmed the presence of the JN.1 variant in Kerala, which is currently seeing a rise in Covid cases. JN.1 is a sublineage of the BA.2.86 Omicron variant and was first detected in Luxembourg in August before spreading to other countries.

With the southern state having detected the JN.1 subvariant of Omicron, raising new concerns, authorities have emphasized the need for continued monitoring of the virus. According to news reports, if the number of cases continues to rise in the state, the Kerala government may also impose restrictions and preventive measures in sensitive areas.

Tamil Nadu sends eight samples for testing

In view of the new Covid-19 variant JN.1 and increasing caseload in Kerala, the Tamil Nadu state government has sent Covid-19 positive samples for testing. “Due to an increase in the number of cases in Kerala, the Tamil Nadu state government has ordered an increase in the number of RT-PCR tests where there are more fever cases. We tested 264 people with fever. Of them, eight people tested positive for Covid-19,” Health Minister Ma Subramanian told reporters on the sidelines of a conference here. The state had conducted over 200 RT-PCR tests after two or three months.

In just a month, the number of active cases in Kerala rose from 33 to 768, raising concerns. However, experts stated that there is nothing to worry about but stressed the need for continued monitoring of the viruses.

Covid cases in India

Meanwhile, India saw a single-day rise of 312 new coronavirus infections, the highest since May 31, while the number of active cases rose to 1,296, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll was recorded at 5,33,310, according to the data updated at 8 am on Friday.

The number of Covid cases in the country stands at 4.50 crore (4,50,04,142). The number of people who have recovered from the disease has risen to 4,44,69,536, and the national recovery rate stands at 98.81 percent, according to the Health Ministry website. According to the ministry’s website, 220.67 crore doses of the vaccine have been administered in the country so far.

REMARK: The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the JN.1 subvariant of Omicron as a “notable descendant,” indicating potential increased transmissibility compared to its predecessors. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently reports no evidence of increased public health risk or severity compared to other circulating variants.