India's Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 tally rises to 619, highest cases from Karnataka & Kerala

The COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 cases have reached 619 till January 4, according to the data compiled from 12 states, a senior official said.The states with the highest number of cases include Karnataka with 199 followed by Kerala with 148, Maharashtra with 110, Goa with 47, Gujarat with 36, Andhra Pradesh with 30, Tamil Nadu with 26, Delhi with 15, Rajasthan with 4, and 2 each from Telangana, along with one case each from Odisha and Haryana.Despite the rising cases, authorities have noted that the majority of those infected are choosing home-based treatment, suggesting mild illness and no immediate cause for concern.The Centre has already asked states and Union territories to maintain a constant vigil amid an uptick in the number of Covid cases and the detection of the JN.1 sub-variant in the country.States have been told to ensure effective compliance of the detailed operational guidelines for revised surveillance strategy for COVID-19 shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. They have asked to monitor and report district-wise cases of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness in all health facilities regularly for early detection of rising trend of cases.The 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 JN.1 sub-variant of the coronavirus was previously classified as a variant of interest (VOI) as part of the BA.2.86 sub-lineages, the parent lineage that is classified as a VOI, the world body said.With inputs from PTI.