Delhi reports first case of Covid sub-variant JN.1

The World Health Organisation had recently classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, distinct from the parent lineage BA.2.86.

The World Health Organisation had recently classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, distinct from the parent lineage BA.2.86. (File/Representational image)

The first case of the Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 was reported in Delhi on Wednesday.

An official said three samples were sent for genome sequencing to Lok Nayak Hospital, where one sample was found to be of the Omicron variant and one was JN.1, an Omicron sub lineage.

The World Health Organisation had recently classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, distinct from the parent lineage BA.2.86.

Health minister Saurabh Bhardwaj Thursday said there is no need to panic as the variant causes mild sickness. “JN.1 is a sub-variant of Omicron and is a mild infection. This is the one spreading in South India. There is no need to panic,” he said.

Currently, Delhi has more than 35 active cases with nine fresh infections being reported on Wednesday.

India recorded 526 fresh Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, while the country’s active infection tally stood at 4,093, the health ministry said.

According to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am, three new fatalities — two from Karnataka and one from Gujarat — were reported in a span of 24 hours.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram