Covid variant JN.1 in Kerala: Indian state says 'don't panic' as Covid cases rise

Kerala state in India has called for caution in response to a surge in Covid-19 cases but emphasized that there is no need for panic. The uptick is linked to the identification of JN.1, a sub-variant of the virus, which has previously been identified in various countries, including the United States and China. The World Health Organization (WHO) assures that all authorized Covid-19 vaccines remain effective against JN.1.

As of Saturday, the southern Indian state has reported 1,324 active Covid-19 cases and four deaths, attributed in part to the state’s high testing rate. However, the specific number of cases associated with JN.1 is unclear due to limited routine genome sequencing. State Health Minister Veena George reassured the public that the situation is under control and there is no cause for alarm.

The JN.1 sub-variant was initially detected earlier this month in a positive RT-PCR test sample as part of routine surveillance conducted by INSACOG, a network of laboratories monitoring Covid-19 in India. The patient, a 79-year-old woman, experienced mild symptoms and has since recovered. Minister George mentioned that the variant has been previously identified in other parts of the country, with instances detected in individuals screened at the Singapore airport months ago.

Neighboring states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are closely monitoring the situation in Kerala. Simultaneously, India’s federal health ministry is conducting preparedness drills in hospitals across various states, although these drills have not been directly attributed to the JN.1 sub-variant. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has acknowledged the rising Covid-19 cases in Kerala, linking it to an increase in samples from influenza-like illness (ILI) cases being referred for testing in recent weeks, according to Rajiv Bahl, Director General of the ICMR.