New Delhi: India reported 142 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total caseload to 1,970, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. A newly identified coronavirus variant, JN.1, has raised concerns among medical professionals, experts, authorities, and the public. 

This subvariant of Covid-19, stemming from BA.2.86, contributed to a surge in India’s active caseload to 1,828 on Monday. A death in Kerala has been linked to the JN.1 sub variant, prompting the central government to issue advisories to state governments, urging them to enhance health preparations.

JN.1 was first detected in Kerala on 8 December in a 79- year-old woman, from Karakulam in Thiruvananthapuram district. She has now recovered, according to authorities.

Following an increase in Covid-19 cases and the detection of the JN.1 variant, the central government has issued an advisory to states. Sudhansh Pant, Union Health Secretary, emphasized the importance of maintaining constant vigilance over the COVID situation in the country in a letter sent to States/UTs.

The nomenclature of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including JN.1, can be complex. JN.1 is a sub-variant within the Omicron variant, and its origin, initially reported in Luxembourg in Europe earlier this month, remains somewhat unclear.

This story has been sourced from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and PIB website.