COVID-19 Tracker Highlights: India reports 640 new cases, 1 more death; Kerala tops with 265 infections

The World Health Organization has classified JN.1 as a variant of interest.

Amid the resurgence of JN.1 variant, India’s active cases rose on December 22.  The country on December 22 recorded 640 fresh COVID-19 infections while the number of active cases climbed to 2,997 from 2,669 the day before, according to Union health ministry data. The country's COVID-19 tally now stands at 4.50 crore (4,50,07,212). The death toll climbed to 5,33,328 with one more fatality reported from Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. Till December 21, a total of 22 JN.1 COVID-19 variant cases were reported in India. No clustering of COVID-19 has been reported so far and all cases have mild symptoms, official sources were quoted by news agency ANI as saying. Watch here.

Cases Across States

The Health Ministry data showed active cases also rose in 10 states and one Union Territory. These are -- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, and Puducherry. As many as 4,44,70,887 recuperated from Covid-19 while the national recovery rate was pegged at 98.81 percent, the Health Ministry said. So far, 220.67 crore (220,67,79,081) doses of Covid vaccine have been administered.

Also read: Kerala records 265 new COVID-19 cases, one death

However, 16 states and union territories including Odisha and Himachal Pradesh among others have not reported any Covid cases this time. Meanwhile, the Chandigarh administration has issued advisories in response to the spread of the JN.1 sub-variant of Covid-19. According to several media reports, it is now mandatory for attendants, doctors, and other hospital staff to wear masks in hospitals.

Commenting on the preparations taken by the state to tackle the new Covid JN.1 variant, Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant has said, “We have close to 22,445 isolation beds, 35,000 beds with oxygen support, close to 10,000 ICU beds, and more than 6,000 beds with ventilators. So, at the moment, there is nothing to fear.”

West Bengal reported eight new Covid cases and health officials are checking for the presence of the JN.1 strain among patients. Among the eight cases, one is a six-month-old child admitted to Calcutta Medical College Hospital. A 58-year-old patient, resident of Behala, is admitted to a private hospital in Alipore.

In Rajasthan, six new cases of Covid infection and one related death were reported on Friday, the state medical and health department said. According to the department, the fresh six cases took the active Covid caseload in the state to 10.

Telangana reported nine new COVID-19 cases on Friday with Hyderabad accounting for eight of them while one was reported from Rangareddy.

 Advisory By Health Ministry

The Centre said the current spike in Covid-19 cases was not a cause for concern and urged people not to panic. However, the Centre has advised people having comorbidities to wear face masks as a precautionary measure. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the preparedness of health facilities across the country and stressed being alert against emerging strains of Covid. Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant said that even though cases are increasing, 92.8 percent of the cases are in home isolation, indicating mild illness.

India Inc on Likely Impact

“Regarding our vaccine efforts, we are currently offering a XBB1 variant vaccine which is very similar to the JN1 variant in the US and Europe. In the coming months, we are aiming to obtain licensure for this vaccine in India. We plan to submit the necessary documentation to the regulators, with the goal of making it available to the public," one Serum Institute of India (SII) spokesperson told Moneycontrol.

Also read: JN.1 subvariant in focus; what we know so far

What  WHO Has to Say

The World Health Organization (WHO) on December 19 declared JN.1 a variant of interest due to its "rapidly increasing spread”. But it did not label JN.1 a variant of concern yet.  "Based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low," WHO said.

However, former World Health Organisation (WHO) chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan asserted that there is no need to panic currently as it is a variant of interest and not of concern. However, she urged people to be cautious by taking proper precautionary measures.

Tamil Nadu reported a spike of 15 new Covid cases in the past 24 hours, followed by Karnataka at 13.

All About JN.1 Variant

The new strain  JN.1 is a descendant of Pirola, which has now been identified in the US, China, and India. The JN.1 variant differs from Pirola or BA. 2.86 by only a single mutation in its spike protein. While it shares similarities with previous Omicron strains in terms of high transmissibility and mild symptoms, there are some symptoms that individuals should be aware of, as they may not be as mild as other Omicron variants.

According to experts, initial symptoms of the JN.1 COVID variant include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, and, in some cases, moderate gastrointestinal problems. Breathing difficulties may also be experienced by certain patients. However, currently, there is no evidence suggesting that this variant is more severe or has higher fatality rates compared to other variants. “JN.1 is a family of the omicron variant, which is a very mild variant. It is just like the common flu or viral fever, there is nothing to worry about. There might be a surge in cases, but there will be no wave,” said Gautam Bhansali, consultant physician at Bombay Hospital.