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This is an archive article published on December 27, 2023

83 JN.1 cases in India so far, most in Gujarat, says INSACOG

At least 409 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours, with the highest cases in Kerala. Of the 4,170 active cases, 3,096 are in Kerala

Covid JN.1 variant, Covid JN.1 variant cases, JN.1 variant in India, JN.1 variant total cases in India, Covid-19, Covid, India Covid cases, JN.1 cases, COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1, covid cases, world covid cases, covid-19 news, Indian Express, Indian express newsThe high number of JN.1 cases in Gujarat was due to testing being ramped up. (Express File photo)

At least 83 cases of the new JN.1 variant have been detected in India so far, with the highest 34 sequences from Gujarat, according to India’s genome sequencing consortium INSACOG.

This was followed by 18 from Goa, 8 from Karnataka, 7 from Maharashtra, 5 each from Kerala and Rajasthan, 4 from Tamil Nadu, and 2 from Telangana.

At least 409 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours, with the highest cases in Kerala. Of the 4,170 active cases, 3,096 are in Kerala. Karnataka also reported 122 cases and 3 deaths, according to the Health Ministry data.

An increase in JN.1 sequences has been reported by the consortium during the first three weeks of December, with 29 cases being added during the week ending on December 24.

The spike coincides with countries such as the US and Singapore reporting a jump in Covid-19 cases linked to the new variant.

According to officials, there were very few samples being sent for genome sequencing since July this year as very few Covid-19 tests were done.

More importantly, the high number of JN.1 cases in Gujarat was due to testing being ramped up. Kerala, which is reporting the highest number of Covid-19 cases during the current uptick, has sequenced only five JN.1 samples.

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Initially, most cases were reported from Goa that was regularly sequencing Covid-19 samples with a batch of samples submitted on December 17. The official quoted above said that Kerala mostly uses rapid antigen kits for Covid-19 testing and the samples collected for it cannot be sequenced.

Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country’s space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University’s Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More

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