India reported an additional 40 cases of the JN.1 sub-variant of COVID-19 on December 26, bringing the total count of variant cases to 109, according to official sources on Wednesday.
According to PTI news agency, Gujarat identified 36 cases, Karnataka reported 34 cases, Goa recorded 14 cases, Maharashtra documented nine cases, while Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu each reported four cases. Additionally, Telangana confirmed two infections.
The majority of the patients were in home isolation, as per information provided to PTI.
Dr. V K Paul, a member of NITI Aayog (Health), mentioned last week that authorities were closely examining the new variant. However, he emphasized the necessity for states to enhance the testing process and bolster the surveillance system.
The JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1) variant, originating in Luxembourg in August 2023, is a descendant of the BA.2.86 lineage (Pirola) of SARS-CoV-2.
