Delhi: Amid a concerning surge in COVID-19 cases in India, there is growing apprehension about the emergence of the JN.1 sub-variant, which has been detected in Kerala. JN.1 is a descendant of the BA 2.86 variant, itself an Omicron subvariant, distinguished by an additional mutation in the receptor binding domain (L455S) compared to BA 2.86. This alteration in JN.1 results in extensive resistance across receptor binding domain classes 1, 2, and 3, showcasing higher immune evasion compared to BA 2.86 and other resistant strains. Designated as a variant of interest by the World Health Organization, JN.1 is raising concerns, especially for the elderly and individuals with multiple comorbidities, according to Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, a member of the IMA COVID Task Force.
In the latest COVID-19 statistics for India, the country reported 594 new infections on Thursday, contributing to a rise in active cases from 2,311 to 2,669. The death toll climbed to 5,33,327, with six additional fatalities recorded – three in Kerala, two in Karnataka, and one in Punjab.
The surge in cases has been particularly notable in Kerala, where 266 out of the 423 new cases in India were reported, while Karnataka recorded 70 cases. Kerala also reported two deaths, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus. The total number of active COVID-19 cases in the country stands at 3,420, prompting authorities to closely monitor and respond to the evolving situation.
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