As the JN.1 worry continues, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (NSACOG) has detected a total of 157 COVID cases in India, which have been linked to the JN.1 subvariant.

As of Thursday, December 28, 2023, the highest number of JN.1 COVID cases in India were reported from Kerala. The southern state was the first to detect the new Omicron subvariant and now has a total of 78 cases.    

After Kerala, Gujarat has reported the maximum number of JN.1 cases. As per INSACOG, Gujarat has a total of 34 cases linked to the new subvariant.

Over the past few weeks, India has reported an uptick in COVID cases all across. As of now, nine states and union territories have detected the new JN.1 variant.

As per INSACOG Data, this is the number of JN.1 cases in India -

Kerala - 78

Gujarat - 34

Goa - 18

Karnataka - 8

Maharashtra - 7

Rajasthan - 5

Tamil Nadu - 4

Telangana - 2

Delhi - 1

Following the surge in COVID cases across the world, the World Health Organisation declared the JN.1 variant as a "variant of interest". However, despite its rapid transmission rate, the UN health agency reported that the new subvariant poses a "low" global public health risk.

Meanwhile, the Central Government has urged all states to remain vigilant and increase the rate of RT-PCR tests conducted every day. Following the JN.1 surge, many states have also brought back mask mandates, home isolations and other COVID restrictions.

The JN.1 Variant was first detected in the United States. As per WHO, the subvariant was part of the BA.2.86 lineage of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

(With inputs from agencies)