Pune reported 150 cases of JN.1 variant

While the testing has increased in the state, the number of samples that are Covid-positive are sent for genome sequencing to identify the strain. According to Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, genome sequencing coordinator of Maharashtra, JN.1 is has replaced all Covid variants and is now the dominant strain. “However, it is important to note that this is a mild infection with no major uptick in hospital admissions,” Dr Karyakarte told The Indian Express.

In Pune, samples are sent from the network of private laboratories, apart from municipal and state health authorities. Samples from other places are also sent to Pune’s labs and further for genome sequencing, which has helped identify as many as 150 JN.1 variant cases in Pune.

Dr Radhakrishna Pawar, who has the additional charge as joint director of health, Maharashtra, said a total of 2,728 Covid tests were conducted in the state on Monday. Till January 7, there were 891 patients with Covid, of whom 850 were in home isolation while 41 were hospitalized. Of these, 15 are in intensive care.

In the Mumbai circle there are 409 Covid patients while there are 207 patients in the Pune circle (which includes Pune rural, areas under the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Satara and Solapur). On Monday, a total of 61 new cases were identified in the state.

Meanwhile, a rapid clinical study of patients affected with JN.1 Covid variant found that fever, cold and cough were the prominent symptoms. At least 100 patients were included in the study to assess clinical manifestations, of whom only 60 responded.

According to researchers at B J Government Medical College, the study found that it was a mild infection and other symptoms reported included myalgia, headache, sore throat, fatigue, breathlessness, vomiting and chest pain.