Is COVID-19 back? After over five long years of wreaking havoc across the globe, another variant, JN.1 of COVID-19, is gripping the South-Asian countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand. However, India is no exception, as 164 fresh cases of COVID-19 have been reported. This has left people concerned about the dangers of the new subvariant.?
The surge in cases is largely attributed to the spread of new Omicron subvariants, including JN.1 and its associated descendants, leading to increased vigilance among health authorities. The rise in cases is linked to waning immunity, with a periodic wave that is anticipated.?
After Indian actress Shilpa Shirodkar revealed that she tested positive for COVID-19 on her Instagram on Monday, the concerns in India spiked even more. However, on May 19, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported that currently there are 93 active COVID-19 cases in India, and the country has not observed a significant rise domestically. But should India be concerned??
JN.1 is a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86 lineage, which was identified in August 2023. Additionally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) labelled it as a Variant of Interest in 2023. ＾This variant doesn¨t cause any fatal complications, unlike other variants of COVID-19, such as breathlessness,￣ says Dr Harish Chafle, Senior Consultant Intensivist, Chest Physician, Bronchoscopist and sleep disorders specialist, Gleneagles Hospital Parel, Mumbai.
The JN.1 variant, a sublineage of Omicron, is currently contributing to a rise in COVID-19 cases across parts of Asia, including India. While, according to Dr. Sheela Chakravarthy, Director - Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, ＾Experts add that the variants being seen in India are not more virulent than before. Yet, the authorities are keeping a watchful eye on the situation and are bracing for a probable increase in cases of flu-like symptoms in the coming months from variants LF.7 and NB.1.8, which are derivatives of JN.1.￣
The current surge in the number of COVID-19 cases has become a growing matter of concern across India. According to a News18 report, doctors in Mumbai have noted a slight uptick in mild infections, particularly among young individuals. However, there is no indication of a fresh wave so far. ＾India does not appear to be worried much about the JN.1 variant of COVID-19 yet. The Health Ministry states that the COVID-19 situation in India is in check, with just 257 active cases as of May 19, largely mild and not severe enough to need hospitalisation,￣ adds Dr. Chakravarthy.?
Symptoms of JN.1 variant of COVID-19:?
Dr. Chafle lists the symptoms of the JN.1 variant and says, ＾The symptoms that one can suffer from are cough, cold, runny nose, fever, gastrointestinal trouble, loss of smell and taste, fatigue, and headache.￣
＾So, don¨t panic and ensure to take all the necessary precautions recommended by the expert. Even though the variant is mild, it is imperative to take caution,￣ he adds.?
To prevent COVID-19 infection, follow the protocol mentioned below: